I've got that B&M shifter installed now but no Kartboy bushings. What's the diff? Will i notice an improvement over the stock ones i used instead?? BTW the shift response has increased significantily and im very pleased...

 

The Kartboy bushings tighten up the movement of the shifter. You can get by without them, but they are an inexpensive way to further improve your shifter. They are installed on the forward end of the steady rod (not sure the actual name, it goes from the shift tower in the rear to the transmission in the front). There is a rubber bushing installed from the factory, remove the bolt holding the rod in place and then you cut away part of the lip on the rubber part until you can remove it. Install the Kartboy urethane bushings reusing the stock steel insert. It is a quick job and it will improve your shift feel. Not quite snick-snick, but pretty good for a FWD.

 

Interesting chief as usual your advice helps me, a little person, out! Thanks for the info and the advice!!

 

Where is a good place to get the Kartboy bushings? I am putting in a B&M unit, and want the sharpest feeling shift available.
Believe it or not, my wife was complaining about how far she "had to move the shifter" and wanted to know if their were a way to change it.
All I could do was smile, and think "Sweet, she is perfect for me!"

Anyway, anyone know of any installation problems I should look out for?
I have never done this before, but I am very mechanically inclined.

 

Just go to Kartboy's website, they're about 25 bucks, and it's hard to find them any cheaper anyway.
The website also has installation instructions, I think.

 

Thanks, I am ordering the stuff today...

BTW, I found the B&M unit least expensive at sportcompactonly.com, just make sure you turn your activeX controls off when you visit their site as they for some reason try to install something when you browse there. And for some reason they used to only list the B&M 45071 as being for a 92-97 Protege, until I pointed out that it was for up to 2003 models then it changed. But I cant complain if I am getting it for $89.

Weird. Maybe I wont order it from their, anyone got any other places they like to get these from?