TWM 7" competition shift knob review

dP3NGU1N

TL;DR version: Buy the shift knob; it's awesome. But only recommended with a short shifter.

So I just finished installing my NST short shifter (will be further referred to as SSkit), which I bought about 5 months ago or so when they were doing their group buy. I was very torn about installing it because of some fairly negative reviews about SSkits in general and wasn't sure if I was simply going to sell it off.

Ironically, the trigger for making me install it came from a thread that was another fairly negative review about SSkits and I think it comes with the territory. You can read more about it here:
not impressed with my twm short throw shifter

SSkits, as their name implies, shortens the throw of the shift knob. I think what most people don't realize is HOW exactly SSkits accomplish this task. I think it's a fairly common misconception that an SSkit is just lowers the height of your shift knob when, in reality, it actually changes the pivot point of the shift assembly. This change in pivot point also changes the mechanical leverage (it reduces leverage) that the user has when engaging the shift knob.

This is probably where most people are finding reasons to complain:
1. It's suddenly too difficult to get the car into gear
2. Shifts suddenly feel incredibly notchy
3. This is a personal one: Shifter is even farther away from the steering wheel now.

To offset much of these issues, I've opted to do what few others have done. I was going to buy an extension for the shift knob and go that route but I found that TWM actually sells a shift knob that is 7" long. In the images, it looked like it was made out of aluminum so I purchased it without giving it much thought. It wasn't until a week later when it arrived that I realized it was made out of delrin and weighed in at 160 grams; quite a bit short of the 510 gram hebi bebi that I'm currently using. I initially had some reservations about this knob at that point because I liked the feel of a metal knob, however, as I got to work installing the NST SSkit I started thinking that anything heavier would throw off the balance of the knob when it's this high off the shifting assembly.

After installing the NST SSkit, I tried it briefly with the hebi bebi knob. BIG MISTAKE. It felt terrible, everything everyone complains about and more. Incredibly notchy and damn near impossible to get the car into gear while I was up on stands. Installing the TWM competition knob, however, resulted in a very pleasant shifting experience. It's extremely easy to get the car into gear, even easier, dare I say, than it was with the TK knob with the stock shifting assembly. I must mention that with an extended knob, it essentially cancels out the shortened throw of the SSkit. What it gains you, however, is a much closer proximity between steering wheel and shift knob. This difference is felt immediately even while I was testing on the street. There is a certain ease that is gained when driving with the shift knob almost right next to steering wheel. With the stock shifter and TK knob I constantly left my hand resting on the shift knob just so I don't need to keep shifting back and forth. I don't find myself doing that at all with this new knob and it really allows me to concentrate on the road in front of me. Second gear, something many people complain about and a gear that I have had some difficulty with before, has also manage to smooth itself out due to the increased quickness in gear shifts. The engine speed no longer has the time to drop to unacceptable levels and lurching the car forward.

That's not to say there's no learning curve. Due to reduced throw I missed 3rd twice and shifted from 2nd straight into 5th. This is something to get used to but a very minor complaint, if it can even be considered one. I'd chalk it up more to human error than anything else.

The conclusion, I suppose is that I would highly recommend this shift knob to anyone with an SSkit. It would be questionable whether or not I would recommend this to you if you don't already have an SSkit as I think its range of motion with the increased length would be a problem.

That being said: My TK knob will be going up for sale soon as I won't be needing it any more.

Cheers

2015-02-07 11.16.32 HDR.jpg

__________________

35% Hooper Optik | Takeda Attack CAI | F.I. HFC | Hotchkis Sway Bar | Stillen 24row | OS Giken Super Lock LSD | TK Shift Knob | EVO-R Carbon Diffuser

Merv

Jesus Christ,keep your ol lady away from that thing!

__________________
Swift springs | upgraded headlights | stillen gen3 cai | FI HFC's and FI CBE | ecutek tune in the mail!

Zoren 370

What a loooooooonnnggg review that is!!! Lol

dP3NGU1N

the too long didn't read version is there! Just trying to make the review as thorough as possible.

I'll probably follow up with further driving impressions further down the line.

__________________

35% Hooper Optik | Takeda Attack CAI | F.I. HFC | Hotchkis Sway Bar | Stillen 24row | OS Giken Super Lock LSD | TK Shift Knob | EVO-R Carbon Diffuser

dP3NGU1N

I am prepared for the "big black knob" and "compensation" comments. Lol

__________________

35% Hooper Optik | Takeda Attack CAI | F.I. HFC | Hotchkis Sway Bar | Stillen 24row | OS Giken Super Lock LSD | TK Shift Knob | EVO-R Carbon Diffuser

Merv

Ya,just messin man. Thanks for taking the time and doing a writeup.

__________________
Swift springs | upgraded headlights | stillen gen3 cai | FI HFC's and FI CBE | ecutek tune in the mail!

Zoren 370

Yeah me too. Very good write up!