Short shifters

[dread]

I have some questions for those of you have a short shifter

Is it more difficult to shift?
Does reduced throw make a significant difference in shift times?
How difficult is the install?
Will I need a weighted shift knob and new boot?

Thanks
I am currently waiting for the Mazdaspeed shifter to be released on may 15 and want to know as much as possible when it becomes available.

 

[Gambino]

I just installed my TWM short throw on monday, so my info is still not complete, but here goes. First, the install was a breeze. I am a first car owner, just barely turned 19 and still learning. i have never really installed much of anything but my AEM cai, but the shifter took me about 45 minutes by myself. The shift is slightly stiffer, but i like it. I havent really pushed my car since i installed it, so not sure about saved time with shifting. I did not get the weighted knob because I prefer the stock knob, but I have heard the weighted knob does help. Hope this helps, anymore questions, feel free to ask! and by the way, I am very happy with the investment!

 

[dread]

Thanks for the info.
I like the stock knob also and do not want the weighted one from TWM. I was just concerned that shifting would become tedious. I might go with the TWM if mazdaspeed doesn't come out soon or is too expensive.
Does your leather boot look to big now that the stick is smaller.

 

[Gambino]

no it doesnt make shifting tedious at all. I think it makes it more fun to drive. The boot doesnt look bigger in mine. It could if you leave it hanging out, but I tucked my boot in. I will post a picture in about an hour or so when i get home. I recommend TWM

 

[Gambino]

So here are some pictures of my TWM sts. The first picture is just a shot to show the height. The second one is to show how I tucked the boot

 

[dread]

Looks sweet man.
I might have to go with TWM

 

[rbmazda3]

Has anyone left the stock bushings on their shifter bracket instead of using the included aluminum bushings?

 

[Gambino]

I thought about leaving my rubber bushings on, but I went with the aluminum. I kept the rubber ones, so maybe I will change them back just to see the difference. I am pretty sure djltoronto has the rubber bushings still, cuz he just modified his stock shifter. Ask him

 

[dread]

what are the brushings for

 

[Gambino]

I am actually not completely sure, that is why I trusted TWM and used the provided aluminum bushings

 

[Solo2Protege]

I have the ARK sts and stuck with the stock bushings...all good here.

 

[TWM Performance]

Hi Everyone,

The aluminum bushings are included to help remove some of the vagueness or slop found in the stock shifter. Because the stock part uses rubber bushings the entire assembly can flex during shifting. Our aluminum bushings provide a more rigid, direct contact point between the shift assembly and the floor pan.

Let me know if you have and other questions...

Thanks,

Karel
TWM

 

[Gambino]

makes sense. thanks. And everyone who is reading this, buy a twm sts, you wont regret it

 

[ARKRacing]

what are the brushings for

....

 

[MazdaAxela]

I highly recommend getting the TWM Weighted knob. I have the TWM SS kit and had the stock knob on just to see what it would be like, and it felt way to notchy for me. With the weighted knob it feels much better.

Attached is a sample of the TWM Knob on the stock shifter and then the entire TWM kit installed..as you can see its a huge difference.

 

[Gambino]

i want that knob SO bad! I love that look. I have a voodoo pistol grip and it still feels "knotchy" as hell when I shift. Those knobs are just way too expensive for me. I cant afford over $100 for a knob

 

[TWM Performance]

i want that knob SO bad! I love that look. I have a voodoo pistol grip and it still feels "knotchy" as hell when I shift. Those knobs are just way too expensive for me. I cant afford over $100 for a knob

tphskab: For the holiday season, you can get $20 off of any of our shift knobs, here's how:

Buy a 100$ gift certificate for yourself, and we'll issue a gift certificate for $110, which will pay for the knob and shipping. When you receive the knob, you will get a $10 mail in rebate coupon. When you send that in you'll save an additional $10. Essentially, while this offer is valid, you can get one of our knobs for $90 shipped.

Here's the link to the gift certificates page: TWM Gift Certificates

I hope this helps,

Kevin
TWM Performance

 

[Gambino]

awesome, that may help. I may just talk the parents into doing that for me since I just spent my entire savings and then some on a new guitar. Do you have anymore pictures of the other color knobs in the 3? I have your sts and dont know if I would want the satin, flat black, or gun blue

 

[djltoronto]

I thought about leaving my rubber bushings on, but I went with the aluminum. I kept the rubber ones, so maybe I will change them back just to see the difference. I am pretty sure djltoronto has the rubber bushings still, cuz he just modified his stock shifter. Ask him

Yup.. I still have the stock rubber bushings in place.
While I was making my shifter, I thought about making bushings too, but the rubber ones are not exactly "Soft" and do not add much "slop" or "play"

They are more or less there to absorb impact. They only get used if you really jam it into a gear. normal gearshifting with daily driving, and you won't even flex the rubber.


I drive my car more than I race it... So I left them rubber.

 

[dread]

I notice a huge difference with aluminum brushings