TWM Performance M1 Abrams Shift Knob Review

[Nightcrawler]

Hi Folks,

Here is my review for the M1 Abrams Satin Shift Knob. You can also visit the official Nightcrawler thread: CLICK HERE

So it took about a week for the package to arrive from Quebec, Canada to Southern CA. The box was well taped and I say this as I have had products in boxes that looked as if they were ready to fall out. The first picture on the left is how TWM packages their knobs. The second picture is the knob bubble wrapped and it is wound 3 or 4 times. The third center picture is an up-close of the Satin knob, scratch free of course!

This fourth picture is of my stock knob. I have to say that the stock knob does have a good weight to it, but when you hold the TWM knob you'll have a small smile on your face!

The actual install was very easy. I spun off the old knob and used some WD40 and a cloth to oil up the threads on the stock shifter. I did this as I had a heavily modded Jeep Wrangler with some aftermarket knobs and they got very stuck. So this was just a preventative caution just in case anything got stuck. The package comes with different spacers so you can choose how high or low you want your knob. I wanted my knob to sit right on the leather boot so I did not use these. There was a black thread bolt that I put on the shifter and the knob sat on this. I twisted all the way down and it just so happened that it sat in the right position with the 6-speed pattern. The below pictures are taken without the flash and are with my aftermarket LED's installed.



I am so happy with this knob, the satin color matches perfectly with the rest of the satin interior. Paired with JBarone's Stage 2 package this weighted knob produces excellent shifts. The guys responded within a couple hours of my questions, which for me is very important in customer service. I highly recommend you check out their website: TWM Performance

If you have any questions feel free to ask.
j

[2010Speed3]

Looks great man...

[Nightcrawler]

Originally Posted by 2010Speed3 Looks great man...

Thanks!
j

[jamesjjj]

hey Nightcrawler,

I have bought the Stage 2 JBR short shifter package and is now deciding between this or the E4 super heavy shift knob. My question is do you feel your shift becoming more clunky compare to stock. If so, do you think the extra 200g of weight on the E4 will help smooth that out a bit?

I am aiming for gaming like effortless shift throw setup with as little cluck as possible

[Nightcrawler]

Originally Posted by jamesjjj hey Nightcrawler, I have bought the Stage 2 JBR short shifter package and is now deciding between this or the E4 super heavy shift knob. My question is do you feel your shift becoming more clunky compare to stock. If so, do you think the extra 200g of weight on the E4 will help smooth that out a bit? I am aiming for gaming like effortless shift throw setup with as little cluck as possible

To be honest, I can't say that I notice a huge difference between the two. The Abrams feels better in my hand, but I would have to road test them side by side to really say that the 200g is better. But for shits and giggles lets just say its better! Plus it looks extremely better then stock.
j

[Special--k]

i just got the TWM Big Type R. its 600 Grams, and like you said: when you hold it, there is a smile on your face. After the install, took the car for a drive, and it really feels nice.

also, like you said, the stock shift knob does have some weight to it. But nothing like the aftermarket ones. It give a great feeling to the shifts, especially odd to even shifts.

[Nightcrawler]

Originally Posted by specail--k i just got the TWM Big Type R. its 600 Grams, and like you said: when you hold it, there is a smile on your face. After the install, took the car for a drive, and it really feels nice. also, like you said, the stock shift knob does have some weight to it. But nothing like the aftermarket ones. It give a great feeling to the shifts, especially odd to even shifts.

And just in case someone tries to rob your car you can whip out the 600g and use it as a weapon!

[Special--k]

that funny because when i got it first and had it in my hand that is exactly what i was thinking.

[meeker13]

Looks great man

[Nightcrawler]

Originally Posted by meeker13 Looks great man

Thanks!
j

[jamesjjj]

I just received my abrams shift knob but I can't have it sit right on top of my boot. It seems like I have to over screw the 'aluminum insert' down below the shifter shaft by a bit in order for the shiftknob to go down further.

Any insights??
Thanks

[TWM Performance]

Originally Posted by jamesjjj I just received my abrams shift knob but I can't have it sit right on top of my boot. It seems like I have to over screw the 'aluminum insert' down below the shifter shaft by a bit in order for the shiftknob to go down further. Any insights?? Thanks

If you want the bottom of the shift knob to sit flush with the shift boot, a good option is to stack some rubber o-rings under the boot, on the boot retainer on the shifter itself. Then re-install the boot over the o-rings and when you thread down the shift knob it will compress the o-rings and the boot will be flush with the shift knob. You can check step #11 of this installation manual to see what I mean:

http://www.twmperformance.com/manual...oot-manual.pdf

Frank
Team TWM Performance

[Nightcrawler]

Originally Posted by TWM Performance If you want the bottom of the shift knob to sit flush with the shift boot, a good option is to stack some rubber o-rings under the boot, on the boot retainer on the shifter itself. Then re-install the boot over the o-rings and when you thread down the shift knob it will compress the o-rings and the boot will be flush with the shift knob. You can check step #11 of this installation manual to see what I mean: http://www.twmperformance.com/manual...oot-manual.pdf Frank Team TWM Performance

Thanks for helping him out Frank. Can you let us know what size O-rings in case anyone asks?
j

[superskaterxes]

i also have a TWM knob but i got mine powerder coated and it stays UBER cool in the hot summer heat so if your tired of burning your hand on a metal knob get it PC'd!

[TWM Performance]

Originally Posted by Nightcrawler Thanks for helping him out Frank. Can you let us know what size O-rings in case anyone asks? j

O-rings with an inside diameter of 10 mm are a good fit!

[jamesjjj]

thought I'd contribute after asking so many questions...

this is the gunmental Abrams shiftknob on 10MS3

[ms_3]

The knob looks great. especially under those blue led's

[tehlol]

the m1 abrams knob is quite excellent, i must agree. glad someone else is enjoying it too!

[Nightcrawler]

Originally Posted by ms_3 The knob looks great. especially under those blue led's

Thanks!
j

[N2o]

Here is my contribution. I know its not M1 abrams but... it's still an awsome shift knob !

[Nightcrawler]

Originally Posted by N2o Here is my contribution. I know its not M1 abrams but... it's still an awsome shift knob !

Looks good.
j

[akabickle]

I went with the heavy Type R 600 gram one. I would def like for the knob itself to sit alot lower!!!! any ideas??

[TWM Performance]

^We'll have a short shifter solution to lower the height of the shifter available soon, keep an eye on our website for further details!

Frank
Team TWM Performance

[Nightcrawler]

Originally Posted by TWM Performance ^We'll have a short shifter solution to lower the height of the shifter available soon, keep an eye on our website for further details! Frank Team TWM Performance

Frank can you give us any info on this or do we all wait in suspense? Thanks.
j

[TWM Performance]

Here's a teaser picture:



We also posted some information about this coming product in our vendor section, but quickly it will be a complete replacement for the shifter assembly. Not only the shifter shaft itself, but the stock plastic assembly will be replaced by a full metal assembly.

We'll be giving the complete details in a few weeks!

[akabickle]

Originally Posted by TWM Performance ^We'll have a short shifter solution to lower the height of the shifter available soon, keep an eye on our website for further details! Frank Team TWM Performance

Wow, ask and you shall receive.
Thanks guys!