MGW - Do you like precision things?

[m3incorp]

Mine sits just a little lower than stock. Did you get the standard shift handle? They have different lengths.

Mine is x-spec with standard handle....for 21% reduction in throws.

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[m3incorp]

It is not really that low and doesn't cause me to shift any differently from before the swap.

It appears that the length of the the shifters shaft may be too low for a shift with out leaning forward, pulling your shoulders out of there position? Has anyone lengthen to that shaft so that is a normal height?

 

[Johnnydarkgt350]

Mine sits just a little lower than stock. Did you get the standard shift handle? They have different lengths.

Mine is x-spec with standard handle....for 21% reduction in throws.

Thanks for the info on it. I’ve not ordered yet. The length you have longest ? How many choices?

 

[m3incorp]

The standard length handle is the longer one. There is a shorter handle called "low profile" and really lessens the height. When you order, keep in mind the "xpec" is the assembly that allows for 21% and 25% throw reduction. The regular "race spec" assembly allows for 15% and 19% throw reduction. To get the 19% or 25% throw reduction requires the low-profile handle. The standard handle allows for the 15% (race-spec) and 21% (xpec).

Initially, I thought I wanted the race-spec with 19% but fortunately enough to have a few guys in the car club that have the shifters. The 19% was not enough difference in throw reduction for me. The 25% with that short handle had the shifter sitting way too far down for me. The 21% was the sweet spot in my opinion.

I live local to MGW and went to their shop and saw all versions before ordering. They even have colored handles and various shifter balls available.

Thanks for the info on it. I’ve not ordered yet. The length you have longest ? How many choices?

 

[dx2]

I just ordered my xspec

there's also a flat stick handle which is not officially listed on the mgw shop page for the 2015+

looks like this

 

[VictorH]

Just a quick update for later model Mach 1. I have an October 2021 build and evidently. after speaking to George at MGW there's been a change in the shift rod and subsequently the shifter ball. It used to be 10 mm diameter threaded rod and now is 12 mm which is why my ball. is to big for the MGW shaft. New ball on the way from MGW. Excellent customer service.

 

[m3incorp]

I totally forgot to mention the flat stick handle (which will not accept the factory type balls), you have to drill down to find where it is listed.

I just ordered my xspec

there's also a flat stick handle which is not officially listed on the mgw shop page for the 2015+

looks like this

 

[VictorH]

First drive today. Drove a couple hundred miles (mostly freeway unfortunately, but some heavy traffic too).
Yes, it's really nice! The only downside is that the Tremec is a bit "clunky" when it's cold and the shorter throw of the MGW tends to make it even a bit more clunky feeling. Just have to shift a bit slower and more deliberate to lessen that. However, once the trans is nicely warmed up the shifting is excellent. Really smooth, direct and no slop whatsoever. Not a gigantic improvement over stock as stock is really nice but it's about as good as you can get. Very pleased with the install process, though I had to have MGW replace my shift rod, since Ford had a mid-year shaft diameter change. Anyway, it's a really nice piece and a great addition to the manual trans.

 

[dx2]

can't wait to install it. They wrote it will take a few weeks before it is shipped

 

[dx2]

It's done.
Actually I already did the install a few weeks ago. I posted a short bit in the big thread,.
So for completeness, here are some pics and a more thorough report.

But first off: it was totally worth it.

Because I ordered the x-spec I was not sure which handle would be the best fit, so I ordered flat stick, short and long handle, a few inserts, the cylindrical, spherical gripper knobs and the mgw knob. The mgw knob is larger and heavier than stock knob.

The shifting action is great with all handles but eventually I probably order a bigger and heavyier knob. I have installed the cylindrical gripper knob right now with the short stick. This works best so far.

There is no additional noise but now you can actually feel the engine through the handle during high rpm pulls.

Before with stock shifter I was afraid I would break something during shifts. Now with the mgw shifter shifting feels very sturdy and solid.

Since I just do not install mods like this too often it took me two days to install.

The installation surely was not comfortable but there was enough space down there under the car without taking off the driveshaft or exhaust.

If you do not want to install it yourself try to find an experienced shop otherwise it might not get installed properly.

Getting that long top arm bolt out of the narrow tunnel was the most evil step during the whole installation. I recommend to loosen the drive shaft at least a bit if the transmission won't come down far enough on its own. I had to use a wood plank as a lever to further push down the transmission to get that sucker out.

I recommend some protective gloves especially if you have a applied a protective film against rust which otherwise stick all over your hands:
https://www.amazon.com/GLOVEWORKS-Industrial-Textured-Disposable-GWON48100BX/dp/B00MGSGN46/

Use a light with a magnetic mount, that way you can easly place it on top of the exhaust pipe.

Also a nice tip from another thread is to turn the rubber dust boot inside out which makes its install completely stress free.

I will try out the flat stick together with some other knobs when they arrive. Attached are some photos of the install and some weights of the handles and knobs..

In this video you can see how much slack the stock shifter allows:

https://streamable.com/es1qnb

Here I show the installed rubber dust boot with a zip tie to secure it:

https://streamable.com/6omrzl

By the way you can readjust the 1-2 shifting without taking the boot off completely.

Shifting, engine off, flat stick:

https://streamable.com/wirxs6

Eventually I could have done some photo from under the car but there was probably not much more to see and the mgw video shows the most important things already.

Anyway, what's next? I thought of adding some more power or maybe rear ratio of 4.09.

 

[VictorH]

You're bringing back a lot of memories for me. Those barrel threads on the shift rod extension are a pain in the a$$ if you have to remove and reinstall. Wish they were fixed in place (why can't the be interference fit?) as I had loktite on mine and they were an absolute bear to remove and reinstall because you have to get both bolts to unscrew at the same time and at basically the same thread position.

Anyway, still a really good shifter. I'd say now maybe 1,000 miles later, it's still a little too stiff for my liking. It's precise and there's no slop, but after 30 minutes on track rowing the gears you'll feel your right shoulder having a little fatigue. Still like it though.

 

[Zelek]

Does the shifter only come in one spec? I don't see the options on the website to change things.

 

[ARAMP1]

Awesome writeup! Just wondering, about how long is this from bottom to top?

 

[m3incorp]

It comes in different specs including how much shorter you prefer the throw, the height of the handle, etc.

Does the shifter only come in one spec? I don't see the options on the website to change things.

 

[Prodigal]

Did I miss how the reverse lock out works with that flat shifter? I don’t see a collar or anything you actuate to get reverse.

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