MGW Race Spec and Blowfish bracket
11/25/14, 05:26 PM
#1
Mach 1 Member
Thread Starter
MGW Race Spec and Blowfish bracket
Hi all,
I have a 2014 GT with the less than stellar stock shifter and I was convinced I wanted an MGW with the Blowfish bracket. Then I saw lots of people complaining about NVH with the Blowfish bracket which prompted Blowfish to engineer a revision, soon to be available:
https://m.facebook.com/mustangblowfi...ce=46&refid=17
Well cool, I guess I'll just wait. But while I was waiting, MGW created a revision to their famous shifter as well:
https://m.facebook.com/l.php?u=https...=NAQGS6PPD&s=1
If you watch the video, their approach is a super rigid remote mount and they recommend mounting the shifter to the body (unlike Blowfish) to dissipate vibration...It's almost like they are recommending directly against the Blowfish bracket without actually naming them.
I got these links from two different forums, and kind of wanted to get your thoughts. I want my next mod to address the shifter, probably in the next 3-6 months. New MGW only, new Blowfish bracket only, or both?
I have a 2014 GT with the less than stellar stock shifter and I was convinced I wanted an MGW with the Blowfish bracket. Then I saw lots of people complaining about NVH with the Blowfish bracket which prompted Blowfish to engineer a revision, soon to be available:
https://m.facebook.com/mustangblowfi...ce=46&refid=17
Well cool, I guess I'll just wait. But while I was waiting, MGW created a revision to their famous shifter as well:
https://m.facebook.com/l.php?u=https...=NAQGS6PPD&s=1
If you watch the video, their approach is a super rigid remote mount and they recommend mounting the shifter to the body (unlike Blowfish) to dissipate vibration...It's almost like they are recommending directly against the Blowfish bracket without actually naming them.
I got these links from two different forums, and kind of wanted to get your thoughts. I want my next mod to address the shifter, probably in the next 3-6 months. New MGW only, new Blowfish bracket only, or both?
11/25/14, 07:03 PM
#2
Cobra R Member
Join Date: September 22, 2012
Location: Ontario, California
Posts: 1,691
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes
on
17 Posts
I'm very interested in these same options. I have a steeda bracket and it works pretty well. I have read stories of folks getting no lock out and no grinding. It's made me consider the mgw and blowfish racing part. I rarely have issues but when I do, it's incredibly annoying. I hope folks that own the new mgw piece once it's out post here. I'd love to hear first hand experience. I don't care about vibration or harshness but noise is a deal breaker for me. I almost bought the blowfish part before the noise complaints. Thank you for sharing this. I am subscribed to see all the comments.
11/25/14, 08:23 PM
#3
I was lucky enough to get in in the first order of the new MGW shifter...it was shipped today and will be here on Tuesday. Hopefully I'll get it installed next week and I'll post my opinions. Only mod I have in this area is the Steeda bracket. I still sometimes get high speed lockout from 2nd to 3rd...no other issues such as grinding or popping out of gear. I have a MGW in my sons 01 Bullitt and I've always been impressed with the quality and feel of turbo shift so I have big expectations for this shifter as well
11/25/14, 09:38 PM
#4
Mach 1 Member
Interesting. It sounds like from this video, the Race Spec MGW Revision took place on the 15's. Did they completely re-designed the 14's as well? Can the current 14 MGW owners add those parts?
11/25/14, 09:39 PM
#5
Cobra R Member
From what I read, I think you can return your current shifter for a $200 core if you buy a new one.
11/26/14, 10:26 PM
#6
Shelby GT350 Member
Join Date: May 6, 2012
Location: Crofton MD
Posts: 2,060
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't think you can use the new MGW with the BF bracket, and it doesn't look like you need to, what the BF bracket does from underneath the new MGW does from above. I have a BF bracket and have loved it since I beta'd the unit. I think it is great for the street and haven't yet used it at the track/strip but I have read of many who have and they love it. That being said I love the look of the new MGW and I will probably buy it if reviews from track rats is as good or better than those using the BF bracket.
11/27/14, 07:54 PM
#8
Shelby GT350 Member
Join Date: May 6, 2012
Location: Crofton MD
Posts: 2,060
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Can you post the install notes? I don't think you can say for certain it is the best mod out there without having tried the others, however it looks extremely good.
11/28/14, 01:26 AM
#9
Mach 1 Member
Thread Starter
It's late, so I could be mistaken, but I thought the MGW is $450 and the Blowfish bracket is $300 (assuming the price doesn't go up for the new design).
It is definitely cheaper than getting a different shifter plus the Blowfish though, maybe that's what you meant?
11/28/14, 06:30 PM
#10
Member
Join Date: May 22, 2014
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have been thinking about this a lot lately. I already have a 2014 spec MGW installed and also got in on the pre-Labor Day Blowfish bracket purchase price. I was planning on installing the Blowfish bracket next spring when I get all my other upgrades together for installation. Now I see this MGW race spec design and now I am all unsure on what to do.
I like the rigid new billet top mount and the non articulating shift rod but at the moment I still think the Blowfish bracket with my original MGW may be the way to go. MGW is using the shift rod as a second mount but the Blowfish bracket is mounted directly to the trans and shifter so it should be the more solid mounted of the two designs. As long as the rear mount doesn't hit the studs it should be pretty quiet as well. I hope the new Blowfish design includes a smaller rear mount for the MGW or I may trim my mount slightly to help clear the studs if I do go with the Blowfish/MGW gen 1 route.
I like the rigid new billet top mount and the non articulating shift rod but at the moment I still think the Blowfish bracket with my original MGW may be the way to go. MGW is using the shift rod as a second mount but the Blowfish bracket is mounted directly to the trans and shifter so it should be the more solid mounted of the two designs. As long as the rear mount doesn't hit the studs it should be pretty quiet as well. I hope the new Blowfish design includes a smaller rear mount for the MGW or I may trim my mount slightly to help clear the studs if I do go with the Blowfish/MGW gen 1 route.
11/28/14, 08:23 PM
#11
Mach 1 Member
Thread Starter
I have been thinking about this a lot lately. I already have a 2014 spec MGW installed and also got in on the pre-Labor Day Blowfish bracket purchase price. I was planning on installing the Blowfish bracket next spring when I get all my other upgrades together for installation. Now I see this MGW race spec design and now I am all unsure on what to do.
I like the rigid new billet top mount and the non articulating shift rod but at the moment I still think the Blowfish bracket with my original MGW may be the way to go. MGW is using the shift rod as a second mount but the Blowfish bracket is mounted directly to the trans and shifter so it should be the more solid mounted of the two designs. As long as the rear mount doesn't hit the studs it should be pretty quiet as well. I hope the new Blowfish design includes a smaller rear mount for the MGW or I may trim my mount slightly to help clear the studs if I do go with the Blowfish/MGW gen 1 route.
I like the rigid new billet top mount and the non articulating shift rod but at the moment I still think the Blowfish bracket with my original MGW may be the way to go. MGW is using the shift rod as a second mount but the Blowfish bracket is mounted directly to the trans and shifter so it should be the more solid mounted of the two designs. As long as the rear mount doesn't hit the studs it should be pretty quiet as well. I hope the new Blowfish design includes a smaller rear mount for the MGW or I may trim my mount slightly to help clear the studs if I do go with the Blowfish/MGW gen 1 route.
11/28/14, 09:07 PM
#12
" The noise issues are not a problem for MGW users, so the update will not effect you."
11/28/14, 09:51 PM
#13
Shelby GT350 Member
Join Date: May 6, 2012
Location: Crofton MD
Posts: 2,060
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You still have the stock shifting rod that can articulate with the BF bracket and none race spec MGW, that won't be as solid as the race spec's new shift rod.
11/28/14, 10:20 PM
#14
Mach 1 Member
Join Date: March 27, 2014
Location: Winnipeg, MB
Posts: 919
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi all,
I have a 2014 GT with the less than stellar stock shifter and I was convinced I wanted an MGW with the Blowfish bracket. Then I saw lots of people complaining about NVH with the Blowfish bracket which prompted Blowfish to engineer a revision, soon to be available:
Well cool, I guess I'll just wait. But while I was waiting, MGW created a revision to their famous shifter as well:
If you watch the video, their approach is a super rigid remote mount and they recommend mounting the shifter to the body (unlike Blowfish) to dissipate vibration...It's almost like they are recommending directly against the Blowfish bracket without actually naming them.
I got these links from two different forums, and kind of wanted to get your thoughts. I want my next mod to address the shifter, probably in the next 3-6 months. New MGW only, new Blowfish bracket only, or both?
I have a 2014 GT with the less than stellar stock shifter and I was convinced I wanted an MGW with the Blowfish bracket. Then I saw lots of people complaining about NVH with the Blowfish bracket which prompted Blowfish to engineer a revision, soon to be available:
Well cool, I guess I'll just wait. But while I was waiting, MGW created a revision to their famous shifter as well:
If you watch the video, their approach is a super rigid remote mount and they recommend mounting the shifter to the body (unlike Blowfish) to dissipate vibration...It's almost like they are recommending directly against the Blowfish bracket without actually naming them.
I got these links from two different forums, and kind of wanted to get your thoughts. I want my next mod to address the shifter, probably in the next 3-6 months. New MGW only, new Blowfish bracket only, or both?
I went with the "regular" 2014 MGW and have been thrilled with with it. I've sung its praises over and over. If they've gone and improved it even more, that's mind blowing to me. Your only question should be, "What is the fastest way to get my money to MGW?"
11/29/14, 12:39 AM
#15
Mach 1 Member
Thread Starter
So...all the specific concerns I had about the BF bracket long before this was released that were poo-pooed by many actually ended up being valid enough to redesign it? Interesting.
I went with the "regular" 2014 MGW and have been thrilled with with it. I've sung its praises over and over. If they've gone and improved it even more, that's mind blowing to me. Your only question should be, "What is the fastest way to get my money to MGW?"
11/29/14, 06:15 AM
#16
Mach 1 Member
Join Date: March 27, 2014
Location: Winnipeg, MB
Posts: 919
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Here's what I said (some paraphrasing):
Color me intrigued by this new bracket, but to my eyes there are a few issues, when using it with the MGW:
1. It doesn't look like the heatshield will fit. One of the biggest bonus features of the MGW is the added refinement it brings to the car. Part of that is down to the big padded heatshield. If you have to remove or cut away the heatshield, that's a deal breaker.
2. This looks like its bound to introduce more noise and vibration from the transmission to the shifter assembly and therefore the interior. Particularly if my assessment number 1 is correct, this would be a big problem for me.
The concept is interesting and could solve some issues, but with my newfound refinement and action in my MGW I'm just not willing to risk it until its spent some time in the wild. No disrespect to beta testers, but having been a part of a small scale public beta test, you often end up lauding improvements while ignoring or playing down limitations or downfalls. I'm finally 100% happy with my shifter and I'm not about to screw around with that.
1. It doesn't look like the heatshield will fit. One of the biggest bonus features of the MGW is the added refinement it brings to the car. Part of that is down to the big padded heatshield. If you have to remove or cut away the heatshield, that's a deal breaker.
2. This looks like its bound to introduce more noise and vibration from the transmission to the shifter assembly and therefore the interior. Particularly if my assessment number 1 is correct, this would be a big problem for me.
The concept is interesting and could solve some issues, but with my newfound refinement and action in my MGW I'm just not willing to risk it until its spent some time in the wild. No disrespect to beta testers, but having been a part of a small scale public beta test, you often end up lauding improvements while ignoring or playing down limitations or downfalls. I'm finally 100% happy with my shifter and I'm not about to screw around with that.
I went from the Energy Suspension bushing to the MGW. While it did clean it up a *bit*, it still just didn't feel solid or smooth. As solid and unsloppy as the MGW is, you would think it would introduce a fair bit of NVH, but as I posted in my review, thanks to MGW's uncompromising approach, they've made this thing functionally built-like-a-brick-$#!t-house flawless and actually REDUCED NVH. That seems impossible, especially as you're pulling beautifully machined pieces out of the box that fit together better than even Lego ever could. My exhaust sounds crisper because I get less cabin resonance coming up through the trans tunnel I think. I had it on the highway and it's quieter there too, and I have a Boss exhaust. I can't help but think that heatshield is a big part of the NVH improvement, and giving that up is a 100% deal-breaker.
11/29/14, 09:47 AM
#18
Mach 1 Member
Join Date: March 27, 2014
Location: Winnipeg, MB
Posts: 919
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No problem, I tend to research these kinds of things to death (I'm not OCD, though I do have some leanings that way when it comes to my car ) before I pull the trigger and I usually know what I'm getting by the time the box shows up on my door step. I'm also not really an "I told you so" kind of guy but vindication does feel good. 
) before I pull the trigger and I usually know what I'm getting by the time the box shows up on my door step. I'm also not really an "I told you so" kind of guy but vindication does feel good.
11/29/14, 10:03 AM
#19
Legacy TMS Member
Anyone have more info on that MGW $200 core swap? I have the original 11-14 MGW and I still have shifting issues every now and then. It's not 100% confidence inspiring and that replacement rubber boot was TERRIBLE to install.
11/29/14, 10:08 AM
#20
Mach 1 Member
Join Date: March 27, 2014
Location: Winnipeg, MB
Posts: 919
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have the later updated version that kept the factory boot. It was a total PITA but shifting is great. Just some decent fluid (RP Syncromax??) and she'll be 100% worry free.