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Just a bit of fun, really, and highly subjective...

Although I love my custom stainless steel gearshift knob, lately I've been experimenting with some cheap alternatives - largely from a certain online auction site. The photo below shows them in order of maximum diameter, with their respective mass. I was surprised by the difference in feel between 40 and 50mm. 40mm looks a little small but feels right - possible due to being close to the diameter of the OE knob. 50mm looks the business but feels a little awkward in my hand.

As an aside, I've enjoyed the process of setting up my budget drill press to bore a centred hole, and of cutting the threads.

That’s 450 g one would make the shifting feel like butter. I’ve had an unweighted gearknob before and it feels like sh*t. The OEM one feels awesome. I’ve not had a heavier one.
Would be courious how it feels together with a short shift kit


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StanTheMan wrote:That’s 450 g one would make the shifting feel like butter. I’ve had an unweighted gearknob before and it feels like sh*t. The OEM one feels awesome. I’ve not had a heavier one.
Would be courious how it feels together with a short shift kit

Funny you should mention that, as although the heavy knob was fitted originally to a stock shift lever, I did move it to a short shift kit (a cheaper one) about a year ago. My comments at the time were focused on the shift improvement of the new kit, of course. My experience with these lighter knobs is that while the shifts feel like they happen a little quicker, they’re also rougher. The 450g knob definitely has the edge in smoothness!

so original was 194g?

shirtz wrote:so original was 194g?

Yep... according to my kitchen scales.

Reminds me of the old "show us your knob" thread that had a few on the performance forums flustered.

I can weigh and measure the skunk2 knob if you want another comparison.

Okibi wrote:Reminds me of the old "show us your knob" thread that had a few on the performance forums flustered.

I can weigh and measure the skunk2 knob if you want another comparison.

yeah, I was careful with my choice of words in the title... re the Skunk2, the more the merrier. I’m presently considering another stainless steel jobby that combines the virtues of the plastic balls size and the steels weight. Will post here if it happens.

I’d been running a Tomei Duracon 90mm since I first bought my NB1 but recently changed back to the OEM one and man I definitely appreciate heavier knobs.

On the hunt now for a replacement knob and have the hard task of deciding between a Blox Type R vs a Raceseng Spherology.

I’m currently running a car makes corn fake reverse lockout that I was fortunate enough to buy when in Japan last year- it feels and looks great for the street- but eventually for when I finally get out on some track days, I’ll be looking at a long and heavy thing like the pictured 18cm bastard! One thing for my personal preference is the weight for ease and speed of shifting.

sleeptec wrote:On the hunt now for a replacement knob and have the hard task of deciding between a Blox Type R vs a Raceseng Spherology.

That hybrid Spherology is pretty awesome!

Daffy wrote:I’m currently running a car makes corn fake reverse lockout that I was fortunate enough to buy when in Japan last year- it feels and looks great for the street

What’s the diameter of that CMC... 50mm? Looks great.

I have one of these heading home soon, 317 grams

LiteIsRite wrote:

sleeptec wrote:On the hunt now for a replacement knob and have the hard task of deciding between a Blox Type R vs a Raceseng Spherology.

That hybrid Spherology is pretty awesome!

Sold!

Magpie wrote:I have one of these heading home soon, 317 grams

Hmmmmmm.......... may have to talk to you bout that

LiteIsRite wrote:

Daffy wrote:I’m currently running a car makes corn fake reverse lockout that I was fortunate enough to buy when in Japan last year- it feels and looks great for the street

What’s the diameter of that CMC... 50mm? Looks great.