Installing The BEST Shifter Ever Made For the Mazda Miata! (MiataRoadster)

miataroadster.com/products/ol...
If you own one, you already know. The MR shifter is for those who don't want to sacrifice quality to save a buck. And because I know people will be commenting about the price, keep in mind that you're not just paying for the shifter, you're also getting a full rebuild kit (Which is around $115 on its own), all new hardware, sound deadening, heat shielding; it's one of the few products available on the market that is higher than OEM quality.
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0:00 Intro
0:58 Kit Overview
2:00 Installation
5:12 The Usual Tangent
6:42 Ripping The Miata

[@BigBenlolz]

Greg you 100% know your audience, at 4:50 I was at disbelief, doubt, even shock. No mention of the irreplacable ballcock shank washer, but alas my concerns were addressed.

[@bryanewyatt]

What's the washer used for?

[@FDB77]

ok that "wiggle wiggle" totally caught me off guard! 🤣🤣 Love the videos as always Greg!

[@TheGeordietheWitchandtheWench]

Greg is going big cams, 65lbs springs and ITB's... I can feel it. He's slowly being converted to NA 🙂 YES !!!!!

[@aidanbeauchamp9588]

Honestly I just want to say and I think I speak for most of the Miata community thank you for the content you put out! It genuinely is the most thorough and most helpful stuff on the internet when it comes to Miata repair. Keep it up!

[@t32prod.98]

man i wrecked my miata, its been in the shop for over a month. i lucked out and insurance decided to repair it. I've been missing it so much. watching that driving clip gave me such good memories. love your videos man thank you

[@iTurbo25]

Got mine about a month ago, and so worth it. Added a FM Cravenspeed shift knob to it and it's perfect. Great Review!

[@LL-ph5si]

I have this exact shifter on my 02 SE and I absolutely love it. When ordering the shifter I was worried about missing shifts because of the longer throw but it actually had the opposite effect, I stopped missing gears and my driving became a whole lot smoother. :)

[@Hi.Im.Andrew]

I've been eyeing this shifter for so long and this sells it! I wasn't sure about the angled one, but it looks great and gets it closer to the wheel!

[@chasewd5117]

you mentioned this shifter in an older video and I installed it last week on my 1990. totally worth

[@alexrocholl]

Thanks for making this video. Just got my shifter today and between the instructions and this video I was done in 30 minutes.

[@8DTHEGAME]

First day at the track on Sunday! Gunna order this for next time, thanks Greg. Always look forward to your videos

[@tedtakesitapart]

Greg had some serious faith in those nord-locks staying in place before putting in the bolts. I would have lost them all, simply because I looked at them wrong.

[@hpa101]

Right now I'm not even sure where I left my nord-locks to even get that far 😂 - Taz.

[@TheCarPassionChannel]

Good thing they're included 😆 I wouldn't have them either LOL

[@NadzriHarif]

Just installed mine! Great video!!!! How effing epic is this shifter!!!!!

[@ahdamntv4958]

I was literally googling these today, absolutely sold.

[@corybohn2013]

Always appreciate how detailed your videos are, what about a tutorial video for wire tucks on the nb? Thank you!!!

[@larularae2106]

This sounds great, I definitely might put this in mine!

[@drpiv]

Cannot miss videos. Drop everything.

[@daleabono3616]

I've been looking at that for years, but just didn't know if it would be too tall. You made that look good.

[@raviolitrail]

I got the regular height short shifter in my 01 6 speed today. It is fantastic.

[@madmiata1887]

Perfect video for MR and Bill. Good job

[@HunterplaysminecraftKove]

Grey man I just want to say I’ve had a really shitty month, and your videos are possible the 1 thing I can watch now without stress

[@javonsanders841]

Hey Greg, loving the content! I'm following one of your videos to do my valve stem seal, but i have a few questions. My seals didn't come with the protective sleeve, is there anywhere I can get that from? If not what should I do? I know you said you can use a party straw, but will any kind work? Keep up the great work bro!💯💯💯

[@swagiejay]

I have a manual First Gen Xterra with a shifter extension and weighted knob making driving a world of difference to get into gear and smoother shifts!

[@roger3958]

I tend to agree with u about short shifters. I put a Honda type r shifter in my civic sport hatch. It’s crisp and short and fun but it definitely is not fast. It gets hung up somewhere between neutral and in-gear. It requires a little extra effort to overcome the resistance so it takes longer. I see your longer shifter doesn’t have the hang up like it did earlier in your vid with the shorter shifter.

[@NathanPerkel]

Thanks for this vid man, love the build. Installed this shifter on my NB1 5spd, but have a bit of play when in gear. Tried taking it apart and checking if the cup bushing is seated properly, which it seemed to be. Any suggestions on tightening up the side to side play?

[@shineybikecars]

Great video Greg

[@mariosnikolaou5212]

Nice video bro!

[@bmanjohnson51]

I have the stock height Miata roadster short shifter for the six speed in my NA, I freaking LOVE it! A few people that heard me shift the car from the outside have asked me if it was a sequential trans😅 so yea, I really like😂

[@justthisguyyouknow3437]

How much more force do you need than the stock shifter? My stock shifter took very little effort to change gears but since replacing it with the stock height MR shifter, every shift feels like a strength training exercise. Some of the old components in the stock shifter broke when I was removing it, so I can't put it back in to test without spending more money on replacement parts.

[@bmanjohnson51]

@@justthisguyyouknow3437 it’s definitely a bit of a workout but honestly, I prefer the heavy shifter because I have a tendency to shift everything I drive a little too fast😅 RIP to my wrx five speed 🥲😂

[@mastercricket7626]

great vid as always dad , cant weight to see 2sj hitting the noz soon and what it can do ... peace n love pops take it ez stay rad and safe n build on l8z papa craig..lol

[@NostalgiaHeroDriving]

Been running this exact one for a couple year now and it was love at first shift, excellent choice sir 🫡

[@billyhazeltine3954]

As a massive fan and NB owner, please tell us how you mounted that seat 🙏🏼😂 Love this video thanks for all your effort.

[@nickbasso9131]

Nice video as always 🙂 What brackets did you use the mount the Sprint? And how to you feel about the seat in general? Looking at seats and mounting options for my NA atm.

[@Girz0r]

Quality kit, highly recommended

[@ExtremeDailyDrivers]

Rad. We might need one of these.

[@R-SXX]

Love the interior! Mine is black but I love to have it in that colour - is it oem or painted?

[@Achilandia]

Happy Miata Monday 🤙

[@Collinbrown03]

I'm glad someone appreciates my instruction diagrams

[@TheCarPassionChannel]

Is that your work? It's mint!

[@alessiocarlevaro6934]

of course the moment i rebuild the turret you upload a video on the best short shifter, lol! At least i got the bronze bushing. not sure it made a difference but doesn't feel worse so it's ok

[@s.willis8426]

To each his own in how they like their car but if you look at the reviews for the long neck angled shifter you see lots of complaints and claims of missed shifts. Personally I've been thinking about the short shift with the extra extension. That way you can get the extra height to put the shifter closer to the wheel but can easily make it a "short throw" shifter by unscrewing the extension.

[@JC23263]

You have me sold, was already looking at their shifter but now i want the tall angled one. Wondering how it will look with the oem Nardi wood knob.

[@robroy9185]

I bought a Moss miata short shifter..what a price of crap. They installed it and and it never shifted smooth.... finally fell apart when I was in traffic. Now I have an OEM shifter and a light weight chrome molly flywheel and cutch kit installed ...works great in my 2008 NC.

[@ILoveTacosXXIV]

Do you have a video on the steering wheel quick release set up? Would love to see it? Thanks

[@xxfearremixxx779]

This will probably go by unnoticed but the shortest quality shifter I’ve ever had was a Gracing shifter. Kieth at Gracing is the man and these are hands down the shortest throw I’ve ever seen on Miata’s and it’s all drop in and bolt up as an assembly. I would love to see you at least try one out Greg!

[@TheCarPassionChannel]

They look like really high quality pieces, but I've never liked ultra short shift throw. It just translates into needing more force to go through the gears, and just doesn't feel as good going in, in my opinion. Would still like to try one some time though!

[@Nasonix2]

Yay tube algorithm is passionate about carpassion

[@albertomascolo6408]

Sei sempre il migliore. 👍

[@abrahamsanchez2197]

I got one of these shifters second hand and I hated it at first, but now it’s the only one I’d drive. Except I put mine in a vice and straightened it. Nice and firm-looking. 😑

[@crewjones]

Please try the Gracing shifter I have one and I love it, or if you'd like to try mine I'm local and it would be my pleasure.

[@jaredfinucane9319]

Much love Greg

[@CrEaTiVeONE5962]

Hey greg, i drive a 1999 1.6L NB miata with a Kraken low mount and a chinese T25 turbo (in europe the NB's were sold with 1.6's aswell, not sure if you were aware) but since i installed my megasquirt i cant seem to get the VSS to work in tuner studio, the car has ABS. Do i need to run an extra wire or is it just a setting thats configured wrong. Any help would be greatly apreciated

[@captianknuckles]

Pretty nice

[@cameronhall6623]

hey man i know i’m late but i need help lol i did this to a T and i’m having trouble now getting into 6th gear is this nb you installed this on a NB1 6 speed or nb2? i’m wondering if i’m using the wrong tip bushing since my MR kit came with 2

[@mlfishing842]

Ever consider the fine cut shifters from bofiracing? I just installed the long one in my 6 speed and it has completely transformed the shifting experience. The throw is very short but you can slam through the gears with complete confidence

[@DrifterDavid]

Those are pretty interesting I had never seen them before.

[@mlfishing842]

@@DrifterDavid I would highly recommend!

[@jalopyjoe3069]

Hey Greg, I think I’m going to follow your lead on this mod for my nb. Just curious if you’d still recommend the tall curved version? I’m stuck making a decision lol…

[@Mitchellms123]

Between that and the IRP shifter I couldn’t make the choice they are both so good

[@TheGeordietheWitchandtheWench]

I’m still saving for the IRP

[@Mitchellms123]

@@TheGeordietheWitchandtheWench it’s amazing. Do It

[@brapinator8500]

do irl it’s just gem

[@alecfalkenberry1409]

A lot of transmission noise from the irp unless you can manage to add in some sound dampening material. The shifter in this vid would be a lot more quiet

[@glenjamindle]

I also have one of Bills shifters and I will never go back!

[@ZareefHuq]

I’m not the biggest fan of the shifter shaft sticking out from the boot and seeing how it sags and doesn’t hug the shifter. Any way we can cover that or make it hug the shifter closer? I have the tan interior

[@Marine475]

Hi Greg, I'm building custom front subframe for my NA and It seems my OEM subframe is out of shape. Do you know if lower control arm is at an angle or is it parallel to the ground?

[@Patrick94GSR]

I personally don’t care for the look of a tall angled shifter. I like it to be stock height. But the stock height MR shifter as it comes, with a stock shift knob, requires a bunch more effort to shift, and caused me to nearly money shift a couple of times at least. I actually took mine out and went back to stock for awhile. Now it’s back in but with a new OEM Mazda shift bushing and a JSPfab spherical teardrop delrin shift knob which sits a little taller than stock and is much, much easier to grip. I actually enjoy shifting my Miata again, with the shorter throw.

[@300zxdriver]

I have a 2002 nb and I have to go forward a tiny bit I can shift into reverse. Ideas?

[@The8BitHero]

Do you have any noise or rattle from this? My buddy is telling me they rattle and make noise when in gear.

[@Yulla_mx5]

How do you rate it compared to the cae and irp shifters?

[@Gunnuts62]

Where did you get the actuator arm on your Turbosmart ?

[@Reed_Spacer]

What shift knob are you using? I like that its deeper and fits the extended shift lever more.

[@TheCarPassionChannel]

It's a Tomei knob they do a couple different heights. This is the taller one

[@austinsnider2957]

Greg we need another video lol 😆

[@TheCarPassionChannel]

I know man! I'll have at least 2 coming out this month

[@austinsnider2957]

@@TheCarPassionChannel sounds good 👍

[@shanemikula7574]

This over IRP and some other more expensive ones?

[@blitz3874]

Hey whats your steering wheel and hub combo? It looks absolutely gorgeous

[@TheCarPassionChannel]

Sparco Targa 350 wheel, Circuit Sports QR and hub.

[@mrfixall]

is there an inside joke for the shift knob missing 2nd? also, I see you followed the shifter instructions to the Tee, by not installing the aforementioned phallic shift knob. Great job, as usual!

[@Essin62]

I think you answered your own question with "missing 2nd". In most motor racing, missing 2nd is kind of big deal

[@sorry4nothing983]

@@Essin62 how does one miss a gear? im curious

[@Essin62]

@@sorry4nothing983 If you've never missed a critical gear change, you A) have never raced a car or B)drive an automatic

[@sorry4nothing983]

@@Essin62 Well im racing my car on a daily basis, so much that ive already kicked one into the bushes for a 20k damage. No flex intended.. But ive seriously never missed a gear in my seat leon, miatas, e36, or any other car, but i dont really know *how* the gear miss happens, i mean i can feel in which gear i am so i dont go from 4 into 1 i mean how should this happen? This cant happen if you shift properly bc when going from 4th to 3rd you just push the shifter up and idk why i would push it left while pushing it up this would be stupid and fatal You know what i mean? Im not tryna be an asshole i just want to understand how someone misses the shift from 4th to 3rd or smth like that? Is this an american thing

[@Epiphonech]

Nice vid! How about maintenance parts? Say in 3-4 years it shifts worse and needs a rebuild to shift great again.

[@TheCarPassionChannel]

The shifter tip bushing is $15 from MR, and the rest of the "wear parts" are all Mazda OEM, and you can purchase them individually for maintenance 😊

[@SpitfireZero]

I went with the GRacing shifter a few months back but I would love to try this one! The GRacing is very nice but its so hard to get into gear from a stop, especially reverse :/ I was hoping it wouldve broken in by now..

[@TheCarPassionChannel]

That's exactly why I don't like reducing the shift throw. 10% shorter throw = 10% harder to get into each gear. It's all personal preference though!

[@DrifterDavid]

Really? I don't have any issues with mine. It goes in like butter.

[@gerardgeer642]

6:45 Bill Wilner has a really important title.

[@davidkris]

Have you driven an IRP tall short throw shifter? I'm curious what your take is on it. I own one and love the mechanical feel of it, and lack of play. You know exactly what gear you're going to get, I do have serious motor mounts so the trans doesn't move, but I've never missed a shift with this and it's one of those touch points on the car that make it feel right.

[@TheCarPassionChannel]

I have one in my NA. It is the BMW version rather than the Miata version so I'm not sure how they compare but it sounds exactly as you're describing, shorter throw than stock and feels like a bolt action rifle. I do like how it feels but I don't prefer how short the throw is

[@davidkris]

@@TheCarPassionChannel Love that description "like a bolt action rifle" that's right on target... Thanks for all the value you bring to the miata world, you're leaving a mark.

[@flipflop7577]

Hey Craig, how can you get a quick release wheel and a new seat without showing us how to install it?😳 In your frontyard next to ricer alley😅 Thanks for that measurement! That shifer will come in to my NA asap!! That or replacing that stock, bus size steeringwheel I have🤔

[@TheCarPassionChannel]

I knowww I'm sorry hahaha. I only have so many hours in the day, I had to prioritize other videos!

[@PatrickMouthpieces]

Are you still happy that you went with the tall angled version vs. the shorter version? What about a weighted shift knob? Any advice? I'm probably going to order one in the next week or so.

[@TheCarPassionChannel]

Yes, the tall/angled is my favorite version by far

[@Swahny]

Did the sparco seat bring you further or closer to the pedals than the stock seat?

[@TheCarPassionChannel]

That's going to be based on the mount you choose

[@WreckitRalf]

Have you ever tried a G racing shifter?

[@fentuz]

As Mr Chapman use to say, a good shifter should be about a Hand width from the steering wheel and this shifter seems to do that.

[@andyscott0]

You know shifting in 🇮🇪 is a passionate kiss, so do enjoy shifting your miata💋

[@brapinator8500]

Hey Greg, what are your thoughts on the IRP short shifter

[@TheCarPassionChannel]

I have the BMW version in the red NA, I love the way they look but I've never driven the Miata version before so I can't say! IMO the one in the red car is a bit too short throw

[@erickreyesklug5430]

What mods hace your miata ? It revs so fast!!

[@TheCarPassionChannel]

It's mostly due to the lightweight Fidanza flywheel which is the 1.6L version, only 7lbs (3.2kg) 🙂

[@dennisstafford108]

1:38 just needed one more tenth!

[@miked5789]

I know it's an older video, what's your rear diff ratio?

[@JonBoehm]

Why is the airbag light flashing irregularly?

[@robertmcallister50]

At the track I struggle getting into 5th gear on the 6 speed does this improve that? I'm actually considering fitting a 5 speed box due to this.

[@TheGeordietheWitchandtheWench]

Did you check your engine mounts?

[@sorry4nothing983]

My 5 speed is struggling with getting into 5th gear too, sadly i dont know what i could do

[@TheGeordietheWitchandtheWench]

@@sorry4nothing983 Then this is a question for the MiataDad :-)

[@nyreppin1]

Is there a difference between the 01 and 02 six speed transmission? You stated that kit was specific to the 02+

[@RemaiHax]

Nope that's a mistake of our friend here, if you go on the website there's just the difference between the 6 speed NB (99-2000) and NB2 (2001-2005)

[@nyreppin1]

@@RemaiHax ah ok. Thank you very much!

[@kennethtrinh]

I believe the website doesn’t state it correctly and that 6-speed 2001’s should go with the NB1 6-speed!

[@nyreppin1]

@@kennethtrinh why would the 01 go with the 99-00?

[@95bdepauw]

@@nyreppin1 they changed the 6 speed shifter during the 01/02 model year. 5x racing has the info on their site about how to figure out which parts you need

[@PerpetuallyYankin]

Craig!!! Where you at man?!

[@Chimera6297]

honestly, I also enjoy having a long throw. I have a '76 Toyota Pickup with a 4 speed manual and the throw on the shifter is over 12 inches but I can still shift it faster than most people can in my Miata with its stock shifter, which I think already has a short enough travel. I don't even think I'll ever "upgrade" my shifter in the Miata, I really like how it came from the factory and the 2nd gear synchro is starting to show signs of wear in both transmissions. figures lol

[@ax13h]

I've put a longer shifter on every car I've owned. My NA6 currently has a 6" extension on the factory shifter. Feels great.

[@cruzmendoza3466]

G Racing makes the best shifter for Miata’s, just saying 🤷‍♂️ love the videos Craig!

[@KeuzySC]

yea, nothings gonna get me to change out from my knurled GRacing shifter.

[@Ninjas_In_A_Bag]

CAE ultra would like a word lol. But any of these shifters are great, MiataRoadster, IRP, GRacing and CAE Ultra

[@KeuzySC]

@@Ninjas_In_A_Bag dang, for 700 bucks it'd better shift for me

[@aygwm]

I dislike the Gracing shifter, feels like it’s going to break the trans

[@robertpratt3412]

I can’t stand g racing personally, too short of shifts and feels cheap in my hand, my irp however I think is perfect. Cae is hands down the best though all preference is what I’m getting at

[@Roberto-oi7lm]

Very nice video, but if you live where they have traffic lights on the interstate on-ramps, you should consider relocating.

[@TheCarPassionChannel]

Yeah I won't be moving to a different state based on traffic lights lmao

[@fatninja987]

I’m here dad

[@guywilson187]

Neat mod that looks great but, my goodness, the price 😬 I understand that you get what you pay for but the whole kit is more expensive than I would have anticipated. Glad that it gives you the feel you enjoy.

[@mrlee4579]

Personally if there is nothing wrong with your transmission a shifter rebuild, and a master and slave cylinder overhaul is more than enough

[@justthisguyyouknow3437]

Hey Greg, I heard great reviews about these so I installed the stock height one (not the long or curved one) and now shifting requires a ton of force. Way more than I would have expected, as it was previously quite easy to shift. I talked to Bill several times to confirm I am not just a noodle-armed weenie, and to ensure I hadn't made any mistakes when installing it. It's also become quite difficult to push the shifter left and right, when previously it felt a little too loose (especially left). Even with the leverage change, I wouldn't have expected it to go from shifting with two fingers to nearly needing two hands. I've checked the shifter turret for debris, and I can confirm that shifting is difficult even with the transmission out of the vehicle (thanks to your clutch replacement video) so I'm very confident it's not related to clutch engagement. The only other change I made was putting Motorcraft XT-M5-QS in the transmission and turret. Any idea what the issue could be? Thanks!

[@Patrick94GSR]

Same thing here. That’s just how it is since you have less overall leverage with a stock height short shifter. I actually took mine out and went back to stock for awhile after almost money shifting at least twice. But now I have the stock height MR shifter in my NB, but with a new OEM shift bushing on the bottom (not the delrin one), and I also installed a spherical delrin shift knob from JSPfab that’s slightly taller than the stock knob. It feels a ton better than the stock knob, and shifting is actually enjoyable now.

[@insan1ty562]

The instruction before enjoy shifting your miata has me dead

[@shartillery]

FUN FUN FUN

[@shawnblatter1732]

Dude, I thought I was the only one to use my bottom 3 fingers when shifting into 4th.

[@estewar03]

In the 6 speed what rpm are you at running 80 MPH?

[@TheCarPassionChannel]

With the 4.3 diff? It's like 4500. If you want cruise RPM you need something tall like a 3.6 or 3.3 (Both rare)

[@estewar03]

@@TheCarPassionChannel Just wondering how it is comparatively to my 8th gen civic si. Thanks for the reply Greg. Even though I sold both my na's over a year ago I still watch all of your content. Keep up the good work, much respect from S.L.UT

[@NecromancerGarage]

I had a Mishimoto version of that handle/knob in my car at one point and I threw it away after a year. It's not comfortable to hold, too small, and it burn the every living F out of your hand in the summer. In the winter it was way too cold to hold. Ended up buying a ceramic ball style.

[@TheCarPassionChannel]

Strange, must have been a different material. The Tomei delrin doesn't get hot at all in the summer. I agree with you on the shape of the knob on a stock shifter. On the tall/angled shifter I love it

[@jmccarsnmore1025]

What’s this shifter and where/how can I get it?? If you approve, I’ll get it, sometime!! 😂😂😂. Great video and well explained as always.

[@MrJpage67]

Greg, do you now Ed Poss? He races Miata.

[@vladasumar]

Bro we need more POV driving

[@TheMapleDaily]

That 2nd gear inside joke xD