IRP short throw shifter

[Greasemonkey2000]

Came across a new short throw shifter that I am very interested in, the IRP short throw shifter:

https://shop.irpgermany.com/product/pre-order-irp-short-shifter-mazda-mx5-nanb

http://5xracing.com/i-23993322-irp-miata-short-shifter.html?ref=category:1231736

https://youtu.be/cOfKLtLRGEY
Go to 3:30 for throw distance.

https://youtu.be/IAXmUvVd7bM
Oem vs IRP sts (can hear the engagement)

I think the sts looks great and functions great(based on the video and the few online reviews) but that price.:fp: The MiataRoadster sts kit is a better value, imo, considering what all is included BUT the IRP sts has me intrigued as it looks like it has a shorter throw and is taller.

Would love to hear from anyone that has or driven a IRP sts equipped miata and if you have had a MR to compare it to.

[Agent☣Orange]

Wow, that looks super nice! Built like a tank but yikes at the price. I had the MiataRoadster kit in two different Miatas and it was superb.

[Roadster7]

Might want to hit up OMGPham, he runs this shifter.

[HarryB]

Nice bit of kit, but the price...damn

[MX5Wisher]

Also, oregonmon has just got one for his white NA. (Lol)

[Greasemonkey2000]

Ryan aka Oregonmon was kind enough to provide this feedback, pics, etc. on another forum, here it is.


Just posted a long reply on greasemonkey's thread about the IRP shifter. I'll paste it here, but this thing is pretty awesome.

Omgpham video was definitely informative, he no doubt has quality taste.

I got it overnighted by Burstcraft on Thursday and threw it in for day at the FIRM the following day. Install is pretty simple with a couple annoying bits like the center bolt.
http://i.imgur.com/BIWwU6Y.jpg (http://imgur.com/BIWwU6Y)
The other videos you can find online pretty accurately give you an idea of just how engaging and short the throws AND the side to side gate action is. There's also a set of screws that you can adjust to get ride of any size to side play which is pretty trick too.
http://i.imgur.com/kydta1w.jpg (http://imgur.com/kydta1w)
Never felt anything like it, including the couple MR shifter I've grief in others cars. If it was in a straight up race car, you'd think, "yeah that makes sense."
Side note, it's aluminum, much lighter than it looks or I anticipated.
http://i.imgur.com/zt3rqsX.jpg (http://imgur.com/zt3rqsX)

I essentially bedded in some brake pads and used the shifter for a good 10 minutes on the street and that was all I got because I chose to trailer the car to the track. But during that time, it was a really short learning curve and wasn't worried I'd have an issue at the track. Gears go in very naturally and probably cut my shift time in half. (Disclaimer, Miata shifter is already great, well except the 6 speed.)
Over 4 sessions, I never missed a shift, except once I went to 5th instead of 3rd, chalk it up to gates being really close.

Negatives.
It got warm on track, street I doubt it.
It's relays more NVH and noise at my very upper rpm and allows whatever noise your engine and drivetrain currently makes into the cabin.
The rubber gasket shift boot is thin and not said quite right so there's basically open air to the tranny tunnel.
http://i.imgur.com/VTQ3vct.jpg (http://imgur.com/VTQ3vct)
I think the last 2 can be remedied by some foam, sound deadening material and carpet.

http://i.imgur.com/Vt4RqMJ.jpg (http://imgur.com/Vt4RqMJ)
Here's a video of it in action.
https://youtu.be/aI0BU_7VO1A

[Agent☣Orange]

Man, that thing looks like a work of art! Definitely over engineered but awesome to look at.

[tsingson]

I just saw a person use this shifter in an EK hatch and he had found out that the shifter was the same shifter they use for the E30. While he said he liked the shifter, he wished that they would have informed him of this. The shifter for the EK was about $500. Way too much for a shifter in my opinion but I will admit that it looks awesome.

[Greasemonkey2000]

@tsingson: I hear you on the price, Anthony, my first thought as well but the more I look at the 'whole picture' the more I think my first thought wasn't fair.

To date the MiataRoadster sts is the best(imho) sts kit(I've had two, the oem height and tall angled and loved them both but the tall angled was better, imo) on the market and it runs $350-$410, iirc. Granted you get 'more' for your money in terms of completeness but the difference in the shifter itself is clear.

The IRP sts is taller, shorter throw distance and is adjustable. I definitely think the IRP sts is the way I will be going but that is strictly due to the latter features.

I definitely don't think this is for your average enthusiast and for them the MiataRoadster sts or similar is probably the best route, just my opinion.

[Agent☣Orange]

I had a 1lb TWM knob on my MiataRoadster shifter. The weight felt awesome and it was also height adjustable. I wish the IRP came threaded so you can choose your preferred knob.

[tsingson]

I agree with AO. It should have been designed to have a different knob on there. On the EK one, there was a mechanism for a reverse lockout so I can see why they didn't do it there. But for the miata one, there is no excuse that I can think of.

[Greasemonkey2000]

Function>Form is probably the reason for the integrated shift knob. I like it, personally.

[Oregonmon]

Function>Form is probably the reason for the integrated shift knob. I like it, personally.

I also wish there was an option for your own shifter because my white weighted delrin was just what I wanted but when driving, it doesn't matter.

[Greasemonkey2000]

I also wish there was an option for your own shifter because my white weighted delrin was just what I wanted but when driving, it doesn't matter.

One could chop off the shift knob, thread the section below or have the shift knob machined down and threaded accordingly. :ninja:

[RustRat]

One could chop off the shift knob, thread the section below or have the shift knob machined down and threaded accordingly. :ninja:

I wouldn’t want to mess around with my $500 shifter. It was one of the first Questions I did to omgpham when I first saw it. A use-your-own option would be nice. Other than that, I really want one for a future build :D


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Greasemonkey2000]

For anyone interested in buying one Burst Craft is currently the cheapest vendor in the US I have seen with any in stock:
http://burstcraftusa.com/product/irp-short-shifter-na-nb-miata-mx5/

[Agent☣Orange]

If I had the money and absolutely had to have it, I'd put it on a lathe and thread it myself for my own knob. I'd love to put my TWM or my Joyfast on that.