MS 3 short throw shifter

I just put my money down on the Mazdaspeed short throw shifter for the speed 3.  Anyone else already have it?  Any discernible difference?  Mine should be here, hopefully, by this weekend.  Also getting the windows tinted, kinda a must before summer here in TX.  BTW, the asking price for the shifter, installed, seemed quite steep.  What would be a reasonable price?  I managed to talk him down, and got a good deal compared to what was originally offered, but I'm not sure if I got a decent deal overall or not...  I paid around 325-350, after install and taxes.  They wanted over 500. 

Not a bad price....I installed my STS myself though. I have the TWM, should be similair to the Mazdaspeed. You will notice a difference in the throw...much nicer.

That is the one mod I want to do.  Pics?  How much shorter is the throw?    

I  believe its 33%.....i can take some pics tonight of it when i get off of work...none at the moment

Let me know how it is. Where in TX are you from?

quote:

ORIGINAL: Captain GJ

Let me know how it is. Where in TX are you from?

I'm here in Fort Worth, you in TX?  I've seen two figures on the short throw, 33% and 20%.  Most people on these forums seem to think it would be around thirty percent, but the guy at the dealership who had the aftermarket catalogue said it would be more like twenty.  Either way, the stock shifter is just a bit too long for my taste, and any improvement is fine by me.

Is this the one your are talking about?
http://www.twmperformance.com/shortshifters/mazdashortshifters/mazda3shortshifters.htm

You know, to be perfectly honest, I'm not sure if the Mazdaspeed shifter is the same as that one.  IDK.  If it is, I'll know prolly by Saturday, and I'll leave a post.  I don't have a camera, but I might find a friend to take a pic or two so I can post 'em. 

Here is a picture of the TWM short shift kit i have installed in my 2004 3s.  I do believe it is shorter than the Mazdaspeed sport shift kit.  The TWM shifter does a have a nice, short, sporty feel to it...it really just clicks into gear.


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The TWM short shifter has a 2.5" reduction in height and a 40% throw reduction (compared to stock shifting interface).

The Mazdaspeed short shifter has a 20% throw reduction, but I was unable to find any height reduction statistics (compared to stock shifting interface).

Do you still feel that notchy "mazda feel" with your short throw shifter? I like it less notchy than stock shifter (btw I have mazdaspeed 3), but not "toy like" smooth. Or is it completely different since it's not made by mazda?

yes, it still has the notchy "mazda feel" to it, but i find that feeling to be convenient.

OK, so I took my car in yesterday to have the short throw shifter and window tint installed.  I've been sitting there for FOUR HOURS waiting to find out what the hell is going on with my car when they tell me "umm, the short throw shifter for the mazdaspeed 3 is still in production and not yet available;  the part we ordered for you is a ms product, but for an older 3".   My response was, 'And it took you this long to figure that out?'  "Yeah, we were wondering why we weren't able to get it to fit."   Wow.  Really?  Really?  "Oh, we weren't able to get to your window tinting either."  You've gotta be kidding.  I even took off from work to get that shit done.  The only upside to the situation is that when the Mazdaspeed 3 shifter does come out, mine's already paid for, and if it's any more expensive than the one they just ordered, I won't have to pay the difference.  But I want my friggin' time refunded.  Four hours?!? 

So an aftermarket short throw shifter for the regular mazda 3 wont fit for a mazdaspeed 3? I was gonna jump the gun and buy me a short shifter for mazda 3 and install into my ms3. Good thing I read your post. And why werent they able to get to you tint? If your handy you can do it your self, you can save like $200.
 

Yeah, I could do it myself, but they're gonna do it at the dealership for about $120.  And I'm really not all that handy, but I'm learning. 

Window tint is an artform.  Most people don't understand how to do it and often install it wrong.  Spend the few more dollars from a GOOD window tinter and not the dealer.  Most places use crap film that will purple within 2 years...especially the crap you buy in stores.  Try to find a store that uses Formula One or higher end Llumar.  Trust me...it is the most secure $200 you can spend for something that will make your car look 100 times better.

and once you have a tint, you need to change how you clean your windows...you should NOT use any cleaners with ammonia in them...they will make your tint bubble and change colors.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lupae3s

and once you have a tint, you need to change how you clean your windows...you should NOT use any cleaners with ammonia in them...they will make your tint bubble and change colors.

Correct.  Soap and Water ONLY!!!

yes soap and water should work fine.  personally, i use Invisiglass which is 100% safe on tinted windows.