Notchy Shift - Blowfish, MGW, Steeda?

[Brice80]

Hi All,

Sorry for the cryptic title. I am loving the car, however i'm getting a bit fed up with the notchy portions of the transmission. going from first to second there is a real annoying part when the shifter gets to the gate of 2nd gear. I have heard that the blowfish may fix this kind of thing? and real feedback on that. I have serious thuds going from first all the way to 3rd. I'm wondering if this can all be fixed through blowfish or steeda inserts or something, or if a short throw shifter is required. I saw a post about the thud, but with thousands of responses, i wasnt sure if there is a consensus yet.

Love the car, and if i can get this shifter to work properly, life will be good.

Best,
Brice

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[MtnBiker]

The blowfish will align the shifter/shift linkage to the transmission. It will improve shifting performance quite a bit. Particularly 1st & 2nd in my experience. MGW, while obviously several steps up in quality vs OEM, works on the same principle. The BF is a good solution that also integrates a drive shaft safety loop.

Dunno what you mean by thuds. The MT-82 tranny is famous for the thuds. The BF will not fix the thud. The aspect that will improve with the BF is the "nibble" (like a very mild gear crunch) going into 1st & 2nd. At least that is my experience. YMMV.

If you install the BF you will notice more vibration in the shifter since it is now connected to the transmission vs the semi-remote OEM attachment point. You'll feel what the engine and drivetrain are doing in a good way (if you like sports cars). You might not like it if you really like disconnected luxury cars.

 

[ForTehNguyen]

swap out for some Royal Purple Synchromesh also

 

[VTECSAUCE]

The blowfish will align the shifter/shift linkage to the transmission. It will improve shifting performance quite a bit. Particularly 1st & 2nd in my experience. MGW, while obviously several steps up in quality vs OEM, works on the same principle. The BF is a good solution that also integrates a drive shaft safety loop.

Dunno what you mean by thuds. The MT-82 tranny is famous for the thuds. The BF will not fix the thud. The aspect that will improve with the BF is the "nibble" (like a very mild gear crunch) going into 1st & 2nd. At least that is my experience. YMMV.

If you install the BF you will notice more vibration in the shifter since it is now connected to the transmission vs the semi-remote OEM attachment point. You'll feel what the engine and drivetrain are doing in a good way (if you like sports cars). You might not like it if you really like disconnected luxury cars.

So the blowfish bracket is essentially the same concept as the MGW for $200 cheaper? I've been strongly considering the MGW to save my synchros.

 

[Jeff's FRC]

I went with an MGW, Amsoil Synchromesh, and a Steeda clutch spring. Trans is now a joy to shift!

 

[MtnBiker]

So the blowfish bracket is essentially the same concept as the MGW for $200 cheaper?

In that it converts your existing "semi-remote" floppy shifter into a directly connected "top loader"...yes. In the sense that a Timex is the same as a Rolex...no.

Should install much faster too.

 

[Brice80]

I went with an MGW, Amsoil Synchromesh, and a Steeda clutch spring. Trans is now a joy to shift!

Really? how much did it end up costing you to get the MGW installed and working though? I'm looking at a blowfish for 160 right now. but if i could have a MGW in there for around $500 total, i'd go with that option for sure. just need some advice. it sound like thats the general response, MGW is a game changer.

Is yours a Daily driver?

 

[brandonsmash]

The Blowfish bracket will not cure the notchiness, though it will make shifts a bit more direct.

Ultimately I went with Royal Purple and a Steeda shifter and am VERY happy with the combo.

 

[Epiphany]

So the blowfish bracket is essentially the same concept as the MGW for $200 cheaper? I've been strongly considering the MGW to save my synchros.

The factory shifter is a turd. A turd bolted to a Blowfish is just that - and in no way should be equated with anything MGW.

 

[MtnBiker]

The factory shifter is a turd. A turd bolted to a Blowfish is just that - and in no way should be equated with anything MGW.

Ah - it isn't that bad. But yes - the MGW is art by comparison.

 

[VTECSAUCE]

well now im torn between the MGW and the Steeda. Read great reviews on both.

 

[MtnBiker]

well now im torn between the MGW and the Steeda. Read great reviews on both.

The MGW replaces the entire shifter including the shift rod. Having full control of all of the variables (less the guts of an MT-82) seems like a better idea to me.

If you guys are stuck on shifter porn, you might also want to check out Ben Calimer's work on the actual guts of the tranny. Has a transmission shop in PA specializing in hot rodding the MT-82. That will help too.

 

[Jeff's FRC]

Really? how much did it end up costing you to get the MGW installed and working though? I'm looking at a blowfish for 160 right now. but if i could have a MGW in there for around $500 total, i'd go with that option for sure. just need some advice. it sound like thats the general response, MGW is a game changer.

Is yours a Daily driver?

My car is not a daily driver, but with the mods I did it is certainly better for DD duties. I could never shift smoothly with the stock stuff and now it's great! I don't feel the stock clunk/thud anymore.

I installed the MGW myself and I'd advise you to do the same. It really is pretty easy, especially with Georges install vid. MGW offers a 5% discount for forum members so getting one for under $500 should be no problem. The Steeda Spring is around $10 so that's a no brainer and the fluid swap is around $50. So everything I did can be done for around $550 and it makes a world of difference.

 

[Brice80]

The Blowfish bracket will not cure the notchiness, though it will make shifts a bit more direct.

Ultimately I went with Royal Purple and a Steeda shifter and am VERY happy with the combo.

Yea i was thinking something similar.... but iw as goign to do blowfish and Royal Purple or BG or something. Now thinking just going with MGW

Ah - it isn't that bad. But yes - the MGW is art by comparison.

TY for opinion!

The MGW replaces the entire shifter including the shift rod. Having full control of all of the variables (less the guts of an MT-82) seems like a better idea to me.

If you guys are stuck on shifter porn, you might also want to check out Ben Calimer's work on the actual guts of the tranny. Has a transmission shop in PA specializing in hot rodding the MT-82. That will help too.

The MGW replaces everything even with the new design? they said its smaller or something, easier to install etc.

My car is not a daily driver, but with the mods I did it is certainly better for DD duties. I could never shift smoothly with the stock stuff and now it's great! I don't feel the stock clunk/thud anymore.

I installed the MGW myself and I'd advise you to do the same. It really is pretty easy, especially with Georges install vid. MGW offers a 5% discount for forum members so getting one for under $500 should be no problem. The Steeda Spring is around $10 so that's a no brainer and the fluid swap is around $50. So everything I did can be done for around $550 and it makes a world of difference.

Really? so the trans fluid swap, and clutch spring seem easy. I thought people didnt like the MGW for daily driving. if it didnt have any NVH, i'd be down. Looking for a used one or just going to buy one off their site, just wanted it sooner than this weekend. thanks for the input, if i can get rid of the slop, and thuds, i'd be the happiest stang owner around

 

[Jeff's FRC]

Really? so the trans fluid swap, and clutch spring seem easy. I thought people didnt like the MGW for daily driving. if it didnt have any NVH, i'd be down. Looking for a used one or just going to buy one off their site, just wanted it sooner than this weekend. thanks for the input, if i can get rid of the slop, and thuds, i'd be the happiest stang owner around

I notice ZERO nvh with my MGW. There is no more vibration on the knob than any other trans mounted shifter of years past and no noise whatsoever.

Order the MGW from George to ensure you get the smaller version with the centered lever. It'll give you time to get the spring and order the fluid too.

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