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MGW Gen 1 VS Race Spec - A value discussion

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Hey guys,

So ill have my Ben Calimer going in with a Exedy Hyper Single. I currently have an MGW Gen 1 shifter slated to join them when it goes back together. Recently it has been suggested to consider the Race Spec from MGW instead of the Gen 1. I am having a hard time justifying the expenditure.

From all accounts, the Race Spec is a superior shifter. But, ive never had a hard time shifting with the stock shifter(just the stock clutch), the Gen 1 is still light years better then a stock shifter, and do i really need to outlay the time and money to procure a Race Spec or would a quality Gen 1 shifter be more then sufficient for my fun street car needs?

I want the Race Spec, it appeals to me from an engineering stand point. But my Boss build is already stressing my financials running over budget for one reason or another so im leaning towards installing the Gen 1 and deciding down the road if its performance is sufficient and going Race Spec down the line if its determined to be monumentally critical to proper driving and shifting satisfaction.

I will not be using a Blow Fish bracket. Either Gen 1 as is or Race Spec.

Thoughts? Any personal experience with both?
 

xr7

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Spend the money on the race spec and your done spending money on shifters, as long as you stick with MT-82 transmissions. ;)
 
I bought the MGW shifter when it first came out for the Boss but never got it installed...either people were too intimidated to use MGW's install video as a reference or the cost was too prohibitive and I wasn't sure it would be done right..I'm sure Gen1 is fine for street use and I'm SURE it's less sloppy than the stock shifter.George, you wanna fly up?..........My treat.................
 
I have a shifter from batch two. First gen and she works great. Have it installed. You will kick yourself for waiting. I have installed two. The hardest part is getting the rubber boot in place.

Well, i would only go race spec down the line if i felt the Gen 1 was a problem. Which it sounds like it wont be.
 
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Mad Hatter

Gotta go Faster
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I had gone with the MGW gen 1 and blowfish adapter and both helped, but the MGW race spec is much better on at the track..... far more precise!!
 
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xr7

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Now you got me thinking.............
You have to put it in, this is what you look like when you first use it, :eek::):D:rolleyes:.
MGW has a video on the installation.
I put the front tires up on one layer of 2x12 pieces. Remove interior pieces, jack up rear as high as u can. Two jack stands. Remove bolts from trans crossmember. If the trans crossmember does not drop down wedge a scrap of 2x4 between the body and the crossmember on both sides. This gives you a little more room to work. I was able to wiggle the OEM shifter out as an assembly rather than disasssembling it.
Bolt new pieces in and reassemble. Took me about three hours in the garage with 85 degree heat on a July evening after work. You will be very happy with the results. Other option, swing by and I'll install it, a bit of a drive, road trip! Don't come today as we are having another snow storm today, it should be heading your way later this coming week.
 
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TymeSlayer

Tramps like us, Baby we were born to run...
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I was one of the fortunate ones, when the Race Spec came out, George was running a swap program. I got the race spec version at a heavy discount and returned my Gen 1. As a driver of both which are good options, the Race Spec version is certainly worth the upgrade. Plus I was able to sell my BFR bracket.
 
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I would have to say that gen 1 was a huge improvement over stock and it has an excellent engineering design to it. The gen 2 race spec is also an excellent design comparable to gen 1 but it is also a work of art. Either one is a huge improvement over the mushy OEM shifter. If you can get a deal on either gen 1 or 2 then either would be acceptable for street or track. The key is to get out of the OEM and to add an aftermarket clutch and you will have reached a state of Nirvana.:D
 
Well i found a Race Spec with 300 miles on it $360. So decision made and ill part with my Gen 1.

I almost stayed with the Gen 1 from an NVH standpoint alone as im sure it would shift beautifully and have less NVH...but i must admit im looking forward to the Race Spec.

Thank everyone.
 
Well i found a Race Spec with 300 miles on it $360. So decision made and ill part with my Gen 1.

I almost stayed with the Gen 1 from an NVH standpoint alone as im sure it would shift beautifully and have less NVH...but i must admit im looking forward to the Race Spec.

Thank everyone.
a pic of this unit here would be great. It sure is purty!
 

TymeSlayer

Tramps like us, Baby we were born to run...
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Well i found a Race Spec with 300 miles on it $360. So decision made and ill part with my Gen 1.

I almost stayed with the Gen 1 from an NVH standpoint alone as im sure it would shift beautifully and have less NVH...but i must admit im looking forward to the Race Spec.

Thank everyone.

As a user of both, I gotta tell you there was no added NVH with the Race Spec. If anything, it was the other way around and either a Whiteline mount or the BFR bracket was used to cure that in the gen one version.
 
As a user of both, I gotta tell you there was no added NVH with the Race Spec. If anything, it was the other way around and either a Whiteline mount or the BFR bracket was used to cure that in the gen one version.
I read the BFR bracket was the source of NVH in conjunction with standard shifters *shrug*

Speaking of that should i go through the trouble of a Trans bushing if i have a direct mount shifter? My thoughts are no to allow added dampening in the trans and shifter to reduce likely hood of NVH concerns. Now that i have a direct mount, the shift can move with no impact on shift quality.
 
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