Using the 5 speed shifter to create a 6 speed short shifter
 

Hey fellas. So I blew my trans a bit ago, and managed to score a good deal on a 6 speed. It did not come with a shifter (nor do I have one), and I had an idea...


According to this: http://www.mazda-speed.com/forum2/in...?topic=23860.0

The ball ends should be the same diameter. The only difference between the 5 speed and 6 speed is the length of the ball to the pivot.

What if I made a spacer to make up for that gap? Then I could use my 5 speed shifter with the 6 speed trans, and I would have a free to me shifter that also has the benefit of being a shirt shifter!

Ill have to look at it, but has anyone done this? Ill need to figure out how to make the spacer.

Also, does the 6 speed use a plastic bushing on the ball like the 5 speed? If not, what does it use? Am I crazy?

Thanks guys!

I tried a 5 speed short shifter in my 6 speed for a while just machined a sleeve to make the lower bushing fit, it still sucked. For aft throw was ok but right left the gates were too close and I constantly miss shifted. Fiddling around with the setup and depth placement never got it just right.

plopped down the money for this puppy.

http://miataroadster.rpmware.com/mia...s/g-63251.aspx

Best shifter I’ve ever had. Tall one puts the knob in closer proximity to the steering wheel for quick access, the throw lever ratios for right left and for/aft are are exelent, and the bushing and manufacturing quality is also exelent using dual OE pin bushings from the early 5 speeds making it smooth and precise. Everything else feels like garbage to me.

Bob

Having said what I just said I bet you could just buy the lower bushing from Miata Roadster and it would enable you to use an NB 5 speed shifter in a 6 speed. I think the issue will be is the gates will be real close together laterally because the lower ball will be too low in the transmission. It will generate a lot of shifts to either 1st or 5th when you’re trying to hit 3rd. An H pattern with short for aft throw distance is nice but too close right left is a major pain in the ass when you’re in a hurry.

Bob

Thanks for the advice bob. That shifter is nice, but I just don't have the money right now haha. Ill take a look, maybe I can cut and re weld the ball end...

Ok. :noob: here. Would a shift lever gate (as in the crome piece that Lamborghinis have in stead of a shift boot) keep you from hitting 1 or 5 instead of 3? I've always wondered if those gates are for looks or if they serve a purpose.

I've wondered if they would keep you from getting into gear at all on occasion. I think they are more commonly used on cars that have the shift linkage not mounted directly to the transmission. The problem we have is with our drive train configuration the transmission moves around a lot with engine torque cornering forces and just plain old vibration the shifter moves with it and so does the location of the gates. If you’re trying to hit a moving target you want that target to be wide. For aft throw can be pretty short though.

to achieve this wide but short H pattern with the shifter mechanism the way it is you can have a larger distance between the big and small balls on the shifter but the small ball needs to contact the cup in the transmission as high as possible rather than shouved down into it, shouving it down into it makes the H pattern even more skinny. if the knob position for 1st is only 1/2" from the knob position for 3rd when the car is stationary then finding out what gear your in when you let the clutch out coming onto a straight can be exciting.

Bob

One thing I had thought about trying was drilling it out from the bottom tapping it to put a Cap screw through it to hold on the lower ball after cutting it off and taking some material out. With spacers you could fine tune the length to your liking. Never attempted it though.

Bob

Hmm well I have a whole machine shop at my disposal, ill have to see what I can do.

Ahh. I see. Yes, the shift lever jumps around quite a bit when I look at in car videos.

Check this:

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1321550169

Okay from left to right is 6 speed stock shifter, 5 speed stock shifter, & 5 speed short throw shifter.

The 5 speed short throw comes with a spacer & a seat bushing that is thicker.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1321550169

Don't you think that if I machine the two spacers thinner to equal the difference in the stock 5 speed & stock 6 speed's portions below the big ball & then etch the extra groove in the stock 5 speed's big ball that I would have a short throw shifter that would work the same as the 5 speed short shifter? To be honest, I haven't understood why no one is selling one like that 5 speed short shifter in a 6 speed version. That kit wasn't expensive & it worked quite well IMHO. Probably not as well as the $250 miataroadster stuff but it was 1/5 the price. What say ye?

Yes you could make your own spacer and use the 5 speed shifter. I didnt want to get that involved, so I just did this:

https://www.miataturbo.net/suspension-brakes-drivetrain-49/how-use-5-speed-shifter-6-speed-61643/

I saw your thread & that makes it even more interesting because if I combine the two I can I actually make a 6 speed, fulcrum changing short throw shifter by welding the proper length on the stock 5 speed shifter & then use the spacers that I already have with the 5 speed short throw shifter kit. Badda bing badda boom. If I want that fancy smancy longer stick like Miataroadster has, we'll just weld that as well. A whole lot cheaper than 250 bones!:skid:

ive done this.
5speed shortshifter in a 6speed box.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1322264995

had to machine a small spacer, to get the throw both ways correct. modified/made the socket on the bottom of the 5speed shifter so if fits the 6speed(larger outside diameter).
in combination with a a long shifter, it feels great.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1322264995
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1322264995

btw, same starting point, had a 5 speed shifter, and a 6speed without a stick :)