I've been meaning to do a quick (ok this is not "quick" lol) write-up/update on the MGW anyways, but after an epiphany last night, the timing couldn't have been more perfect.

Edit: here's a link to my original thread a couple years ago detailing my install.
https://themustangsource.com/f657/mg...ssions-502600/

There have been a host of MGW threads/questions on this forum lately, mostly from new folks pondering which shifter to purchase. We all know that after a little bit of "searching" our forums, anyone who's asked the question of "which shifter should I get" will undoubtedly be redirected to MGW. Bar none. As it should be.

So let me add to the threads to be "searched" lol

I've been living with my MGW now for over 2 years. I've loved every minute of it. The shifts are, again, just like a well-oiled rifle bolt. Every movement is precise, and the shift **** in your hand goes to where you intended it to go. No missed shifts, particularly from 2 to 3. It's virtually impossible, since the centering spring lines you up in neutral center every single time, no matter how quickly you try to shift. Getting centered allows you to access 3rd by simply sliding it up. The shifter will engage perfectly, every single time. The same can be said for all the other gears, including reverse. In any gear, no grinding, no slop, no guessing. It works. Period. And wonderfully.

On to my epiphany: Throughout those 2 years, I've always been wondering about one thing: When I'm engaged in 2nd and 4th, it takes a very slight "push" to get it out of gear and into neutral. I thought this was normal, and lived with it. It never caused me any issues, nor did it ever "pop out" of 2nd or 4th. I figured this was part of the design. I just thought it was odd that it merely took very slight pressure to do so.

Last night, I was just reading the forums here, and also on SVT perf, and read that some folks also experienced that issue. I kept reading some more.... and more..... then I realized that some folks actually had bigger issues than mine. For some folks, it would pop OUT of gear during driving and particularly hard acceleration. This started to get me concerned. Do I have a faulty unit like these guys? Is there something wrong with my MGW???

Luckily, there was one response there that stuck out... hidden in the host of responses. It was an EASY FIX. Guess what it was????

The d*mn BOOT!!! Yes that darn boot. The one that all of us MGW users swore like a drunken sailor putting on. Yes that one. The post stated that the boot, if not installed right, will prevent 2nd and 4th and 6th (the lower gears) from properly engaging because it gets "pinched" in the rear. My eyes opened up WIDE... mind you it was 11:30 pm. Could this boot be the reason why it's so easy to get it out of 2nd and 4th??? Can't be.... No......I'm like... "No... no... no way. ALL THIS TIME, for 2 years, I was living with a great shifter already, when I could be living with a PERFECT shifter???"

I tossed and turned, thinking, Nah, I can figure this out tomorrow or even this weekend. But nope, my OCD-ness kicked in . F' it I said. I got up, got my coat on, and braved my 30 degree garage. I had to remember how to pop up the console, lol... and watched George's video again for a short while. I set the console aside, looked at the boot. I didn't see anything wrong, and thought, "Crap... all this for nothing.". I kept pushing and moving it as much as I could, until I eventually got it to seat slightly BELOW THE GOLD BRACKET. This was the key. I tried the shifter again, and now it engages ever more clearly, and stays in 2nd and 4th much more surely, if you will. It requires more force (not a lot by any means) to move into neutral, but at least not a pinky touch's worth.

The shifter is now absolutely perfect. PERFECT. I just can't believe ALL THIS TIME, I was living with a 90-95% perfect shifter, when I could have had 100% perfection. Shame on me. I think what happened was, I was so pissed off at that boot 2 years ago, that once I thought I got it seated, I didn't want to look at it again. LOL.

So anyways, the key take-aways from this thread are:

1) MGW still remains, imo, THE best shifter for our modern mustangs, bar none.
2) For those of you already with MGW's installed, and are experiencing a real easy time getting it out of 2nd and 4th, or any gear for that matter, it might be worth duking it out with that BOOT one more time. It's possible that it's getting pinched when the gears are engaged and pushing the shifter back.
3) I cannot stress enough the value of searching our forums, and reading... there's a LOT of great information out there. Just have to find it.
4) I really, really, really, really, miss my car. 4 months (and counting) of not driving her is driving me insane, and making me go out in the FREEZING garage at midnight just to have an excuse to work on my car.

Let me know if any of you potential MGW buyers or current MGW owners have any questions.

Thanks for reading.

Lastly, I made a video this morning, because I am just so elated that my shifter is so much better than the last 2 years (and I thought it was already that good lol). But really, it's because I'm running on 4 hours of sleep . I wanted to show everyone how smoothly the gears engage, how easy they engage, with no excessive effort. Also at 25 seconds in, I engage reverse.

p.s. Did anyone notice I switched to the Black MGW ****? Figured I'd mix it up from my white

 

Great write up. I'm sure many will read this and check the boot.

MGW said they'll ship in 2 weeks for anyone thinking of ordering the new revised shifter.

 

Well done sir!

 

Great write up, I'm Sold!......wait......I've been sold on it! Lol it's funny tho that you got up in the middle of the night to take a look at it. I would have done the same thing. Was working on the car last night in a 30 degree garage

 

I didn't know there was one. What's improved with the revised shifter?

 

thanks sir. Anything I can do to help our pony community, I will try. Yes, I saw the new shifter with revised brackets, etc. I was debating getting an updated version, but I just don't wanna deal with that boot again

Thanks Shawn. How's Quorra? You have an MGW yet? if not, get one

I could have tried to sleep it off... but I know myself all too well, that if I had a thought in my head, there's no way I'd let it go until I took care of it.

There was a post and video that Narphenal put up on the Latest Pics thread (or maybe it was the what did you do with your mustang today thread) that showed the new shifter. Might want to ping him. Maybe he'll read this thread and chime in. I think it's a new bracket and better seals... regardless, not enough improvement for me to shell out another 400 bucks

Btw AJ, you have a V6 right? I didn't know MGW made one for the V6 as well? if so, that's great!!!

 

Great write up!

And when I receive the new revised shifter I will definitely get some good pictures detailing the differences of the improved version! Hopefully will be shipping out this week!

 

Anytime narph... yes, please post install/review. Thanks for reminding me about my original install. I actually edited my first post here on this thread to include a link to my install and initial impressions:
https://themustangsource.com/f657/mg...ssions-502600/

Btw, also, because of your updates/comments about MGW the last couple of days, it was you who prompted me to read up on it last night. So thanks to you, I now have a "perfect" shifter,

 

The MGW for 11+ is for GT & V6. It's all the same.

 

^ geeesh, where have I been??? MT-82 = 5.0 and 3.7. whoops. Sorry about that.

 

I just installed mine last week and I can say it's everything the OP stated and then some.

My only question was regarding the reverse lock out pin.....I felt like I adjusted it just to adjust it. It feels like it's ok, but I think sometimes the notchy-ness of the tranny makes me wonder if I need to readjust it. It goes into reverse fine and all, but I still debate trying some different settings. Also, even though I have the revised design that reuses the factory boot, it was still a bit of a PITA to get that thing to seat properly. My factory boot had sort of a crease/kink on one side and made it difficult to seat at the bottom. I ended up having to get under the car and gently tug on it with pliers to pull enough out and have it look correct.

 

Great to hear you're enjoying the benefits of a well designed shifter as much as I am.

As for the lockout pin, believe it or not, I never even had to touch it, 2 years and counting. It was set good from the MGW factory I guess. Unless this is something that could be improved, I wouldn't know any better lol. Imo, if it already works great for you with no issues, leave it be.

As for the boot, yeah, those darn things are a pain in the rear. Just be sure to try to engage every gear before you put the console back on... make sure that the gears engage cleanly and clearly, and that the boot isn't getting pinched or preventing the shifter to slide into the gate fully.

 

It's that V8 bias you have!!!!

 

I hope everyone is happy with themselves with all of these darn comments about how good this shifter is! I can't wait any longer so I'm calling MGW first thing in the morning and ordering mine. The tipping point for me was FromZto5's video, that was exactly what I needed to see and hear to convince me. Thanks for giving us the info.

 

No problem sir. I figured it may help a few folks... The positive sure shifts are undeniable even in video. And to hear the shifter "snick" into place? Priceless...

And you guys get new and improved pieces too! Win win

 

Killer write up Burton. Thank you for posting and explaining it so well.
I wasn't aware of the MGW possibly popping out of gear. Does that happen? I hope not. (I'll have to do some research about that.)
Again,....thanks for the write up!

 

No problem at all tony. Yeah I can see it happening that some folks have theirs popping out of gear. I didn't realize how easy it was to slip out of gear until I actually had it fixed.

You already ordered your MGW right? It's just waiting to be installed?

 

Just ordered it 5 min ago! I am pretty pumped!

 

My MGW is one of the early revisions with a different bushing pack and I remember seeing a vid where George showed a inside the boot method of seating it correctly.
This method worked for me and the shifter has been flawless for almost 2 years.
I watch a vid a few weeks ago about adjusting the reverse lockout pin. Like Z this had me thinking if it was set up correctly or not. Checked it the next day and all is good.
Coming from a Hurst equipped T56 on my F-body the MGW is by far the best unit on the market for the MT82 cars. It really gives this remote mounted shifter the solid feel of a trans mounted unit.

 

Congrats Shawn! When are they building/shipping it? You talk to George or the lady who processes the orders?

And did my thread finally push you over the edge to order it? If so, you're welcome

George if you're listening, I need some advertising fees... or an updated shifter sent to my house?

Yep... doing all that reading made me think twice about how I had it set for the last 2 years. What irks me is that I could have enjoyed my MGW even MORE over the last 2 years.... ugh.