Tri-ax, mgw or barton

[Gee]

MGW, it's worth the wait. It's the only shifter that will give you that true top loader feel, it removes the cheap factory plastic reverse lock out collar, the shifts are as precise as can be (row them gears with confidence!), and the engineering and machining = a work of art.

If you install this shifter and don't think it's pure awesome, then you don't know what a proper shifter should feel like.

Sponsored

 

[Todd15Fastback]

Steeda Tri-Ax.

 

[BTM]

Here's a fun observation, and also a testament to the MGW effectiveness in removing the remote mount shifter imprecision and improving feel and feedback - my MT-82 started out feeling like a video game shifter, like it wasn't mechanically connected to anything. After MGW, it feels almost exactly like the T-5 with a short shift kit that I had in my Fox body.

BTW if you will be doing lots of high rpm shifting, you should also do a stainless steel braided clutch line - the stocker swells under abuse and won't let the clutch fully release, which will kill it....

 

[wildcatgoal]

Just get a shifter or at least a bracket. You will thank us for emptying your wallet for a good reason. We will talk to your wife/girlfriend on your behalf, if necessary.

 

[Bankss550]

I ordered a Barton last night. I'll post up my honest opinion once I get it installed.

 

[Red2]

Love my MGW!

 

[LethalPerformance]

We've used the Barton shifter in a few of our recent builds and they worked out great for us. Went 9.70@150mph with the stock MT-82 with our blue car. Also went 11.1 in our Ecoboost with the stock transmission as well. Both equipped with Barton 25% shorter throw shifters.

Unfortunately I haven't tried an MGW shifter yet but from the 11+ years of being in this industry and knowing George he makes an awesome product. People rave about how well they work.

With that said I really don't think you can go wrong with either of them. The good thing is that you have options.

We've got both the Barton 25% shorter throw unit in stock as well as the MGW shifters so feel free to place the order through one of the links below or by giving us a call. We look forward to assisting you.

Thanks, Jared

http://www.lethalperformance.com/barton-2015-mustang-gt-short-throw-shifter.html

http://www.lethalperformance.com/mgw-2011-2014-mustang-race-spec-short-throw-shifter-53662.html

 

[JuRuKi]

I was on the same boat as you. Went with MGW.

 

[Bankss550]

I finally got around to installing the Barton shifter. So far, I like it. Shifter is a lot stiffer to move than stock. There's very little play side to side. It also seems like it's impossible to miss a gear and in the 50 miles I've driven so far, no lockouts. My only complaint is that the pin removal tool they provide only causes headaches. The screw that pushes out the pin snapped which left me no choice but to cut the stock shaft in half with a sawzall. Oh and use a Barton lockout collar. Steeda won't fit. Not sure if this info helped you but it may help someone else decide on a shifter.

 

[WhiteyDog]

I have no issues with my Steeda Tri Ax, and am liking it very much. Since I never had the MGW or Barton, I can't comment on their quality, but I don't think I ever heard anything bad about either of them. They look like well built, well engineered pieces, but the Steeda is no slouch either.

 

[T-S550-X]

I finally got around to installing the Barton shifter. So far, I like it. Shifter is a lot stiffer to move than stock. There's very little play side to side. It also seems like it's impossible to miss a gear and in the 50 miles I've driven so far, no lockouts. My only complaint is that the pin removal tool they provide only causes headaches. The screw that pushes out the pin snapped which left me no choice but to cut the stock shaft in half with a sawzall. Oh and use a Barton lockout collar. Steeda won't fit. Not sure if this info helped you but it may help someone else decide on a shifter.

I also have the Barton and have no regrets! I did get to drive with the MGW on a friends ride and while it is a bad ass shifter, I felt as though the shifter was too short for my tastes. The throws on the MGW are really short gear to gear (flick of the wrist).

The barton is very nice, but very stiff new. Reading past reviews, it should lighten up with use. You do have to deliberately direct the shifter into gears 1,2,5,6. If you don't you will push/pull it into the shifter gate. This has to do with how stiff it is (which is user adjustable). You can also replace the shifter length by replacing the entire center cartridge (20%&15% optional reduction).

The install was a 5/10 to me in toughness scale. Over-all I am happy with the shifter. Mine DID NOT come with a Barton shift knob. The only hitch during install, was breaking the tool which removes the factory lockout collar roll pin. It was an easy fix with a hacksaw (cut the protruding portion of the pin). As far as I can tell, I don't believe Barton even sells their own brand of shift knobs.

I have zero experience with Steeda's Tri-Axe, so I can't comment on it. All three companies have a strong presence on this forum and so far, I can tell you that Barton has good customer service. Lethal Performance had a hell of a deal on the Barton Shifter.

 

[Rebellion]

Has anyone tried the barton with trans mount?

 

[A.Mustang]

Does anyone have any information on the placement of the Mgw inside the car? I had heard that it didn't sit centered in the gearbox when assembled in the car? Can anyone dispute or confirm this with a picture?

 

[DRKHORS]

^^^This is no longer an issue as the upper part has been redesigned by MGW to center it perfectly.

 

[ScottsGT]

I just bought a Barton from the classifieds here. Looked at both carefully for the past two years at Mustang Week. Barton won out because I like the trashy reverse lock out. I just ordered the billit replacement this morning.
I'll be able to install it in a couple of weeks. But I am planning on removing the springs all together. I want the stock feel.

Sponsored