Short shifter or blowfish support bracket?

Ballsgt

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hi in new to the gt500 game but not new to cars by any means. However I’m trying to decide on my next mod because I’m tired of second gear lockout and high rpm lockout. So I’m between an mgw shifter or getting the blowfish support bracket, eventually I’ll get both but only have funds for one or the other currently. So my questions which one will have a more noticeable difference with shift engagement?
 

Catmonkey

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Any particular reason why?
Stock shifter is pretty much crap with soggy rubber bushing. The mount may help a little, but the MGW is an entirely different solution to the "pendulum" issues with the stock design and has upgraded bushings that reduces the sloppiness of the stock shifters weak links.
 

VNMOUS1

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You buy them direct or Lethal Performance has them. They're all the same price.

Good stuff. I use one on my slow, old 2007 :)
 

devilish64

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Barton is just like any other shifter, it uses the pendulum mechanism where much of the slop comes from. MGW is still far better than Barton.
I've had the mgw gen2 and it never felt like what I wanted it to after reading all the hype. It is no shorter throw than my stock shifter and other than the design being pretty bad ass and very strong and solid, it wasn't what I was looking for. I have a Barton now and prefer it to the MGW despite the MGW being "far better" in some people opinions.
 

Robert M

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I still have the FRPP "noodle shifter" in my 2008, it is the one Shelby installed when my car was in Las Vegas, I have never been happy with it. Over the years I have bought shifter upgrades as they came along, first the first design (Blue) Drake Super Snake shifter upgrade, then I watched as there was a Drake 2nd design (Black). Outside of Shelby the MGW1 came out along with the Barton, then came the MGW2 and it was a completely different design, I bought one of those shifters with the plan on a future install when I finally get totally fed up with the FRPP noodle..............and then a while back Shelby Perf. Parts was selling parts they were discontinuing and the Shelby/Barton was one of the items being discontinued so I had to grab one..............What a cool handle to have in a Shelby..............

004.jpg


So now I am torn between the updated everything of the MGW2 OR the Shelby/Barton, which will be an upgrade over "the noodle", but not the masterpiece of the MGW2. I wich there were an option for MGW2 engraved handles for that personalized touch.


For those who are wondering, below are the two MGW2 handles side-by-side for length comparison.....

001_zpsew1qbguj.jpg


001_zpsy9mr4d0w.jpg




R
 

RedVenom48

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MGW 2, your choice of Synthetic ATF to replace the factory fill Dex3 and about an afternoon to replace the shifter. WOT Box is a good help if you still have the occasional grind.

If using the WOT box, disable the 2 step launch control unless you have an upgraded timing system. SHD secondary chains, billet crank sprocket, billet oil pump gears and most importantly upgraded pivot pins if your block is Aluminum.

11-12 may exhibit more of this issue. My 2011 does grind still. Its VASTLY improved with shifter fluid and WOT Box, but it does it occasionally. If all else fails, there are upgraded hybrid synchronizer rings 1-4 available from Tremec. For some reason the are not available through Ford, but any Tremec dealer will have them.

Unfortunately, it will require a teardown and rebuild, but the trans will be 100% solid after their installation.
 

Black Cobra '99

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I've had the mgw gen2 and it never felt like what I wanted it to after reading all the hype. It is no shorter throw than my stock shifter and other than the design being pretty bad ass and very strong and solid, it wasn't what I was looking for. I have a Barton now and prefer it to the MGW despite the MGW being "far better" in some people opinions.

Thats right, the MGW is not a short shifter. TOB made a comprehensive thread about MGW shifter and he explained that in 11/12 the throw was reduced from the factory and that what actually caused the 1-2 lock out. in 13/14 they lengthened the throw slightly but the 07-09 is still the longest throw.

I went from stock to MGW so I cant comment on "feel" of the Barton, I recommend MGW based on their superior design and what other members have said about it.
 

Robert M

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When I do install a new shifter, what brand fluid is recommended for the best/smoothest shifting? and why does the fluid choice make a big difference?



R
 

Catmonkey

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I think as long as it's a full synthetic and close to the viscosity specs, that's about as good as it gets. I chose Mobil 1 accordingly because it's easy to find. Sythetics with higher viscosities, especially when cold may cause a bit of dragging with the lower syncronizers until the fluid warms up. Dextron III, which is Tremec's fill is not synthetic and has some long-term sheer issues.

Thanks for posting those pics. I wasn't sure which shifter shaft I had. There was no optional shifter handle when I bought mine.
 

Pribilof

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I have MGW2, amsoil fluid, WOT box, and CHE torque limiters.

Yes, that's a Lot of shifting mods but I have no more grinding at high rpm shifts and the che limiters solved the 5th gear lockout at high rpm.
 

Catmonkey

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I think poly engine mounts are a better solution to the torque straps, but certainly not any more difficult to install on a later model. I purchased the torque straps, but I didn't install them. I felt like it was putting stress on the engine block in an area that was not designed for that sort of load and that poly engine mounts would end up doing the same thing by minimizing the effects of engine torque on the liquid filled motor mounts. It will probably have a little more NHV than the torque straps, but once the engine heats up I hardly notice it.
 

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