Short Throw Shifters...are they worth it?

[Joe Dozzo]

Another solution is use the stock shifter but reduce the height of the stock shift knob by removing the rubber isolater. Mark at Woodhouse has posted about this before and did this on my car. Big improvement - in my opinion - and not a lot of money.

 

[boplaw]

I installed the SVS in about 3 hours. With the MGW Gripper knob it was definitely worth the time/expense.

Rick, go ahead and do the engine/tranny mounts along with the MGW goodies.

 

[CaptainDavid]

George at MGW just installed mine, I took photos and in the process of writing a illustrated install guide. should be finished next week and will post it..
Shifter is Great

 

[Kenneth Krieger]

I have the MGW in my 05 Comm. Edition S/C'd 3:55's.......it's SOOOOOOO much better than stock.....I recommend it!

 

[RobZilla]

I installed the SVS in about 3 hours. With the MGW Gripper knob it was definitely worth the time/expense.

Rick, go ahead and do the engine/tranny mounts along with the MGW goodies.

I think this one of the best suggestions in the thread. If your planning on going with a short shifter, look at what other options / tasks you can accomplish at the same time. Check/Replace Clutch, Flywheel upgrade, tranny mounts (poly), motor mounts (poly), trans fluid flush, diff fluid flush... the list could go on. Idealy when taking on an upgrade you should explore what other tasks can be tackled at the same time.

If cost becomes an issue, or you are not a "DIY" kinda guy/gal pick a couple of highly recommended options to go along with the short shifter mod.

If your going to a dealer/viper tech the last thing you want is to pay labor and parts and then decide a short while later you want more. You'll be paying more in the end when you could knock it all out at once.

Bottom line here IMO, go with the short throw shifter (MGW or BM) grab some tranny mounts (poly) and look into a chromoly flywheel. Obviously fluid changes should be performed if you are near that time in milage/time. You should really get the desired results with just those few additions, and best yet... they ARE worth it!

P.S. I did the upgrades myself - takes time, but I know what's being done and I appreciate more (cost effective aslo).

 

[AndrewDoe]

Just bought the Shorty with the bezel from MGW. Thanks for the help guys.

Just wish they had the emblem in Copperhead orange!!!

 

[ROYMAN]

sorry to hijack a little, but where is the best place to order the mgw short shifter? After reading this, I have decided that's the best way to go.

 

[fastmd]

sorry to hijack a little, but where is the best place to order the mgw short shifter? After reading this, I have decided that's the best way to go.

Call Mark at Woodhouse, get the mounts also, the difference is amazing.

 

[1TONY1]

The gains are felt with the shifter change also just like the mounts will greatly improve accuracy. The MGW shifter is built with a dual bias spring system that has a very stiff spring action to help with thew 2-3 shift that is missed the most (a lot from engine torque over also) along with a light spring that makes the shift to reverse easy. The standard practice of just stiffening the spring all over makes this reverse shift VERY stiff and cumbersome.

I test all of the equipment that we sell and have always felt that I cannot offer ANYTHING that does not meet my standards of improvement and cost effectiveness. This is why I don't offer everything under the sun to my clients, may not be the best decision bottom line wise but definitely helps with customer happiness!

Mark...same shifter for the 08/09 as the gen3 ? Do you know if the stock shifter is better in the gen4 vs gen3 ? I'm still giddy about how much better the 09 transmission feels.
thanks, Tony

 

[1TONY1]

How did you get past the shifter boot wit out cutting it? did you drill out the rivits?

I am not sure about the gen3 but the gen2 rivits are made of unattainable metal otherwise called "undrillable" !! Maybe not that bad but tough on drill bits and time. I found that an el'cheapo air chisel will knock the rivit head off in a matter of seconds.

 

[Dustman]

I almost got the MGW shifter last year, but then decided to go a 'different' way - had these custom made for my Viper and for a few friends' ....... LOVE IT

You must be registered for see images

 

[Canyon707]

That is really nice.

 

[Lee00blacksilverGTS]

The MGW shifter mechanism is crazy good, there's no way to describe the difference without driving.
I guarantee every one of us thinks about our shifts when we're on it due to the possibility of missing one with the stock mechanism. You are flat not gonna miss a shift with this thing, it eliminates the possibility.
This is my fourth Viper and I always went with the shorter shifter and smaller knob from MGW before, and that helps but this is like night and day, I never had a problem with the 2-3 shift but the 3-4 botherd me, I always had to concentrate on pushing the lever towards the passenger as I shifted to avoid going back in second. That feeling is totally gone, everything is smooth as butter and not notchy either.
But the best part is it goes where it's supposed to. I always felt there was spring pressure forcing it back toward the drivers side, completely gone now. This thing is so much better than the stock shifter it should be on every new Viper, and I bet it will be once the SRT guys drive one.
Oh, and I don't have the tranny or engine mounts like Bob so all the improvement is due to the shofter mechanism.
If it does take two hours to install it will be the best money you ever put in the car and the mechanism itself is not very much money, I seem to remember a few hundred bucks, think maybe $400 including the MGW knob and short shaft. Mark can correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Smog Dog]

The MGW shifter mechanism is crazy good, there's no way to describe the difference without driving.
I guarantee every one of us thinks about our shifts when we're on it due to the possibility of missing one with the stock mechanism. You are flat not gonna miss a shift with this thing, it eliminates the possibility.
This is my fourth Viper and I always went with the shorter shifter and smaller knob from MGW before, and that helps but this is like night and day, I never had a problem with the 2-3 shift but the 3-4 botherd me, I always had to concentrate on pushing the lever towards the passenger as I shifted to avoid going back in second. That feeling is totally gone, everything is smooth as butter and not notchy either.
But the best part is it goes where it's supposed to. I always felt there was spring pressure forcing it back toward the drivers side, completely gone now. This thing is so much better than the stock shifter it should be on every new Viper, and I bet it will be once the SRT guys drive one.
Oh, and I don't have the tranny or engine mounts like Bob so all the improvement is due to the shofter mechanism.
If it does take two hours to install it will be the best money you ever put in the car and the mechanism itself is not very much money, I seem to remember a few hundred bucks, think maybe $400 including the MGW knob and short shaft. Mark can correct me if I'm wrong.

Lee-if I remember correctly, you have an 08 ACR. Are you talking about that car, or a prior Viper? I think the stock GEN4 shifter is light years better than the Gen3. There is no doubt about changing the Gen3, in my opinion, just not sure about the current one.

Bill

 

[seabass]

All I did was get the shorter shifter linkage that lowers the stock ball shifter about 2" I believe... looks much better and I don't think I've missed very many shifts especially when driving under extreme loading.

I love the look of the custom made hand grip chrome one, any chance those are available or a 2nd batch could be made? I'm in!!!

 

[AZTVR]

I don't think I've missed very many shifts especially when driving under extreme loading.

The question is, how many missed shifts are acceptable ? (in the worst case scenario, it could get very expensive.)

 

[QUICKSRT10/SRT8]

go with the mopar made by hurst i love it.huge difference plus you can get the shift ball with different color viper logos

 

[Chrissss]

Having my MGW installed by Mark as we speak. I was assured by several it's the best out there.

 

[Sandy G]

I bought my 05 from Woodhouse and had it delivered with the MGW and Motons already on. I can say that it is the best of mods!

 

[Bobpantax]

1. The short throw shift mechanism is not the shift knob.

2. The Woodhouse/ MGW shift mechanism is the best. It's not debatable. It's just the best.

3. I have a 2008 tranny in my Woodhouse Performance Edition Viper ( Hybrid Gen III and Gen IV with supercarger, suspension, etc.). At first I had the stock shift mechanism with tightened springs. As of January, 2008, I have the MGW/Woodhouse shift mechanismm with an MGW shift knob. The difference is day and night. I had the SVS shift mechanism on my Gen II. It was good but the Woodhouse / MGW shift mechanism is spectactular. If you do not track the car and you do not street race ( in a lawful fashion of course) or drag strip the car, you do not need it.

 

[ACRBruce]

The gains are felt with the shifter change also just like the mounts will greatly improve accuracy. The MGW shifter is built with a dual bias spring system that has a very stiff spring action to help with thew 2-3 shift that is missed the most (a lot from engine torque over also) along with a light spring that makes the shift to reverse easy. The standard practice of just stiffening the spring all over makes this reverse shift VERY stiff and cumbersome.

I test all of the equipment that we sell and have always felt that I cannot offer ANYTHING that does not meet my standards of improvement and cost effectiveness. This is why I don't offer everything under the sun to my clients, may not be the best decision bottom line wise but definitely helps with customer happiness!

Hey Mark,
Would you recommend the short shifter for me as I already installed the MGW First Strike knob and the throw is already pretty short? Would the SS make the shift effort too high? BTW, got the 1" seat lowering kit and tow hook. Thanks.

 

[ACRBruce]

... I always had to concentrate on pushing the lever towards the passenger as I shifted to avoid going back in second. That feeling is totally gone, everything is smooth as butter and not notchy either.
But the best part is it goes where it's supposed to. I always felt there was spring pressure forcing it back toward the drivers side, completely gone now.

I went from 3rd to 2nd accidentially a couple of time last time on the track also and thought wow, it was just too easy to make that mistake. Good thing I wasn't pushing thte car that hard and wasn't speed shifting and was able to push the clutch back in when the speed limiter cut in. And yeah, if the short shifter can eliminate the 3 to 2 mistakes, then it'll be worth the money for this feature alone.

 

[RTTTTed]

I have both the short shifter (Blue anodized) and the MGW short knob. 98 GTS was great with stock shifter and short knob. I'm fine with short shifter and short knob that screws directly to the shifter shaft, but it is an extremely short throw and it takes some strength to shift it. Fine for me, but no one else (women) like the strength it takes to shift it. There really isn't much movement to the knob, it's more of a change direction to shift as it doesn't move very far.

[img=http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/3057/bluegts014.jpg]

 

[Canyon707]

My latest news on the B&M shifter. Like I mentioned earlier in this post I was not really impressed with the shifter and now less impressed since I have a difficult time getting it into reverse. A friend also with the B&M has the same problem. anyone else with this issue???

 

[AndrewDoe]

Get an MGW from Mark. I got the shortest possible with the new bezel. Couldn't be happier.

I gave my old shifter to a local farmer......

 

[TAILWAG]

Mine has a "modified" stock shifter...it is my understanding it requires some spring alterations and a removal of a bushing...I love it.

Since this is the same tranny as my Z06, I wonder if I could do the same on it...and how much work would it be...

 

[RobZilla]

My latest news on the B&M shifter. Like I mentioned earlier in this post I was not really impressed with the shifter and now less impressed since I have a difficult time getting it into reverse. A friend also with the B&M has the same problem. anyone else with this issue???

Never.

 

[mjorgensen Woodhouse]

Mark...same shifter for the 08/09 as the gen3 ? Do you know if the stock shifter is better in the gen4 vs gen3 ? I'm still giddy about how much better the 09 transmission feels.
thanks, Tony

Boy I dropped the ball here sorry for just finding this. The shifter in the Gen4 car is just like the one in Gen2/3 as far as quality and function. The shift improvement the Gen4 cars have is all in the transmission so they will most definitely benefit with the addition of the MGW shifter over anything else available. We sell the MGW shifter exclusively for that reason and do not bother with any other product as we have tried them all and have found the best for the Gen3/4 cars. At $299 I think it is one of the BEST BANG for the BUCK products produced for the Viper.

 

[treesnake]

The gains are felt with the shifter change also just like the mounts will greatly improve accuracy. The MGW shifter is built with a dual bias spring system that has a very stiff spring action to help with thew 2-3 shift that is missed the most (a lot from engine torque over also) along with a light spring that makes the shift to reverse easy. The standard practice of just stiffening the spring all over makes this reverse shift VERY stiff and cumbersome.

I test all of the equipment that we sell and have always felt that I cannot offer ANYTHING that does not meet my standards of improvement and cost effectiveness. This is why I don't offer everything under the sun to my clients, may not be the best decision bottom line wise but definitely helps with customer happiness!

Had the Woodhouse eng/trans mounts and the MGW shifter installed in two cars.....

Definitely would do it again....

 

[steponz]

So who has had the Hurst/Mopar and compared it to the MGW??? ..
I love my hurst/mopar short shifter...... .

How can you say that the MGW is the best when you haven't used the other one???....

I love opinions that are expressed as facts.... lol