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So,
after the talk of shiny copper shift knobs, I got to playing with a lump of brass and the lathe
It's 50mm round and 60mm tall, Drilled the first 20mm out to 16mm, the next 30mm is tapped M10x1.25 so should sit nicely down on the shifter.
Ended up with this



I really didn't think about the weight before I started, but is 780g too heavy for a shift knob?

Good work but I think you would loose too feel with that much weight. May as well give it a go though.

- definitely goes against the "adding lightness" philosophy but would look awesome in a dark green MX5 with full-on retro-interior or steam-punk interior

I'd be concerned about it causing wear to the detents and lower bush.

Since when it's in anything other than neutral it's going to have some side loads constantly (like holding your hand on the knob always)


In saying that, I prefer lighter knobs in the mx, I find even the oem one to be a bit weighty for my taste.

Might mean a quicker death to the shifter tip bush

hey mate you will be fine, check out the modiction anvil and Blox shift knobs all around 500gr, and been used for years. mine is 487gr stainless.
you can flick the knob into gear with little effort due to inertia and i love it, i think it would be great with a short shift kit that sometimes get a little notchy. yes it adds weight but i believe with something that weight you will never miss a gear so that makes up for the 500gr, one missed gear would cost more time.
it possibly would wear the bush quicker but even on the U.S forums no one can answer that, ill brass bush my shifter turret next time it gets a rebuild but to date no ill effects to speak of.
my gear knob is similar size to factory and i tapped the shaft lower to get it down to standard height, the factory NA8 was about 200gr i think but don't quote me on it.
oh and its a nice piece of kit you have ended up with there

Only way really is to try it. I have a Blox about 450 odd grams and used a Skunk before that around similar weight and both felt great and never caused wear issues. Not sure that the extra weight in yours may be too much, but no way of telling unless try it. I think as mentioned may take too much feel away. Be an interesting exercise.

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I think 780g is too much
Just put it back in the lathe and brought it down to 530g.
Hopefully it looks good in the Tan interior

I had a Blox knob, at ~400g it was great, though it wasn't counter sunk which is why I replaced it. I think at 780g it would be too heavy, the 580g or so you've brought it down sounds better, though still kinda heavy. I guess put it in the car and see how it goes.

Either way, I think it's pretty awesome you did this!

I'm yet to weigh my knob

wasp47 wrote:I'm yet to weigh my knob

- that took nearly 24 hours, must be a slow day!

yer i saw that and thought.....no i'll leave that be hahaha.
i think being closser to the 500gr mark will be safe, as i have a fetish for retro MX's i do hunt around for ideas ect fairly often and i saw a car somewhere with a pitcrew front but lots of brass and copper in the engine bay and the interior, it looked fantastic.

Ross wrote:I think 780g is too much
Just put it back in the lathe and brought it down to 530g.
Hopefully it looks good in the Tan interior

FWIW, my stainless steel custom knob is very comfortable at 450g - with no obvious ill effects on the shifter shift bushing after 3 years of use.