TWM short shifter review

[mtscaletta]

Today I installed a TWM short shifter into my Fr-s. The install went extremely smoothly. It truly is a complete drop in shifter. They put the install time at 1.5-2 hours but it only took me about 45 minutes, even with cleaning all the the parts I took off. Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures of the process but they have a very detailed installation manual available for download on their website. The only issue I had was when I went to put my WC Latheworks shift know on the reverse lockout was sticking. It took me longer to figure out why the lockout was sticking than to install the shifter. The fix was simple though, all I had to do was adjust the set screw in the know to raise it up a bit.

As for performance, it made a huge difference. The throw is not only shorter but shifting is no longer notchy. Shifting is like butter now, no more forcing into gears. I absolutely love it. It was the most expensive of the shifters available but it was well worth it. I don't have any experience with the others available but I'm sure that they are very similar in feel. I would definitely recommend this shifter to anyone.



PS this is my first review and thread so sorry if it's not the best

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[Brzzee]

Thanks for the review. You did just fine. I've been considering TWM as my next mod and you've helped push me to smashing some plastic.

[mtscaletta]

Hey thanks! Glad I was able to help someone! It's definitely well worth the money

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[clintavo]

Mine has rattled since I first got it. Here is the email conversation with them:


Please see attached the video of my BRZ shifter rattling at high rpm. I was under the impression the TWM shifter had a damper that prevented this. Please advise if there is something that can be done to eliminate the rattling, as it is the main reason I purchased the shifter.




We believe the rattle you are hearing may be coming from the linkage under the car, please verify that there is no any slack with the mounting hardware before you attempt to re-tighten the linkage. If it is not this that is causing the problem we will go into further investigation.

Let us know, thanks,

Jamie

TWM Performance



I rechecked the connection to the shift rod, and all four Allen bolts. Everything is secure.
There was an additional plate that secured the stock shifter to its base. It did not appear to be compatible with the TWM shifter reverse lock out plate. Was it to be incorporated?



They have not responded since, and I have called them twice. I will probably return mine, as the ringing is louder than it sounds in the video, and is a real distraction when driving spiritedly.

[mtscaletta]

Yeah idk what to tell you there mine has no rattle whatsoever and definitely vibrates less than stock

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[mtscaletta]

Oh and the plate that's on the stock shifter is replaced by 4 washers. The washers go in between the lockout plate and the shifter base which creates a space and makes the lockout fit snugly.

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[JPxM0Dz]

Well so far, that's the BPS, Kartboy and the TWM that all have been plagued by rattles to one degree or another. So whether this is a hardware issue or an improper install is yet to be determined, nevertheless they all have rattles.

Anyone tried the STi short shifter yet from JP ?

[JDKane527]

@mtscaletta, did you install their front carrier bushings for the shifter at the same time?

[mtscaletta]

No I didn't, even though they weren't that much I couldn't afford to spend the money on them at the time. I do plan on picking them up eventually though

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[mtscaletta]

Originally Posted by JPxM0Dz

Well so far, that's the BPS, Kartboy and the TWM that all have been plagued by rattles to one degree or another. So whether this is a hardware issue or an improper install is yet to be determined, nevertheless they all have rattles.

Anyone tried the STi short shifter yet from JP ?

Let me reiterate, I have ZERO rattle. There is still some vibration but much less than stock.

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[clintavo]

Originally Posted by mtscaletta

Oh and the plate that's on the stock shifter is replaced by 4 washers. The washers go in between the lockout plate and the shifter base which creates a space and makes the lockout fit snugly.

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I don't think it was designed to have the washers under the plate. The instructions (specifically step 28) mention nothing of it, and the supplied pictures are too grainy to tell.
With the plate raised by the washers, the periphery of the spherical bushing is not secured by the plate:

It seems by raising the plate with the washers, this space between the shifter and plate is removed. Clever, but not sure it was designed to go together that way.

Anyone at TWM out there?

[mtscaletta]

Hmm if I have time I'll take mine apart and snap some pics

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[empower-auto]

Subscribed because I have a BPS on order

[mtscaletta]

The BPS will be slightly different as it reuses many of the stock parts. I contacted TWM asking for clarification on the washer placement. I haven't had any issues and I didn't notice the bushing not being secured. I asked them to comment on the thread so hopefully we'll have an answer soon!

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