Barton short throw shifter

[905Shooter]

I’d like to start off by saying I did so much research on weither to go with the barton or MGW shifter. I pulled the trigger and went with the barton and i cannot say i’m not blown away, the feel, the look, just everything. I don’t want to start a MGW vs barton thread, rather i’m just giving my insights on the barton hybrid 3 shifter for anyone who is on the edge. I went with the barton mainly because there was the option of body or trans mounting in case i wanted to change it later, I also love of how the flat stick looked (and because it came with a simple black shift knob). Then it came down to the flat stick or the pull up collar. Before i had an issue where the reverse collar would wobble at higher rpm’s, i knew it wouldn’t be the case on the barton but i still didn’t want to deal with it. 550 dollars and 4 days later a package from AM shows up on my door step. The happiness ensues. Not going to lie it took me 6 hours and my hands are scared but it was all worth it. Watch the video and did the best i could. Keep in mind i’m 16 and weigh 120 pounds so the times where muscle would do it in 10 minutes it took me 30. My father offered to help but i declined. I had it on the 4 post lift it his diesel mechanic shop and dropped the exhaust from cats back. Unbolted the drive shaft let it hang and unbolted the trans mount and let it tilt down with the help of a trans jack. You could do it on the floor but i wouldn’t recommend. Few hours and cuss words the world has never heard later and it’s finally in. Shifts are absolutely incredible, not trying to meat ride the boys at barton but man this is amazing. Notchy but not to notchy, stiff but not too stiff. Just incredible, Mild NVH but that’s what you’d expect with a trans mounted shifter. If your on the edge on which one to buy i hope this helps you make up your mind. If you have any questions please let me know. If a scrawny 16 year old can do it, you can too.

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[NGOT8R]

Nice! I really like the look of the flat stick too. How does the reverse lockout work with that setup?

 

[905Shooter]

Nice! I really like the look of the flat stick too. How does the reverse lockout work with that setup?

You have to push down on the whole shifter, it takes some force so you’ll never accidentally go into reverse instead of first, takes some getting used to but i love it

 

[qwert7699]

I have my black barton flat stick sitting in its box, im just waiting for the chance to put it on.

 

[IM Stoner II]

Installed the short shifter a couple weeks ago...tried it with the springs in...then removed the springs..much smoother without them

 

[Tib]

I've been going back and forth between the 2 brands too. I like the Hybrid 3 for the options. I normally do all my own mods but I may pay for this one...I don't have access to a lift and it just sounds miserable on a garage floor / jack stands.

 

[NGOT8R]

I've been going back and forth between the 2 brands too. I like the Hybrid 3 for the options. I normally do all my own mods but I may pay for this one...I don't have access to a lift and it just sounds miserable on a garage floor / jack stands.

It’s very doable on jack stands. I installed the Steeda race shifter in mine and did it on stands in my garage. I had the driveshaft and exhaust off of the car when I did it. I can see this being much more difficult to do without removing them.

 

[pozi240]

Nice job! Always impressed to see owner's tackle jobs themselves... this one isn't for the meek, for sure, but, its doable. And you're right, a hoist makes this job almost bearable... I too struggled a while between MGW and Barton. I dealt directly with both via email and over the phone. Both have great customer service and follow the same philosophy with quality products. In the end, I went with Barton, mainly because of the Flat stick option and the Hybrid ability. (I trans mounted mine as well). Amazing difference in shifting. Can't wait for warmer weather to really try it out (I"m in the great white north....LOL).

 

[Fastoldman]

The tough situation with the two shifters is few can try each out at the same time ( hard to find two owner's cars with each of the shifters handy ) , but the real difference is George Ciamillo of MGW has owned enough Mustangs to keep a Dealership in business. George is OCD in that every year when there is a change in the gearbox or a new model, he purchases a new Mustang , drives it and perfects his system. Many who have had his short throw shifter kit noticed he even has updated models if he feels he can make it even better. MGW ( initially Maryland Gun Works ) started by his father, did armaments for the Government and many key gun manufacturers, but George's love for performance cars led him to develop shifters for various models --- Vipers, Corvettes, Camaros, and Mustangs. He has had everything from Boss 302s, PP1s, GT350s, 2013 Boss 302S, Bullitt, and a Mach 1 to just name a recent few. His commitment to the brand is unmatched and the Ford Engineers I have known or who show up for the Mustang Roundup in Hastings, Nebraska each year all swear by the MGW system.
Probably one of the best stories, a few years back , was that Shelby American promoted using MGW shifters in their cars, and one of the bean counters decided to switch over to a Barton for less money. A new owner got on a Forum and railed about how crappy the shifter was saying he had no idea why folks bragged about the MGW shifter. Folks came to MGWs defense, but he consistently noted the shifter was crap. He was so disappointed he took things apart to find it was not a MGW shifter at all , but a Barton. The Forums went wild , and Shelby American owners found out that even though Shelby touted the system as an MGW one, it was not. The next thing that occurred is Shelby ended up replacing over 120+ shifters due to customer complaints that they did not get what was advertised. MGW is completely made, in house, in Augusta , Ga. so you have an all nAmerican made product. All this said I think the MGW is the top of the Hill, the Barton is second, and not sure anything else really merits discussing, imho.

 

[Tib]

It’s very doable on jack stands. I installed the Steeda race shifter in mine and did it on stands in my garage. I had the driveshaft and exhaust off of the car when I did it. I can see this being much more difficult to do without removing them.

Thanks for the info. If I do decide to do it myself, I'll be doing a resonator delete at the same time, so the exhaust will already be off. Really I guess it'll just be a little extra to drop the driveshaft which isn't too bad.

 

[Rapid Red]

Thanks for the info. If I do decide to do it myself, I'll be doing a resonator delete at the same time, so the exhaust will already be off. Really I guess it'll just be a little extra to drop the driveshaft which isn't too bad.

You may know this, if not use it. Make witness marks on the drive shaft flange. To retain the factory alignment, when installed.

 

[5.0carlo]

I am currently looking at both shifters. I have the driveshaft and exhaust off currently because I’m pulling the trans and I want to do the shifter while it’s out.

Unfortunately I’ve tried to contact Barton a few different ways and couldn’t get ahold of anyone and that doesnt Sit well with me.

Awesome Job on the install man. Looks great.

 

[NGOT8R]

Are you guys with the Barton or MGW shifters using Dynamat sound deadener around the shifter opening to keep the noise down? For the 2018+ cars, I presume the inner shifter boot will also need to be cut as to fit over the shifter base?

 

[Fastoldman]

Tib ,
Great mod, inexpensive mod, and something everyone should do even if they do not install a short throw shift kit. Great thought process to complete two tasks at once , but as cheap as it is to put in resonator delete pipes and gain a little hp, a little torque, a better sound, but to me, you got rid of some weight!!!

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