Goldpen223

Hey guys.

So, I was pretty much set on buying a MGW Short Throw shifter for my 98 Camaro Z28 , but I've also heard really good things about the HAWKS Sinister Billet Short Throw Shifter.

The only problem is, it's been hard to find many opinions on the HAWKS shifter. I've seen plenty of people talk about how damn good the MGW one is...

BUT, I've also heard nothing but good things from the few people that own the HAWKS (that it's a REALLY well built, high quality shifter with very strong 2-3 springs like the MGW for excellent, quite, and snappy shifts).

The HAWKS is also cheaper and the shifter stick is interchangeable (not sure if the one on the MGW is or not).

Has anyone on here used both that can give their opinion and shed some more light on this? I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks for your time guys!

Goldpen223

Wow... 180+ views and no one has any input on this topic yet? =(

mac62989

iTrader: (1)

I've never used either but I do plan to buy the MGW. Tossed around the idea of a Hinson but I can't see it being $130 better than the MGW which was the gold standard on this forum for as long as I have been a member. Hawks previous business practices would make me never want to buy from them just my .02

HCI2000SS

iTrader: (2)

Don't quote me but I don't think the MGW stick is interchangeable with others. With that said I love my MGW. Its just a tad stiffer than I'd like but it's quiet and dann near impossible to miss shifts with if you know what you're doing

Goldpen223

Thanks for the input guys! Much appreciated.

I had no idea that HAWKS had a shady past.

I'm almost thinking of buying both and trying out each of them for a week, then return the one I liked least.

The Batman

iTrader: (4)

I have been curious about the hawks unit, haven't read anything about them.

zachm89

iTrader: (14)

I've got an MGW and I wouldn't swap it out if someone gave me another one for free. Absolutely a great shifter IMO. And yes, I would have to agree with Mac on Hawks, they've had some pretty bad business practices in the past.

Darth_V8r

iTrader: (4)

I like my mgw but I did the shift detent to reduce shifter effort and notchiness. .

Goldpen223

What's this shift detent mod you're referring too? I was under the impression that the MGW short throw's were very smooth & crisp on 98-02 F-Body's.

maroonls1z

The MGW takes some getting used to. It is notchy, i guess smooth but the throws are so short its hard to tell. The gears are super close together so at first making sure your in 1st or reverse is tricky.

Darth_V8r

iTrader: (4)

I put a copper washer on the detent to space it back 050" from the housing and reduce the detent spring pressure.

Ever notice a momentary pause in the middle going from first to second? That's the detent.

SladeX

I have a hurst shifter pro in the camaro and a mgw in the vette. The throws on the mgw design made the already short vette throws even shorter. I would say stock c6 and my hurst pro were about the same throw distance. Now the mgw cut that a further 15% and while the initial force required to move it is stiffer, after you drive it, you realize its the correct resistance needed when driving hard. My hurst is worn down after 14 years now and thinking going mgw finally.

HCI2000SS

iTrader: (2)

If I had one complaint about the MGW it would be that it's kind of hard to have super fast shifts because it's so stiff. Don't get wrong, I love how direct and positive it feels, but being so tight makes it a bit hard to be super quick on the shifts. Maybe that's characteristic of having the T56 as well (not sure) but that would be my only slight complaint if i were to nitpick lol

SladeX

I have to say, on the vette with a mgw, I can shift super fast with it, faster than the clutch engages. It makes me wish I had a stage 3 clutch in the vette. When I shift fast in the camaro, the engagement of the clutch is hard and to the point so a rpm variance of 200+ means a good hit is felt inside the car.

I do note, that the 98-02 t56 for the camaro is quite notchy (short shifters, aftermarket in general exposes this further). In feeling another fbody owners mgw, I realize that this "notch" feeling can be made better depending on a lot of factors, one of them being the clutch and how well it releases.

My previous setup, a spec 3+ was combined with a lightly used monster flywheel and c6 slave and tick master. It released very well, but had a good notch to it. Monster stage 3, new monster flywheel (same weight), monster 6 puck clutch and monster pressure plate with a standard mill f-body slave. Same tick master. The notchyness was reduced by a noticeable amount. Bleeding was correct, clutch disengages completely and engagement is about 1-2 inch from 90% of brake pedal height. No master adjustment was done, just a new bleed on replacement parts.

This is something to consider that as good as your clutch setup may be, that it can really affect the feel of the shifter if the disengagement may be off a bit.

Goldpen223

As much as I want to try the MGW shifter, the HAWKS is nearly $50 -$70 cheaper.

From what little reviews I can find on the Hawks Short Throw Shifter, I've heard literally nothing but good things. I understand the company may have had a shady reputation in the past, but perhaps they've cleaned house and fixed those issues.

I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. Unless I can find a good deal on a MGW shifter, I think I'm probably going to give the HAWKS a try.

I'll also make a video review of it.

Darth_V8r

iTrader: (4)

You might have to. I don't think anyone is downtalking the hawks. Just haven't used it so can't compare it. Be neat to see what you come up with

Goldpen223

Will do!

eb110americana

iTrader: (4)

I would be interested to see the details on this. I have an MGW waiting to top off my Monster T56, and I hate clicky/notchy shifters. I have only heard good things about the Honda S2000 shifter, but I couldn't stand it the one time I drove one. I will probably try things "stock" at first, and come back to this if I cannot get used to it.

ACE1252

For those interested, I've just got the Hawks T56 shifter and will be giving it a try. I'll be pulling out my MGW to try the Hawks.

I'm not sure I like the angle at which the Hawks stick is pitched towards the driver. Looks like around 20-30 degrees. However, going to still try it.

The MGW is proving to be too close and notchy for my tastes in daily driving. I'm having trouble with finding the correct gear at times. It's bad enough for me that I actually ordered a new stock shifter(spring is weak in my original one).

However, decided that I want to give some other shifters a try before going back to stock.

HCI2000SS

iTrader: (2)

The shift detent mod that Darth is referring to really helps. With my MGW it made a nice difference