Shifter

Bearbo

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Premium Member
Single Barrel Sirs
Joined
Oct 30, 2015
Messages
890
Location
Tennessee
MGW. They sell adapter to use stock knob. The interesting thing about aftermarket is how they handle the lockout collar.
 

ANGREY

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Joined
Oct 24, 2017
Messages
553
The MGW is truly a remarkable piece of equipment. It's expensive and when you receive it, you realize why. It's a testament to modern machining and manufacturing.

Having said that, I feel like the shifter swap is one of the later mods in terms of money spent and priorities. The OEM shifter isn't terrible or garbage. The MGW does markedly improve the feel and confidence of shifting, but it's not like the stock unit is unworkable or a complete liability.

Between the $550+ in cost (depending on what accompanying components you want for knob and insets) and the 3 hours of installation (it's not the most difficult installation in the world but does involve jack stands, a floor jack and climbing under and into the interior several times, lowering and raising the transmission, etc, etc).

I did this mod pretty early and honestly, that nearly $600 could go toward things that make a much more pronounced change in performance. I guess what I'm saying is that it's worth it, but the impact/dollar spent is lower on the value spectrum (simply because of how expensive it is). Compare and contrast that to the old top loader trans where Ford would give us garbage shifters and a rock solid aftermarket was under $200 and took 20 minutes to install, the value was much higher then because it costs much less, took way less time and had a much bigger feel/impact.
 

JAJ

Rapidly Losing Interest
Established Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2012
Messages
790
Location
in the V6L
What aftermarket shifter are people installing in their cars? I’d like to retain a stock appearance.
I wouldn't go to a race track without installing an MGW first. You can reuse the stock knob so it looks stock, although the lift-ring for reverse isn't used - you push the MGW down to get reverse.

MGW Shifter with Stock knob 2019 06 17.jpg
 

Drewsky65

Active Member
Established Member
Joined
May 21, 2016
Messages
188
Location
Arizona
I have not driven the 350 with the mgw just sat in one and shifted. It felt real nice and am sure is an upgrade from stock. I just don’t see the value in the instal. Dropping the trans seems ridiculous to me lol. Maybe if I have my trans out for clutch or any other trans work I might make the switch. But to me the stock shifter is great! I actually love the way it feels and the throw of it! If it were as easy as a s197 change I might have done it already just for fun. For now I’ll keep the stock one in. I love it and have had no issues with lockout or not shifting in or out of gear at any rpm
 

ANGREY

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Joined
Oct 24, 2017
Messages
553
I have not driven the 350 with the mgw just sat in one and shifted. It felt real nice and am sure is an upgrade from stock. I just don’t see the value in the instal. Dropping the trans seems ridiculous to me lol. Maybe if I have my trans out for clutch or any other trans work I might make the switch. But to me the stock shifter is great! I actually love the way it feels and the throw of it! If it were as easy as a s197 change I might have done it already just for fun. For now I’ll keep the stock one in. I love it and have had no issues with lockout or not shifting in or out of gear at any rpm

You don't have to "drop" the trans. Just disconnect the cross member and lower it slightly. It's not exactly convenient, but it's not as bad as I think you're envisioning it. Like I said, it's not a difficult install, just tedious and a lot of crawling under, crawling back out and into the car, back under, etc.
 

JAJ

Rapidly Losing Interest
Established Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2012
Messages
790
Location
in the V6L
It really isn't about "feel", whatever that means. It's about being absolutely certain which gear you're engaging. The centering action is so strong with the MGW that you'd really have to work at getting the wrong gear. First and second take a strong pull toward you, and fifth and sixth take a strong push. Three and four are just moving the handle fore and aft with no push or pull.
 

Tob

Salut!
Super Moderator
Joined
Mar 17, 2009
Messages
12,192
Location
The Ville
There is no comparison. I've posted plenty of information here regarding the MGW unit.

Value? If you're happy eating Spam you'll never eat a steak. Once you do, you'll never go back and your perspective will change, drastically. The more you push the car the more you appreciate it.
 

Bearbo

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Premium Member
Single Barrel Sirs
Joined
Oct 30, 2015
Messages
890
Location
Tennessee
MGW is what everyone recommended. Hard to get better guidance than that.
 

ANGREY

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Joined
Oct 24, 2017
Messages
553
There is no comparison. I've posted plenty of information here regarding the MGW unit.

Value? If you're happy eating Spam you'll never eat a steak. Once you do, you'll never go back and your perspective will change, drastically. The more you push the car the more you appreciate it.

This mischaracterizes the issue a little bit. There isn't a disparity between the OEM unit and the MGW equivalent from Spam to Steak. As I pointed out, if the stock unit WERE as bad as some of the others Ford has fielded, the value would be more pronounced.

Is the MGW better? No one argues that. It's how much and is it worth nearly $600 and 3 hours of install better. THAT is the question.

Obviously value is subjective to each person. My only point is that there's a ton of other modifications with BETTER value (as in effect for resources applied) prior to the swapping out the shifter.

I'd argue that swapping to my Signature wheels is lower on the value scale as well. Are the wheels better? Absolutely. Are they worth the cash expended? I think so. But in terms of how much they cost and what they return to me, they're LOWER on the value scale than say....an E-85 tune and Nguage or a 4.09 rear swap out or the exhaust upgrades.

Is steak from Morton's or Capital Grill or Sullivan's or Ruth's better than Longhorn? Yup. Is it twice as good? It's subjective. But we're comparing the MGW to the OEM unit, which isn't complete garbage (like they used to be).
 

Tob

Salut!
Super Moderator
Joined
Mar 17, 2009
Messages
12,192
Location
The Ville
This mischaracterizes the issue a little bit. There isn't a disparity between the OEM unit and the MGW equivalent from Spam to Steak. As I pointed out, if the stock unit WERE as bad as some of the others Ford has fielded, the value would be more pronounced.

So you're saying you like Spam then. I get it. The disparity is huge. But your perception is your reality and you'll do what it takes to stand your ground here.

ANGREY said:
Is the MGW better? No one argues that. It's how much and is it worth nearly $600 and 3 hours of install better. THAT is the question.
The shifter itself is $475 plus S&H. That was your decision to bump it to $600 just as it was to install it. If you are questioning the time you spent in terms of value I'd say you learned nothing from the install (a first) as the education in doing it yourself is priceless. Some prefer to sit by the pool sipping their favorite cocktail while others prefer to wrench. I don't associate value with either.

ANGREY said:
Obviously value is subjective to each person. My only point is that there's a ton of other modifications with BETTER value (as in effect for resources applied) prior to the swapping out the shifter.
A TON of modifications with BETTER value? Such as 2k for having plastic film applied to the front end of your car (a rather common mod these days)? A 2k+ Borla exhaust system? There's two that the GT350 crowd finds favorable, what other ones comprise a "TON" and at what cost? Your hands allow you to feel as much as anything and a shifter is (aside from the steering wheel) a direct link to the car it attaches to. What other mods directly impact what you feel with your hands as you drive and at what cost or value as you like to say?


ANGREY said:
...we're comparing the MGW to the OEM unit, which isn't complete garbage (like they used to be).

I'm sorry but there is no comparison...but I'll do that for you. The factory unit is garbage. Ford has successfully snookered you and appealed to your subjective side. But what stands behind the curtain? A turd.

You may have been missing it elsewhere but since inception there have been complaints regarding the reverse lockout mechanism (sticking) as well as being locked out of gear (the most recent has to do with Ford holding the car at the factory until the latest lockout issue is addressed). Rattling has also been a common complaint. This root cause of this was pointed out some time ago but Ford remains steadfast in continuing to pump out GT350's with a low-dollar, off shore manufactured, rehashed Camaro design, that was drummed up by former GM engineers.

To wit...


Implying there isn't much difference in feel between the factory GT350 shifter and that of the MGW is akin to saying you just learned that it was Jimmy, and not Jenny, behind the glory hole wall but that it doesn't matter because it felt almost as good to you. Nonsense. Feel starts with what lurks beneath - it is either genuine or it isn't. And in this case, you're being hoodwinked. Some history as to where it came from and what it is comprised of...

https://www.svtperformance.com/threads/gt350-oem-shifter.1095456/

Trash. And it only degrades from there.
 

Revvv

Infinity Poster
Established Member
Joined
Dec 8, 2017
Messages
10,189
Location
GA
So you're saying you like Spam then. I get it. The disparity is huge. But your perception is your reality and you'll do what it takes to stand your ground here.


The shifter itself is $475 plus S&H. That was your decision to bump it to $600 just as it was to install it. If you are questioning the time you spent in terms of value I'd say you learned nothing from the install (a first) as the education in doing it yourself is priceless. Some prefer to sit by the pool sipping their favorite cocktail while others prefer to wrench. I don't associate value with either.


A TON of modifications with BETTER value? Such as 2k for having plastic film applied to the front end of your car (a rather common mod these days)? A 2k+ Borla exhaust system? There's two that the GT350 crowd finds favorable, what other ones comprise a "TON" and at what cost? Your hands allow you to feel as much as anything and a shifter is (aside from the steering wheel) a direct link to the car it attaches to. What other mods directly impact what you feel with your hands as you drive and at what cost or value as you like to say?




I'm sorry but there is no comparison...but I'll do that for you. The factory unit is garbage. Ford has successfully snookered you and appealed to your subjective side. But what stands behind the curtain? A turd.

You may have been missing it elsewhere but since inception there have been complaints regarding the reverse lockout mechanism (sticking) as well as being locked out of gear (the most recent has to do with Ford holding the car at the factory until the latest lockout issue is addressed). Rattling has also been a common complaint. This root cause of this was pointed out some time ago but Ford remains steadfast in continuing to pump out GT350's with a low-dollar, off shore manufactured, rehashed Camaro design, that was drummed up by former GM engineers.

To wit...


Implying there isn't much difference in feel between the factory GT350 shifter and that of the MGW is akin to saying you just learned that it was Jimmy, and not Jenny, behind the glory hole wall but that it doesn't matter because it felt almost as good to you. Nonsense. Feel starts with what lurks beneath - it is either genuine or it isn't. And in this case, you're being hoodwinked. Some history as to where it came from and what it is comprised of...

https://www.svtperformance.com/threads/gt350-oem-shifter.1095456/

Trash. And it only degrades from there.
You can't be more thorough than this.

Sent from my [mind] using the svtperformance.com mobile app
 

662

Active Member
Established Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2014
Messages
238
Location
Houston
My car after shifter jammed going into 3rd at COTA turn 16... I ordered a MGW before the car was in the body shop, wish I'd done it sooner...
IMG_2633.PNG


Let's see:

1. If it sticks, don't force it.
2. Stay patient
3. Don't shift in a turn
4. Buy a DCT

Repairs underway:

IMG_2647.jpg


At least it won't take me more than 20 minutes to install the MGW.

Considering Kooks exhaust and Carbon Fiber drive shaft along with the MGW, quick latches on the hood, and canards.
 
Last edited:

usaf_branham

Member
Established Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2013
Messages
68
Location
Vegas!
Fwiw: if you’ve never driven a mustang with an MGW shifter, it’s a night and day difference. I’ve almost pulled the trigger about 6 times, but I sorta promised the misses that I wasn’t going to mod this one anytime soon... also, the little oil burning issue my car has doesn’t exactly give me warm fuzzies about doing anything to it until that’s been resolved... anyway, I put an MGW in my old mustang and it made a world of difference. The mt82 sucked, and the stock shifter sucked more - the MGW in that car felt better than the stock 350 shifter. I can only imagine what the 350 version feels like.

Now I’m thinking about buying one again.
 

03reptile

Active Member
Established Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2003
Messages
692
Location
Gaithersburg, Maryland
My 2019 (February build date) GT350 shifter took a crap three days ago and its at the dealership. OEM replacement shifter for it is backordered and who knows when it will show. There are rumors that Ford held a lot of post production GT350's at the factory because of a faulty part in the shifter. Maybe mine slipped under the gate before the hold. I've been counseled to get a GT350 MGW shifter to replace it, but I have never tried one and am a bit apprehensive in getting one installed instead of waiting for the OEM to come in. Lots of folks rave about the MGW but for $ 475.00 I'd better like it ! I'm torn between waiting for a FMC replacement or getting the MGW and having the tech install it for free. That's been discussed and agreed upon by the dealership. I don't think I'd prefer a shifter that is stiff and notchy. I had three Gt500's with the last being a 2013. I liked the feel of the 2013 and hoped the OEM 2019 GT350 would be just as good, if not better. It just never felt as good as the 2013 after the day I took possession. What does the group think?
 

jvandy50

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Premium Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2015
Messages
2,268
Location
AR
it just feels more sturdy and precise. reverse is different and it does away with a very rattly part on these cars. win win
 

03reptile

Active Member
Established Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2003
Messages
692
Location
Gaithersburg, Maryland
Ordered a MGW shifter this morning. Ford says they have no shifters in stock that don't already have the defective part in them. The supplier is trying to get replacement parts to Ford ASAP, but it will take a while. Another F-up by Ford in the production process of the 2019 MY.
 

Users who are viewing this thread



Top