So my name is Zach, as some of you know, I drive a 2009 Cobalt SS Turbocharged with a few mods. Nothing performance sadly though. However my last mod was the TWM STS w/ Aluminum Bushing and M1 Abrams Weighted Shift knob. I have to say I am very happy with this shifter. I have used many other STS shifters for the Cobalt in the past including the B&M and Hurst Shifters. However none of them even begin to compare to the TWM.



I’ll start with the overall feel of the shifter. With the stock shifter you get the occasional jerk here and there and you seem to get a lot of vibration at higher RPM’s. However with the TWM Performance STS I have not felt the first jerk nor have I felt any vibration.



Now lets move on to the part we all care about the most. The way it shifts! No doubt this shifter allows you to go through the gears smoother then ANY other shifter I have ever used, and along with the help of one of TWM’s weighted shift knobs, shifting can be done with one finger. It’s simply amazing. When it comes to daily driving and “Granny Shifting” the shifter seems just as the stock shifter, it’s no harder to shift or anything of that sort. The part I know you all care about though is how it does when your whipping through the turns, and bashing down on the pedal at the strip though right? I thought so. Now I live in Southern West Virginia where no doubt our roads have more curves then a coke bottle. So I knew around here was the perfect place to really test this shifter in the curves. So I rented a patch of old closed road (don’t try this on an open road) about 5 miles worth, and I gave the car hell. I have to say this is where this shifter truly shines. The reduction of the throw with this shifter may be slight, but it makes a HUGE difference. It’s never been easier for me to downshift to exit a curve then it is with this shifter. I can honestly say I will never put anything besides TWM shifters in another car.

When it comes to the drag strip, all I can say is “You WILL see better times” I shaved a 10th of a second from my time making a consistent 14.2-14.1 second ¼ mile run. So as said above I highly recommend this shifter to all Cobalt and Other car owners.



My review of the install I can make short and simple. It’s the easiest thing you will ever do. The only thing that is even relatively hard is removing your stock shift knob. Which takes a LOT of force, or a hammer LOL. It was still a quick and simple 45 minute install.

The look of the shifter is definitely beautiful, I have the M1 Abrams RL Knob atop my shifter with the “Gunmetal” or “Blued Steel” finish and it flows with the Cobalts interior very well. The Stock shift boot also fits perfectly onto the TWM STS, unlike other shifters.

Now for my list of “Pros and Cons” for this shifter:



Pros

· No vibration

· No jerking

· Quicker Shifts

· Overall look is MUCH better then stock

Cons

· Honestly I have nothing to put here, there is nothing but good things that I have found with this shifter.



Thanks for reading.

-Zach Irick

 

good write up

 

Cons: I would say reverse lock out is a tight fit. Almost doesnt lock onto the pastic tab. but thats it.

 

Mines fine.

 

well done. cant wait to install mine in march. lol. i already purchased it with the base bushings.

 

I assure you you'll enjoy it. I got the bushings as well

 

BUMP

im planning on ordering a TWM short shifter soon but with all the options im clueless on which to get. whats the difference between aluminum, classic, high caliber, and gold series. i already have orderd the clamp. i plan on ordering a STS with bushings over the holiday break and installing once my car is out of hibernation. Any advice is appreiciated. thanks

 

Im also ordering one this week i think

Still can't decide if the cable clamp is worth it since i havent had an issue

 

i just ordered my TWM STS with base bushings, i already got the shifter clamp on the way. now i just need a shift boot from redline goods

 

Great review, I am holding off on my purchase until they come out with a non metallic knob.

 

i want one soo bad my friend with a speed6 just got his in the other day the black pearl is so nice

 

i got mine too i got the normal shift know(polished aluminum) and the base bushings and the new clamp, so when i get home from deployment in march i will let u all know how it feels! but i have heard nothing but good stuff about them and the customer service at TWM is A+ for sure

 

pics?

 

Black Pearl is where it's at!!

Name me any finish you would like to see and I can get you a picture within 20 min

Patrick
Team TWM Performance

 

My best investment. I will never stop saying it

 

I'm thinking the same, but at the same time I was thinking on the weighted one too (only thing is to cover the shifter when the sun hits lol)

any word on the non metallic ones??

 

They told me they are still in development and will have something for us eventualt.

I am personaly guessing they will have one out by spring.

 

No update at the moment, but keep an eye on our section here on the forum, we'll update there as soon as we have something new!