Enkiworks Tallboy shifter bushings for TWM Full Replacement shifter (GenWon)

Discussion in 'Mazdaspeed 3/6 Hard Parts Fabrication' started by Enki, Feb 10, 2016.

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  1. Enki

    Enki Motorhead Platinum Member

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    When I first installed the TWM full replacement shifter, I wasn't terribly thrilled with how much tension there was against the shift cables. Shit was next to impossible to install due to this, and I'm pretty certain over time it was going to hurt the shifter cables due to the pressure on them. To give you an idea of what I mean, this is what the base plate looks like with the cables mounted to the base but the base not bolted down:

    IMAG0320.jpg


    As you can see, bolting this thing down would be detrimental to the cables; previously, I fucked around and drilled out a stack of washers to go under the TWM shifter bushings that came with it, and that actually improved the shifter feel a noticeable amount.

    Not satisfied with that, I took the next logical step: I had my gunsmith make me some huge ass shifter bushings. Here's a comparison:
    IMAG0318.jpg
    Those with a keen eye will notice that the bolt hole on the spacers is offset; I had this done like this to allow for more solid contact with the bolt, which is 6mm in diameter, rather than going the easy route that TWM did and having the bushing drilled out to 8mm. Since the TWM base plate uses oval holes for the bushing to rest in, there's no harm in going this route. The only thing I'd change about this setup is using studs instead of bolts to make the actual installation a little less annoying, but that's about it.

    This is what it looks like with the base plate sitting on the 15mm bushings:
    IMAG0321.jpg

    And the 20mm:
    IMAG0324.jpg

    And installed:
    IMAG0325.jpg
    IMAG0329.jpg IMAG0330.jpg


    Unfortunately, I'll have to wait until the transmission is back in the car before I'll know if I'll need to modify the cover plate, as going all the way over has it contacting the plastic boot bracket, which might prevent shifting to 5th/6th:
    IMAG0331.jpg
     
    Last edited: Feb 10, 2016
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  2. Enki

    Enki Motorhead Platinum Member

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    Gunsmith came through with drawings today.
     

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  3. 865ms3

    865ms3 Greenie Member

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    Remove the shift boot and cut that plastic. You can trim quite a bit off of it. I had to do more than desired to get my JBR shifter to clear. I used a dremel.

    Just a FYI!
     
  4. Enki

    Enki Motorhead Platinum Member

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    Yeah, that's probably what I'm going to do.

    [doublepost=1455771999][/doublepost]
    Edit: Wow, doubleposts have no time limit, huh?

    Shwaykid @ MSF had this to say about the 15mm bushings:

    "Just got back from the initial test drive. And I must say, I'm sold. The tension or tightness I had felt in between gears is gone. The shifter WANTS to change gear now. Further testing will see if that they also fixed my 1st gear lockout I get every once in awhile. 6th gear felt a little extra 'notchy' but I'm pretty sure I can fine tune that away with the adjustment cable.

    I really liked the additional height. I have the TWM Type R knob, so it's nothing tall or bulbous. That extra 15mm made all the difference. It feels like a more natural shifting position. Especially going into 5th; I didn't feel like I was reaching."

    6th gear notchiness might be a result of having to mod the shift boot bracket for clearance; that will be determined by Shwaykid in the near future though.

    I've asked my gunsmith if he'd be interested in making some more of these for some further side scratch in the near future, but that remains to be seen.
     
    Last edited: Feb 18, 2016
  5. Maisonvi

    Maisonvi Platinum Member

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    If you need these made, let me know, they look to be no big deal for me to crank out a few.
     
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  6. Enki

    Enki Motorhead Platinum Member

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    Gonna have 5 each 15mm and 20mm made; have a few spoken for on MSF and the rest will be available here and there, with first come first serve priority.
     
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  7. HawkeyeGeoff

    HawkeyeGeoff MSO Chicks Greenie Member

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    Maybe this is why i hated my TWM full replacement when I got it.
     
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  8. Enki

    Enki Motorhead Platinum Member

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    I can guarantee it is. I sent some 15mm ones to someone on MSF and he fell in love with them immediately.
     
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  9. Chef_boi_r_u_dum

    Chef_boi_r_u_dum Greenie Member

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    Get me in on this! I went full replacement too and have done everything else to smooth it out. I never really noticed since I replaced the shifter only after a week of owning (stock shifter reverse spring thingy seized up). I just always assumed it was supposed to be clunky.
     
  10. Chef_boi_r_u_dum

    Chef_boi_r_u_dum Greenie Member

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    One question. What difference would you see between the 15mm and 20mm?
     
  11. Enki

    Enki Motorhead Platinum Member

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    More improvement on binding and a higher shifter overall. I won't know for sure if the boot plastics need to be modified until someone tries out the 20mm ones or I get my trans back in the car; even if modification is required, I'm sure it will be minimal and/or won't impact the car visually in a negative way.
     
  12. Chef_boi_r_u_dum

    Chef_boi_r_u_dum Greenie Member

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    I'm more than happy to test that if you can get some sent my way or if I can find someone to make them.
     
  13. Enki

    Enki Motorhead Platinum Member

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    My gunsmith is on it, he's just lagging behind because new wife + baby on the way + work.
     
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  14. Chef_boi_r_u_dum

    Chef_boi_r_u_dum Greenie Member

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    I'm going to mess with some washers this weekend. I'm really curious to try this.
     
  15. Enki

    Enki Motorhead Platinum Member

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    I think I used 1/4" fender washers and drilled them out with a 6mm bit. You'll probably want at least 40-48 washers, and some longer 6mm bolts.
     
  16. Enki

    Enki Motorhead Platinum Member

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    Here they are!

    Tallboy Batch 1.jpg IMAG0517.jpg

    6061 full CNC machined with deburring and a tumble for good measure.
    29 full sets; 16 sets of 15mm bushings, and 13 sets of 20mm bushings.
    Hardware is grade 5.

    After the preorders get sent out at the other place, and the two I'll put up for grabs here go away, I'll have 12 of the 15mm and 12 of the 20mm left.

    The 20mm bushings might require some modification to the shifter boot retention bracket, which shouldn't be much of a big deal.

    I'm pretty tired and I'm sure I'm leaving something out, but if you have questions or want to purchase a set, let me know either via PM or a post here (I'll make a thread and tag you for purchases).
    [doublepost=1463555539][/doublepost]http://mazdaspeeds.org/index.php?th...replacement-on-genwon-ms3-1x15mm-1x20mm.2050/
     
    Last edited: May 18, 2016
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  17. Raider

    Raider Administraider Administrator Platinum Member

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    Post them in the Group Buy section.
     
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