Well, I had to drill the knob out with a "Z" drill bit, which is metric, then tap it with a 12.5 mm X 1.5 mm tap, and presto- the knob fits wonderfully, the flash bounced off the knob and you cant see the engraving though, still not in the pic is the damm ashtray!

It looks great with your meters behind and the new shifter knob, too bad you don't have an ashtray! :sigh:

I have the ashtray, I have it hidden so it wont get scratched at work, and keep forgetting to bring it home. I put insurance back on the car yesturday, now I just have to wait for the rim poilisher to give me back my rims next week.

Looks good! :thumbsup: What did you use to fill in the "wrinkle" finish on the trim?

First I fixed the crack that was in the surround that inspired all this, lol. Then some sandpaper to smooth the plastic, some AWL-GRIP Epoxy primer that I use on boats, and have had much luck with on plexiglass and plastic that I want to smooth and stay smooth without cracking again ( like my tailights ). Wet sanded the primer smooth after it cured for a day, then 3 nice coats of DuPont black Imron paint that is also on the outside of the car.

Thats original. Ive never seen something like that as the shift knob. But doenst that pointing top hurt ur hand if u grab the stick the wrong way?

The top isnt pointed at all, its perfectly smooth and round, and its even powdercoated clear. Its engraved as well with the RX-7 logo, and 5-speed pattern, Ill take a better pic with the top down so the flash doesnt bounce off the thing.

nice. im hoping this summer to get a momo shifter, wheel, and some cool pedals. oh, soo much to do, so little time.

Just be aware that universal shifters don't fit well. I had three different ones and had them come off in my hand even though I tightened the piss out of them. I have MOMO pedals and they fit good. I plan on getting a MOMO steering wheel soon but I am looking at the shifters that are threaded for Mazdas.

< The threads are 12mm x 1.5 mm pitch on a 2nd generation. Depending on the knob, you may have to remove the nut under the shifter, Im happy to have a shifter that is lower then it was, and it has very nice weight to it as well. A dab of REMOVABLE lock-tite will help as well.

what about a short throw shifter. i saw one on mazdatrix. any thoughts on that?

what about a short throw shifter. i saw one on mazdatrix. any thoughts on that?



.... I just cut my stick w/ a dremol and it works about the same. The only hard part about is getting all the melted rubber off the metal once ur able to crack that first piece open. Save the money and do it the budget racer way.

I think that the Mazdatrix shifter changes the pivot point. If you want to do it that way then you'll have to do some cutting and welding of the shifter.

i think ill throw down the 200 bones and have a new one.

Actually it wasnt that bad i Just cut it and didnt have to weld anything. Maybe took like 25mins or so. I put a momo know on it and it really does shorten the throw, but not the pivot point

I saw Rob's new shift knob today, and it looked really good.

< Ill trade you for your engine, lol

< Im lost with this one? You cut your shifter, where did the melted rubber come in?

I've thought about trying to make a short shifter, but I think that it would be easier to just pay the $192 for the one from Mazdatrix.

http://www.mazdatrix.com/pictures/g-tra-di/shifta1.jpg

If you people are thinking of a aftermarket knob, AND the short throw shifter, I was told that the short throw shifter has its own threads and comes with its own knob?

The short shifters will work with the stock knobs. JUst remember that 86-88 and 89-91 shifters have a different thread.

Does the knob come with a car attached to it? :sigh:

I think that he left the rubber boot on the shifter when he cut it. That thing will get pretty hot when you cut it.

Wait until the car is actually clean, like I said, I havent waxed it since last Christmas, with the paint thats on there though, its no biggie. I usually only buff it once a year, then wax it maybe 2 more times after that. I cant wait to get my rims back this week, and IM going to drop the car off at the canvas shop so the guy can hopefully get the other project underway.

I haven't waxed my car since November.