RP Short Shifter Installed (first impressions)
05-03-2005, 08:30 PM
#326
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Originally Posted by Richard Paul
I'm interested to see which flash it has. It now has 34 miles on it.
He plugged into mine on Sunday -- gotta get one of these when they become available.
05-05-2005, 09:03 PM
#327
Originally Posted by rxeightr
Hymee has his Scanalyzer with him, so he can tell you this weekend all you want to know about your yellow brute, including which flash it has.
He plugged into mine on Sunday -- gotta get one of these when they become available.
He plugged into mine on Sunday -- gotta get one of these when they become available.
I read between the lines here. Now your willing to give Hymee the boot, last we heard you were keeping him.
I look foward to seeing that item.
I have now run a full tank of fuel through the yellow machine. It is very clear why my shifter is so popular, the stock one sucks.
I find myself getting into 2nd when I wanted 4th. I find the bridge between 1st and 3rd is to wide for fast shifts 2nd to 3rd. I hit that almost every time unless I think about it when shifting.
I have no problem 5 to 6. I have once ground second.
I'm still going to run two more tanks through it before I change shifters.
I had a chance to drive out to a canyon today and ran it a little quick. Not race speeds just fun running. I'm quite impressed with the tightness of the handling and quick responce to steering input. Last night I drove for the first time with those type lights. I think the brightness and sharp cut off point is real nice.
I also find the controls handy and of good quality. It rained today and I had a chance to use both the light and wioper switchs. Nice feel and natural location. I think Mazda did a very good job for the driver, everything seems logical even though I am not used to them yet. My foot did slip off the clutch though, it was wet. The parking brake while handy for use is a little obvious, using a lot of space.
The trunk can probably hold a lot of grain but I had to get a box in it today and it was a little tricky. If I get the spare out it will be easier.
Lock and Load, this color yellow is so bright you see it coming at night. It makes me scared to drive looking foward. I mean I like yellow but man does it stand out.
You can't loose it in a parking lot. But the cops can't loose you in the shuffle either.
The gas gauge goes down fast enough that you can watch it. The shifter vibrates in nutral all by itself. I hear most of the noise coming from the buzz of the engine. At first I thought it was the tires. Someone was right when they said it needed a 7th gear. cruising at 80 and 4000 RPM made me feel like shifting again.
I can feel the solidness of that insulation around the shifter and I think you guys are right about it causing the noise. We shall see soon enough.
The new blower dyno should be running by the time Hymee gets here. I think I shall go hide it from him though. Good thing it is on wheels, I can always push it over to the shop next door. :D :D
05-05-2005, 09:23 PM
#329
Originally Posted by Richard Paul
I read between the lines here. Now your willing to give Hymee the boot, last we heard you were keeping him.
I look foward to seeing that item.
I have now run a full tank of fuel through the yellow machine. It is very clear why my shifter is so popular, the stock one sucks.
I find myself getting into 2nd when I wanted 4th. I find the bridge between 1st and 3rd is to wide for fast shifts 2nd to 3rd. I hit that almost every time unless I think about it when shifting.
I have no problem 5 to 6. I have once ground second.
I'm still going to run two more tanks through it before I change shifters.
I had a chance to drive out to a canyon today and ran it a little quick. Not race speeds just fun running. I'm quite impressed with the tightness of the handling and quick responce to steering input. Last night I drove for the first time with those type lights. I think the brightness and sharp cut off point is real nice.
I also find the controls handy and of good quality. It rained today and I had a chance to use both the light and wioper switchs. Nice feel and natural location. I think Mazda did a very good job for the driver, everything seems logical even though I am not used to them yet. My foot did slip off the clutch though, it was wet. The parking brake while handy for use is a little obvious, using a lot of space.
The trunk can probably hold a lot of grain but I had to get a box in it today and it was a little tricky. If I get the spare out it will be easier.
Lock and Load, this color yellow is so bright you see it coming at night. It makes me scared to drive looking foward. I mean I like yellow but man does it stand out.
You can't loose it in a parking lot. But the cops can't loose you in the shuffle either.
The gas gauge goes down fast enough that you can watch it. The shifter vibrates in nutral all by itself. I hear most of the noise coming from the buzz of the engine. At first I thought it was the tires. Someone was right when they said it needed a 7th gear. cruising at 80 and 4000 RPM made me feel like shifting again.
I can feel the solidness of that insulation around the shifter and I think you guys are right about it causing the noise. We shall see soon enough.
The new blower dyno should be running by the time Hymee gets here. I think I shall go hide it from him though. Good thing it is on wheels, I can always push it over to the shop next door. :D :D
I look foward to seeing that item.
I have now run a full tank of fuel through the yellow machine. It is very clear why my shifter is so popular, the stock one sucks.
I find myself getting into 2nd when I wanted 4th. I find the bridge between 1st and 3rd is to wide for fast shifts 2nd to 3rd. I hit that almost every time unless I think about it when shifting.
I have no problem 5 to 6. I have once ground second.
I'm still going to run two more tanks through it before I change shifters.
I had a chance to drive out to a canyon today and ran it a little quick. Not race speeds just fun running. I'm quite impressed with the tightness of the handling and quick responce to steering input. Last night I drove for the first time with those type lights. I think the brightness and sharp cut off point is real nice.
I also find the controls handy and of good quality. It rained today and I had a chance to use both the light and wioper switchs. Nice feel and natural location. I think Mazda did a very good job for the driver, everything seems logical even though I am not used to them yet. My foot did slip off the clutch though, it was wet. The parking brake while handy for use is a little obvious, using a lot of space.
The trunk can probably hold a lot of grain but I had to get a box in it today and it was a little tricky. If I get the spare out it will be easier.
Lock and Load, this color yellow is so bright you see it coming at night. It makes me scared to drive looking foward. I mean I like yellow but man does it stand out.
You can't loose it in a parking lot. But the cops can't loose you in the shuffle either.
The gas gauge goes down fast enough that you can watch it. The shifter vibrates in nutral all by itself. I hear most of the noise coming from the buzz of the engine. At first I thought it was the tires. Someone was right when they said it needed a 7th gear. cruising at 80 and 4000 RPM made me feel like shifting again.
I can feel the solidness of that insulation around the shifter and I think you guys are right about it causing the noise. We shall see soon enough.
The new blower dyno should be running by the time Hymee gets here. I think I shall go hide it from him though. Good thing it is on wheels, I can always push it over to the shop next door. :D :D
rp,
aint it cool???
i pm you a while back about two items you could make that would sell well and offset some of the cost of the afs. one was a taller 6th gear, the other is the door holder open thingys. after the third tank of gas you will no what i am talking about.
how did you feel about the pedal location. i find that if i get everything in the right place the clutch pedal needs to be about an inch taller.
beers
05-06-2005, 12:51 AM
#330
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"Lock and Load, this color yellow is so bright you see it coming at night. It makes me scared to drive looking foward. I mean I like yellow but man does it stand out.
You can't loose it in a parking lot. But the cops can't loose you in the shuffle either". Quote............. R P
You can't loose it in a parking lot. But the cops can't loose you in the shuffle either". Quote............. R P
05-07-2005, 01:54 PM
#331
Londons Yellow Peril
Originally Posted by Richard Paul
It is very clear why my shifter is so popular, the stock one sucks.
I find myself getting into 2nd when I wanted 4th. I find the bridge between 1st and 3rd is to wide for fast shifts 2nd to 3rd. I hit that almost every time unless I think about it when shifting.
I find myself getting into 2nd when I wanted 4th. I find the bridge between 1st and 3rd is to wide for fast shifts 2nd to 3rd. I hit that almost every time unless I think about it when shifting.
Teh 2-3 is the BEST change of your box.... i used to fail on that one with the stock box everytime i tried to go fast!
05-07-2005, 03:11 PM
#332
Ahh yes, Now it comes together! Remember how we lowered **** 5mm? That would squeeze the insulation by that much. Is that ball bearing 5mm or more Little John? Maybe we should just cut somthing off the top of the insulator?
Try 1/2 inch to start with.
I'll try these things here as soon as I can save up some money to buy a shifter kit.
I'm not saving at the gas station, my Eldorodo gets better milage then this thing.
Strange that, it has 80 more HP and a 1000 more Lbs.
Going in to work on the blower dyno, hope to get it running today.
Try 1/2 inch to start with.
I'll try these things here as soon as I can save up some money to buy a shifter kit.
I'm not saving at the gas station, my Eldorodo gets better milage then this thing.
Strange that, it has 80 more HP and a 1000 more Lbs.
Going in to work on the blower dyno, hope to get it running today.
05-08-2005, 09:05 PM
#333
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Originally Posted by Richard Paul
Ahh yes, Now it comes together! Remember how we lowered **** 5mm? That would squeeze the insulation by that much. Is that ball bearing 5mm or more Little John? Maybe we should just cut somthing off the top of the insulator?
Try 1/2 inch to start with.
I'll try these things here as soon as I can save up some money to buy a shifter kit.
I'm not saving at the gas station, my Eldorodo gets better milage then this thing.
Strange that, it has 80 more HP and a 1000 more Lbs.
Going in to work on the blower dyno, hope to get it running today.
Try 1/2 inch to start with.
I'll try these things here as soon as I can save up some money to buy a shifter kit.
I'm not saving at the gas station, my Eldorodo gets better milage then this thing.
Strange that, it has 80 more HP and a 1000 more Lbs.
Going in to work on the blower dyno, hope to get it running today.
I haven't measured the little ball yet.. but my guestimate is about 4mm
05-13-2005, 05:54 PM
#334
Just installed a shifter in my car. 
I'm gonna buy the guy who designed this thing a bottle of Remy Martin................Oh wait, I already have. :D
Really, the 2-3 shift alone is worth the price of admission. I had felt like I had never driven a stick shift before. I was so rough. Now things are back to normal, smooth.
If you guys hadn't told me I never would have noticed any noise in second gear. It is a very small amout noisier, I guess. I left the green fuzzy thing out just on faith. I should put it back in to try.
My car must be in tolorence because there are no issues with spacing of the tab.
One good thing on my car at least.
BTW It took 15 min to install. The little white wire clips waste time so I've figured some ways to speed that up. First idea, use a square nose tweezers down against the screw to spread the clip. Idea 2, get a peice of tubing with ID the size of screw and thin wall. If not thin enough champher one side. Push down on the screw between the clip, thus spreading clips and providing smooth surface to slide on.
Anyway not to toot my own horn, it makes the car alot nicer to drive and snick-shifter is sounding better, if not a little funky.
Who has a fax and a scanner?? I want to get my dyno sheet in here. I have bought two scanners and my computer will not let me use either one. But I do have a fax.
I'm gonna buy the guy who designed this thing a bottle of Remy Martin................Oh wait, I already have. :D Really, the 2-3 shift alone is worth the price of admission. I had felt like I had never driven a stick shift before. I was so rough. Now things are back to normal, smooth.
If you guys hadn't told me I never would have noticed any noise in second gear. It is a very small amout noisier, I guess. I left the green fuzzy thing out just on faith. I should put it back in to try.
My car must be in tolorence because there are no issues with spacing of the tab.
One good thing on my car at least.
BTW It took 15 min to install. The little white wire clips waste time so I've figured some ways to speed that up. First idea, use a square nose tweezers down against the screw to spread the clip. Idea 2, get a peice of tubing with ID the size of screw and thin wall. If not thin enough champher one side. Push down on the screw between the clip, thus spreading clips and providing smooth surface to slide on.
Anyway not to toot my own horn, it makes the car alot nicer to drive and snick-shifter is sounding better, if not a little funky.
Who has a fax and a scanner?? I want to get my dyno sheet in here. I have bought two scanners and my computer will not let me use either one. But I do have a fax.
05-13-2005, 06:24 PM
#335
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Hey RP,
I was one of the early adopters of the RPSTS and havent experienced any problems as of late. <knock on wood> Is there anything that has changed on the shifter or something I need to be aware of? Has it been improved or some sort of change?
Thanks.
I was one of the early adopters of the RPSTS and havent experienced any problems as of late. <knock on wood> Is there anything that has changed on the shifter or something I need to be aware of? Has it been improved or some sort of change?
Thanks.
05-13-2005, 07:19 PM
#336
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Originally Posted by Richard Paul
Just installed a shifter in my car. I'm gonna buy the guy who designed this thing a bottle of Remy Martin................Oh wait, I already have. :D
Really, the 2-3 shift alone is worth the price of admission. I had felt like I had never driven a stick shift before. I was so rough. Now things are back to normal, smooth.
If you guys hadn't told me I never would have noticed any noise in second gear. It is a very small amout noisier, I guess. I left the green fuzzy thing out just on faith. I should put it back in to try.
My car must be in tolorence because there are no issues with spacing of the tab.
One good thing on my car at least.
BTW It took 15 min to install. The little white wire clips waste time so I've figured some ways to speed that up. First idea, use a square nose tweezers down against the screw to spread the clip. Idea 2, get a peice of tubing with ID the size of screw and thin wall. If not thin enough champher one side. Push down on the screw between the clip, thus spreading clips and providing smooth surface to slide on.
Anyway not to toot my own horn, it makes the car alot nicer to drive and snick-shifter is sounding better, if not a little funky.
Who has a fax and a scanner?? I want to get my dyno sheet in here. I have bought two scanners and my computer will not let me use either one. But I do have a fax.
I'm gonna buy the guy who designed this thing a bottle of Remy Martin................Oh wait, I already have. :D Really, the 2-3 shift alone is worth the price of admission. I had felt like I had never driven a stick shift before. I was so rough. Now things are back to normal, smooth.
If you guys hadn't told me I never would have noticed any noise in second gear. It is a very small amout noisier, I guess. I left the green fuzzy thing out just on faith. I should put it back in to try.
My car must be in tolorence because there are no issues with spacing of the tab.
One good thing on my car at least.
BTW It took 15 min to install. The little white wire clips waste time so I've figured some ways to speed that up. First idea, use a square nose tweezers down against the screw to spread the clip. Idea 2, get a peice of tubing with ID the size of screw and thin wall. If not thin enough champher one side. Push down on the screw between the clip, thus spreading clips and providing smooth surface to slide on.
Anyway not to toot my own horn, it makes the car alot nicer to drive and snick-shifter is sounding better, if not a little funky.
Who has a fax and a scanner?? I want to get my dyno sheet in here. I have bought two scanners and my computer will not let me use either one. But I do have a fax.
05-13-2005, 09:05 PM
#339
Originally Posted by RX-Nut
Hey RP,
I was one of the early adopters of the RPSTS and havent experienced any problems as of late. <knock on wood> Is there anything that has changed on the shifter or something I need to be aware of? Has it been improved or some sort of change?
Thanks.
I was one of the early adopters of the RPSTS and havent experienced any problems as of late. <knock on wood> Is there anything that has changed on the shifter or something I need to be aware of? Has it been improved or some sort of change?
Thanks.
I'm going to have to look it up but I think you got yours with the latest pivot box. That is the only change except for adjusting the tab a few thousanths of an inch. If you don't have any shifting problems you will not have any in the future. It is just a very few cars that are on the far side of the tolorence. So far about three I think.
I put mine in today with no problems only took about 15 min. No tab failure. (Gomez) I looked real carfull to find any pitfalls I may have overlooked.
Having said that I remember I intended to look at that spring end to see if it should be timed in a special way. I'll revisit this sometime.
05-31-2005, 10:18 PM
#342
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Go to the DIY on the shifter install, and follow the instructions for removing the console cover. Only this time, don't remove the **** first. When you have the cover unclipped, you'll be able to get access to the wiring to allow safe removal of the ****.
Gomez.
Gomez.
06-01-2005, 04:32 AM
#343
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I'm installed. This is the first one in Japan. Yeah!
Install was pretty easy. Only things that gave me trouble was disconnecting the navi connectors as the space was limited and of course getting the plastic things off the screws. Other than that. Simple job.
First impressions are that this thing is way short. I have some measurements which I took from the old and new but my mate was taking the pics so I haven't got them yet.
I'm a little worried about the space between 3rd and 5th gear though. I can engage 5th gear but the distance from neutral before hitting the reverse lockout plate is tiny. Its way different from neutral to 1st for example. Is that normal? I'll get the measure ments later but its less than 5mm me thinks where as first is more like 10 to 15.. Driving seems to work fine though. I can select 5th but it just feels like I'm gonna go back into third its so close.
I drove about 20kms around town in heavy traffic. Got into 5th/6th once just to try it out. The other gears are all pretty amazing. 1st through 4th feels great. Bang, bang, bang, bang, brake hard, blip, bang - ops... Did that last bang sound different to you guys? Hehe.
I'm not dis-satisfied with the 5th/6th thing, its just that it feels unreal its so damn close. Love to hear comments on this. I'll post measurements as soon as I have them. Reverse locks out and engages pretty easily. No problems there.
Other things. My "fragile" tab was already broken. Guess the mechanic who put in the illuminated shift *** initally broke it. My illuminated *** was nothing to worry about as the wire was already broken (again by a mechanic recently who decided to tighten my *** another turn). When I get time to repair it I'll know how to plug it back in. Thanks Gomez.
Tom.
Install was pretty easy. Only things that gave me trouble was disconnecting the navi connectors as the space was limited and of course getting the plastic things off the screws. Other than that. Simple job.
First impressions are that this thing is way short. I have some measurements which I took from the old and new but my mate was taking the pics so I haven't got them yet.
I'm a little worried about the space between 3rd and 5th gear though. I can engage 5th gear but the distance from neutral before hitting the reverse lockout plate is tiny. Its way different from neutral to 1st for example. Is that normal? I'll get the measure ments later but its less than 5mm me thinks where as first is more like 10 to 15.. Driving seems to work fine though. I can select 5th but it just feels like I'm gonna go back into third its so close.
I drove about 20kms around town in heavy traffic. Got into 5th/6th once just to try it out. The other gears are all pretty amazing. 1st through 4th feels great. Bang, bang, bang, bang, brake hard, blip, bang - ops... Did that last bang sound different to you guys? Hehe.
I'm not dis-satisfied with the 5th/6th thing, its just that it feels unreal its so damn close. Love to hear comments on this. I'll post measurements as soon as I have them. Reverse locks out and engages pretty easily. No problems there.
Other things. My "fragile" tab was already broken. Guess the mechanic who put in the illuminated shift *** initally broke it. My illuminated *** was nothing to worry about as the wire was already broken (again by a mechanic recently who decided to tighten my *** another turn). When I get time to repair it I'll know how to plug it back in. Thanks Gomez.
Tom.
06-01-2005, 03:43 PM
#344
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Originally Posted by tpodowd
I'm a little worried about the space between 3rd and 5th gear though. I can engage 5th gear but the distance from neutral before hitting the reverse lockout plate is tiny. Its way different from neutral to 1st for example. Is that normal?
Tom.
Tom.
06-01-2005, 07:49 PM
#345
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Day 2: Was out for some spirited gear changing this morning (dropping the mrs off at work) and all I can say is OMG! Everything felt incredible today. 5th/6th although extremely short felt no different to other gears. Downshifting back to 3rd or 4th felt amazing too. Amazing what a nights sleep can do. Can't wait to show my other RX8 mates
06-01-2005, 09:57 PM
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Back to my 5th/6th issues. I just got my photos back from my mate. It seems like there is some play in the reverse lockout plate position and that you have to position it to give a little more play than what what I gave it here. See the pic. Guess I need to move it in the direction of the arrow a little more. D'oh!
Tom.
Tom.
06-02-2005, 12:12 AM
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Ok. had the whole thing out again. Its so easy to install it amazes me everytime I do it The plate didn't need any reposition at all. Playing around with shifting with everything off you can see that the shifting is perfect as-is. Its just an amazingly short throw and I'm falling in love :o Way-to-go Richard! My mate is coming over tonight with his Mazda Speed sports shifter. Will be interesting to compare...
Tom.
The plate didn't need any reposition at all. Playing around with shifting with everything off you can see that the shifting is perfect as-is. Its just an amazingly short throw and I'm falling in love :o Way-to-go Richard! My mate is coming over tonight with his Mazda Speed sports shifter. Will be interesting to compare... Tom.
06-02-2005, 06:18 AM
#349
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Originally Posted by tpodowd
Ok. had the whole thing out again. Its so easy to install it amazes me everytime I do it The plate didn't need any reposition at all. Playing around with shifting with everything off you can see that the shifting is perfect as-is. Its just an amazingly short throw and I'm falling in love :o Way-to-go Richard! My mate is coming over tonight with his Mazda Speed sports shifter. Will be interesting to compare...
Tom.
The plate didn't need any reposition at all. Playing around with shifting with everything off you can see that the shifting is perfect as-is. Its just an amazingly short throw and I'm falling in love :o Way-to-go Richard! My mate is coming over tonight with his Mazda Speed sports shifter. Will be interesting to compare... Tom.
Btw, would you be able to pay extra attention to the in cabin noise levels in 2nd, 4th and 6th gears. Especially when you're in gear and slowing down off the throttle.
06-03-2005, 05:43 AM
#350
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I took out the shifter today and put the stock one back in. My reason was gear whine. I wanna put the RP one back in again though after going back to stock :o The shifting is definitely more positive on the RP shifter. Let me whine about gear whine for a moment.
close all windows. mute your audio, start your car in neutral and keep the clutch in. Listen to the gear box. Now as you are listening release the clutch. You can hear something which sounds like something rotating. Clutch in and you hear it slowly stop rotating. I hear this sound now also with my stock stick, but its more pronounced with the RP one. Thats not so bad. Just something I noticed when I was feeling all paranoid that I had damanged something in my car when I was hearing all the gear whine while driving. No idea if it was like that before or not. If someone has never changed their stick is reading this, let me know if its the norm.
Onto driving whine. This started to be more pronounced last night after some more driving. Today it sounded really annoying and I was worried something was actually wrong. I get whine in every gear 1-4 (didn't test 5/6). Its worse for sure in 2nd. You can even hear it with the windows open and a truck beside you. Its the most noticeable when you take your foot of the gas or go from 3rd to 2nd. It sounds like a more pronounced, rougher version of the sound I described in the 2nd paragraph. Kinda like something rotating.
Opened her all open and closely examined the RP shifter. Looks perfect. Stuck in the old one and it still makes the sound at idle (but less noisey) and in regular driving all is quiet again. No noticable gear whine. Going to try install RP again tomorrow to see if the sound is there again or not.
Ah nearly forgot to mention. I tried this with the Green padding in and out and also with the gear *** loose and tight. Still the whine while driving. Less with the green thing out but definitely still noticable.
One idea as to where the whine is coming from. Comparing the ball with the plastic that drops into the gearbox between stock and RP, I noticed that the bottom lips of plastic on the stock, protrude out over the metal ball where as on the RP stick, the metal is right poking out the end. Perhaps the attached image makes it a bit clearer... My hunch is that the extra lip on stock insulates the noise/heat up the stick a bit. Hence no whine when you drive... What do you think??
I wonder is it the no lip thing that makes it so positive feeling though? Anyone one else experiencing this? I definitely prefer the feel of the RP shifter - just not the noise.
Tom.
close all windows. mute your audio, start your car in neutral and keep the clutch in. Listen to the gear box. Now as you are listening release the clutch. You can hear something which sounds like something rotating. Clutch in and you hear it slowly stop rotating. I hear this sound now also with my stock stick, but its more pronounced with the RP one. Thats not so bad. Just something I noticed when I was feeling all paranoid that I had damanged something in my car when I was hearing all the gear whine while driving. No idea if it was like that before or not. If someone has never changed their stick is reading this, let me know if its the norm.
Onto driving whine. This started to be more pronounced last night after some more driving. Today it sounded really annoying and I was worried something was actually wrong. I get whine in every gear 1-4 (didn't test 5/6). Its worse for sure in 2nd. You can even hear it with the windows open and a truck beside you. Its the most noticeable when you take your foot of the gas or go from 3rd to 2nd. It sounds like a more pronounced, rougher version of the sound I described in the 2nd paragraph. Kinda like something rotating.
Opened her all open and closely examined the RP shifter. Looks perfect. Stuck in the old one and it still makes the sound at idle (but less noisey) and in regular driving all is quiet again. No noticable gear whine. Going to try install RP again tomorrow to see if the sound is there again or not.
Ah nearly forgot to mention. I tried this with the Green padding in and out and also with the gear *** loose and tight. Still the whine while driving. Less with the green thing out but definitely still noticable.
One idea as to where the whine is coming from. Comparing the ball with the plastic that drops into the gearbox between stock and RP, I noticed that the bottom lips of plastic on the stock, protrude out over the metal ball where as on the RP stick, the metal is right poking out the end. Perhaps the attached image makes it a bit clearer... My hunch is that the extra lip on stock insulates the noise/heat up the stick a bit. Hence no whine when you drive... What do you think??
I wonder is it the no lip thing that makes it so positive feeling though? Anyone one else experiencing this? I definitely prefer the feel of the RP shifter - just not the noise.
Tom.