Shifter Help
I Have No Life
Joined: September 24, 2011
Posts: 10,141
Likes: 172
My shifter/shifting was pretty darn good as well.....for about 9000 miles. Now I'm noticing more and more....something. Slop, harder to get into gears, etc. Every time it happens, I blame myself. But I'm not so sure anymore. I'm sold on getting a MGW. Just don't feel like installing it. But if my shifting gets worse, I'll have to make the jump soon.
GT Member
Joined: August 23, 2012
Posts: 187
Likes: 5
From: Dearborn, Mi
you need an M12x1.25 shaft. Thanks for the Tip FromZto5!
I have no doubt in my mind that an aftermarket shifter like from MGW would greatly enhance and refine anyone's driving experience. I wish there was someone around me that had one that would allow me to get a feel for it and see how it is!
Hey Lakeguy, PLEASE keep me posted. short throw shifters has always been something that I've done to my cars as well and I haven't bothered for the mustang, yet.
in fact, I bought a 2 piece barton bracket on a private sale for $50 which is in mint condition and still haven't installed it because I am happy with the stock performance of the shifter.
I'm so confused as to why everyone is having issue with shifting from one aspect or another. Could it be relating to GT's?
I normally take country roads home to avoid bumper to bumper grinding on the highway in the the afternoons at the end of my workday. Just yesterday I hammered into 2nd from 1st and then again into 3rd. I don't feel what you've described "putting a stick into a box of rocks" i don't feel grinding or misfiring or anything of the nature. and yes. I red-lined 1st, and 2nd, chirping each gear.
You seem to have a good grip around what's going on and already have a new shifter on order (Congrats!) I'm not trying to diagnose or help you troubleshoot your issue, I'm don't see how I could even help you as this point. I'm just trying to understand it and try to relate it with my driving experience of my own car.
what RPM's were you at when changing gears when you felt the stick/box example?
I have no doubt in my mind that an aftermarket shifter like from MGW would greatly enhance and refine anyone's driving experience. I wish there was someone around me that had one that would allow me to get a feel for it and see how it is!
Hey Lakeguy, PLEASE keep me posted. short throw shifters has always been something that I've done to my cars as well and I haven't bothered for the mustang, yet.
in fact, I bought a 2 piece barton bracket on a private sale for $50 which is in mint condition and still haven't installed it because I am happy with the stock performance of the shifter.
I'm so confused as to why everyone is having issue with shifting from one aspect or another. Could it be relating to GT's?
I normally take country roads home to avoid bumper to bumper grinding on the highway in the the afternoons at the end of my workday. Just yesterday I hammered into 2nd from 1st and then again into 3rd. I don't feel what you've described "putting a stick into a box of rocks" i don't feel grinding or misfiring or anything of the nature. and yes. I red-lined 1st, and 2nd, chirping each gear.
You seem to have a good grip around what's going on and already have a new shifter on order (Congrats!) I'm not trying to diagnose or help you troubleshoot your issue, I'm don't see how I could even help you as this point. I'm just trying to understand it and try to relate it with my driving experience of my own car.
what RPM's were you at when changing gears when you felt the stick/box example?
This is not the case with the MGW and is why most people try the brace first. The MGW shifter is just solid and you feel it in every shift you make.
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: January 6, 2006
Posts: 14,053
Likes: 166
From: Bay Area, CA
Shifting the stock shifter feels like this - popping your elbow or cracking a knuckle. It's especially bad when hurrying or trying to rip off a quick 1-2 and 2-3. Completely missed 3rd again today. Just hit the brick wall. Even when I consciously don't grip the shifter as hard as I did with my T-56 and MGW; I man handle the 1-2, then loosen my grip and let the springs guide the 2-3...right into a brick wall lol
Cobra Member
Joined: February 13, 2011
Posts: 1,399
Likes: 0
From: Southern NH
If you live near the shop (MGW), the owner will *install it for free* if you call and make an appointment. Otherwise, think about paying a local shop for 2.5-3 hours labor.
It's really not that hard.
It's really not that hard.
GT Member
Joined: August 23, 2012
Posts: 187
Likes: 5
From: Dearborn, Mi
Yea, I agree with that. Feels like the zip tie is stretching and the 2nd gear gate is a moving target.
First time ripping through the gears, I knew this shifter wouldn't be in the car long. Of course I pretty much knew that sitting at the dealer signing the papers, I have always had MGW shifters in my cars.
The install is not that bad since they went to using the stock boot, I did mine on Rhino ramps and let my son do the bolts under the car since he is A LOT thinner than me he could reach the bottom side.
First time ripping through the gears, I knew this shifter wouldn't be in the car long. Of course I pretty much knew that sitting at the dealer signing the papers, I have always had MGW shifters in my cars.
The install is not that bad since they went to using the stock boot, I did mine on Rhino ramps and let my son do the bolts under the car since he is A LOT thinner than me he could reach the bottom side.
V6 Member
Joined: June 20, 2007
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: Smithfield, VA
Just my two cents as I did the same thing from the beginning and ordered a Steeda for my 2011 GT because I had great luck with one in my 2003 GT. The one for my 2011 GT though had an issue with the spring for putting it in reverse. The spring stopped popping the shifter up and you had to manually pull the thing up to take it out of reverse. I had to end up sending it back. Replaced it with an MGW. Pain in the butt to install but significantly better.
Thread Starter
Mach 1 Member
Joined: March 27, 2014
Posts: 919
Likes: 0
From: Winnipeg, MB
The MGW is in the car. Install wasn't bad at all. I had a tablet nearby with the install video on screen and just followed the video step by step. Started at 10am, took a break at 11:30 to have a bite. Was done by 1pm. Considering I followed the 45 minute video as I did it, a grand total of 3 hours including a lunch break is good. I also did it with jackstands only under the front of the car.
I would say, if you're doing an X or H pipe install during the same time-frame, do it all at the same time, and install the MGW with the exhaust off the car. The extra elbow room will be welcome. I did it with the exhaust in the car and it went fine, but lying on my back on a creeper it was tight work when two hands were needed.
A couple things that really helped over and above the tools MGW recommends in the video:
1. Mini LED trouble light with magnetic clip (stick on wherever to see what you're doing)
2. Mac Tools magnetic tool tray...basically a metal tray with two big magnets on the bottom. You can stick the tray itself to whatever, but I used it to sort the hardware for each step under the car. Stays right in place in the tray so you can grab it without looking in tight confines under the car.
3. Instead of a T-handle hex key, I used a bit that mounts to a 1/4" socket extension. The cap screws to attach the shifter to the lower box are surprisingly hard to turn and a ratchet gives more leverage and the extensions make just turning those screws down much easier.
I have no driving impressions yet. The rain has stopped and I'm just waiting for the streets to dry up to go for a drive. Just working it through the gates in the garage, the throws weren't shortened as much as I was expecting. I consider that a very, very good thing. Effort is equivalent to the stock shifter as well but it does hit the gates with more precision. So far so good.
I would say, if you're doing an X or H pipe install during the same time-frame, do it all at the same time, and install the MGW with the exhaust off the car. The extra elbow room will be welcome. I did it with the exhaust in the car and it went fine, but lying on my back on a creeper it was tight work when two hands were needed.
A couple things that really helped over and above the tools MGW recommends in the video:
1. Mini LED trouble light with magnetic clip (stick on wherever to see what you're doing)
2. Mac Tools magnetic tool tray...basically a metal tray with two big magnets on the bottom. You can stick the tray itself to whatever, but I used it to sort the hardware for each step under the car. Stays right in place in the tray so you can grab it without looking in tight confines under the car.
3. Instead of a T-handle hex key, I used a bit that mounts to a 1/4" socket extension. The cap screws to attach the shifter to the lower box are surprisingly hard to turn and a ratchet gives more leverage and the extensions make just turning those screws down much easier.
I have no driving impressions yet. The rain has stopped and I'm just waiting for the streets to dry up to go for a drive. Just working it through the gates in the garage, the throws weren't shortened as much as I was expecting. I consider that a very, very good thing. Effort is equivalent to the stock shifter as well but it does hit the gates with more precision. So far so good.
Thread Starter
Mach 1 Member
Joined: March 27, 2014
Posts: 919
Likes: 0
From: Winnipeg, MB
First drive with the MGW is complete. Only about 15-20 minutes total to and from the grocery store, but it's definitely a game changer. Has taken care of everything I was hoping for, the crunchiness is gone. The gates are clearly defined and the throws are not atari-joystick short.
As an added bonus, it's taken care of an annoying noise that I thought was either heatshields or a release bearing noise under very light throttle and feathering the clutch, which I did not expect. The heatshield/insulation and additional strips of dynamat have isolated some vibrations that I wasn't even noticing before, but now that they're gone, the car feels more upscale and refined. The shifter does require a bit more effort than stock, but not much more and the action is so beautifully smooth.
The MGW makes this car just that little bit more rewarding to drive, and I'm so very happy that I caved to peer pressure.
As an added bonus, it's taken care of an annoying noise that I thought was either heatshields or a release bearing noise under very light throttle and feathering the clutch, which I did not expect. The heatshield/insulation and additional strips of dynamat have isolated some vibrations that I wasn't even noticing before, but now that they're gone, the car feels more upscale and refined. The shifter does require a bit more effort than stock, but not much more and the action is so beautifully smooth.
The MGW makes this car just that little bit more rewarding to drive, and I'm so very happy that I caved to peer pressure.
I Have No Life
Joined: September 24, 2011
Posts: 10,141
Likes: 172
First drive with the MGW is complete. Only about 15-20 minutes total to and from the grocery store, but it's definitely a game changer. Has taken care of everything I was hoping for, the crunchiness is gone. The gates are clearly defined and the throws are not atari-joystick short. As an added bonus, it's taken care of an annoying noise that I thought was either heatshields or a release bearing noise under very light throttle and feathering the clutch, which I did not expect. The heatshield/insulation and additional strips of dynamat have isolated some vibrations that I wasn't even noticing before, but now that they're gone, the car feels more upscale and refined. The shifter does require a bit more effort than stock, but not much more and the action is so beautifully smooth. The MGW makes this car just that little bit more rewarding to drive, and I'm so very happy that I caved to peer pressure.
Shelby GT350 Member
Joined: May 6, 2012
Posts: 2,060
Likes: 0
From: Crofton MD
Just an update on the shifter bracket I had suggested waiting for, finally is out http://bossmustangsonline.com/index.php?topic=7918.125
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: January 6, 2006
Posts: 14,053
Likes: 166
From: Bay Area, CA
Just an update on the shifter bracket I had suggested waiting for, finally is out http://bossmustangsonline.com/index.php?topic=7918.125
Edit looked at it again and it's pretty obvious. This looks like a stout piece. I may have to push my catback back a month and get this at the intro price to install WITH my MGW...
Last edited by laserred38; Aug 5, 2014 at 02:28 PM.
Cobra Member
Joined: April 7, 2014
Posts: 1,470
Likes: 26
This looks like the problem solver for the shifting issues. The 15 has a change to the shifter rod. Has anyone seen the new one? How much does the transmission move in these cars? Just wondering if it will be an issue?
Shelby GT350 Member
Joined: May 6, 2012
Posts: 2,060
Likes: 0
From: Crofton MD
I wish they would provide some finished pics. It's hard to tell what you're getting and where it mounts with the cad prints...
Edit looked at it again and it's pretty obvious. This looks like a stout piece. I may have to push my catback back a month and get this at the intro price to install WITH my MGW...
Edit looked at it again and it's pretty obvious. This looks like a stout piece. I may have to push my catback back a month and get this at the intro price to install WITH my MGW...
Cobra Member
Joined: April 21, 2014
Posts: 1,099
Likes: 2
From: Canada, Ontario
very cool! looks like a must have for most of you running the GT esp SC applications!
Doubt I would need something like this.
Its interesting to get any views on a lot of you that have claimed the MGW has fixed all of your shifting problems. Are you still going to consider this? I probably would, why not!
Doubt I would need something like this.
Its interesting to get any views on a lot of you that have claimed the MGW has fixed all of your shifting problems. Are you still going to consider this? I probably would, why not!