I installed a TWM shifter in my '04 EGT today (thanks BlueGT). The instructions provided were clear and comprehensive, but were written for a Tiburon, so there are few differences.
- There was no need to remove the console. It wouldn't hurt to do so, but the installation doesn't require it.
- Their recommendation to use an Exacto knife to pry the clip off the right side of the shifter assembly is not a great idea and I have the sliced thumb tip to prove it (yeah, I'm a klutz). A better solution is one that I read elsewhere, using a Dremel tool with a cutoff wheel to cut the washer. That worked quickly, easily and safely.
- The clip that secures the bottom leg of the shifter does not need to be removed (in fact, I couldn't remove it). Spread the spring legs and the shifter pops right out. When you reassemble it, simply push the shifter down into the clip and it snaps right in place.
- The '04 only has a cup on the bottom leg of the shifter. The left side leg snaps into a cap in the linkage.
- When you reinstall the shift knob, it initially may not seem to fit, as the threads won't catch. Its a tight fit on the shaft and you need to push down on it pretty hard while you turn it to get it started.
Impressions:
- It's SHORT! I mean, seriously short! Both the stick and the throws.
- The shifting effort is increased as expected, but it's so precise that it doesn't really feel much harder. There is NO doubt when it snaps into gear. I never would have thought that replacing the factory rubber bushings could make much difference, but apparently it really does.
- If I were to make one change, it would be to bend the stick back toward the driver, as SR does on their shifter. For long legged people (my seat's in the next to last notch), it's a long reach to the short stick.
Overall, I like it. The installation was easy and the product is high quality. The shift throws are much shorter and the feel is greatly improved.
UPDATE:
I've attached some photos. Here are the details:
- At the top of the knob, the throw measures 3 3/8". At the center of the knob, It's about 2 3/4". It feels like 2"!
- In first gear, it measures 4 3/8" tall.
- The stock '04 shifter has a nylon ball glued in place. I wonder if the rod could be heated to break the bond, allowing the rod to be pushed through the ball? That would reduce the height and the shift throw, without having to resort to an aftermarket short shifter.
UPDATE #2
I took a few measurements.
Stock:
- Top of ball to end of threads = 6 3/4"
- Top of ball to base of threads = 6"
- Bottom of ball to end of bottom leg = 2 1/4"
TWM:
- Top of ball to end of threads = 4 1/4"
- Top of ball to base of threads = 3 1/4"
- Bottom of ball to end of bottom leg = ~3" (I couldn't get an exact measurement)
So, if you screw the shift knob all the way down, the TWM is 2 3/4" shorter than the stock stick, plus it's 3/4" longer on the bottom.
If you compare the two side by side, the top of the TWM ends at the point where the supports for the boot are on stock shifter.
- There was no need to remove the console. It wouldn't hurt to do so, but the installation doesn't require it.
- Their recommendation to use an Exacto knife to pry the clip off the right side of the shifter assembly is not a great idea and I have the sliced thumb tip to prove it (yeah, I'm a klutz). A better solution is one that I read elsewhere, using a Dremel tool with a cutoff wheel to cut the washer. That worked quickly, easily and safely.
- The clip that secures the bottom leg of the shifter does not need to be removed (in fact, I couldn't remove it). Spread the spring legs and the shifter pops right out. When you reassemble it, simply push the shifter down into the clip and it snaps right in place.
- The '04 only has a cup on the bottom leg of the shifter. The left side leg snaps into a cap in the linkage.
- When you reinstall the shift knob, it initially may not seem to fit, as the threads won't catch. Its a tight fit on the shaft and you need to push down on it pretty hard while you turn it to get it started.
Impressions:
- It's SHORT! I mean, seriously short! Both the stick and the throws.
- The shifting effort is increased as expected, but it's so precise that it doesn't really feel much harder. There is NO doubt when it snaps into gear. I never would have thought that replacing the factory rubber bushings could make much difference, but apparently it really does.
- If I were to make one change, it would be to bend the stick back toward the driver, as SR does on their shifter. For long legged people (my seat's in the next to last notch), it's a long reach to the short stick.
Overall, I like it. The installation was easy and the product is high quality. The shift throws are much shorter and the feel is greatly improved.
UPDATE:
I've attached some photos. Here are the details:
- At the top of the knob, the throw measures 3 3/8". At the center of the knob, It's about 2 3/4". It feels like 2"!
- In first gear, it measures 4 3/8" tall.
- The stock '04 shifter has a nylon ball glued in place. I wonder if the rod could be heated to break the bond, allowing the rod to be pushed through the ball? That would reduce the height and the shift throw, without having to resort to an aftermarket short shifter.
UPDATE #2
I took a few measurements.
Stock:
- Top of ball to end of threads = 6 3/4"
- Top of ball to base of threads = 6"
- Bottom of ball to end of bottom leg = 2 1/4"
TWM:
- Top of ball to end of threads = 4 1/4"
- Top of ball to base of threads = 3 1/4"
- Bottom of ball to end of bottom leg = ~3" (I couldn't get an exact measurement)
So, if you screw the shift knob all the way down, the TWM is 2 3/4" shorter than the stock stick, plus it's 3/4" longer on the bottom.
If you compare the two side by side, the top of the TWM ends at the point where the supports for the boot are on stock shifter.
