JBR Short Shift Plate

[M_Duch]

I just wanted to quickly poll the forum regarding the James Barone Short Shift Plate ( For N/A - 5 Speed - 3's )
- Any issues when really cold?
- Any long term issues ?
- Significant improvement over stock?
- Notchiness?
- Is a heavier shift knob recommended?

Any feedback is appreciated
Thanx

[rzapata]

Well, I don't have first hand experience with his stuff but I will direct you to a thread on MSF that describes how JBR stuff are.

Click me! (http://www.mazdaspeedforums.org/forum/f106/review-james-barone-racing-short-shift-plate-mazdaspeed-6-a-55268/)

Note that these are speeds so I would assume a similar, if not the same quality for the regular 3s.

[sarujo]

I just acquired and installed the JBR cylindrical shift knob (625 gram) and it's awesome! I have a 5MT, synthetic gear oil and a cp-e 75A RMM, and shifting became butter smooth after installed the knob. I decided not to get the short shift plate as I was content with the throw lengths on the 2010 5MT. I plan to install the JBR shifter bushings tomorrow and am quite excited to see how this takes things even further.

I can't say enough good things about Jamie. Super responsive to emails, fast shipping and great customer service.

[mikey32235]

get a heavy two shift knob or any heavy one. u can get the cork sport shift plate for 60$ 40% shorter throw. it feels a lot better!

[Booter22]

it looks like corksport only has a shifter plate for the speed not the regular 3s.

[mikey32235]

contact them see if they have one like it for the 3. its a lot cheaper than buying the whole assembly.

[Odin]

I had the JBR short shifter plate installed. It definitely made shifting quicker, especially during "spirited driving". That being said, I eventually went back to stock because I felt it was smoother and I would would get some odd clunking sounds from my transmission occasionally (probably because I wasnt completely in gear). The throw distance with the JBR plate is perfect, but the smoothness didn't compliment my driving style and I was always worried I wouldn't get it into gear.

[mikey32235]

what i noticed with my speed is sometimes if i shift fast into third it doesn't go in and theres a clunking noise.. i think the previous owner before missed third gear a lot and messed up the syncro, any way to fix this?

[Booter22]

what i noticed with my speed is sometimes if i shift fast into third it doesn't go in and theres a clunking noise.. i think the previous owner before missed third gear a lot and messed up the syncro, any way to fix this?

replace the syncro for the gear.. and corksport doesnt list it on there site so if its not online id be surprised if theyd have one or make one as they dont list it. if they carried the part it would be on there site for sale.

[mikey32235]

how do i replace the syncro?

[Booter22]

how do i replace the syncro?

have a tranny shop rebuild it.

[Darkice]

have a tranny shop rebuild it.
lol.... i think thats the only option..

[Booter22]

lol.... i think thats the only option..

i sure wouldnt try and do it by myself thats for sure. engine work maybe. but tranny.. never.

[mikey32235]

how much u think that is gonna cost lol

[boyracer]

.

[Booter22]

how much u think that is gonna cost lol

no idea. transmissions get expensive fast. its mostly labour. generally say 8-10 hours in and out for removal tear down and rebuild. could be more or less depending what they find when its apart. but one of those once you start you better have the $$ cuz doesnt make snese to stop half way or not do something when its apart. pay the money and do it right and of course will depend on the shop and there rate.

[VQ Junkie]

just installed JBR plate, bushings and heavy shift knob over the weekend and I can say that I'm very heppy with the purchase. The shifting is not as smooth, but its not bad either. I have been noticing some resistance when downshifting into 1st gear but thats about it. I would say that there is a significant change from stock, I found the throws on my 2010 GT to be way too long - like I was driving a truck. Other than that, I seem to have done something to the stock intake because the car doesnt sound like its getting as much air as previous - there's a muffled sound coming from the engine at high rpms, so I'm gonna have to investigate that. May be time for an intake too :)

[Booter22]

just installed JBR plate, bushings and heavy shift knob over the weekend and I can say that I'm very heppy with the purchase. The shifting is not as smooth, but its not bad either. I have been noticing some resistance when downshifting into 1st gear but thats about it. I would say that there is a significant change from stock, I found the throws on my 2010 GT to be way too long - like I was driving a truck. Other than that, I seem to have done something to the stock intake because the car doesnt sound like its getting as much air as previous - there's a muffled sound coming from the engine at high rpms, so I'm gonna have to investigate that. May be time for an intake too :)

maybe when you put the plate in you missed putting something back together.. and you shouldnt really be downshifting to first. only to 2nd and then when at a full stop go back to first. but you shouldnt be going from 2nd to 1st when slowing down.

[VQ Junkie]

maybe when you put the plate in you missed putting something back together.. and you shouldnt really be downshifting to first. only to 2nd and then when at a full stop go back to first. but you shouldnt be going from 2nd to 1st when slowing down.

thats a good call, probably unnecessarily hard on the engine, nonetheless its still sticky getting back into first from any other gear ... otherwise i am enjoying every shift - a big improvement! I think im gonna take the entire assembly apart again and re-install. I'd really like a good sri, but dont want the extra noise. i had a berk technology sri in my altima v6 and it sounded like a lawn mower over 4000 rpm

[Darkice]

The only reason why it gets messed up is because guys still jam the gears .. Gotta go nice and slow..

[McGuyver_3]

Reviving a super old thread
but since you are at it

don't waste your money on the JBR. I had issues with it. Very notchy, didn't want to go in to gear properly. Just spend extra $$ and buy TWM

[Booter22]

and we have had a few customers that had plates cause tranny issues and i think it wore a few syncros out as well. not worth the shorter shift. not likes that long anyway and none of these cars that have them are "race cars" anyway. im sure they see about as much track time as my car does :P

[McGuyver_3]

@Booter, I had the TWM on my 10 sedan, after about 1 month of not driving it as it was in the shop I got to drive it again. That was the first time I managed to notice what a HUGE difference the plate made compared to a stock shifter. Just because the car is not on the track day to day, believe it or not but the car was a lot easier to drive.

[Booter22]

@Booter, I had the TWM on my 10 sedan, after about 1 month of not driving it as it was in the shop I got to drive it again. That was the first time I managed to notice what a HUGE difference the plate made compared to a stock shifter. Just because the car is not on the track day to day, believe it or not but the car was a lot easier to drive.

i would assume it makes it nicer. i had the B&M short shifter in my old focus. was really nice. kinda :complain when i couldnt do such a simple change to the 3 and it required a very expensive full shifter assembly replacement :( oh well.

[fruitloops]

I have the Jbr bushings and plate and I looove it. One of the best mods for the 3s. Also, only $25 so you can't really go wrong. It's stiff when cold, but I have no problems getting it in gear.