Bang for Buck: Transmission Mount vs. Short Shift Kit

[Jtotheonah]

Getting reallly sick of my transmission at this stage. The shifts are pretty notchy, not especially precise and just all around sloppy. I have an insert in my stock RMM and am waiting for my damond motorsports RMM to arrive (so perhaps that will help?). I'm just trying to find out whether I will benefit more from a transmission mount or a short shift kit ? I'm trying to fine tune my gearbox - feel like I would rather have tight direct shifts than sloppy shifts that are shorter... Anyone with some experience on the topic ?

 

[L337TurboZ]

I installed the shifter plate bushings, and corksport STS plate at the transmission. It was definitely an improvement. I also have their stage 2 RMM. The shifting is pretty good, there is always going to be a little slop being cabled to the transmission instead of directly bolted to it. But it did decrease the amount of slop by 85 percent.

 

[neganox]

1. Get solid shifter bushings.
2. Adjust your shifter cables.
3. Remove the shifter counter-weight and see how you like that feel vs w/ the weight.
4. Check to make sure your plastic tabs on your shifter cables under the hood aren't broken and causing the cables to move around. If broken, reach out to Michael Ray in the mazdaspeed fb groups and discuss his bracket replacement solution. I'm not sure if he's a member here or not.

I'd recommend adjusting the shifter cables after mount changes or if you decide to go with a short throw.

 

[Jtotheonah]

I have a genpu, is that also cable operated ?

 

[Easter Bunny]

Both gens are cable actuated

I had my console out recently to grease the reverse lockout as it was squeaky. While I was there I squirted the shifter ball and all of the other pivots with white lithium grease. The shifter ball in particular I kept moving and hitting it from different angles.

I have owned the car since new and didn't realize how sticky the shifter had gotten.

It's 2010 with 115k miles on it. I have also installed the s
base bushings
Damond short shift plate
Damond rear motor mount
Stratified shifter extender
And am using Ford unicorn jizz in the transmission

With all of that it was good and got a lot better after greasing

 

[neganox]

+1 for swapping in Ford trans fluid.

 

[Easter Bunny]

Seriously make sure you grease your balls

 

[Jtotheonah]

I installed the shifter plate bushings, and corksport STS plate at the transmission. It was definitely an improvement. I also have their stage 2 RMM. The shifting is pretty good, there is always going to be a little slop being cabled to the transmission instead of directly bolted to it. But it did decrease the amount of slop by 85 percent.

I've heard of some people doing a lot of damage to their transmissions with the Short shift plate.. Bushings I would def consider

 

[Jtotheonah]

1. Get solid shifter bushings.
2. Adjust your shifter cables.
3. Remove the shifter counter-weight and see how you like that feel vs w/ the weight.
4. Check to make sure your plastic tabs on your shifter cables under the hood aren't broken and causing the cables to move around. If broken, reach out to Michael Ray in the mazdaspeed fb groups and discuss his bracket replacement solution. I'm not sure if he's a member here or not.

I'd recommend adjusting the shifter cables after mount changes or if you decide to go with a short throw.

If I do wind up getting the mount or the short shifter I will definitely adjust those cables. Thanks ! And If I find broken tabs I'll hunt down this Michael ray for sure. How does removing the counter weight affect the shifting experience ?

 

[Jtotheonah]

Both gens are cable actuated

I had my console out recently to grease the reverse lockout as it was squeaky. While I was there I squirted the shifter ball and all of the other pivots with white lithium grease. The shifter ball in particular I kept moving and hitting it from different angles.

I have owned the car since new and didn't realize how sticky the shifter had gotten.

It's 2010 with 115k miles on it. I have also installed the s
base bushings
Damond short shift plate
Damond rear motor mount
Stratified shifter extender
And am using Ford unicorn jizz in the transmission

With all of that it was good and got a lot better after greasing

I guess I need to stop wasting time and start greasing my balls !

 

[neganox]

How does removing the counter weight affect the shifting experience ?

It's all personal preference. Some folks like it, some don't. Give it a shot.

 

[Awafrican]

Short shift plate is fine...the CS shifter that's actually in the shifter vs the plate can be a better smoother shift with less jerking on the transmission. The adapted performance and damond ssp have been well refined over the years and haven't heard of issues. I've had one for Probably 115k and no issues.

Edit: I didn't like the no shift weight, but the JBR weight with a decent knob was nice. I really like the Cobb knob with weight combo for shifting. Especially once I added solid shifter bushings man was that a huge change

 

[ToyCop]

I've got solid shifter base bushings, CorkSport short shifter, Damond trans/pass. mounts, Maisonvi knob, OEM weight, and Ford fluid. It took a while, but I'm happy with the setup. There is some clutch chatter with the Damond trans mount, but I'm immune to it now.