short throw shifter questions

[gen2lover]

I am getting a gen 2 rt Monday and 1 of the 1st things I want to do is replace the stock shifter with the MGW short shifter.How long does this take? Tools needed,etc..?

Rather just pay a dealership to do it. thanks! I just have the knob.Not any assembly though..How many pieces are there? I heard MGW makes the entire assembly?

 

[dave6666]

Here is a link to SVS's instructions. Which BTW, their server appears to be down or malfunctioning. It is a good article with pics if they get up and running again.

http://www.svspower.com/article_detail.aspx?id=11

 

[RobZilla]

I'm pretty darn sure that you have to drop the tranny out to do this... if you have a full set of tools, two jacks, and jack stands... you can do it with two guys in a day easy.

 

[chimazo]

If you're installing a STS, not just a handle/knob, then it's best done from under the car, rather than drilling out rivits, etc., if done from the top.
No need to drop the trans, just the x-member to lower it a few inches to have more room. Might as well install a poly trans mount since you'll be unbolting the old one anyway.

 

[jcaspar1]

I don't think MGW makes a short shifter, only a short knob. The knob is great and really shortens the throw. It is as easy as using a wrench to remove the stock knob and replace it with the new one. If I remember there is a lock nut that hold them in place. If you can change your oil you can do this.
A short throw shifter is a lot more work. I installed my SVS from the top and it was a bit of work but not too bad. Hurst, B&M and SVS make shifters for the Viper.
The MGW know alone is a great improvement:

You must be registered for see images

 

[gen2lover]

yep.thats the 1 i ordered. about $500 enough for the entire assembly and labour costs? Getting a B&M installed by a viper tech. HALF A DAY?

 

[mike & juli]

I don't think MGW makes a short shifter, only a short knob. The knob is great and really shortens the throw. It is as easy as using a wrench to remove the stock knob and replace it with the new one. If I remember there is a lock nut that hold them in place. If you can change your oil you can do this.
A short throw shifter is a lot more work. I installed my SVS from the top and it was a bit of work but not too bad. Hurst, B&M and SVS make shifters for the Viper.
The MGW know alone is a great improvement:

You must be registered for see images

SO VERY CORRECT~! We only go with the MGW short-throw shifter/KNOB is what it really is...and it's PERFECT...for what? $70? EASY install, and MUCH better improvement in shifting!~! ~juli
CONGRATS gen2lover on your GENII purchase!!! Looking forward to your impressions and PICS of course!!!!!

 

[Jack B]

If you're installing a STS, not just a handle/knob, then it's best done from under the car, rather than drilling out rivits, etc., if done from the top.
No need to drop the trans, just the x-member to lower it a few inches to have more room. Might as well install a poly trans mount since you'll be unbolting the old one anyway.

It is not that hard to drill out the rivets. The next step is to install the threaded insert-rivets. This way you always have easy access to the shifter bolts.

 

[mjorgensen Woodhouse]

I may be too tired to do this right but there is some good info some wrong info and some more info to finish this post.

First there IS a MGW short throw shifter for all years of the Viper and in MY opinion it is the ONLY one to get. The MGW knobs are also awesome products that really improve feel and comfort. you can get the entire MGW setup with your choice of knob for LESS than $400! The shifter was designed with a dual bias spring system that makes the 2-3 shift more precise along with a light spring that helps make it easy to get the thing into reverse with a shortened shifter height (you all know how that can be if you just lowered the knob!). I have sold the first ones and about 40 of them since they were released. No brainier upgrade even on a new Viper in my mind.

You should be able to do the install from under the car as long as you drop the trans member as stated. I do disagree (of course I do right?) that the trans mount should be changed to a harder one without changing the engine mounts also. Think of this, if the transmission is held tighter than the motor with all it's torque what will happen? What will flex and stress sooner? The weakest link will and that will be the new mount and or the bell housing area of the tranny right? Not good of course.

Do it once and do it right, you will enjoy it much more in the end. Good night!

 

[mjorgensen Woodhouse]

yep.thats the 1 i ordered. about $500 enough for the entire assembly and labour costs? Getting a B&M installed by a viper tech. HALF A DAY?

2 hours TOPS!

 

[ViperTony]

Mark has a great point on changing the trans x-member. I highly recommend changing out the engine mounts and trans mounts in favor of Woodhouse mounts. It made a huge difference on my GenII. I don't miss shifts anymore and there's no vibration along the driveline. Shifter doesn't rattle and It feels as if power has been transfered to rear wheels. Definitely worth the upgrade at some point.

 

[CROM]

I just did this whole procedure myself last weekend. I did it both ways pretty much. My shift boot was torn up from the previous owners attempt to install his MGW shift knob.

I first did the "underneath" approach by removing the tranny cross mount and slightly lowering the tranny with my tranny jack. Once I got it all out I said f'it and drilled out the rivets and pulled the boot off. With the boot off this procedure is cake. The two passenger side bolts are a pain in the ass, but not impossible. If I did it again, I could pull the whole procedure off in a couple hours easily. PM me if you want any detailed help.

 

[Purdue_Boiler_Viper]

The shifter was designed with a dual bias spring system that makes the 2-3 shift more precise ...

I've got the Hurst shifter, and it is an improvement over stock. But, I still have trouble with 3rd to 4th at times, instead hitting 2nd. Does the MGW design help with that?

 

[mjorgensen Woodhouse]

It will some but the only thing that will "eliminate" it is the Woodhouse engine and trans mounts!

I've got the Hurst shifter, and it is an improvement over stock. But, I still have trouble with 3rd to 4th at times, instead hitting 2nd. Does the MGW design help with that?

 

[Purdue_Boiler_Viper]

It will some but the only thing that will "eliminate" it is the Woodhouse engine and trans mounts!

Too late! I already did those. They too helped, but I still miss the 3rd to 4th when I'm in a hurry.

 

[mjorgensen Woodhouse]

I would first say slow down a tad and don't grab the shifter in death grip obviously. The "memory motion" of your movement may be the cause also so slowing the motion and palming the shift knob will really help.

It that doesn't do it then I will sell you a MGW shifter you can try, I would bet the cost of the shifter it is a marked improvement over ant B$M or Hurst shifter!

Remember I don't sell things I don't have COMPLETE faith in. ;-)

 

[Purdue_Boiler_Viper]

I would first say slow down a tad and don't grab the shifter in death grip obviously. The "memory motion" of your movement may be the cause also so slowing the motion and palming the shift knob will really help.

It that doesn't do it then I will sell you a MGW shifter you can try, I would bet the cost of the shifter it is a marked improvement over ant B$M or Hurst shifter!

Remember I don't sell things I don't have COMPLETE faith in. ;-)

Please PM me with details on purchase price.

 

[RAYSIR]

I didn't have any problems changing the shifter on a 99RT and my GTS all from the top. Installed the B&M in both and then I cut down the shifter shaft 1.5 inch the drilled it and tapped it to thread back on. You just need the correct tools....

 

[Purdue_Boiler_Viper]

I may be too tired to do this right but there is some good info some wrong info and some more info to finish this post.

First there IS a MGW short throw shifter for all years of the Viper and in MY opinion it is the ONLY one to get. The MGW knobs are also awesome products that really improve feel and comfort. you can get the entire MGW setup with your choice of knob for LESS than $400! The shifter was designed with a dual bias spring system that makes the 2-3 shift more precise along with a light spring that helps make it easy to get the thing into reverse with a shortened shifter height (you all know how that can be if you just lowered the knob!). I have sold the first ones and about 40 of them since they were released. No brainier upgrade even on a new Viper in my mind.

You should be able to do the install from under the car as long as you drop the trans member as stated. I do disagree (of course I do right?) that the trans mount should be changed to a harder one without changing the engine mounts also. Think of this, if the transmission is held tighter than the motor with all it's torque what will happen? What will flex and stress sooner? The weakest link will and that will be the new mount and or the bell housing area of the tranny right? Not good of course.

Do it once and do it right, you will enjoy it much more in the end. Good night!

I sent George at MGW an email about the shifter, and got the following response:

we do have one but it is only for the gen 3 and gen 4 vipers sorry. the design we have will not work for the gen2 cars due to clearance issues with the ashtray block in the sheetmetal.

It seems that the shifter will only work for Gen3+.