TWM Short Shift Kit! - Toyota Yaris Forums

CrankyOldMan · 02-26-2013, 09:19 PM

So I pulled the trigger on a TWM short shift last week and finally put it in today. Wow, crazy short. Combined with the MI engine-side SSK, it's super stiff and notchy, but very very short from front to back. I can't say how it compares to the MI shifter extension, but it's at least 2" shorter above the ball, meaning you're going to get some strong arms from rowing that beastie. I would have taken pics, but the install instructions are 95% spot on, and the pictures on their site show the product as shipped.

cali yaris · 03-03-2013, 01:21 AM

So the shifter is shorter physically, not just shorter travel?

CrankyOldMan · 03-03-2013, 08:36 AM

Yup. I was in too much of a hurry to get any pictures taken for comparison, but I did at least look at them side-by-side when swapping the plastic ball cap. The upper end is shockingly shorter, though the lower end is only about 1/4" longer. Too much longer and I would expect issues with hitting the floor pan.

The boot cover now sits much lower, so it looks a bit funny. Almost like your pant legs when you're sitting on the toilet. The OEM boot support clip does not engage properly on the shaft, so I had to improvise with a 7/16" ID rubber grommet. I also bought a foot of 1/2" ID clear flexible tubing to make a standoff sleeve in the event that the grommet doesn't stay put.

I'll see about getting some pictures without the boot on this afternoon.

thefalls · 03-03-2013, 08:52 AM

I hear that after driving around a bit it gets better. So lets wait a bit.
I have been thinking about the short shifter,i think will go with the MI in-cabin and engine side combo. Will have to inquire about shipping sometime soon,Garm.

TOLMACH · 03-03-2013, 02:40 PM

Any chance to take any pics?

Is it getting better? Do you plan to keep it?

Thanks

cali yaris · 03-03-2013, 03:09 PM

I wouldn't want my shift knob to be lower, I use an extension to bring it closer to the wheel -- but it's a matter of taste and arm length, etc.

BEEF · 03-03-2013, 06:33 PM

I've actually extended my shifter 3" and am seriously considering going 2-3" more. I have the engine bay SSK and am considering the in cabin SSK.

I couldn't imagine my shifter being lower than stock. I think it is too low even now with the extender. I also added the armrest which makes it uncomfortable to have at the stock level. I like the armrest.

tooter · 03-03-2013, 07:32 PM

(hint hint...

Here, I'll help to get things started. Here's my shifter...

CrankyOldMan · 03-03-2013, 08:10 PM

OK, here's a few pics!

It's so low that you can see the frame of the shifter body around the base!

Here's the OEM shift lever, measured from the top of the ball to the end of the threads. Keep in mind that I measured backwards because zero on this ruler isn't at the end. OEM = 9.25"

Here's the TWM as installed. The flash on my metal ruler made for some extra crappy pictures. TWM = 6.5"!

I'm definitely keeping it, but it's taking some time to re-train my muscles. It's still a bit awkward getting it in to reverse, but the 1-2 and even 2-3 shifts are crazy fast! I do, however anticipate some response issues when I start autoX this summer--it's a LONG way from the wheel to the knob.

why? · 03-03-2013, 08:16 PM

Tooter, I take it that is stock? Mine is 100% stock. Wouldn't mind it being physically lower. Had a friend with an eclipse and the kit made his shifter maybe 3 inches long at most. Of course the eclipse use to be a real sports car, with the shifter nice and high.

tooter · 03-03-2013, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by why?

Tooter, I take it that is stock? Mine is 100% stock. Wouldn't mind it being physically lower. Had a friend with an eclipse and the kit made his shifter maybe 3 inches long at most. Of course the eclipse use to be a real sports car, with the shifter nice and high.

Yeah, it's just the stock lever with an old school 1960's style Hurst "Cue Ball" shift knob stuck on it. The smooth round shifter feels really nice.

CrankyOldMan · 03-18-2013, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TOLMACH

Is it getting better?

Almost three weeks of daily driving and I'm getting really comfortable with it. I even tend to use just my index and middle fingers to shift from 1-2, since it's a faster movement than rowing my whole arm. There is still some awkwardness getting in to reverse and neutral, but I can live with that.

TOLMACH · 03-18-2013, 03:36 PM

^ Glad to hear that

Thinking about one myself.. My problem though would be with hight of this thing. The oem just works perfectly for me (in terms of height).

kou · 03-18-2013, 03:57 PM

^ I have had one in since 07 I have a 5'' extension and the throw is still shorter than stock

CrankyOldMan · 03-18-2013, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TOLMACH

My problem though would be with hight of this thing. The oem just works perfectly for me (in terms of height).

Well, it sits about level with the seats, but the throw is so short you don't have to reach very far forward.

Kou: interesting knob. what is it?

kou · 03-18-2013, 10:35 PM

^ It's a stock subaru impreza wrx maybe 2004 shift knob it even has the same shift pattern and thread.

TOLMACH · 03-19-2013, 10:20 PM

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TRD-Gear-Shi...fc4f02&vxp=mtr

jimhimbo · 07-25-2013, 02:45 AM

How do you remove the top plastic piece that holds the middle ball of the shifter in place? which is needed to swap stock with twm shifter.... TWM's instructions show a different type of plastic containment piece with tabs...but I can't figure out how or where tabs that can be depressed are on our setup..yours is the same as mine 08...thats the only piece of info i need before i order mine! thanks

02-26-2013, 09:19 PM	#1
CrankyOldMan 2ZR swap. DO IT! Ask how! View User's Garage Drives: 09 Meteoric Metallic HB Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: West Michigan Posts: 2,333	TWM Short Shift Kit! So I pulled the trigger on a TWM short shift last week and finally put it in today. Wow, crazy short. Combined with the MI engine-side SSK, it's super stiff and notchy, but very very short from front to back. I can't say how it compares to the MI shifter extension, but it's at least 2" shorter above the ball, meaning you're going to get some strong arms from rowing that beastie. I would have taken pics, but the install instructions are 95% spot on, and the pictures on their site show the product as shipped.

03-03-2013, 01:21 AM	#2
cali yaris ULTIMATE View User's Garage Drives: 07 Yaris Turbo Join Date: May 2007 Location: Canoga Park, CA Posts: 14,859	So the shifter is shorter physically, not just shorter travel? __________________ Micro Image forums, online store and shop are now closed. It was a great eight year run, but it was time to focus on other things. I'm still selling parts on eBay under micro*image seller ID and customers can still make requests for anything specific.

03-03-2013, 03:09 PM	#6
cali yaris ULTIMATE View User's Garage Drives: 07 Yaris Turbo Join Date: May 2007 Location: Canoga Park, CA Posts: 14,859	I wouldn't want my shift knob to be lower, I use an extension to bring it closer to the wheel -- but it's a matter of taste and arm length, etc. __________________ Micro Image forums, online store and shop are now closed. It was a great eight year run, but it was time to focus on other things. I'm still selling parts on eBay under micro*image seller ID and customers can still make requests for anything specific.

03-03-2013, 06:33 PM	#7
BEEF View User's Garage Drives: 2008 yaris 3d Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: north carolina Posts: 732	I've actually extended my shifter 3" and am seriously considering going 2-3" more. I have the engine bay SSK and am considering the in cabin SSK. I couldn't imagine my shifter being lower than stock. I think it is too low even now with the extender. I also added the armrest which makes it uncomfortable to have at the stock level. I like the armrest. __________________ Be the change you wish to see in the world -Mahatma Gandhi-

03-03-2013, 07:32 PM	#8
tooter play every day Drives: 2012 Yaris L 2dr 5sp Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,962	(hint hint... Here, I'll help to get things started. Here's my shifter... Last edited by tooter; 03-03-2013 at 07:45 PM.

03-03-2013, 08:36 AM	#3
CrankyOldMan 2ZR swap. DO IT! Ask how! View User's Garage Drives: 09 Meteoric Metallic HB Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: West Michigan Posts: 2,333	Yup. I was in too much of a hurry to get any pictures taken for comparison, but I did at least look at them side-by-side when swapping the plastic ball cap. The upper end is shockingly shorter, though the lower end is only about 1/4" longer. Too much longer and I would expect issues with hitting the floor pan. The boot cover now sits much lower, so it looks a bit funny. Almost like your pant legs when you're sitting on the toilet. The OEM boot support clip does not engage properly on the shaft, so I had to improvise with a 7/16" ID rubber grommet. I also bought a foot of 1/2" ID clear flexible tubing to make a standoff sleeve in the event that the grommet doesn't stay put. I'll see about getting some pictures without the boot on this afternoon.

03-03-2013, 08:52 AM	#4
thefalls Drives: Axio GT Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Sunny place Posts: 60	I hear that after driving around a bit it gets better. So lets wait a bit. I have been thinking about the short shifter,i think will go with the MI in-cabin and engine side combo. Will have to inquire about shipping sometime soon,Garm.

03-03-2013, 02:40 PM	#5
TOLMACH Drives: soarer Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Beautiful British Columbia Posts: 954	Any chance to take any pics? Is it getting better? Do you plan to keep it? Thanks

03-03-2013, 08:10 PM	#9
CrankyOldMan 2ZR swap. DO IT! Ask how! View User's Garage Drives: 09 Meteoric Metallic HB Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: West Michigan Posts: 2,333	OK, here's a few pics! It's so low that you can see the frame of the shifter body around the base! Here's the OEM shift lever, measured from the top of the ball to the end of the threads. Keep in mind that I measured backwards because zero on this ruler isn't at the end. OEM = 9.25" Here's the TWM as installed. The flash on my metal ruler made for some extra crappy pictures. TWM = 6.5"! I'm definitely keeping it, but it's taking some time to re-train my muscles. It's still a bit awkward getting it in to reverse, but the 1-2 and even 2-3 shifts are crazy fast! I do, however anticipate some response issues when I start autoX this summer--it's a LONG way from the wheel to the knob. Last edited by CrankyOldMan; 08-20-2014 at 11:19 PM. Reason: Pictures were stupid big.

03-03-2013, 08:16 PM	#10
why? Only Happy When it Rains View User's Garage Drives: Yaris LB Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: harnett county NC Posts: 4,097	Tooter, I take it that is stock? Mine is 100% stock. Wouldn't mind it being physically lower. Had a friend with an eclipse and the kit made his shifter maybe 3 inches long at most. Of course the eclipse use to be a real sports car, with the shifter nice and high. __________________ Colin Chapman disciple

03-18-2013, 03:36 PM	#13
TOLMACH Drives: soarer Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Beautiful British Columbia Posts: 954	^ Glad to hear that Thinking about one myself.. My problem though would be with hight of this thing. The oem just works perfectly for me (in terms of height).

03-18-2013, 10:35 PM	#16
kou View User's Garage Drives: 08 lb Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: nj Posts: 935	^ It's a stock subaru impreza wrx maybe 2004 shift knob it even has the same shift pattern and thread.

03-19-2013, 10:20 PM	#17
TOLMACH Drives: soarer Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Beautiful British Columbia Posts: 954	http://www.ebay.com/itm/TRD-Gear-Shi...fc4f02&vxp=mtr

07-25-2013, 02:45 AM	#18
jimhimbo Drives: 08 Blue yaris liftback Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: PA Posts: 5	How do you remove the top plastic piece that holds the middle ball of the shifter in place? which is needed to swap stock with twm shifter.... TWM's instructions show a different type of plastic containment piece with tabs...but I can't figure out how or where tabs that can be depressed are on our setup..yours is the same as mine 08...thats the only piece of info i need before i order mine! thanks

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Micro Image Short Shift Kit DIY	jpmck03	DIY / Maintenance / Service	17	02-24-2014 08:57 AM
Back to school sale Short shifter, Shift Knob, EVERYTHING is on sale!	TWM Performance	TWM Performance	13	09-29-2009 11:55 AM
New shift knobs available from TWM Performance!	TWM Performance	TWM Performance	3	06-25-2009 05:24 PM
TWM Yaris Short Shifter Sale!	TWM Performance	Sponsors Classifieds Area	9	08-28-2006 04:37 PM
TWM Short Shifter/Shift Knob Sale!	TWM Performance	Performance Modifications	0	07-17-2006 06:08 PM