g_reichow

iTrader: (2)

So my NB 5 speed has 2 dowels in the shift turret instead of 1 like the NA has. I have a shifter from a 91, so it doesn't fit into the later turret due to only having 1 slot.

I know you can use a drift to partially drive out one of the dowels, but is there any penalty for doing so? Obviously fully driving the dowel out would create a leak point. The NB also doesn't have bushings whereas the NA has nylon bushings in the shift lever assembly. Is that a problem?

I've contacted the former owner of the transmission to see if he still has the other shift lever around, but if I don't need to make that drive to pick it up, that is better.

-Greer

Leafy

iTrader: (1)

Just grab one of the miata roadster long shifters for it. Or I guess any other shifter would work too.

g_reichow

iTrader: (2)

Leafy, yes I COULD go drop 200+ on a new shift setup, but if there is a 0 buck solution then bully.

Yes I could buy a used shift linkage (anyone have one for sale from a 99+)? The questions were "is there a consequence to driving one of the pins out of the way" and "Is the presence of nylon bushings from a NA shift lever in a 99+ an issue?"

-Greer

Leafy

iTrader: (1)

Which nylon bushings? There is the one on the tip, that irrc is present on both shifters, and there is the insert into the slot which I think both have, the NB just has 2. And the ring around the top of the ball. I dont remember seeing any other nylon when I had my NA apart.

g_reichow

iTrader: (2)

According to some videos, the nylon bushings inserted in the slot on the shifter ball (the vertical ones) are not present on the 99+ models. Thus that question.

-Greer

Leafy

iTrader: (1)

As long as it fits snugly over the pin it shouldnt be a problem.

thenuge26

iTrader: (2)

Yeah I put a cheap ebay shifter in my '99, it was made for an NA so it had the one slot, and did not have the nylon bushing in the slot.

It worked fine, except the bottom bushing was too large for the shift turret, and it didn't quite fit right without it on. So I took it out. But otherwise it worked great for 2 or 3 months.

Punch the pin partially out, there is no need to totally remove it.

g_reichow

iTrader: (2)

so you did punch one of the shift pins back to install the short shifter? did you have any problems besides the quality of the piece you bought? any leaks?

-Greer

thenuge26

iTrader: (2)

Nope, no problems. I actually REALLY liked the feel and throw of the ebay shifter, it was a little more firm and it had a lot more feel, you could feel 2 clicks every time you shifted.

But the incorrectly sized bushing meant that it had trouble getting 5th gear, as the ball would slip out of the guide or whatever that thing it connects to is called.

Also since I didn't feel like trying very hard, I am back to running my '99 stock shifter, but with the front pin still punched out. I have had the ebay shifter since July or so, and went back to stock a couple of weeks ago. No problems in all that time.