Is TWM SS really worth the 250 over other mod options?

[sfalexi]

Well, I have a little extra cash this month. I have a Mazdaspeed CAI, and am looking toward putting a little something else into my MS3.

I wouldn't mind better shifting, but it looks to me like the shifter isn't really that 'long' of a throw to begin with. I'll buy the bushings regardless to help it 'click' into place as I'm a person who feels the squishing and doesn't like it.

So I'm wondering is it worth to go with the TWM SS? Is it a noticeably more comfortable throw? I figure if it's moderately more comfortable, since the ENTIRE time you're in the car you're shifting, it'd be worth it.

My alternatives would probably be just the bushings and a motor mount. Just getting a little poll/opinions. Thank you.

 

[Sacrilicious]

motor mount + shifter bushings all the way! having a shorter throw is one thing, but smoothing out the clutch engagement is much more rewarding, imo.

 

[808MP5]

with motor mounts you'll get a way better perfomance gain. I have all and the motor mounts are the way to go.

 

[Falconx84]

motor mount ftw..... get cobb's adjustable sts when it comes out.

 

[meha11]

I wouldn't mind better shifting, but it looks to me like the shifter isn't really that 'long' of a throw to begin with. I'll buy the bushings regardless to help it 'click' into place as I'm a person who feels the squishing and doesn't like it.

SS in my experience doesnt make anything smooth, infact it highlights the lumpy shifts because you have just reduced the mechanical leverage of the original shifter.

Personally i wont buy one again, (i have no intention of removing it either) if you think the stock is ok then dont fix whats not broke.
I agree 100% with everyone else, go for the mount and bushings.

 

[redspeed]

Motor mount, bro. It will make your ms3 feel solid.

 

[Kosh]

I have both and couldn't live without either of them now. Get the mount first. The difference from stock is amazing.

 

[SwampAss]

the SS is a mod you will utilize 100% of the time. I love mine.

 

[3.slow]

How hard is the motor mount to install?

 

[SwampAss]

5 bolts and 10 minutes.

 

[speed3shon]

10 minutes if you take your time jacking up the car...

 

[Falconx84]

2 bolts and 5 min

but I didn't jack up the car, I found a ditch in my front yard and straddled it so I could slide under the car... call me lazy, but I didn't have a decent jack/stand or ramps available.

 

[Sacrilicious]

2 bolts and 5 min

but I didn't jack up the car, I found a ditch in my front yard and straddled it so I could slide under the car... call me lazy, but I didn't have a decent jack/stand or ramps available.

(rlaugh)

 

[808MP5]

2 bolts and 5 min

but I didn't jack up the car, I found a ditch in my front yard and straddled it so I could slide under the car... call me lazy, but I didn't have a decent jack/stand or ramps available.

LOL. 2bolts. Where I like see. You must mean 3bolts on the front motor mount.

Anyhow motor mounts > short shifter when it comes to performance gains. Also u use the motor mount 100% of the time and not the other way around. Cuz ur not always holding the shifter or are u?

 

[Falconx84]

no, only 2 bolts.... I only removed the bolts that hold the mount in then rocked the motor a little to get the mount out.

don't ask me how I was able to rock the motor with one hand while laying on my back with like 3 inches of clearance, flashlight in my mouth and put the mount and bolt in place. Don't know how I did it, but I did, so it can be done. It probably helped that I installed the TRZ mount which was a lot easier and quicker than the stock mount because its a touch smaller. The stock mount was a b**** to get out and when it did, it almost hit me in the face, lol. That woulda sucked....

 

[Sacrilicious]

the TRZ is a lot easier to get in there because of its size. the one that requires removing more bolts is the corksport insert, because it makes the stock mount a lot thicker, so it's hard to cram back in there...=/

 

[MS3Chik]

i didnt feel any difference from the motor mount but a big one with the sts..imo

 

[sfalexi]

Grrrr!!!!!! Well, after much deliberation, I'm going to scrap the STS idea for a while. I find the shifter pretty comfortable and I'm seeing a lot of people saying it's a little stiffer. Which woould not make it more comfortable, just less movement. And my arm can move fast enough where a STS wouldn't shave off that much shifting time.

So I'm leaning more towards motor mount and bushings only. Thanks all.

Alexi

 

[ihadacivicsi]

Where can I get motor mounts? Reccomendations?

 

[Betelgeuse]

Personally I'd go with the STS before the mount. The mount IS a nice upgrade but with the added stress it most likely puts on the tranny mount, I'd hold off until they release a kit with all 3 mounts or at least a tranny mount upgrade. That's just me though. I know there are tons of people with the trz with no issues so nothing's a surety.

At first I thought the stock throw was good enough but after playing around with a car that had a short shifter, I'm not so sure about that. It's all personal preference, but considering how short the gears are in this car, a corresponding shorter throw will be a plus imo.


BTW for anyone interesed: TWM is having a March sale on the Mazdaspeed 3 SS so it's worth checking out asap (only 2 days to go). I'm ordering mine today.