TWM vs. Kartboy Who Wins?

[vodapas77]

Well,

After searching I found that most everyone with the B&M shifter on their Pro has the same problem that I do. (Very stiff shifting once the exhaust/heat shield gets hot.) I also found the few to none of them had been able to remedy this problem since it is a design flaw with the shifter.

So, I've decided to suck it up and fork over the cash for a new short shifter. Once again I searched and was unable to find much in the way of head to head comparisons. Mostly just people saying how they liked or disliked the particular shifter they had, but not much in the way one shifter compared to another.

I would like the forums to help me decide which short shifter I should go with. So, let me hear your thoughts and opinions. Oh and please vote in the poll. I'm currently leaning towards the TWM, but I haven't ruled out the Kartboy. So, please post why you think one shifter is better than the other. Maybe this thread will be able to help others who are looking to buy as well.

Thanks,

Lang

 

[JCell]

i have seen teh kartboy in action, beautiful and very tight


WAY better than my sticky B&M

 

[krillin]

i have the b&m and don't have any issues with it.

 

[Blake]

i like the twm more so opposed to the kartboy it sticks better but if u do get the short shifter be sure to get the kartboy bushings they make all the diffrence

 

[Saban]

My friend has a B&M in his MSP, I have the Kartboy. The stock MSP shortshifter was fine, but I wanted something that was just shorter in height and throw. IMHO the throws feel the same between the B&M and the Kartboy, but my shifter(Kartboy) sits a lot lower than his B&M. In fact, the B&M actually rasies the height of the shifter when compared to the stock MSP shifter.

I think the B&M may be better for taller peeps or for peeps who have long legs and like to sit far away from the wheel. Not really a problem for me...

 

[SilverBulletES]

Love my TWM. It's stiff at first but give it 2-3 weeks and it's perfect.

As I understand it--
Kartboy= lower but longer throws
TWM= not as low but shorter throws

 

[Pretzellogic]

I've had the kartboy for about a year no. No issues. I love it.

 

[RaiderMS3]

I have the B&M, no problems here. Not sure about the heat shield problem. Good luck in your search.

 

[JCell]

^^ it's common among first gen b&m short shifters,the ball hetas ups and expands making the sfhifter sticky

 

[MyZmZm]

I've had the B&M for about 4 months, and I haven't noticed it getting sticky after long periods of driving; I need to pull the heatshield back a little more than already have, but that's minor...

 

[JCell]

there r different versions,i've hads mine for about 7-8months

 

[ebmp5]

i got a kartboy

it a good shifter have no prob's yet

 

[Downtown]

TWM - no question. Great price, awesome customer support and the smoothest shift I've felt.

 

[SilentSno]

I also have a B&M since at least March of 2003, and I don't notice anything, but its the shifter that was in the car when i bought it. I also don't have anything to compare it to.

 

[skilletrx]

anymore comments on KARTBOY vs. TWM? I'm leaning towards KARTBOY cuz its only like 105$ shipped for the lever and the bushings.... TWM is more expensive... can anyone chime in about Kartboy? Preferibly someone who has tried both brands.

Thanks!! =D

 

[wickedjra]

havent' tried both, but was very please w/ the TWM throw. i jumped on the deal when they had it on sale for like 2 months for $102 or something like that. but it is a great difference from stock. good luck!

 

[skilletrx]

For you researchers: From Tom@Kartboy.com
Hello
we have a shifter that will fit the MSP knobs. Just make sure you order that one. I havent felt the TWM shifter for the mazdas but I have felt the ones they produce for the subarus and they are a decent shifter. I believe the ones we manufacture have a shorter throw then theirs. I highly recommend installing a set of shifter bushings with either of the shifters.
One last thing. We are 100% produced in the USA

Parts are instock ready to ship

Thanks
Tom

 

[skilletrx]

For you researchers: sales@twmperformance.com
Hi Tommy,

Thanks for your e-mail. We are actually the only company that took the
time to make a short shifter specifically for the Mazdaspeed Protege which
allows you to keep your stock Sparco shift knob if you'd like. You can
find the Mazdaspeed specific part here:
http://www.twmperformance.com/shortshifters/mazdashortshifters/mazdaprotegeshortshifters.htm

The major difference between our shifter and the other shifters available
for the Mazdaspeed is our bearing assembly at the base of the shifter. All
other manufacturers require that you re-use your stock nylon bushings in
the new short shifter. These bushings are often worn or no longer
functional and even brand new they do little to reduce friction in the
lower pivot point during shifting.

Take a look at the attached diagram, it is a cross section of a TWM Mazda
Protege short shifter (the same as our Mazdaspeed shifter). We use 2
industrial grade, rubber sealed bearings to provide the smoothest, most
effortless shift possible (a far superior solution to the nylon bushings
discussed above). Also, as you can see in the diagram, we use a brace
bushing between the two bearings to ensure that they are not damaged by
over tightening during the installation.

Our shifters are all CNC Machined from cold rolled, high strength steel
and feature a weld free design which creates a far more solid shifter,
free of any weak points. If you'd like to learn more about what goes into
every TWM Product take a look at this week's article here:
http://www.twmperformance.com/column/index.html, it provides a good
overview of our development process.

If you have any further questions feel free to contact us any time, we'd
be more than happy to answer any questions you might have.

Thanks!

Karel W.
TWM Performance
1-888-569-8963

 

[skilletrx]

both have wonderful customer svc. the fact that tom is very mature and doesnt try to diss other companies has gained my respect

 

[vodapas77]

both have wonderful customer svc. the fact that tom is very mature and doesnt try to diss other companies has gained my respect

Thanks for that info. It's great to see comments from both manufacturers. Just an update from me, I think I'm gonna pay a lil extra to get the TWM. Like was said both seem to offer a quality product with great customer service. But, TWM contacted me directly and offered me reduced shipping which when living in Hawaii is a big plus.

Thank you to everyone for your votes and comments.