Notices
General Miata Chat A place to talk about anything Miata

Shift knob ideal weight?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 13, 2010 | 08:05 PM
  #1  
rleete's Avatar
Thread Starter
Elite Member
iTrader: (21)
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,794
Total Cats: 1,342
From: Rochester, NY
Default Shift **** ideal weight?

Okay, I didn't know quite where to put this. Mods, move if necessary.

I am making my own shift *****. More of a hobby thing than any attempt to create something awesome. I've looked at Voodoo in all it's flavors, and all the ricer types over on CR.net. I've make a couple of prototypes, but they end up just feeling wrong. Wooden, aluminum, and even plastic. Almost all have been in the 2" round variety. Lately I've been thinking that it needs more weight.

So, steel it is. Heavy sucker, over 1lb at 2" diameter (same size as Voodoo Magnum), before drilling. I fear it may be a bit much. But, before I go hogging out all the center material, only to find out it's too light, I figured to get some input.

What do you like (heavier/lighter) and why? What type of driving? Different **** for the track vs. street? Anyone with a Voodoo that wished it were heavier?
Old Jul 13, 2010 | 08:30 PM
  #2  
Full_Tilt_Boogie's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,155
Total Cats: 409
From: Jacksonville, FL
Default

I like a smaller ****, that is as heavy as possible.
I love my skunk2 ****, its smaller than stock but quite a bit heavier.

Name:  IMG_5867_sm.jpg
Views: 6317
Size:  54.9 KB

I got that little 2" extension because I always punch whatever is plugged into my cigarette lighter when I shift into 5th.
Old Jul 13, 2010 | 08:48 PM
  #3  
Splitime's Avatar
Miotta FTW!
iTrader: (24)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,290
Total Cats: 31
From: Chicagoland, IL
Default

I have a similar **** as above, but Blox. I like it. Had a skunk2 on my last car, loved it also.
Old Jul 13, 2010 | 08:54 PM
  #4  
dgmorr's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,446
Total Cats: 6
From: Toronto, ON
Default

Why do weighted ***** feel so much better?
Old Jul 13, 2010 | 09:00 PM
  #5  
Full_Tilt_Boogie's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,155
Total Cats: 409
From: Jacksonville, FL
Default

Originally Posted by dgmorr
Why do weighted ***** feel so much better?
Its gotta be inertia
Old Jul 13, 2010 | 09:01 PM
  #6  
levnubhin's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (30)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 7,329
Total Cats: 12
From: Va Beach
Default

You guys don't burn your hands on them metal *****?
__________________
Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote
Old Jul 13, 2010 | 09:41 PM
  #7  
ImBiginKorea's Avatar
Newb
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15
Total Cats: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Full_Tilt_Boogie
I like a smaller ****, that is as heavy as possible.
I love my skunk2 ****, its smaller than stock but quite a bit heavier.



I got that little 2" extension because I always punch whatever is plugged into my cigarette lighter when I shift into 5th.
I have the 6 spd version in my Si, the skunk **** is small but much heavier than stock. You just have to keep a glove or reservoir sock in the car for when it has been sitting in the sun.

Maybe I should get one for the miata w/ an extension....

--Korea
Old Jul 13, 2010 | 09:45 PM
  #8  
hustler's Avatar
Tour de Franzia
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 29,085
Total Cats: 375
From: Republic of Dallas
Default

I like the skinny cylindrical shifter...is a metal one going to feel that much better?
Old Jul 13, 2010 | 10:13 PM
  #9  
longuyen88's Avatar
Junior Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 332
Total Cats: 0
From: Socal
Default

heavy metal shift ***** > *

try the TWM big type-r, it's 600grams
Old Jul 13, 2010 | 10:27 PM
  #10  
rleete's Avatar
Thread Starter
Elite Member
iTrader: (21)
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,794
Total Cats: 1,342
From: Rochester, NY
Default

Yeah, my initial post was in response to a thread on CR.net about them. Some guys buying $100+ *****! Hard to tell the **** from the ****. I made a comment about it just being a hunk of metal, and you'd think I had insulted an entire population from the response. What kind of idiot pays $100 for one single pound of steel?

I made mine out of a $7 trailer ball. But it was free, because the guy bought the wrong size, so gave it to me. Not stainless, but it wasn't more expensive than a barrel of oil.


Edit: It's gonna cost me something (time), and I may have to buy a tap. Oh, and whatever bribe I need to have the plating guy flash it in pure nickel so it doesn't rust. I may have to shell out for an entire chinese lunch!
Old Jul 13, 2010 | 10:39 PM
  #11  
longuyen88's Avatar
Junior Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 332
Total Cats: 0
From: Socal
Default

make me a type-r style shift ****, heavy metal, and 6 speed shift pattern and I'll pay you
Old Jul 13, 2010 | 11:57 PM
  #12  
Doppelgänger's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,850
Total Cats: 71
From: Charlotte, NC
Default

Heavy ones absorb driveline vibration and the weight helps going gear to gear thanks to momentum. I need to get one one of these days. I like the Blox one, but damn $40. I had one of those ebay metal ones that looked like burnt titanium...the weight was decent and the shape was great....I need to get one in 6spd flavor.

I'd be worried that too heavy would be bad for the shifter bushings...

For the record, right now I have some Voodoo or Sola ball...I hate the feeling of the ball-style.
Old Jul 14, 2010 | 09:08 AM
  #13  
rleete's Avatar
Thread Starter
Elite Member
iTrader: (21)
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,794
Total Cats: 1,342
From: Rochester, NY
Default

Originally Posted by Doppelgänger
I'd be worried that too heavy would be bad for the shifter bushings...
Me, too. I'm going to cut the extension off to get it down in the 12-14oz. range. Surprisingly (at least to me) was that I actually like the ball shape better than the stock ****. However, I don't much care for the hard, smooth surface. I'd like to try to cover it in leather.
Old Jul 14, 2010 | 09:29 AM
  #14  
johnmatt's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 896
Total Cats: 0
From: Jax, Fl
Default

Originally Posted by levnubhin
You guys don't burn your hands on them metal *****?
That's the reason why I went back to a stocker from the one I had on my car
Old Jul 14, 2010 | 09:32 AM
  #15  
mgeoffriau's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,388
Total Cats: 474
From: Jackson, MS
Default

I picked up a used Voodoo Black Crinkle-Texture Magnum shift **** for $25 off m.net...it's great. Love the size, weight, feel, and look. It gets hot-ish in direct sunlight, but it's not unbearable...certainly not bad enough that I've ever bothered getting a **** sock.

I also have a Black delrin **** that someone on m.net made...it's okay, but the shape is more cylindrical. I shift with a cupped hand so I like the ball shape better, with the cylinder, it felt odd if my hand didn't land on it just the right way.
Old Jul 14, 2010 | 09:35 AM
  #16  
mgeoffriau's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,388
Total Cats: 474
From: Jackson, MS
Default

Originally Posted by Full_Tilt_Boogie
I got that little 2" extension because I always punch whatever is plugged into my cigarette lighter when I shift into 5th.
You know, I've never videotaped my shifts, nor am I a professional driver, but it always seemed to me that the delay in shifting was really the movement of your hand from the wheel to the shifter, than the actual shift motion itself. I mean, unless we're talking about a VW minibus shifter, what's the difference between an 8" throw and a 6" throw?

So...I've thought that maybe all these "short-throw shifters" and whatnot are going the wrong direction. Move the shift **** closer to the wheel, so the hand falls directly to it, even if it adds an inch or two to the shift throw.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Quinn
Cars for sale/trade
6
Oct 23, 2016 07:58 AM
Rick02R
WTB
3
Jan 3, 2016 07:18 PM
leatherface24
Cars for sale/trade
15
Oct 16, 2015 11:35 AM
interestedofold
Suspension, Brakes, Drivetrain
5
Sep 29, 2015 01:42 PM
SuperSneakySecretSquirrel
Meet and Greet
5
Sep 6, 2015 08:30 PM




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:10 AM.