Does 03/04 really need shifter?

[seidler]

I have a new 04 Cobra with 200 miles on it covered in snow and the weather has sucked for 2 weeks now so I am not likely to drive it soon. (I am lucky to have an 04 Expedition). My 97 Cobra had a junk shifter. At 20000 miles the trans jumped out of 2nd. Is the stock Cobra shifter on the T56 any better than the old T45/T5 trans shifter? If not has there been any real world objective comparison tests between the Steeda, Hurst and Pro 5 shifters?

 

[103]

You can't fail with a Pro 5.0. In my experience (with various 5-speed trannies) the Pro 5.0 is the best. Of course not everyone agrees. It comes down to what you can afford and if you like the first thing you get or not. And, yes, the 03/04 Cobra needs an aftermarket shifter...

 

[Uncle Meat]

If you are just going to use your car as a daily driver and it will never see a hard shift in it's life...then no an aftermarket shifter is not required.
The first time you go to speed shift or power shift your car and you miss or grind a gear, then you may want to look into one of the shifters mentioned above.

I personally went with the Pro 5.0 with an MGW fully adjustable handle. Makes for a very sweet setup.

U.M.

 

[hj16]

I still choose to bang gears with the stocker. It took about 5 months to get confident ith it, but now we're inseperable

I have never once missed the 2-3 powershift. And I've only missed the 3-4 powershift once.

 

[terrydf]

I'm on my second Cobra, and my pal had a 96 Cobra. We both agree the stock shifter beloings in a bluebird school bus. The stock design includes mushy rubber bushings that are supposed to make up for driver error, protecting the trans from missed shifts, etc. I believe that approach (while saving Ford a few bucks) probably causes more problems than it solves. The result is dificult, imprecise shifts. He bought a pro shifter and changed it out to a Steeda. I changed both my shifters to the Steeda Triax. We agree its the best mod to make to the Cobra - in terms of enjoyment. It makes the car much nicer to drive, more enjoyable. And anyway, this muscle car deserves a nice quality billet shifter, don't you think? In fact, these aftermarket shifters are so beautiful, it's a shame the leather boot isnt clear!

 

[32vmonster]

definitely!! change that stocker for a Pro5.0 or something.one of the first mods i would do if i were you.

 

[92gt5.0]

I like the stock shifter No problems with missed shifts... Now getting a decent 60 ft time without wheelhop thats the problem.

 

[grey03cobra]

Definitely get a shifter. You can't imagine the difference until you do. I've had the Pro 5.0 in the 98GT I used to own and it was pretty good. Then I tried the Steeda Ti-axe and I wouldn't want any other shifter (I had it in my 97 Cobra, 99 Cobra, and now my 03). It really shortens the shift throws and feels so much more solid. Besided it also has stop bolts (so does the Pro 5.0), so if you do decide to powershift you won't end up bending your shift forks and damaging your tranny.

When I first bought my 03 I kept missing the 2nd to 3rd shift. It ended up costing me a race against a modded SS. That was the day I went home and called Steeda and ordered mine.

 

[54life]

You cannot top the pro 5.0. I loved it. It just pops it into third for you and has the stops which prevent damage from occuring something the stock one doesn't feature.

 

[Uncle Meat]

You cannot top the pro 5.0. I loved it. It just pops it into third for you and has the stops which prevent damage from occuring something the stock one doesn't feature.

The Pro 5.0 for the T-56 has the stops too but from what I'm told they are unnecessary because the T-56 utilizes internal stops to prevent shift fork damage. Having a 2nd set may be a good thing from a safety aspect though.

U.M.

 

[Miklowcic]

Shifters

i prefer the stock shifter for the street, but I leave my pro 5.0 in since I mostly just race the car. The Pro 5.0 makes third gear easier on the strip, but it feels real notchy and is hard to reach for the street. Some people fix the hard to reach problem with longer or adjustables handles, but that makes the shift longer again negating the benefits for the strip...

I was real impressed with the feel of the stock shifter, until I missed third a few times at the track.

 

[STUD]

Pro-5 all the way. Stock shifter is pathetic. It will eventually damage your shift fork and trans. I've heard this from other guys on mustang sites. You won't be disappointed.

 

[blk03toy]

I went with the Pro-5.0, but any aftermarket will make a difference. Only use my car on weekends, and just couldn't find 3rd sometimes. It's a much more positive feel. {Only my opinion}

 

[BZ's_03_SVT]

So i am assuming yes but after installing these shifters you can keep the stock look, boot and grip? I want to keep the stock look, is there any install advise, mainly does the interior trim come out easy enought...nothing worse than 69 more payments and an interior that is cracked up!

 

[terrydf]

I've done the Stteda Triax twice. Apart from a wonderful improvement in performance, you cannot tell by looking the mod was done. It looks totally original. That is probably true for other brands as well. You would reuse the boot and knob also.

 

[[email protected]]

You can get the Tri-Ax from Steeda.ca

Great Pricing.