I am new to the board, so first off, "Hello to all."

I traded my Black supercharged 1999 35 Anniversary GT and picked up my current 06 GT October of 2005. I immediately started looking for a short-throw shifter. I've got a buddy who swears by the MGW shifters. I thought, "why not." and put my name on the list about a year ago. Well, Friday, it came and we installed it yesterday. All I can say so far is "WOW"!

First off, the shifter itself is really heavy duty. Much beefier than the stock shifter. The directions were VERY detailed and easy to follow. They even saved us time telling us exactly what tools to use. It took two of us about an hour and a 1/2 or so (going slowly and carefully) to do the install. The kit came with heat and sound barrier material which so far has worked really well and cutting down noise and heat. The hardest part was figuring how how much throw I wanted in the shifter (yes, it adjustable)! 3rd gear is definitely my new best friend. The shifts are crisp and smooth with no play. So far, I have the shifter set at about 35-40% shorter than stock. The instructions state you can go from 15% - 50%. At 7 turns, I'm a little over 1/2 way. Also, the shifter know is a couple inches further back which makes it much easier to get to.

I meant to take more pictures, but got excited when it arrived and forgot until I already had the shifter bolted to the car. Here are a few for starters.

Honestly, I felt the Tri-Ax and didn't dislike it, but waited still. I had also heard the Hurst shifters are noisy from others. I'm glad I held out. I could not be more happy with the results of this! My friend who helped me do the install has been working on Mustangs for 10+ years and said this was the best shifter he'd ever felt in a mustang. Although I have less experience, I'd COMPLETELY agree!

Now if I can just do something about my clutch. :-)

Hope that helps those of you trying to make the decision!

Ryan

http://www.mustangworld.com/ourpics/News/select3534.htm

 

Two more pics...the flimsy stock shifter and my car on jackstands....I don't usually try to brag too much on people's products, but I love this shifter! Thanks!

 

Do you feel you lost any "comfort" when compared to the stock shifter??? Any vibration or anything weird??

 

What did you use as the jacking point on the front? The center of the crossmember?

 

Two answer both questions:

First no. There is zero vibration. The only thing that is different is that this shifter is much more firm than the stock, so it takes a bit more strength to shift, but it goes right where I want it to.

Secondly, I've got a jack and two jack stands under there on crossmember. To be honest, I'm not a big fan of climbing under my car.

 

And not a beer can in sight...

 

For that I vote the install a failure.


j/k

 

So did you put the jack under the center of the engine crossmember? That is how I normally jack up the front end of my Fords, but I just wanted to know if it was safe to do on the S197.

 

Yes. I had to cut the wheels with the CDC chin spoiler on because I couldn't move the jack handle. That's why the jack is off to one side.

 

Thanks. The MGW shifter looks good.

 

Where'd you buy it at? and price?

 

www.mgwltd.com and $300 bucks