WOW that's how I want to start out on this post. I just got the long anticipated MGW 05 Shifter installed. I wanted to share my first impressions. I wanted to start out by saying that this thing looks like it was designed for jet fighter or Rolls Royce it also looks like a master work of art. You wouldn’t think it was designed for a Mustang GT. It's just a beautiful piece of machinery. Now I've seen the Pro 5.0, Steeda Tri-Ax, and Hurst shifter and I have to say as far as the quality of the materials and the build it self, there is simply no comparison. It would be like comparing coals to diamonds. That's not a really fair comparison because some of the shifters are built differently but even compared to the Pro 5.0 which I think is the best out of that bunch supposed it just fails miserably when looking at them side by side. This is strictly on looking at the way the shifters are built and the quality of the parts they each use. The pictures really don't do it justice you will just have to see it for your self. Ok so on with my review:
1) The adjustability of this shifter is incredible. You can lengthen or shorten the throw itself in multiple ways to suit your needs. I adjusted it twice to dial in what was a comfortable setting to me and it's very easy to tune. There is an adjustable screw which connects to the transmission linkage which allows you to adjust the length of the throw. I have it set to about 12 turns out. It’s a fairly short throw at this setting. Then you can also adjust the length of the actual shifter which also adjusts the throw and the height of the shift knob.
2) The installation process took about 30-45 minutes it was very very quick. Very easy to install. We used a lift so it was even easier. If the car is on stands in your garage you will just have to raise it up so you can get your hands around the drive shaft and still be comfortable.
3) MGW uses two forms of sound deadening materials first is actually Dynamax sticky aluminum tape. This gets placed all around the opening inside and out. Then once the shifter is installed another 1/4" thick foam Dynamax sound absorbing material not sure what this is called but this goes around the shifter sealing it in the car. Ok, so what you might say. THIS IS HUGE. I'm not lying when I tell you it's much quieter in the car than the stock shifter while driving. I have a turbo in my car so it's pretty loud to start with. This alone makes a huge difference in interior noise levels. This was huge for me and it's something that none of the other after market shifters do. I bet that everyone will follow suit once they hear the difference.
4)I have tried just about every shifter on the market up till this point, not necessarily with an 05 but over the years I've had my fair share of shifters. I’ve owned 6 mustangs and I’ve had an after market shifter in all of them. Every single one of them transferred some sort of vibration or noise in the cockpit. NOT ANYMORE. I am truly amazed at how this shifter feels. Absolutely no NVH, NO VIBRATION, NO RATTLES of any kind. I couldn’t believe it. I'm not sure how they accomplish this but it's truly amazing.
5) I know with the Pro 5.0 shifter on our cars It needs to be broken in a bit. Putting the car into first and reverse is hard to engage for a while until it gets broken in. This for me was one of the reasons why I held out. The MGW does not require any sort of break in period what so ever. Shifting into first or reverse is as easy as shifting into 3rd or 4th. There is absolutely no break in period with the MGW shifter!
6) How does it feel? It's a little different. I've been driving with the stock shifter for 8 months now so it's definitely different in a good way. The shifts are very precise and deliberate. They just go where there supposed to. It doesn’t feel notchy. When you shift the engagement is solid, and feels very strong. There is no movement or wiggle play at all.
7) So how would I rate this compared to other shifters. Just no comparison. The amount of adjustability will account for just about every kind of driver. The sound deadening materials and lack of NVH is alone worth the price of the shifter.
Honestly comparing this shifter to any other is like comparing an Escort to a GT500. If you see one up close you will know what I'm talking about. You will probably think I'm full of it but I had pro 5.0, Hurst and Steeda Tri-Ax all sitting on the same bench and the MGW shifter is simply in a category all it's own.
Now my opinions are pretty strong and they are just that. I'm sure I'll get some nasty grams from the Pro 5.0 guys as I'm sure there very proud of their shifters, but you will just have to test one for your self. Is it worth the extra $50 LOL with out a doubt not even a question. If you’re concerned with noise or NVH in the car then it's a no brainier. This thing was way over engineered. It actually made the interior noise in my car noticeably quieter. In defense of the Pro 5.0 shifter I’ve driven one once it’s been broken in and it does feel awesome.
If anyone lives in Atlanta and wants to come check it out feel free to PM me. I'll also be at FFW I'll be hanging out with everyone and you can test it out then.
I’ve included some pics for you to gawk at.
