Short throw shifter options for a non-racer

[GilmourD]

EDIT: You should still read this but go to post #34 for updated thoughts on what this entails for me.

So, to be up front, I know the best options are those that mount to the transmission. However, those are significantly more expensive as well as likely majorly overkill since my daily speedster will not be hitting the track. I'm mainly looking to tighten up shifts compared to the stocker.

So, with that in mind I've been looking at shifters like the Barton economy short throw, the Steeda Tri-Ax, or the Boomba Racing shifter.

I believe there's other options like those but sitting down at a computer and researching (like I usually prefer to do) has been difficult the past few weeks, so here I am finally posting from my phone as the wife drives the family to her brother's place for Easter.

So, any thoughts? Comparisons? Suggestions?

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[daSNAK3]

I went with the Boomba short throw just for the ease of installation really, it works for me, I have not missed any shifts since installing it, before I installed it, I was missing more shifts on this car than I have ever missed with all my other manual cars combined, really frustrating.

I paired it with the Boomba trans mount (street version), there is noticeable NVH from the trans mount, improved some with putting mileage on it, but not a whole lot... but it really does not bother me.

I am sure it is not as good as the more expensive, trans mounted shifters, but it is definitely an improvement over stock w/ the trans mount paired with it.

 

[GilmourD]

I am sure it is not as good as the more expensive, trans mounted shifters, but it is definitely an improvement over stock w/ the trans mount paired with it.

Yeah, that's all I'm looking for. I'm never going to do anything that's not on a road paved using taxpayer money, so I don't need race-level shifting capabilities. LOL

Did you need to get under the car for the Boomba? I ask because my neck is still messed up from the accident in February which made my neck injury from March of '22 (when my '12GT left this world) worse so it's hard to get under a car on jack stands so I'd probably have to get it installed at my shop.

 

[GregO]

@GilmourD
Boomba for sure, install is 100% inside just need to rent the puller from Boomba.
Steeda Trans mount filler pc or Boomba mount.
Full Tilt Boogie trans mount when you decided to put the car on a lift for install.

 

[daSNAK3]

Yeah, that's all I'm looking for. I'm never going to do anything that's not on a road paved using taxpayer money, so I don't need race-level shifting capabilities. LOL

Did you need to get under the car for the Boomba? I ask because my neck is still messed up from the accident in February which made my neck injury from March of '22 (when my '12GT left this world) worse so it's hard to get under a car on jack stands so I'd probably have to get it installed at my shop.

As Greg said, you install from inside, just need to rent their shift puller tool... Pretty easy install. I live like 20 minutes from them so I drove to the warehouse and picked it all up, went home and installed it and then brought their tool back.

 

[CorvZ061]

MGW trans mount is worth it, even for a daily driver. My 2020 wasn’t a track car, it was a daily driver that also was used to have fun in the mountains.

I went back and forth on this for a while before just biting the bullet. No regrets

 

[ralph7]

I went with the Boomba short throw just for the ease of installation really, it works for me, I have not missed any shifts since installing it, before I installed it, I was missing more shifts on this car than I have ever missed with all my other manual cars combined, really frustrating.

I paired it with the Boomba trans mount (street version), there is noticeable NVM from the trans mount, improved some with putting mileage on it, but not a whole lot... but it really does not bother me.

I am sure it is not as good as the more expensive, trans mounted shifters, but it is definitely an improvement over stock w/ the trans mount paired with it.

I wish you guys would spell out these things at least the first time they appear in a post.

 

[daSNAK3]

I wish you guys would spell out these things at least the first time they appear in a post.

correction: NVH, not NVM. noise, vibration, and harshness

 

[GilmourD]

Thanks for the replies, guys!

Just because I'm a data-driven nerd and I like large sample sets, anybody else have experiences or opinions?

 

[Prodigal]

MGW on my Tremac 6 speed. Very precise shifts and I definetly prefer the down and over for reverse versus the pull up collar.

 

[Farkel]

MGW on my Tremac 6 speed. Very precise shifts and I definetly prefer the down and over for reverse versus the pull up collar.

I agree 100%! Mine's on the MT82-D4, and my car will never see a track, but every shift reminds me of why I went with the 'best'. @GilmourD, what if you go for something else just because it's cheaper, then spend the rest of your ownership experience wondering whether you made the right choice? "Buy once, cry once."

 

[GilmourD]

I agree 100%! Mine's on the MT82-D4, and my car will never see a track, but every shift reminds me of why I went with the 'best'. @GilmourD, what if you go for something else just because it's cheaper, then spend the rest of your ownership experience wondering whether you made the right choice? "Buy once, cry once."

I totally get that line of though, but it also works in the other direction of "Well, I spent all that money and get none of the benefits".

For a daily driver with a 12-minute work commute that goes to the store ocassionally, goes out with the wife every so often, and hits the highway every few weeks to go to a friend's place about 30-45 minutes away, depending on traffic... Do I really need to spend the extra money and have a more complicated install process? Are there compelling reasons you can provide for such?

I know it's easy to fall into the "JUST DO IT!" trap, and I'm not trying to be a jerk. I just want to be absolutely, undoubtedly sure.

 

[shogun32]

Do I really need to spend the extra money and have a more complicated install process?

Given that usage profile, then no.

Go to some c&c and talk to and try various configs.

 

[Prodigal]

I totally get that line of though, but it also works in the other direction of "Well, I spent all that money and get none of the benefits".

For a daily driver with a 12-minute work commute that goes to the store ocassionally, goes out with the wife every so often, and hits the highway every few weeks to go to a friend's place about 30-45 minutes away, depending on traffic... Do I really need to spend the extra money and have a more complicated install process? Are there compelling reasons you can provide for such?

I know it's easy to fall into the "JUST DO IT!" trap, and I'm not trying to be a jerk. I just want to be absolutely, undoubtedly sure.

Yes you do!
mine is a 2021 with 1750 total miles on it. I only drive it on sunny weekend days during the warm months so it may get driven 15 times per year, hence the low miles. See my sig line for mods but I bet I’ve spent $10k on them and it’s still so very worth it. I smile every time I drive it and occasionally act the fool when no one else could be harmed by my behavior behind the wheel. I fully admit it’s a mid life crisis car. No apologies, no regrets. You can’t take the money with you when the music stops.

 

[GilmourD]

Yes you do!
mine is a 2021 with 1750 total miles on it. I only drive it on sunny weekend days during the warm months so it may get driven 15 times per year, hence the low miles. See my sig line for mods but I bet I’ve spent $10k on them and it’s still so very worth it. I smile every time I drive it and occasionally act the fool when no one else could be harmed by my behavior behind the wheel. I fully admit it’s a mid life crisis car. No apologies, no regrets. You can’t take the money with you when the music stops.

OK, but what would you quantify as a difference that would make it worth it to me?

I mean, if somebody wants to be my sugardaddy/mama and have it installed for me, too, I'm game, but you're also talking like you believe my bank account has more zeros to the left of the decimal point, too.

This isn't a midlife crisis thing for me. It's life. I'm 44 and this is my fifth Mustang (in my sig) after an '86 Firebird and '82 TransAm. I've spent money, built engines, pulled transmissions, etc. I'm pretty sure I don't have a compelling reason to go balls-to-the-wall. I'm just looking for a comparison between and opinions of the less race-inspired options.

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