1996 GTS Gen2 MGW -v- OE Shifter Decision

[Tom and Vipers]

Previous owner installed the MGW parts: short arm shifter, console cover w/cup holder, and gas cap cover. and the valve stem caps.

While a short shifter arm is cool, on a T56 I need more "crow bar" to bull past the totallyl inadequte single cone synchros.

What are my options? I was originally thinking of replacing the OE arm but then the thought of making an extender crossed my mind.

Also, I haven't looked under the boot to see what they did change. I'm assuming only the arm was changed.
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The car is black w/red stripes (Bad Viper) and the red MGW gas cap cover is cool in that regard.

The cup holder is good but seriously, I have to get out of the car pretty much to open that door. And what, that billet cover weights as least 33 pounds, right?

Sounds like I'm talking myself into keep thge MGW theme going which points to an extender?

Eager for suggestions, advice, and of course chastising (!)
Tom

 

[roller]

I have the same mods with my 96 GTS B/W. Fortunately the previous owner had the original shifter, I unscrewed the MGW and reinstalled the original. I like the stock shifter better.

Frank

 

[Tom and Vipers]

Yeah, I once had this MGW 96 and a stock 2000 and I loved the stock one.

Your MGW, was it just the arm? a simple change to the stock one?

 

[CWhiteRun]

Just get a 99-02 shifter and replace the MGW. Check ***.

 

[roller]

Yeah, I once had this MGW 96 and a stock 2000 and I loved the stock one.

Your MGW, was it just the arm? a simple change to the stock one?

Yes just the shaft, shift ball on one end and 1/2 -20 female thread on the other.

 

[Tom and Vipers]

CWhiteRun,

A 99-02 shifter? Do you specifically mean use neither a 96-98 GTS nor a GEN 1?

 

[Tom and Vipers]

Did it. Made a 2" threaded sleeve and a 1.5" threaded rod. The MGW is now 2" taller. Just drove it and LOVE it!

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Looks like I can't upload any more pics. Not clear what the rules are. Too bad, external hosting usually results in eventual loss. Bad for informative threads.

 

[Dan Cragin]

I find with a short throw shifter if you use the taller shift stock it gives you much more leverage. Best of both worlds.

 

[Sybil TF]

While a short shifter arm is cool, on a T56 I need more "crow bar" to bull past the totallyl inadequte single cone synchros.

When able, replace the whole shifter mechanism with an STS by Ipsco. Makes a big difference!

 

[Tom and Vipers]

I guess the bottom line is that for the necessary "crowbar" that I want, it translates into the length of stroke of the shift knob.

I don't know where the OE shifter fulcrum is, but assuming you could move it both up and down, that would allow this stroke to be achieved at different shifter heights. EDIT: I get it now, Dan! The short throw shifter mechanism lowers the fulcrum so with the same stalk height you get more leverage (and more stroke) - wonder if anyone has broken stuff shifting with all that extra force on the shifter, forks and rings?

Now I think it is similar to OE as far as height and stroke goes - maybe a tad more stroke and height than OE (I'd guess in this direction if not the same.)

While a single cone T56 is total loser, I would be curious if there are any improvements in the actual shifting action by these aftermarket suggestions. But for now, I'm quite happy. I just love driving the car around now. And it cost me nothing but an evening in the shop and a small piece of 1" bar stock and an Allen bolt.