Cobb Short Shifter

Storm · Postby **Storm** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 9:14

Does anyone have the Cobb Short Shifter? How do you like it? I want to get a new shifter and I like the idea of the Cobb being adjustable in height and throw.

zoomzoom6 · Postby **zoomzoom6** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 9:14

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Storm @ Jul 29 2008, 09:43 PM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=58627]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

Does anyone have the Cobb Short Shifter? How do you like it? I want to get a new shifter and I like the idea of the Cobb being adjustable in height and throw.[/b]

Personally, if it's adjustable that's just more moving parts, thus, making it a) not as durable, and 2) having a shorter life span. Just my opinion though. I have the TWN in my 6 and the quality is unbeatable. But honestly do you think you're going to keep on adjusting it once you install it? Once it's at one height you probably won't mess with it again. Just my $.02 though.

206b3 · Postby **206b3** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 9:14

I've been looking at that as well. Found two pdf's illustrating the install of the TWM short shifter, cannot find any illustrations/manual for the COBB product but it must be similar.

twmperformance.com

(1) mazda-3-base-bushing-manual.pdf

(2) mazdaspeed-3-short-shifter-manual.pdf

It's a start anyway since no one has installed one at this club.

I'm not crazy about the stock shift feel. Does work however!

Let me know what you discover, will you?

Storm · Postby **Storm** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 9:14

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (206b3 @ Jul 31 2008, 05:58 AM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=58829]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

I've been looking at that as well. Found two pdf's illustrating the install of the TWM short shifter, cannot find any illustrations/manual for the COBB product but it must be similar.

twmperformance.com

(1) mazda-3-base-bushing-manual.pdf

(2) mazdaspeed-3-short-shifter-manual.pdf

It's a start anyway since no one has installed one at this club.

I'm not crazy about the stock shift feel. Does work however!

Let me know what you discover, will you?[/b]

I'll let you know. Thanks for the files.

206b3 · Postby **206b3** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 9:14

Just purchased the Cobb Double Adjustable Short Shifter Pn 271316 from Flatirons Subaru in Boulder. I asked if their service dept. has installed this in a Speed3 and he said No! I asked if Cobb has a pdf of the interior tear down and he said No! So I suppose I'll have to reference the twmperformance.com site for all of the procedures.

Am I the first one in CMZC to install a Cobb Short Shift in a S3?

206b3 · Postby **206b3** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 9:14

I had Flatirons call COBB and ask if they have a installation PDF for the Speed3. They did!

I would upload it but it's larger than 48.8kb

Flatirons Tuning
5995 Arapahoe Ave
Boulder, CO 80303
Flatironstuning.com
(303)-402-5142 Ext. 7208

movovr · Postby **movovr** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 9:14

206b3 wrote:I had Flatirons call COBB and ask if they have a installation PDF for the Speed3. They did!

I would upload it but it's larger than 48.8kb

Flatirons Tuning
5995 Arapahoe Ave
Boulder, CO 80303
Flatironstuning.com
(303)-402-5142 Ext. 7208

I bought my COBB SS from Flatirons and the instructions were in the box. Took me about 30 minutes to install in the parking lot of my office. Tear down of the cupholder/middle armrest takes 30 seconds. Hardest part of the install is getting the 3 plastic clips that hold the shifter base "ball" to stay put while you drop the the COBB in. I noticed that it also sits to the right slightly so 5th and 6th tend to feel cramped with the stock boot. I recommend getting a custom shorter boot if you don't like the messy looking bunch of leather. Or, you can pull off the stock boot (how I have it setup currently). This way, you get to actually look at your new shifter

As far as feel, I love it over stock but I agree that I may never actually adjust now that I have it where I want it. The point is that you can adjust to your personal preference as opposed to having only one option... Either way, I've heard great things about both TWM and COBB so you shouldn't lose out either way.
just my .02

206b3 · Postby **206b3** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 9:14

Movovr- Thanks for the response. The instructions that came with the shifter were poorly copied, black & white and nondescript. I typically look at the pictures and that's enough, then if it doesn't work I'll read the instructions.

The pdf shows the boot and a rectangular frame attached to it.
Is there a way to remove the boot from its frame, trim to a new height and reassemble the boot to the frame?

movovr · Postby **movovr** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 9:14

206b3 wrote:Movovr- Thanks for the response. The instructions that came with the shifter were poorly copied, black & white and nondescript. I typically look at the pictures and that's enough, then if it doesn't work I'll read the instructions.

The pdf shows the boot and a rectangular frame attached to it.
Is there a way to remove the boot from its frame, trim to a new height and reassemble the boot to the frame?

Yep. How far along are you? Where are you located? I'll give you a hand if you need.
Anyway, I assume you've unscrewed the shift knob (step 1), opened the "armrest" compartment (step 2), pulled up and towards the front of the car to remove the rear portion of the middle console up and over the e-brake (step 3), now grab the back side of the plastic that frames the boot and pull up and away from the ashtray/cig lighter (step 4) You should now have the stock boot and entire boot frame in your hand. Flip this over and there are 4 screws that hold the the leather in place on this piece. Unscrew them, remove the stock boot, put screws back in (you'll surely want them again someday if when you buy a shorter aftermarket boot) and reassemble in reverse order.
Make sense?

206b3 · Postby **206b3** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 9:14

I haven't done anything yet. I don't have good luck with plastic parts in cold weather. I even called Mazda Parts to price all of the plastic pieces. Turns out you have to buy the entire shift assy @ $400 so F that. Car's in the garage and haven't even driven it in the snow yet. Bought winter wheels/tires so it can sit in the garage. Thanks again

Colombia28 · Postby **Colombia28** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 9:14

I have it, the Cobb SS, and i love love love it! Now only if i had my car to continue to love it! I love the shorter throws.

movovr · Postby **movovr** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 9:14

206b3 wrote:I haven't done anything yet. I don't have good luck with plastic parts in cold weather. I even called Mazda Parts to price all of the plastic pieces. Turns out you have to but the entire shift assy @ $400 so F that. Car's in the garage and haven't even driven it in the snow yet. Bought winter wheels/tires so it can sit in the garage. Thanks again

I'm work in Broomfield by the Jeffco Airport. Let me know if you want a hand.

206b3 · Postby **206b3** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:14

Shift kit install went off without a hitch.

MOVOVR, you were right on the money. 1/2 hour and the boot is an issue.

I removed the boot from it's frame, measured 3/8 inboard of the extisting relief cuts on the boot and cut new reliefs (these cuts slip over the 8 tabs and one pin that holds the boot in-place on the frame). I applied cyanoacryate to the stitching at each corner 1/2" from the corners to keep them from unraveling. Refitted the boot to frame using the new relief cuts and with an x-acto knife, trimmed the corners to clear the counterbores/standoffs that mate with the frame you see when your driving. This mod took a lot of, but not all of, the bunching that occurs making 5th-sixth shifting easier. And I just saved $40!!!!!

Assembled with shortest throw (30deg) and knob height at lowest. I like the difference (knew I would).

Thanks again for the insight.

movovr · Postby **movovr** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:14

206b3 wrote:Shift kit install went off without a hitch.

MOVOVR, you were right on the money. 1/2 hour and the boot is an issue.

I removed the boot from it's frame, measured 3/8 inboard of the extisting relief cuts on the boot and cut new reliefs (these cuts slip over the 8 tabs and one pin that holds the boot in-place on the frame). I applied cyanoacryate to the stitching at each corner 1/2" from the corners to keep them from unraveling. Refitted the boot to frame using the new relief cuts and with an x-acto knife, trimmed the corners to clear the counterbores/standoffs that mate with the frame you see when your driving. This mod took a lot of, but not all of, the bunching that occurs making 5th-sixth shifting easier. And I just saved $40!!!!!

Assembled with shortest throw (30deg) and knob height at lowest. I like the difference (knew I would).

Thanks again for the insight.

Sweet. Glad it went well for you!

Cobb Short Shifter

Cobb Double Adj Short Shifter

COBB Short Shift Instructions

COBB SS Install

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