B Gordon

As the title says, what would be a really good shifter to utilize for AutoX and some road course touring days as well as on the street?
I am aware that most of the time with Autocross I will simply shift quickly into 2nd gear and stay there for the entire pass so my question is more geared towards the street and road course.

The drag race threads appear to have a preference for the MGW shifter.

The background on my question is that I performed a LS1 / T56 swap into my 2000 Miata. In order to keep the shifter **** at the same height as the factory Miata ****, the handle just sits a couple of inches above the small bolting stub that is the top of the shifter. This is quite a bit lower than the factory shift **** location. The end result being that to maintain the ergonomics of the Miata shift lever, shifting with the factory shifter requires quite a bit of effort and has a clunky feel. A smooth and manageable shifter is definitely going to happen.
I am using this Winter to clean up the car and get it ready for next Spring when the car will be driven to work a couple of days a week and I also intend to participate in as much Autocross as is practical and intend to do some of the Touring days at our local road race track (Hallett Road Course).
Since this particular area is specifically for turning corners I figured this would be just the place to get recommendations so I can spend my money once to get the best shifter for my needs.
Thanks for any suggestions or recommendations.

Number Tew

I will always recommend MGW. Impeccable build quality, great customer service.

JimMueller

iTrader: (9)

I've had a Pro 5.0 for over a decade, but the MGW does intrigue me. But I won't buy one unless I can test drive a fully broken in MGW shifter first.

79_T/A

iTrader: (1)

The MGW is an absolute suckfest on the race track. The gates are so damn close you have to focus more on shifting than driving. I don’t understand why everyone likes the MGW. It’s notchy as hell. Couldnt stand that shifter.

B Gordon

So what shifter do you recommend for road courses?

79_T/A

iTrader: (1)

I’ve been using the B&M ripper. Gates are spaced farther apart making it easier to drive. Seems smooth, Not nearly as notchy as the MGW. Haven’t had any issues missing *****. There’s a Mcloed shifter I’d like to try that uses belville washers instead of centering springs, but I’m pretty content with what I have.

.boB

iTrader: (1)

I've been using the Pro 5.0 on the road course for 2 seasons. I really like it. Very smooth, easy to find the gates. Shifting is an automatic function of your right hand. You don't have to think about it, just do it.

The Batman

iTrader: (4)

Seems the guys on frrax like the b&m rippers

JD_AMG

I think you are one the first people to call an MGW notchy.
Mine is buttery smooth, smoother than a 5.0 by a lot, stock w/ lous short stick, and a lot more precise.
The centering spring is so strong you don't really need to think about shifting, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th are really easy to find.

JimMueller

iTrader: (9)

I've read that the MGW can be notchy until broken in (just like the Pro 5.0), maybe it wasn't broken in? If the return policy allowed me to return it if I was unhappy with it _after_ break-in, then I'd try one. Or if I could swap my 5.0 for a broken in MGW for a week I'd be up for that.

Even if I felt it shifted better than the 5.0, I'd still be nervous without the shift stops. I use a Mustang speed shop for my tranny rebuilds since they've been rebuilding Borg Warners & Tremecs for decades, and the owner who rebuilds them says the T56 doesn't have real internal shift stops and he is a proponent of the added feature on the 5.0.

B Gordon

Thanks for all the replies and insight.
Like many things, it appears there is no single correct shifter that is universally agreed upon as being the best choice.

Personally, I specifically have a great deal of respect for the opinion of .boB as he has been very helpful on many other aspects of my build and he has a good bit of direct experience on road courses using the T56 transmission. He also is very detail driven, an attitude I also share.

The lack of stops is a concern on the 5.0 as I do not want to trash my transmission after spending a good bit of money to get it upgraded.

79_T/A

iTrader: (1)

Plenty of complaints about the MGW notchiness in the transmission section of this forum. It might be fun on a spirited street drive, and it’s great for drag racing, but it sucks major ***** on the road course. Gates are too close, it’s not natural feeling when you’re trying to heel-toe downshift at 110mph entering a corner. A B&M or Pro 5.0 is much better in this regard, the gates aren’t as narrow.

HCI2000SS

iTrader: (2)

I've had the MGW for a while now, and while I do think it's a bit too stiff in stock form, it is still a awesome shifter otherwise. Recently I shimmed out the shift detent ball, and that made a big difference. Still has all the great aspects of the MGW shifter but less stiff and notchy. I've also heard running a better trans fluid like Amsoil, Redline, BG, etc...will help smooth it out even more. So for those of you who really like the MGW, but hate how stiff it is, then you might want to consider this. Just a thought

B Gordon

What shims did you purchase?
I want to get a couple on my next order to Summit Racing so I can shim mine.
It has a really hard sort of detent every time I shift.

HCI2000SS

iTrader: (2)

M20 copper drain washer. They fit perfectly. I only used one, but some prefer using two. Either way it makes this detent ball less pronounced, so while you still feel it on the shift, it's just less than before

.boB

iTrader: (1)

Thanx for the vote of confidence.

Here's a pic of the 5.0 I use. It does have shift stops. Like you, I wouldn't use one without them. Obviously, a significant improvement over stock.

JimMueller

iTrader: (9)

The Pro 5.0 has shift stops, the MGW does not. It took me a couple of attempts to get them just right without it popping out of gear, then I set them with thread locker.

smitty2919

I've had MGW in my 04 GT, 03 Mach 1, 04 GTO and now my 95 Camaro. So, I'm a fan.

Never missed a shift unless I'm too antsy letting off the clutch out. The centering springs of the MGW is what I like. Just open palm push forward for 3rd.

Haven't used it in a road course manner though. All daily driving and autocross.

landstuhltaylor

iTrader: (6)

Using a factory Hurst along with a short stick, no complaints

B Gordon

Finding out that the 5.0 has adjustable stops makes me feel warm and fuzzy about getting one for my car.
Thanks for all the help.