Installed MGW's New Short-Throw Shifter and Cobra Steering Wheel Today!

I just pulled out my trusty old Pro 5.0 and installed MGW's new short-throw shifter. MGW's unit is a work of art. I'm sad to cover it up with my shifter boot! I also swapped my stock steering wheel with an '03 Cobra take-off.

MGW Shifter
I've only driven with it for 10 or so minutes so I will have better insight next week. Although it was a shorter throw than my Pro 5.0, it wan't that drastic of a reduction in range. However, the MGW unit does seem to be quite a bit smoother when engaging gears. The best thing about this unit is how you can position the handle. Since you can rotate the handle in any direction, you can place it in better reach.

Cobra Steering Wheel
The '03 Cobra steering wheel is considerably thicker than the stock GT wheel. Also, it's made of soft leather and is more pliable to the touch. It's a great alternative to the FR500 wheel, which is only available in black, since it is pretty much the same thickness and can be ordered in the same trim color as your car. As for the the 10th anniversary Cobra steering wheel, Ford and the dealers are reaming the public with their ridiculous prices... Grip wise, the new wheel is a vast improvement over the stock GT wheel.

Here are a few pictures:





p.s.
Anyone need a stock dark charcoal grey GT steering wheel or an excellent condition Pro 5.0 shifter and handle for a T-5/45 transmission? Any offers will be entertained...

stang96blkgt said:

Looks Great... how much of a job for the stearing wheel?

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Thanks for the compliment. The steering wheel took about 15 minutes to remove and install. Just make sure you have either a harmonic balancer remover or steering wheel remover with the proper threads. The steering wheel has two points you screw into with the removal tool. Other than that it involved an 8mm socket, phillips head screw driver, and a T-50 torx driver.

I picked up my wheel on ebay for $80 + shipping. Not sure if the pre '03 Cobra wheels where any different (e.g., thinner) so I would check before buying. Perhaps some pre '03 Cobra owners can chime in here...

flappy3 said:

Excellent! I saw the MGW shifter last week, and I was hoping someone would give a review. Let us know next week what you think of it once it settles in. Did you use any kind of sealant? Or did you drop the unit right in?

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I'll post back the end of next week on my personal experience with the shifter. As for installation, MGW includes a gasket as an option to high-temp RTV. I tried the gasket to see how that works. Just make sure to use locktite if you use the gasket. Also, make sure to not over-torque the bolts (13 lb-ft).

Since I've installed my previous shifter and am familiar with the process, it took less than a half hour to take out the old one and install the MGW unit. Very easy job.

JonJon said:

Why do people want a larger steering wheel? (fr500/cobra)

I really like the MGW shifter, I wish it came out before I bought my Pro 5.0...

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The steering wheel is the same circumference. It's just has more girth (he he) and is covered in higher grade leather, so it feels more comfortable in your hands.

As for the Pro 5.0, that's what eBay is for...

Head Paneer said:

Looks nice, Norm. Is the reach to the shifter a shorter with the handle offset like it is?

How much was the Cobra wheel? I have often thought about going the FR500 rout but the mod never reaches the top of the ever changing “to do” list.

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I've got the blue "short" handle installed and the reach is much more comfortable than my Pro 5.0 (see picture for handle). Since it was so comfortable, I didn't even experiement with the red "long" handle (I bought both as part of an introductory deal). The MGW unit allows you to rotate the handle towards you (or any direction for that matter). Pretty cool design.

As for the steering wheel, I got mine on eBay as a take-off for $80+ shipping. If you were to buy it new, they're pretty close to the price of the FR500. Than it becomes a matter of taste (matching dark charcoal grey, or black with cool perforated leather).

Norm