So I had the B&M shifter on my car for a few months. There were only 2 things that bugged me about it, and I thought the TWM might be better, but it turns out that I don't like some stuff about the TWM too. I never did see an objective review of the two on this site, it so here's my crack at it.

B&M

• Shifting action felt better
• I thought I didn't like that it was more forward, but it turns out that it's more ergonomic than the TWM
• Hits biggie drinks because it sits too far forward. Hate this...
• Don't like that it is two piece. The set screw wasn't enough to keep it totally solid, so the shifter has a tiny bit of play. This annoyed me to no end, though no one else that drives my car seems to car. It's the OCD side of me.
• Shift knob is made of delrin with a metal insert. I like this as it doesn't get as annoying during extreme temps
• Angle of the shifter is more ergonomic
• I like that it is taller than TWM

TWM

• Serious negative points for a solid metal shift knob. Really guys?
• Shift knob shape is not appropriate for this car. Feels like a door handle.
• Knob sits a little too low. I have it adjusted as high as it will go without exposing the top of the reverse lockout.
• Shifting action feels more chunky and not as smooth as the B&M
• Shifter is better centered in cutout. Sits further back thanks to the angle in the shifter
• A negative for not making a compound curve in the top part of the shift rod. The shift lever is angled too far towards the back of the car.
• Solid one piece design means no play in the shifter itself. This is really nice
• Reverse lockout feels and looks better than the B&M, IMO. Also like that the spring is hidden in the shifter.
• Has the proper gear shift pattern engraved in the knob. Big plus when it comes time for inspection, or when friends are driving.

A friend of mine with access to a C&C is going to cut 2 black delrin knobs for me. I've already sent him the specs, and design. Hopefully this will solve my biggest complaint with the TWM, the awful shift knob. If the rod had a compound bend in the upper part so that it would angle just a touch more forward (but not sit any further forward), it would be perfect.

I kinda screwed up when I was assembling my B&M. I should have tightened the set screw more. As it is, I can't unscrew it due to the Loctite that I used. Maybe some thin superglue into the crack to see if it'll seep in and hold it without the play. If it weren't for the tiny bit of play in the B&M, I'd probably switch back to it.

Some folks may ask about the shifter placement that I complained about. Contrary to popular belief on this site, you cannot simply put the shifter wherever you want. You must align it properly, and there's a very small window where everything shifts optimally.

I realize the B&M is no longer made, but you can still find it on a few sites. I got mine not too long ago. I bet NorthernAutoParts still has a few.

 

I ordered a TWM on Friday, hopefully it is as good as everyone says it is. If you dont like the height of the TWM, they sell extenders for that.

 

The 4 inch extender is too tall. It needs to be another inch or so taller. The shift knob my friend is making is about another inch taller. Will look like this:

 

the whole the b&m shifter sits too far forward is how u adjust it with the shift cables and all that... thats not directly their fault

 

No, that's incorrect. If you read the post, you'd see where I mention that the proper location for the shifter is a small window. Anything too far beyond, and the shifting action will not be correct. In fact, go and look at most of the complaints about the B&M. People say they can't grab the gears properly. It's because they did not adjust the cables correctly, and instead, they tried to center the shifter.

 

He he, C&C

 

drove a friends balt with B&M sts an first gear was a lil harder to get into

 

Lol. You're right. I didn't mean the game

Because it's not adjusted correctly. The b&m shifts better if they're both adjusted properly.

 

I've got the TWM and if it shifted any smoother, more positive or with less motion it would have to be an automatic. Unfortunately you have fewer comfort and bling choices when installing a high performance, short throw, shifter which is a good reason to buy a TWM. I like to think of the TWM shifter as a competition shifter that just happens to look great. And if it takes you less than a 1/2 hour to adjust your TWM shifter after installation you're either VERY lucky or you didn't test the full range of adjustability before locking it down. Also, if it isn't adjusted properly you stand a good chance of damaging the cable retention clips or even the cables themselves when shifting agressively.
JMHO and experience.

 

this post to me=fail


first off, i have TWM and love it, in comparison to BM, its a short throw shifter for a reason, its supposed to be shorter to give it a shorter throw, if you dont want a shorter throw, then just keep the stock one, also the weighted shift knob really helps you slam it into 2nd gear, never has gotten in the way of BIGGIE drinks


buuuuut, i will say, in the summer, the knob does suck cuz its metal, and completely heats up and burns your hands, but other than that, blows the BM sts outa the water

 

Sometimes I wonder why I even bother posting here. Guess what shifter GM put in the time attack car? That's right, the B&M, and they made a comment about how it's in a better location than stock, but I doubt most folks bored to read the Cobalt build book. Too bad.

I would have stayed with the stock shifter but the stock shift knob is horrible. After having my favorite shift knob ever on my previous car, I couldn't live with the stocker. Sadly the stock knob is pressed on.

 

Whats so bad about the stock shift knob??

Personally I think its excellent, I don't see what else you could ask for.

 

Didn't like the pleather and the plastic top. Not crazy about the shape either. If it was the same quality leather as the steering wheel, I could deal with it.

 

so just cuz the GM time attack car has the B&M shifter, that means its better? i think not

 

Everything the TA balt has is better, didnt you know that?

 

Hey guys,

As far as shift knob shapes goes, we offer our Cobalt SS short shifter with a round shaped shift knob because overall, this is what the majority prefers on most car makes and models. Of course, not everyone has the same taste so we do offer 2 other shift knob designs compatible with this short shifter:

Big Type R RL


Piston RL


(Couldn't find pictures in the Cobalt, but I can get that pretty quickly!)


These two shift knobs are actually taller than the round shaped one that comes standard with the short shifter so it would be very well suited for someone who don't want as much height reduction. They also offer more grip for someone who likes to hold the shift knob from the side rather than from the top.

For shift knobs, it's pretty much different strokes for different folks. We try to cover most of it with our different models available!

Frank
Team TWM Performance

 

You're right, the other shapes are better, but they're still metal. Acetal copolymer or delrin, and I would have ordered a different knob.

 

I enjoy my Hurst quite well. Biggest problem I have with it is the reverse lockout doesn't work. It won't go over far enough to have to go over the little lip that lets you into reverse, but it goes into reverse just fine. odd, right? As with the TWM the knob heats up in the summer and is iced in the winter. I like the feel of the standad shift knob in my hand more than I liked the feel of the TWM. The shift knob isn't near as heavy as the TWM, but to me it doesn't matter. I don't need the extra weight to "slam" it into second. Hurst is also taller than the TWM. But for me, being 6'3" and having a very long abdomin it just feels right.

 

It's not adjusted correctly. It needs to go to the right, and possibly forward a little. Like I've been saying. You cannot put the shifter just anywhere. It must be properly aligned for it to shift optimally.

 

We messed with it quite a bit, there is no more adjustment to the right - if we go too far right we lose 5th, we backed it off a little and would lose the tab for reverse. I don't know what to do!

As far as shifters go I am really glad I went with TWM, the look and feel and options are way better than the B&M IMO, I adjusted mine perfectly!

TWM=better options- base bushings, weighted knob, extender, engraving.

B&M?

 

I guarantee that it's just not adjusted properly. Oh, one thing that I just remembered about my B&M. The reverse lockout came flipped. I had to knock the pin out and flip it because it was pointing the wrong direction. This will never be an issue w/ the TWM because theirs is user assembled.

The B&M comes with the bushings at no extra cost. Heavy shift knob != better shifting. I do like the engraving on the TWM knobs though.

 

I agree with Wangspeed. I also have the TWM and once adjusted properly it is perfect IMO. It took me an hour or so to actually get the cables adjusted to where RL works and all the gears feel good.

Yes, the shift knob gets hot in the summertime. I actually have a little piece of cloth I carry in the car that I use so it doesn't burn my hand. It only takes a few minutes of having the AC running before it's cooled down enough so It's really not a big issue to me. and I like the feel of metal, but that's just me. But bottom line is the TWM is a quality product.

 

IDK, I've had both shifters and I enjoy the TWM 100x more. Its constructed so much better, and is so smooth and has a better throw reduction then the B&M. The B&M was just **** IMHO

 

I bought & had Marca34 install the TWM & it's a VERY high quality piece! I am ever so pleased with it.

 

Did my 1st HPDE at Homestead/Miami Speedway2 weeks ago. My heart rate is just now starting to return to normal.

I'm a retired over the road truck driver with I don't know how many million miles behind a windshield. I, and I'm sure countless other drivers, would just naturally rest the right hand on the stick for lack of a better place to put it. Just got to be a habit. After a couple of sessions on track and having my instructor smack my right hand a hundred times telling me it belonged on the 2:00 o'clock on the wheel he told me next session he would make his point. When I picked him up for the next session and we started out onto the track he showed me his hammer. He just sat there and said "make my day".

This whole story is meant to say your hands belong on the STEERING wheel except for, and only when, CHANGING GEARS. If the knob is too hot or too cold your hand is there WAY TOO LONG.