I originally posted this in the TWM Short shifter pre-order thread. So, instead of leaving it there, to be buried in pages of comments. I decided it would be better to start a new thread for the review.
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I installed my TWM short shifter today. I didn't bother timing it, but it didn't take long. The instructions that came with it are posted on the 'net by them here (
http://www.twmperformance.com/manual...ll-manual.pdf). The instructions are extremely accurate. I got the "base bushings" with my short shifter kit. I will say that I used quite a bit more lithium grease than they did in their pics. Install was a breeze.
The short shifter feels hella nice. The kit repositions the shifter a little closer to the driver; not quite as close as the WORKS shifter, which I see pics of it being almost too close (Hand Brake almost gets in the way of 2nd). The TWM kit fits perfect with my sitting position and driving style. If the shifter were any closer to me, I would have issues with it hitting my knee.
The feel compared to stock is like night and day. Where I always thought the stock shifter felt a bit "spongy", the TWM shifter feels nice and crisp, accurate, and I almost want to say "notchy" but it's only barely more notchy than stock. The reach to 5th gear is perfect; I no longer feel like I'm reaching for the glove box! The shift throws are much shorter and the shorter throws makes for a very noticeable decrease in arm movement while shifting.
For me, this is the perfect shifter. Everything is in the right position. The stick is not too far and not too close. The shifting effort is increased, but only to the point that it ~feels~ good to go through the gears. The over all shifter gives you a crisper, more accurate, and much more sporty feel to changing gears.
I haven't tried a WORKS shifter, but I can't imagine it being better than this.
Anyways, the pics.... I didn't bother with duplicating any of the pics that are in TWM's ads, or manual. You can look at those already, and they are accurate depictions of their product. Instead, I took different pictures that would hopefully give you an idea of what this product is like compared to stock, and what it might be like to live with.
TWM vs Stock (TWM on the left):
1st Gear from the Driver's Seat:
Hand on shifter (1st Gear) from the Driver's Seat:
