TWM Short Shifter Installed

[spyder]

Just installed my new shifter in under 1.5hours. It is really short in movement and height. One comment I can make is that you have to make sure the boot is not bunched up around the back of the stick shift (meaning closer to the dash) as I found my shifting was better when the boot was lifted it up. I think the boot was getting in the way of the stick centering spring that was lower in the stock shifter. It took me about 2 rounds if shifting from 1-6 to get the feel and it is cool. There is more effort to shift as I didn't buy the TWM knob and so far I am ok with that. If I need to I will but I would like the knob made with the gear map on it as I do occassionally have others drive my car. This is my first time taking the middle dash apart and it is a lot easier than I thougt...now I understand why some members get pissed paying for install of little items when you can really do it yourself if you have a guide. Over all I am pleased but I need to give it some hard driving and quick gear changing to see if I really like it. If I don't at least there will be some lucky person that will get a discount on this one and I can go back to stock no harm done as they give all the stuff to go back to stock. Again, so far I like it, it is really short in height but the solid firm short throw distance out weighs the increased effort.I will post more and possibly with some pics over the weekend.Cheers!Spyder

[goodvibe]

I was on the list to get one but when I heard how short it was, I passed. I sit really tall and just didn't want a significantly longer reach for a shorter shift. I actually asked TMW if they would sell me the proto, because it was about an inch longer but no luck. I don't mind the standard shifter but I also wouldn't mind it being a bit shorter throw or firmer. Hope you like yours.

[nismo]

Do like some others, hack your shifter down and buy a aftermarket knob.Inder

[Mase]

If you think the TWM is too short, just buy a taller shift knob. I've seen them up to 2 feet tall!

[nismo]

u got a pic of that man? i wanna see that.

[goodvibe]

Here's a pic. Mighty short and forward. Mase, I like the stock knob on the GT and prefer not to shift with a baseball bat. My ideal would be the TMW shifter and a standard height and shifter angle. Maybe a threaded and angled extention would do the trick.

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[Mase]

Holy smokes! You weren't kidding about that thing being short! I guess it looks more sporty.Oh well. We'll see when mine comes on Monday.

[Herb]

Well here's a few shots from my install. Sorry I forgot to grab my camera for disassembly.Over all install was pretty straight forward. Only real nitpick was that they required me to scavenge a couple parts from the stock assembly, a plastic socket, and a spring. For a couple of such simple small items I wonder why they couldn't have provided them as well.

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[Herb]

Here's the stock knob with the TWM Short Shifter. It is lower than stock. Shifting takes a little more effort, particularily to go into reverse.

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[Herb]

The Desert Eagle knob from TWM is 600 grams of stainless steel goodness. Definately do not want to drop it on your toes.Shifting is much easier with this knob. I can however foresee that it may not be so pleasant when it's scorching hot or freezing cold outside. I may have to get some driving gloves

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[Raven]

Very nice. You listen to AM radio?

[Herb]

Thanks!And yes, I listen to 660 News. "All news, all the time."http://www.660news.com/And back to topic, I bought the short shifter off eBay where it was listed for $199.99. They close the auctions after the opening bid so it's cheaper than going through their website. I did however get the bronze shifter bushings and knob via e-mail which they gave me the same deal as I would have from the website. All in all, an easy transaction.Quote, originally posted by Sunny »Very nice. You listen to AM radio?

[Herb]

For reference purposes, the original stock shifter assembly

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[mistertwo]

id like a short throw shifter but not so much short in length... the closer the shifter is to the wheel the less distance my hand has to travel.. esp for auto-x... thats why just cutting the stock shifter doesnt yield the same benefits.

[manicdan]

herb can u show a side angle shot of the short one, so i can see how it compares to stock, or is goodvibes a picture of the same TWM one

[spyder]

Hi. if you still want a longer shifter. order one from TWM they will sell it to you in the length you need. You just have to pay for it. or if you have a twm shifter already you can get a shop to make one for you. TWM was very helpful to me when I first bought their shifter, I had 3 different sticks for it. one normal OEM lenght, one straight stick and short length and the one that normally comes with the twm shifter. I hope this helps!Cheers!Spyder

[Herb]

It might be worth noting that the Desert Eagle weighted shifter knob is the tallest knob TWM offers and is adjustable in height.Here's a profile with the Desert Eagle knob at it's lowest position.

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[Herb]

Here's a profile with the Desert Eagle knob at it's highest position.

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[manicdan]

ok based on what im reading, its possible to have a shorter throw while having it feel like its the same exact position as the OEM one. now lets talk number, what do u guys recomend and how much will that cost and how does it feel with the heavier handle vs lighter one

[spyder]

Just give TWM Performance a call and they will make it for you if you alread own their short shifter or plan on buying one. Be forwarned that the shift is VERY notchy. Spyder

[mistertwo]

i'd like to keep it looking relatively stock in height with a shorter throw.. and i really like the way the shift knob on that looks... i honestly think i would like a weighted shifter better.. how much do these bad boys run?

[Herb]

I bought mine from eBay. TWM puts them up for auction for less than they list it on their website, and they close the action after the opening bid.A current one running now is:http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...l1116And it looks like someone else has one listed as well:http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ZWDVW

[spyder]

Hey folks. Has anyone just called TWM Performance and asked them about buying some custom length sticks? Just call them...they do give deals over the phone. I am not saying they are so much better. When talking to Karl or Kevin, they have always given me something. Since they know I don't own a vibe anymore (I now have a Mazdaspeed 3) they won't give me much on deals for vibes/matrix's.And if I am not mistaken I think they are trying to get rid of stock of vibe/matrix short shifters.Again the short shifter is solid but very notchy if you don't have a heavy knob to counter the shift. I eventually went back to stock cuz I didn't want to work that hard to shift.PM me if you have any specific questions...I have done all the mods to my vibe before I sold it.Spyder

[manicdan]

think we could get a group buy going?

[Herb]

I think it feels closer to the dash than stock. I say this because I feel I have to stretch a bit to reach it. That said, it looks like the shaft can be easily replaced by another one to your specifications.As for knob, I chose the tallest one because I didn't like how low the stock knob sat in GoodVibes picture. Also because it's so much shorter there's more effort involved in shifting, presumably because there's less leverage. The weighted knob helps immensely with the shifting with the short shifter. Of course you'll have to determine if it's worth the extra money. They do have a reasonable range of knobs, and they range from 100-110 per knob.I also just installed the bronze shifter cable bushing kit. It's really improved the precision of the feel when shifting too. If you order the short shifter, ask for their bushing kit too.Quote, originally posted by manicdan »ok based on what im reading, its possible to have a shorter throw while having it feel like its the same exact position as the OEM one. now lets talk number, what do u guys recomend and how much will that cost and how does it feel with the heavier handle vs lighter one

[sjbourg]

Hi All,I installed a TWM short shifter along with a TWM .44 Magnum shift knob yesterday. The installation, as discussed in this thread, was very straight forward. The car is much more fun to drive (and looks better too). Just to mention again, for those of you who don't want the STS or don't have the budget for it, you can greatly inprove the shifting experience of your Vibe by installing the brass cable bushings and the shifter base bushings. You can now get these on ebay for about $15 shipped for each. Just search under "toyota bushings". So, for about $30 and an hour or so of your time, you can really make a huge difference in the way your shifter feels and performs. That's definitely a bang for the buck mod!

[engineertwin2]

I'm curious if anyone has tried to increase the weight of the stock shift-knob. Living in AZ, it's gonna be a huge mistake throwing on one of TWMs weighted shift knobs, but I understand that shifting requires a lot more effort if you don't have the additional mass. Additionally, there have been occasional needs to ensure that the gear/gate positions are clearly marked (such as when people are valeting the car - not too often, but it has rarely occured).The 6-speed is pretty uncommon and the location of Reverse being next to first is even a bigger deal. I wouldn't care but people don't seem to notice that the reverse beeper is a warning and I've seen an unfamiliar driver or two put it into reverse and start to back up before they realized something was up.

[Herb]

Quote, originally posted by engineertwin2 »I'm curious if anyone has tried to increase the weight of the stock shift-knob. Living in AZ, it's gonna be a huge mistake throwing on one of TWMs weighted shift knobs, but I understand that shifting requires a lot more effort if you don't have the additional mass. I bought the "Desert Eagle" knob from TWM which is the heaviest they have and it helps alot, as I tried the stock knob and it was tough.