Short Shifter Tech Question
 

Can someone explain to me how the short shifter replaces the stock one, and what getting new bushings does? I just got into cars and don't know much about them really...so I could use an explanation of why I need to get all these parts and what they do performance-wise. Thanks fellas for your time, I do appreciate it even if it doesn't seem that way...;)

Try doing a search. This has been talked about alot here

the short shifter reduces the distance betwen the gears, not in your transmision, but at your hand.

I know what it does, I wanna know what the bushings do and why we need them.

gcs118
 

I will have to make an assumption and assume your are refering to the KartBoy bushing.

The standard soft bushing is being replaced by harder one to reduce some of the slop you feel in the shifter. You are actually replacing a bushing attached to the engine. See the link below.

http://www.kartboy.com/mazdabushinginstall.html

HTH.

Yeah, I was referring to the Kartboy one. Thanks man. So the harder ones reduces slop, eh? That's pretty much all I wanted to know : )

Yup. NO sloppy seconds with Kartboy™ brand bushings :D
Tom

My theory (I don't know how accurate):

Basically, the bushing determines the vertical "end feel" of the shifting.

When you pull to shift into second from first, imagine that first gear is the top of a building and the second gear is the ground. Also imagine that the shift knob is free falling from first to second gear.

The factory bushing breaks this fall by making it mushy, so it's hard to know when you have the gear engaged.

The harder Kartboy bushing gives immediate feedback that the shift knob has hit the ground, and because it's urethane (not steel), it dampens the fall just enough. You KNOW the gear is engaged. The communication is much better.

It's like listening to someone speaking live as opposed to listening to someone speaking over a cellphone.

I like the analogy ;) I'm assuming you are correct, as it makes sense to me. Thanks for the input, much appreciated.