Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
K.G. Works short shifter kit. Comes with all neccesary components to install.
Great product, a bit troublesome due to lack of english instructions. The instructions found here help alot.
I found that it is a bit troublesome to shift into 5th, and reverse. It is somewhat stiffer to shift also. Gears are easy to find, no mis-shifting due to everything being closer. I think this unit has made my car somewhat faster, since I am not loosing as much time during shifts. I think it is definitly worth the money!! If I had second Miata, this would be one of the first items to install!
Under 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97
Very high quality (JDM) short shifter replacement for stock shifter; also includes most OEM parts likely to need replacement when replacing shifter. This shifter raises shifting fulcrum and has a shorter shaft; see short shifter overview.
As noted by others, instruction sheet is in Japanese. I could figure out most of diagram, but based on my experience with the disassembled shifter & looking at online '95 parts diagram, I believe even the Japanese diagram does not show all parts that need to be reassembled on shifter. Given English instructions found in Toby Weir-Jones' review, I only ended up with 1 extra part. By looking at the Japanese diagram and the OEM shifter, I modified the installation; this also used the otherwise unused washer ring. I have included my additions to Toby's instructions in this review. Parts which are likely already broken on the car are both of the "wave" metal ring washers and the outer rubber accordian boot; get these from your favorite dealer. Now that I've got it installed, I really like the short throw action. Every now and then, I have to try twice to get into reverse, but otherwise shifting is very precise and just as short as I wanted it.
Additions to Toby Weir-Jones' installation instructions from his review: 8.5 Note: there may be a thin metal ring (or pieces of it) under and/or attached to the plastic collar -- remove it/them, too, and discard. 9.5 *Carefully* remove the upper white plastic collar/wavy spring washer combination from between the ball and inner boot of the OEM shift lever/inner boot assembly, and save for later reinstallation. (When assembly was installed, this collar/spring was sitting on top of the shift ball, with spring side *up*, against inside of inner rubber boot.) Note: if wavy spring washer shows signs of wear or cracks, replace it at this point (part # M505-17-482; an extra was not included in my kit). 14.5 Reinstall the plastic collar/wavy spring combo saved from step 9.5 by slipping it over the top of the new shift lever, with wavy spring side up. 14.6 Take the other of the two new thin-ring washers and slip it over the top of the new shift lever, on top of the wavy spring.
Under 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.8 liter
KG Works Short Shifter from RSPEED.
Superior quality and great performance.
The installation is mildly challenge. KG Works short shifter is very accurate, precise and definitely shorten the shift gates like the manufacture claimed. However, when shifting into fifth or reverse it is difficult, especially, when using the round type shift knob, due to the center gravity of the design. I replaced mine with MOMO type style shifter and although it is longer and taller, the shift action is an absolute joy. I should point out that the round-machined plate balancer that fit on top of the shifter after the three Allen screws type installed and tie down with wire tie to the rubber boot, this machined plate makes rattling noise when shifting into third, but goes away in fourth and fifth gear. This product is a must for anyone searching to improve performance of his or her Miata.
Not an installed item
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
The KG Works short shift kit come with a new gear lever and fulcrum. The shift throws are reduced by over 50% from stock.
I previously had a C's short shifter that I cut the neck down because it was too tall for my tastes. The KG Works shifter combines the height of the BSP-type short shifters (sit really low), with the raised fulcrum and shift throw reduction of the C's shifter. My shifting is actually smoother than stock and the shifts are so direct and positive. There is more effort than stock, but not too much. After about 2 minutes, you won't even notice it.
I wouldn't trade it for any other shifter on the market. After driving with one of these, driving a regular Miata feels terrible because the shifter is so sloppy. I know that it sounds odd, but it's true.
Under 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
The K.G. Works Short shift kit is for budget minded driver who seeks JDM (Japanese domestic market) quality.
The install as with others i have read about was a little rough but the folks at Performance Buyers Club set me on the right track. The instructions come in Japanese and the diagram needs to be looked at closely to see differences. However the end result is very pleasing.
I would suggest the use of a weighted or balanced shift knob to help the throw a little as shifting does become a bit gated. You really feel the linkage pop into gear. The only gripe that I have, and know the solution to is that reverse is harder to come by. I have a 1990 and apparently two copper bushings in the trans. were too thin coming out of the factory. However this is not that big of a deal and i am very pleased with the overall end result.
Under 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99 + 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
Short shift kit
This is an excellent product. After reviewing other shifters and seeing minor flaws in ALL of them ranging from being overpriced to poor quality I settled on the KG Works shifter. I was surprised that R-Speed included the instructions seen in this section to install this product, without those I would not have been able to install it in the time I had allotted myself for the job. With the instructions here it was a piece of cake, trust me!!! The fulcrum is raised and the knob sits lower. A new genuine Mazda shift boot and other related parts are included in this nicely packaged kit.
Not an installed item
Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99 +
Short shifter, short shifters reduce the length between gears.
This is the best short shifter on the market, I replace the B.S.P. s.s.k. with the K.G. Works unit, there's a huge difference between the 2, the B.S.P. unit wears out, since the fulcrum ball is made of all plastic, and the K.G. unit is all metal.
I highly suggest this short shifter if you are in the market for one, super high quality and excellent feel. It's only available in the U.S. throught www.rspeed.com
Under 5 minutes to remove
Replaces stock shift lever with a unit having essentially the same design, but different proportions. Also the shaft itself is thin type unlike stock shape - similar to the one in Ferrari.
The fulcrum is raised, and the length of the shifter above the fulcrum is slightly longer. When laid out side by side, the whole assembly appears to be equal length to the stock, and when installed, it sits ted bit taller than the stock when used with the stock shift knob.
But the throw is reduced substantially, while effort is increased only marginally. I shift holding the shift knob in the palm - mine is a special titanium version smaller than Voodoo knob - and the distance between the neutral and the first is dramatically shorter.
Instructions were in Japanese only, and it is very important to study the illustrations very closely. Some of the parts where the shifter pivot ball rests need to be removed and relocated to the middle of the new parts you're installing. The kit includes the new plastic housing inner piece, flat springs so you do not have to buy anything extra.
For JPY19000, I think it's a great value when considering other similar kits are twice more expensive. All in all with the ball type shift knob it looks great and works a treat. One thing to mention is because the shaft itself is thin the hole in the inner rubber boot is too big for the shaft and you will have to get another rubber boot to match with the new shaft - try Lancia's old rubber boot or ask Kitagawa san for its optional kit .
I recently purchased the KG Works Short Shift Kit from Performance Buyers Club. The single page of directions that come with the kit are in japanese and feature some rather fuzzy line drawings. There are notes in the miata.net reviews that suggest the directions could be better -- it's true. I've written up the following as an aid to future purchasers; these steps are accurate for the kit as I received it.
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