CorkSport Mazdaspeed 6 Short Shift Plate

[sixme]

For the price range yes. The TWM is much more and I like to support smaller company's. And they are local to my area.

[IamJamen]

I found some time over the weekend to install this little buddy and will give a quick write-up, with pictures, later today after I have delegated all of my work to my minions.

[IamJamen]

This will be a double post but oh well:

Here's my follow up on my installation and impressions of CorkSport's short shift plate (SSP) for the MS6.

Glancing through the instructions supplied by CorkSport, I noted that MS6s with a build date of 10/05 and older require a 5/16" hole to be drilled to fasten the SSP to the OEM shifter. MS6s younger than 10/05 already have a threaded hole in the desired location. Knowing that my MS6 was built in 03/06, I figured I was looking at a 10 minute job. I removed the necessary trim and was greeted by this:

So CorkSport's got some bad build date information.



I disconnected the shift linkage and then drilled a 5/16" hole on the lower plane of the OEM shift plate using the hole in the SSP for a reference point. Once I ensured that the SSP was banked against the side and that it was as far aft as possible (while avoiding the welds on the OEM plate), I tightened her down and popped the shift linkage on.

Ignore the metal shavings. I cleaned up after I took the photo.



I took her for a drive around the neighborhood and my initial impressions were that the throws felt sturdy and direct while the notchiness of the stock throw had really been cleaned up. I think the notchy stock throw I have been experiencing is partially due to a worn out OEM passenger motor mount I need to replace but even with the bad mount it feels a lot better. The ease of shifting smoothly into 2nd gear has increased, as has the ability to rev match when heal and toe downshifting.

And then I put the console back together... The shift linkage rubs/grinds on the plastic lip of the shifter opening in every position except 2nd, 4th, and 6th gear. The interference is enough that you can easily see the console moving as you row through the gears. I can modify the console to eliminate the interference but I feel like I shouldn't have to with this type of product.

Here are some pictures of the point of contact in 3rd gear & neutral, as well as the clearance in 4th gear.









Overall, I like the feel of the product minus the interference. I haven't decided what I want to do yet. I was planning on buying JBR's kit before I unexpectedly acquired this unit so maybe I will buy one so I can compare the two. Either way, there is no way I can go back to a stock shifter.

Cheers




One more for fun:

[jm211]

That's rubbing is too much a issue for me...

I guess TWM for me.



Whats good to hear is that it cleaned your second gear. My second likes to catch a little. I'm hoping this cleans it up a bit

[IamJamen]

I forgot to mention that if I were dead set on purchasing a SSP that mounts on the shifter I wouldn't hesitate to buy CorkSport's offering over a TWM S1 based solely on the fact that the S1 is more than twice as much while accomplishing the same thing. But if money isn't an issue and you don't mind a slightly longer throw the TWM is the best way to go.

Also, I relayed my install information to Dustin at CorkSport who quickly responded with a non-prescribed thanks. He let me know that he would pass the feedback along to engineering so they could do with it what they wish.

[oh_yeams6]

IIRC the TWM mount uses a bolt on both the L bracket sides... hopefully this is strong enough with just one though

[mrl112]

Originally Posted by oh_yeams6

IIRC the TWM mount uses a bolt on both the L bracket sides... hopefully this is strong enough with just one though

I'd drill and bolt the CS one just like you do with the TWM if I got this.

[sixme]

I noticed that mine rubbed a tiny bit as well so I took and lightly trimmed a little bit off the bottom of my console. And when I mean a little bit I mean a little bit. Now it doesnt rub and for me at the time it wasnt a big concern to do a little mod to get it just right.

[scubasteve711]

Question... Does the OEM shifter have any mechanical stops for the travel of the shifter? Or by OEM design, do we rely on the stops in the trans?

[2007MS6]

Did CS ever modify their bracket so this rubbing does not happen?

I had the TWM stage 1 on my old MS6. Did TWm move away from the simple plate they used to have? Looks like it is not just a plate from them anymore & the price has skyrocketed.