not impressed with my twm short throw shifter
 

just installed my twm short throw and i am not too impressed with it. only thing i like about it is throw does seems to be reduced. when going from 1st-4th, it seems great but when going into 5th it just doesnt feel right. it is very short that it seems weird compared to stock. maybe i just have to get used to it or what not but i am thinking about throwing the stock one back on and sell the twm one lol

edit: also going into gear is harder than stock. (not as smooth but im assuming thats how its supposed to be)

Is the knob the stock one? May need a heavier knob.

to shorten the throw is to shorten the leverage... it will always take more effort to move the shifter.

For me personally, I have never been a fan. I dont care for the notchier feel or the reduced clarity in knowing what gear you are in or moving towards without looking. I guess its probably different for every car... but 350z/370z I feel like the stock shifter is just right.

Well from what I have read and heard the B&M one isn't any better. If that matters......

Same thing happened to me, I didn't like how hard it was so I bought twm 4 inch extension. Now shifts are solid and easy!

yah, the z's gates are pretty short already. wat i did was just got a shorter sitting heavier knob (twm big type r) on stock shifter. very nice feel.

:iagree::iagree:

Look into getting the NST one! I have it and I love it!

Yeah fugging right..... Lol

The TWM is probably the best short shifter you can buy IMO. Should have gotten it but I thought the NST would have been a lot better than what it was.

They actually had something in stock :weneedasurprisefaceicon:

I think it's all about what feels the best for you. I have a TWM short shiftier with a TK heavy shift knob and I love it!!! My experience is regardless of oem or TWM, the Z does not have the most fluid gear box!!!

:iagree:

:iagree: with Hotrodz and Gale

I ran TWM Desert Eagle knob (600 grams) on the stock shifter for year or two with positive results. But I was much happier when I paired it with the TWM short shifter over a year ago. Also, I have had to remove it a couple of times when doing transmission work, and one time I did not have it properly lined up and 5th and 6th gears felt terrible even though I could still get it into R ok. A quick adjustment and everything felt great again.

I have come to enjoy the 'notchiness' of the Z transmission. The heavy knob and TWM shifter have increased that a little I think, but they also make shifts feel much more solid. I drove a mostly stock Nismo recently and while it felt pretty smooth for a Z transmission, everything felt light and weak in comparison to my Z. On one particularly hard shift, I almost felt like I might break shifter. This is, of course, just my personal opinion, and some people might like a soft, smooth clutch. I enjoyed a buttery smooth clutch in my Accord coupe before, but I don't mind and even prefer a more raw feel in a sports car like the Z :driving:

http://blog.cargurus.com/wp-content/...st_shifter.jpg

DO IT

To better appreciate our trans... Drive a 5 speed subaru (wrx). You will then proceed to pickup flowers and apology card for your Z transmission on the way home.

I driven a lot of manual trucks over most my life so, it's not the worst gear box in the world or even close to it.

Also, op you may want to remove the clutch helper spring or get a softer spring as well. I removed mine and it's made a significant difference in shifting as well.

I agree with the heavier, deep-set knob on the stock shifter. And side note, the best short shifting car I've ever experienced is my brother's FD RX-7. I compare everything to that so I'll always be disappointed.

I run with a Tommy Kaira knob and B&M short shifter. I am quite pleased.

i do have a heavier knob. blox 450gram knob

I have a heavy knob too...oh, wait. Never mind :ugh2:

I still have mine sitting in the packaging. I think what I'm going to do is get an extension and a Carbing high grip knob and install them all at once.

My train of thought is that net shifting distance will be about the same due to the extension and the short throw shifter cancelling each other out and the knob will be closer to the steering wheel. It's going to look funky to some, but race car. :driving:

Is my thought process on point or flawed? I'd love to know if anyone's done the same for the same reason. I know 7419sundat above me mentioned they got an extension and liked it. I'm curious why you went that route.

why get a short throw shifter & install a taller knob just to get the same shift knob travel? doesnt seem like you would be gaining anything.. except for a notchier feel?

seems like u might as well have stayed stock with a better knob.

Second Thoughts
 

I just got a B&M for Christmas and I don’t like the feedback I’m hearing from you guys. The Hurst competition plus made my T-56 feel grade in my 1997 Pontiac T/A WS6. Now thats a wonderful feeling transmission.

Less time reaching down to shift means more time with both hands on the steering wheel. Especially helpful mid corner, particularly aggressive sweepers, when you want max control of the vehicle. Also extremely good mid transition during a drift, once again, getting back control of the steering wheel is quite important. Yes throw would be about the same (hopefully), but distance between steering wheel and shift knob would be greatly reduced - which is the point, in case you missed it.

And extension WITHOUT the short throw shifter would result in an even longer throw than stock.

I don't know that there would actually be a notchier feel because the moment arm would be about the same. Of course that's just my assumption, I could be wrong on that point. The idea is that the longer shift knob would cancel out the leverage you lose when you switch to a short throw shift assembly.

As far as a better knob goes. I'm currently using a hebi bebi shift knob. Perfectly happy with it, but I do find myself searching for it when I'm on track which is why I am considering the extension. You have to keep in mind that a short throw shifter is not simply making your shift knob "lower". It actually changes the shifting geometry by changing the pivot point so there is less mechanical travel. The length of the knob in regards to that is irrelevant other than the aforementioned leverage.

Nice write up... :tiphat:

So what you are saying is the throws are the same, but the shaft is longer, reducing the reach to the shifter as well!!!

That would be the idea. :tup: not an original one, either. Rally cross has been doing this forever and drifters are also Doing the same thing. I've recently heard a lot of people calling it rice and I don't think they quite understand that it has roots in functionality.

I had a B&M Trak shifter in my 911. It had an extra long handle to raise the shift knob to the centerline of the steering wheel. The location made shifting effortless and fluid. When I change my shifter on the Z I plan on an extension to achieve the same.

:tup:

I'm running the TWM SS with an extender and weighted TWM M1 abrams knob. I couldnt be happier with the throw/feel with this set-up. Even with the extender it feels like a shorter throw than stock and gets rid of the rubbery/sloppy feel of the stock set-up.

Knew I couldn't be the only person looking into this. See, everyone? Not crazy. :p

I'm actually looking at this 7" knob now so I don't need to get an extended shaft: Competition Series Shift Knob | TWM Performance Shift Knobs

You know..... to impress the ladies... :ugh2: Totally not compensating for anything.