First test drive, 1 particular question.
 

As you can see by the amount of my posts, I'm a newbie. So much so that I don't even have a Protege. I've been visiting this site for a while and mostly reading, I'm very sure that within the next few months I will be getting a Pro5.

I went on a test drive today for the first time, and though there's nothing I can mention that you folks don't already know, I did have one question.

Compared to my current car ('99 Cougar V6), I love the Pro5. Just about every aspect of the Pro5 is appealing to me. The only gripe I have, compared to my current car, is the manual shifter. Although the cougar isn't every persons dream car, it has survived well in my hands, and I have had no complaints at all about it.

When I drove the Pro5, I was obviously comparing it to my cougar, and the only thing that stuck out was the "sloppyness" of the shifter. Aside from it being quite a bit "longer-throw" than my current car (which is stock), it also seems less... hmmm, whats the word? Stiff? The specific lines that my cougars shifter follows have no play in them, very stiff, nice reassuring feel as you switch gears, or even swing it side to side while in neutral.

Now this is the ONLY thing about the car that I wish was different, I love it otherwise, and I'm very sure I'll be picking one up soon.

Finally onto my question: What are your experiences with switching out the manual shifter with an aftermarket brand? Easy? Cost? Worth it? I'm not looking for high-end, just something to make it tighter and shorter in the throw distance.

Thanks for any insight.

The gear change is fairly light and a little indirect, I agree. I don't know which year Protege you drove, but I found the 2002.5's shift knob (leather wrapped and more traditional looking than the ball shifter on the 2002 Pro5) to be a better fit to my hand, and improve the shift feel. This is purely subjective, of course.

Here's a site you should look at if you're considering upgrading the shift mechanism. http://www.kartboy.com/

I have recently bought the shift bushings (only) and will be installing them soon. I tested the short-throw shifter with the bushings, and have to say that the difference is dramatic. The throw is cut in half, and the action is now very positive.

I can't speak from experience (be it that I don't find a problem with the shifting), but many people have gone with aftermarket shifters (B&M, Kartboy, etc.) and have nothing but good comments about the shortened throw and sportier feel. If that is your only gripe, I'd say you test-drove a pretty good car. Apparently the shifter is pretty easy to swap, even for someone who isn't mechanically smart. On a side note, I'd test drive another P5 and see if the shifting is the same, maybe the one you tested wasn't at it's best. Just a thought... hope this helps!

Herkalees, most of us agree with you....and MANY of us have gotten aftermarket short throw shifters...there are quite a few to pick from...well at least 4 that I can think of right off the top of my head anyway.....the install is pretty much the same for all of them and can be accomplished in about an hour or so.....the cost of the different shifters varries...from about $100 up to $140. but they all work quite well....and it mostly personal preference when it comes to the choice of which one to get.

Easy Short Shift
 

The Protege and Protege5 have an extension on there from the factory. It makes gear changes easier and has rubber insulation to lessen vibration. It is easy to remove I did it to my p5.

1) Pop up your cupholder/consule area by grabbing the cup holder, and gently pulling towards the shifter. It will pop up.

2) Remove your shift boot by taking out the 4 brass screws and pulling the doot down to clear the tabs holding it down.

3) I heated the shifter extention (knob off) with a small torch because its stubborn. Once hot lift off with vice grips or something of the like.

4) Clean the excess rubber off and rethread the shifter with a tap and die set. I dont remember what size I used.

5) Now place the boot and knob back on and pull the leather down over the tabs. replace the screws and the consule/cupholder area pops right back in place. ALSO doubles as a sneaky hiding spot.

Good luck, I also put in the Kartboy shifter bushings and it is much nicer than stock.

Kyle Lancaster

*1979 RX7
*2002 Protege5
*2004 RX-8 Waiting......

Re: Easy Short Shift
 

fyi, that does *not* shorten the shifter throw