Nobody has gotten around to this yet, and I dont' think many people have this shifter, so it's time for a write up.

First off, a little background. The car that the shifter is going into is a '92 Civic VX with a B18C1. This next stuff is dirrectly from the http://www.twmperformance.com/ website--

TWM Performance has set the standard in Honda/Acura tuning by offering two different lines of short shifters. The Classic line of shifters provide a more precise shift action and allow for quicker shifting without drastically changing the overall driving experience. The FS series are the shortest available for the Civic and Integra, anywhere! They have been designed specifically for the more aggressive tuner who demands the most extreme shifter in terms of both looks and performance. Rather than conforming to industry standards and using inexpensive tin sealed bearings that are prone to failure when exposed to the elements, TWM uses industrial grade, rubber sealed KML bearings which are designed specifically for harsh environments. To further increase bearing life, all shifters incorporate a unique inner bearing brace bushing which guards against bearing damage due to over-tightening, another common source of early bearing failure. All shifters also include 2 white precision cut vinyl TWM Performance decals.

TWM FS Series Honda and Acura Short Throw Shifters - Designed for serious enthusiasts. Our FS Series Honda/Acura Short Shift kits are CNC machined to aircraft industry tolerances from billet 6061-T6 aluminum for superior strength. The FS Series of shifters reduce throw by 55%, and reduces **** height by over 3" making them the shortest throw shifters on the market. We have incorporated our unique inner bearing brace bushing which guards against bearing damage due to over-tightening, a common cause of bearing failure. We use superior quality ball bearings with high performance rubber seals, unlike most others who use cheap tin seals. Our shifters have a polished blue anodized finish and feature our precision glass beaded logo. All shifters also include 2 white precision cut vinyl TWM Performance decals.


So as it says, the **** height is reduced by 3", and the throw by 55%. I've used a *cough* Tenzo *cough* short shifter before (on my last car), and the TWM is BY FAR a lot more extreme than the Tenzo short shifter. As you can see in the pics, the throws are very close together, and the bends in the shifter put the **** down and closer to your right leg. The shift from 1st to 2nd needs the most precision (then again, I'm just getting used to it), but if you're not carefull, you will grind it. It requires more force than the Tenzo (or stock, obviously), but can be a good one if you're used to shifting like that-- but I'll say it again, it requires more force than anything I've experienced, which means if you're not carefull, bad things will happen.

Here's some pictures of all the gears, I appologize, the pictures are blurry in some, so go easy on my poor photography.

1st gear:

2nd gear:

3rd gear:

4th gear:

5th gear:

Neutral:

Reverse:


Just remember, when they say shortest short-shifter on the market, they're not BSing you. The **** is the only thing that sicks out of the boot.

Happy Shifting.

 

Damn yo! i thought my EdleBrock JG pro shifter was short. that has to be really short. I'm asian and only 5'3 so its perfect for me. i could just see some 6'8 white due in a civic having to kinda lean towards the right to shift....

how much was it? do they make one specifially for the EF?
I know I can use eg, dc short shifter.

 

It was just over $100 shipped. Yeah, I'm a 6'1" white dude, but it doesn't cause me too much trouble.

I don't think they make it specifically for the EF, but seems to me that Honda linkage shifters are created equall. The one I bought is for Integra.

 

nice

 

Update: I drove around all night with the shifter, and my feeling right now is . Either I over-tightened the bolt/nut combo that goes through the bering, or the product is not so good. If I shift quickly (as if I were at the track) then the tranny just grinds But don't make assumptions just yet, I'm going to try to loosen that up tomorrow, and I'll be going to test/tune at the local track, which will complete my review. Another H-T member has his on the way, and I'm looking forward to what he adds to this with his review.

 

Just loosen the bolt at the bottom. I installed the same shifter in my del sol 3 months ago and love it. At first it was difficult going from a B&M to the TWM becuase it was so much shorter, but it is great now. The quality is better than most i have seen and it sits just at the right hieght for the del sol console.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
If I shift quickly (as if I were at the track) then the tranny just grinds
</TD></TR></TABLE>

This is going to happen with almost any short shifter.

Even with the stock throw, we can shift faster than the syncros can manage, which leads to grinds. You do the same with a shifter that is even shorter, its much easier to grind when trying to shift blazing fast.

 

? I've had good experiences in the past with them, this one is just a little wack. I guess I should go downstairs and loosen my bolt.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Quik Chris &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">? I've had good experiences in the past with them, this one is just a little wack. I guess I should go downstairs and loosen my bolt. </TD></TR></TABLE>

How is a tight bolt on the shift linkage going to cause grinding?

At most it would make it harder to move the shift lever, but its not going to cause syncros to grind.

What will cause syncros to grind is trying to shift faster than they can keep up. Which is what often happens when people try and speed shift with very very short throws.

 

hey take a side shot of how low it sits..... you know the camara taking pix from the door side view.

 

will this shifter fit an 93 accord lx

 

I loosened it a tad, and it's still grinding between shifts, I'm not liking this shifter so far I took the car to the 1/4 track tonight, and the 1-2 shift would grind every time.

Weaksauce.

 

&lt;-- not sure why no-one is listenning to StyleTEG on this one, he is very right!

-Bryan-

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Quik Chris &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I loosened it a tad, and it's still grinding between shifts, I'm not liking this shifter so far I took the car to the 1/4 track tonight, and the 1-2 shift would grind every time.

Weaksauce. </TD></TR></TABLE>

humm what do you mean it grinds everytime? I think your just shifting too fast for the sycrodes to match up. So you can shift into each gear for normal daily driving correct?

 

Yeah, but it requires 2x the effort as normal. I'm going to try to loosen that bolt one more time, if not, then it's time for a stock GS-R shifter-

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Quik Chris &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yeah, but it requires 2x the effort as normal. I'm going to try to loosen that bolt one more time, if not, then it's time for a stock GS-R shifter-</TD></TR></TABLE>

damn thats messed up!
SS should just be as smooth as regular factory shifter. WTF gives? did you install it correctly?
whst does the shift FEEL like?....... somthing stuck, more gradual resistance?

 

It basically just feels like its too short. It's installed correctly... I think it's just that provided that when you shorten a throw like that, it doesn't allow you to put enough of yourself behind the throw of the shift. Just imagine if your shifter was 1/2 the size of what it is now, how well it would shift, and that's what it feels like.

 

hummmm interesting....
I like idea of having a lower and shorter (in height) shifter but now it's kinda scaring me not to get one...... I hope you find out what the problem is

 

Aparently, the 3" lower **** height shifter w/ the 55% reduced throw is not ment for racing at all... it's ment for daily driving. (?) I don't really understand that concept, but after TWM saw this review on here, they emailed me, and here's what they said:

"Hi Chris,

I noticed that you were having some problems with our FS series shifter. I thought that I would just drop you a quick note to see if I can help. As our marketing states, the FS series shifter is EXTREMELY short. While many of our customers enjoy the shifter and have had no complaints, it really comes down to personal preference. For this reason we offer both an FS and a Classic version of the shifter. The Classic series is slightly less aggressive and does not reduce throw as dramatically as the FS.

Given the comments you made on Honda-Tech.com it sounds to me like you would be better suited for a Classic shifter. Many of our sponsored drag race drivers prefer the Classic thanks to the added leverage it provides over the FS. In fact, we usually recommend the Classic for customers who engage in a great deal of drag racing and power shifting.

Furthermore, keep in mind that a short shifter (especially one this short) can drastically change the timing required to complete a smooth shift. Hand-foot coordination needs to be adjusted to ensure that the clutch is fully engaged when the shift is performed. This is a very common problem among our customers and most report that shifting becomes far easier after several days of acclimatization. Just something to keep in mind...

So, in an attempt to regain your respect I would like to offer you an exchange. If you ship us back your FS shifter I'd be happy to send you a Classic and I would eagerly await your opinion on that shifter.

Let me know if this is a satisfactory solution and I hope that I have been of some assistance.

Thanks,

Karel Wegert
Director of Marketing and Business Development
TWM Performance
sales@twmperformance.com
"

 

Wow thats what i call customer service for that anyone use the classic one? any opinions?

 

why would anyone want to make the **** height lower?? making the reach from wheel to **** even longer?? makes no sense ...

 

Now we can ALL agree....

Shorter IS NOT better...

I just read the CS responce... and I was about to say the same thing...

It's sooo short that you'd have to shift MUCH slower... and use MUCH more torque... since you don't have momentum on your side...

I ALWAYS say... short shifters are for FEEL not speed...

 

I just installed the shorter shifter on a customers del sol and loved it so much the guy was pissed I took car out for such a long test drive.Yes the shifter is too short for most racers with practice I think it would work.Karel thanks for your understanding and GREAT product.

 

because i'm a 5'3 short asian guy. LOL
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vactor &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">why would anyone want to make the **** height lower?? making the reach from wheel to **** even longer?? makes no sense ... </TD></TR></TABLE>

 

I'd stick with the CLASSIC style for DRAG racers. I personally wouldnt change the stock shifter, sometimes the throw is so short that you cant tell which gear its going in. and at millliseconds.. at the track, making sure you are at the right gear is crucial. for street cars, the Super short ones sounds like it'll be fun to drive.