Adapted Performance Shift Hammer V3

Discussion in 'Mazdaspeeds.org Official Parts Reviews Section' started by _Mazdarati, Jul 9, 2018.

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  1. _Mazdarati

    _Mazdarati I just want my car back Greenie Member

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    So along with some clearance engine covers, I got my hands on this nice take on a SSP.

    I had the old V2 that AP had came out with a while ago, but ended up having issues with it and took it off. I haven't had a SSP on my car since. Mr. Steve has made these out of 304 stainless and as far as I know, they are only offered in a raw finish, no powdercoat. I was dumb and have no pictures of the thing before I installed it because I am impatient and I don't use my brain a majority of the time.

    I installed the unit in less than 10 minutes by pulling the filter off of my HTP 4" intake and then removing the (2) 12mm bolts that held on my old Cobb weight. Once those were off, I promptly just set the plate over the assembly, put the bolts through, and tightened it all up.

    First off, if you have a negative stigma about SSPs, you need to rethink immediately. Just using and driving around with this plate installed for less than 10 minutes, I was in love. Shifting not only feels butter smooth, but it feels factory. Steve really put some thought into the design of this, making the shape of it almost identical to the factory weight, and that really seems to make this plate shift so smooth. The weight is perfect (I have it with both weights on as recommended, and have it set for the shortest shift currently). I have always been apprehensive of SSPs as there is a stigma that all of them can ruin your trans and it takes more effort to get into gear, but that is not true with the Shift Hammer. Almost no extra effort is needed to put the car into gear, like I said previously, it feels like factory. The other advertised benefit is an improved 2-3 shift, and let me be the first to say, it DEFINITELY improves the 2-3 shift. I always hated 2-3 on my GenPu, could barely hit it at times because of how poopoo that shift is.

    I had an old NA Miata, Ebay short throw. That trans shifted great, and this plate makes my car feel just like my old Miata RWD transmission. I am in love with this plate. I will keep this thread updated if I have ANY kind of issue with it. I will also update with more pictures by the end of the day tomorrow (have to pull the plate off again, as I am going to put a dribble of low strength Loctite on the bolts, just to make sure I don't lose one under aggressive shifting).
     

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  2. _Mazdarati

    _Mazdarati I just want my car back Greenie Member

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    And let it be known, this picture was taken BEFORE I tightened everything down. I got excited and barely threaded the bolts and almost drove off without tightening them. This IS NOT how the weights look when tight, it should all be flush!
     
  3. _Mazdarati

    _Mazdarati I just want my car back Greenie Member

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    Nevermind I am dumb. The gap between the weights and the plate will be there been after being tight (the weights and plate sandwich the factory assembly... I am dumb as hell).

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    _Mazdarati, via a mobile device, Jul 9, 2018
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  4. Adapted_Performance

    Adapted_Performance Approved Vendor

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    I really appreciate the review. I developed these in response to those crappy SSP's that are on the market.

    This whole assembly is not much lighter than the factory weight but the way I have the weight distributed and offset makes a difference. Also for the shift length, we go as short of a throw as you can have without causing binding in the shifter cable boots and without needing a stupid stand off that puts a severe angle on the cable.

    We have these in stainless steel only now so they will never rust. They also are on special right now for $50 with plenty in stock.
     
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  5. _Mazdarati

    _Mazdarati I just want my car back Greenie Member

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    So as I said, I will update this post with how I like it so far. Well, everything is going okay. I am having a few issues flat foot shifting 2-3. Even pushing pretty hard into gear, it isn't having it. I do have the throw as short as it can go (how it came from AP), so I am going to give it a little more slack and report back. BUt besides when I am FFSing, it is performing flawlessly. If I am granny shifting and not FFS, it does fine. I will report back once I adjust and get some more time with the new setting.
     
  6. _Mazdarati

    _Mazdarati I just want my car back Greenie Member

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    Ordered a set of CS shifter bushings and will also be adjusting the SSP for a little bit of a longer throw. I'm thinking the bushings and giving the throw a little more slack will solve the 'issue' I am having when I flat foot shift. Will report back soon!
     
  7. _Mazdarati

    _Mazdarati I just want my car back Greenie Member

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    So I have sad news. Went to a roll racing event today and had some time with the car. Got some Cs bushings installed and all and was still having issues hitting 3rd gear (locked out even at lower RPM trying to FFS). I went and adjusted the shift plate for as long of a shift as it would go with both weights, but 3rd gear did not like it at all, and no matter what I tried I was getting locked out of gear. Took the plate off, and I had 0 issues the rest of the day.

    Honestly, I will be keeping the SSP off of my car for the time being. I loved where the car did shift and all, and the plate itself is amazing, but I just don't think this transmission likes it. I tried everything to make it work but nothing would help and I was still getting locked out of gear. I would still like to thank Steve at AP for developing this product, but it is not for me. I would like to revisit it once I have better fluid in the trans and ready for another try, but I am not sure. I do not want to damage my 3rd gear more than it already has from being ground so much.

    But that is my honest opinion on the product. Nothing against Steve or AP obviously, and I will still give him my business if he has something else that catches my eye. I hope this review is found helpful for anybody else on the fence about any kind of SSP. This AP one has definitely been the best I have my car and I mean that.
     
  8. monkey.bones.007

    monkey.bones.007 Chuckin' sausage like a hooker rubs dick Silver Member

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    The shift forks with the plastic instead of brass have been known to be a weak point of trans. That could be an early indicater of the fork going.
    Tapatalk, it sucks for free!
     
    monkey.bones.007, via a mobile device, Aug 17, 2018
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  9. _Mazdarati

    _Mazdarati I just want my car back Greenie Member

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    I don't think the fork pads are going bad. I have not ground a gear since I took the plate off and I have been FFSing quite often. I have less than 90k on the trans as well. I would be locked out if gear with the plate installed, no matter how hard I pushed into gear. I just think the cables were binding.

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    _Mazdarati, via a mobile device, Aug 17, 2018
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  10. monkey.bones.007

    monkey.bones.007 Chuckin' sausage like a hooker rubs dick Silver Member

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    It could have also been the shifter cables, i know some people have had to adjust those as well. What kinda fluid are you running? I ran both Lucas (wouldn't recommend) and Castrol GTX synthetic trans fluid (recommend) and never had an issue.
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    monkey.bones.007, via a mobile device, Aug 17, 2018
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  11. _Mazdarati

    _Mazdarati I just want my car back Greenie Member

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    I don't want to mess with the cables. I'm on oem fluid right now and have 3qts of motorcraft waiting to go in. Haven't had time.

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    _Mazdarati, via a mobile device, Aug 17, 2018
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  12. Db09ms3

    Db09ms3 Silver Member

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    I 2nd the cable adjustment. Just mark your current positions so if you fucks it up you have a reference point to put you back to where it was originally. I was grinding 3rd when I installed my damond SSP, pulled the console and adjusted my cables. Shifting is butter now. I had OEM fluid back then and went to motorcraft afterward.
     
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