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View Full Version : TWM Short Shifter & Boot Installed


Skarbro
11-07-2006, 10:21 PM
Kevin at TWM is great to deal with by the way.

I installed everything tonight in my garage. The install is a little more tricky than the instructions make it out to be. I would say it's a job for someone with intermediate experience. The whole thing took me 1.5 hours. I could of done it much quicker with a second set of hands.

To remove the base of the stock shifter, you really need at least 4 hands. Because I only have 2, it took me a while - but I got it out.

Removing the 4 stock rubber mounts was a PITA. I had to really pull on them with pliers.

Replacing the spring was a little tricky, but not too difficult.

I think the instructions were for a previous model, because my 2006 didn't have the same bolts or a rubber bottom in the center console storage area.

Nevertheless! It's in now and man is it ever worth it! I hear people saying you have to add a weighted knob... that's total BS. The stock knob is perfectly fine. The shorter throw is awesome. I always hated the super-tall stock shifter. Now it's just PERFECT. The boot looks good too. ;) Highly recommended.

I know you guys like pics...

First, the OEM shifter. Bask in the tall ugliness.

http://www.precizion.org/ken/Mazda%203/Pics/TWM%20Short%20Shifter/Picture%20001.jpg


The OEM shifter with the knob off :-X

http://www.precizion.org/ken/Mazda%203/Pics/TWM%20Short%20Shifter/Picture%20002.jpg


The OEM shifter

http://www.precizion.org/ken/Mazda%203/Pics/TWM%20Short%20Shifter/Picture%20004.jpg


Closeup of the base of the stock shifter and the spring

http://www.precizion.org/ken/Mazda%203/Pics/TWM%20Short%20Shifter/Picture%20006.jpg


Another shot of that bitch ass spring

http://www.precizion.org/ken/Mazda%203/Pics/TWM%20Short%20Shifter/Picture%20007.jpg


The TWM shifter assembled. I used the grease that was on the OEM shifter as there was a lot.

http://www.precizion.org/ken/Mazda%203/Pics/TWM%20Short%20Shifter/Picture%20008.jpg


The TWM shifter installed on the floor.

http://www.precizion.org/ken/Mazda%203/Pics/TWM%20Short%20Shifter/Picture%20009.jpg


The final product. I chose the boot with the red stitching.

http://www.precizion.org/ken/Mazda%203/Pics/TWM%20Short%20Shifter/Picture%20010.jpg

http://www.precizion.org/ken/Mazda%203/Pics/TWM%20Short%20Shifter/Picture%20011.jpg
Chuckie
11-07-2006, 10:26 PM
nice write up, i've felt the twm one as compared to the stock
very short indeed.

The aluminum bushings really help to plant the shifter.
I have 2/4 of them in my car (thanks to whodilly)

It looks wierd with the stock knob.
Wild Weasel
11-07-2006, 11:30 PM
Looks sweet! I dig the stitching! :D
wtom
11-08-2006, 06:09 PM
Closeup of the base of the stock shifter and the spring

http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0SADhAhIVYvSo*Q5ALVOQJwvadJie9PAvu6SNw00KzSDtLvRBA HWw4dTjXVm7HlEfdsG*5qqZ60yhmfPL2VmPszEP6IcNjcJZewy tIWKyTClGAAAAynJZAg/Picture%200060.jpg?dc=4675596884332964204


Was gonna ask what you doing eating bagel/bread/whatnot with strawberry cream cheese during the install ...
lukel90
11-24-2006, 03:24 AM
1.5 hours....your cant be serious....it shouldnt take more then 30 min.....i did mine in about that time and im no mechanic......glad you enjoy it....its certainly one of the better mods i got......enjoy the better shifting..
Skarbro
11-24-2006, 08:55 AM
1.5 hours....your cant be serious....it shouldnt take more then 30 min.....i did mine in about that time and im no mechanic......glad you enjoy it....its certainly one of the better mods i got......enjoy the better shifting..


Congratulations on getting it done in 30 minutes.* I spent a lot of time figuring out how to get the shifter out of the base because I only had 2 hands.* I also took my time to make sure everything was done properly because I never changed a manual shifter before.* You have to remove the center console and I took my time with that so as not to scratch anything in the car (I've never taken apart the center console before either).* I'm sure I could do it in 30 minutes if I didn't care about screwing things up or scratching the panels.*
MPS
11-28-2006, 01:13 AM
yaa thats why i dont let other ppl work on my car .....






1.5 hours....your cant be serious....it shouldnt take more then 30 min.....i did mine in about that time and im no mechanic......glad you enjoy it....its certainly one of the better mods i got......enjoy the better shifting..


Congratulations on getting it done in 30 minutes.* I spent a lot of time figuring out how to get the shifter out of the base because I only had 2 hands.* I also took my time to make sure everything was done properly because I never changed a manual shifter before.* You have to remove the center console and I took my time with that so as not to scratch anything in the car (I've never taken apart the center console before either).* I'm sure I could do it in 30 minutes if I didn't care about screwing things up or scratching the panels.*
faibs
12-17-2006, 04:25 AM
can u re-post up some pics
Skarbro
12-17-2006, 12:28 PM
can u re-post up some pics

Done!
ksukh
01-15-2007, 06:06 PM
Look's Real Nice!! Good Job! I'll be getting one those maybe after winter....how much did you pay Skarbro?