Which do you prefer and why?

 

I chose Kartboy because Tom from Kartboy is an active member in the protege community helping out and stuff, and I think we need more vendors like that. Also I felt it would do the job just as well as the B&M at a fraction of the cost.

 

It's not like the B&M costs THAT much more I chose my B&M after reading all positive reviews about the short shifters because it was name brand and from quality materials. I probably got it just because of the name; I'm sure Kartboy would last and perform just as long. BUT, I did get the Kartboy bushings to complement the B&M, and I can say I have been very satisfied with both products.

 

I have the B&M.....I like the fact that the B&M is a one piece design shift rod....and I like the fact that it comes with its own bearing carrier assyembly and does not use the stock ones....

I also did as GCS and got a set of the bushings from tom...they are the perfect compliment to any short shifter...or even just to teh stock one.

 

I bought the Kartboy because it was, according to my research, the best value. Plus, I ordered the bushings at the same time, so that was convenient also.

Unless you sit down and try the various options already installed in cars (like at a Protege meet) you will undoubtedly like whichever one you choose and never wonder about the others. I just don't think there is enough difference in the end to declare a clear winner.

My take:

The B&M looks like a marvel of engineering with it's integrated pivot assembly.

The TWN Gen2 has the cool ball bearings at the bottom. Both the Gen1 and Gen2 are nickle-plated (durable? Smooth in the pivot?)

The Kartboy is the least expensive, it's just like the factory shifter, only shorter and with a different fulcrum point.

And, as noted by others, no matter which one you have, even just the factory, the Kartboy transmission-point bushings are recommended.