Upgraded my shifter and knob

[Chefsp0t]

I installed a TWM big type r shift knobe and a jbarone shift plate in my 09 mz3 hatch today. Combined with the mazdaspeed accessory short shifter I already had installed the difference is awesome. Throws are VERY short and the weighted knob makes gear selection pretty easy. The only issue I have is putting the car in 1st or reverse is a little difficult now (Have to push a little harder) but I will get used to it.

Is anyone else running this combo?

 

[el_Don]

Pics or it didn't happen.

 

[Chefsp0t]

LOL. Pics.

MS STS

Jbarone shift plate installed

TWM Big type r w/ 5 speed engraving

Video uploading...

 

[NocturnalSpeed]

Good stuff.

 

[Chefsp0t]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEKRRn0MDvU

 

[bbrich57]

Nice!!! But you know that shifter is gonna get HOT in the sun.
A little trick I learned from another TWM knob owner... toddler socks. Put them over the knob before you get out and take them off when you need to go somewhere. It'll help a lot.
Now in cold weather you're on your own....

 

[Chefsp0t]

I'm going to make a cover out of neoprene I think. Or some other kind of funky fabric from the fabric store. It does get warm though.

 

[bbrich57]

Neoprene is plastic, vinyl Dude. How is that going to help?

 

[Chefsp0t]

Neoprene fabric is a good insulator (wetsuits?!) and I thought it would be something different to try.

 

[JBR]

Nice Combination!! Looks great!!

Thanks,
Jamie

 

[Akaveli]

Looks good.(2thumbs)

 

[TRUE]

old thread i know. but where did you get your mazdaspeed short shifter? how much?

 

[mikelebz]

are there any short shift plates for an 05? I've got the TWM STS, but would like shorter throws...

 

[TRUE]

nah man, i checked. they start at 06! how much and where did you get your twm sts for? or is twm the only place that sells there stuff?

 

[Chefsp0t]

I got mine from the mazda dealership. Mazda price is $207. I forget what they charged for the install. I had them install it because I was still worried about warranty stuff then. I got over that quick. LOL.

Protege garage sells it for 169+shipping but other people may sell it cheaper.

 

[TRUE]

I got mine from the mazda dealership. Mazda price is $207. I forget what they charged for the install. I had them install it because I was still worried about warranty stuff then. I got over that quick. LOL.

Protege garage sells it for 169+shipping but other people may sell it cheaper.

how would you rate it? do you have anything to compare it to? is it worth buying, hows it feel, shift,etc.! any feed back is great! Thanks!

 

[mikelebz]

I got my TWM off of a forum member here for 170 shipped...ebay sells "TWM STS", but I heard one person bought it off of a seller there and later found out from TWM themselves that it was fake...so I would say either get it new straight from TWM or a used one from a person on ebay (not a seller) or craigslist....

the mazdaspeed accessory STS has a huge bend towards the driver (as you can see in the pics). I have never seen one in person or driven with one. some people find the bend awkward and some love it. I'd like to try it out though.


in my opinion a weighted knob with a STS is key. change of gears are a lot easier.

also, the solid shifter brushings made changing gears feel a lot more "real" rather than "mushy" stock...you won't see what I'm saying until you try it with and without the brushings. although I BELIEVE that the MS accessory STS comes with them?

 

[Chefsp0t]

I noticed a huge difference over stock. I can't really compare it to anything else. I had a sts in my mx6 but that's a totally different platform. I had the MS STS installed at the dealership within a week of buying my car new. I hated the shifter when I test drove it and I wanted it replaced ASAP. I hate feeling like I am driving a semi. I have never driven an mz3 with a twm shifter installed in it but the combination I have now is shorter anyway. I think the video shows it pretty well.

Like Mike said, it is angled toward the driver but once I got used to it I actually found that shifting was easier and more comfortable. It did come with the shifter bushings too. I bought some twm ones like an idiot before I checked to see if I already had them.

Another thing to note about the MS STS is that it does not lower the height of the shift knob like the twm one does. I thought about adjusting my twm knob to sit lower but then I can't drive with anything in my cup holders.

X2 about the weighted knob though. Especially if you are considering a short shift plate too. It definitely made it harder to get the car into gear. The 600 gram knob I bought feels great.

 

[TRUE]

so the ms sts, sits as high as stock but is shorter throw and has a curve in it?
(is the curve hard to get used to?)

twm sts is shorter than stock shorter throw and doesnt have a curve in it?

ALSO: you have the james barone short shift plate installed, how much did that make a difference? his short shift plates arent available for my car so all i would have is just the STS. how is the feel and shift of just the STS and not the short shift plate? thanks!

 

[Chefsp0t]

The curve was weird for the first few days but after that it became comfortable.

The MS STS without the james barone plate worked flawlessly. Even with the stock knob the shifts were very easy. Did Mazda change the shift linkage on later mazda3's? I have not seen pictures of a pre-06 shift linkage.