Heavy Shift Knob Questions

SlackerNJ · 05-15-2008, 08:47 PM

So I have never used a really heavy shift knob and I was thinking about trying one on the Kartboy short shifter I just ordered for my 08.

But I have a few questions. The first is does it really effect shift feel that much?? Does anyone not like theirs?

Next is a mechanical question. Does having a heavy shift knob stress the rest of the transmission. I know that you aren't supposed to drive around with your hand resting on the shifter for exactly that reason. Does having a 1 pound metal ball up there have any effect or am I being paranoid?

unrequited · 05-15-2008, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlackerNJ

So I have never used a really heavy shift knob and I was thinking about trying one on the Kartboy short shifter I just ordered for my 08.

But I have a few questions. The first is does it really effect shift feel that much?? Does anyone not like theirs?

Next is a mechanical question. Does having a heavy shift knob stress the rest of the transmission. I know that you aren't supposed to drive around with your hand resting on the shifter for exactly that reason. Does having a 1 pound metal ball up there have any effect or am I being paranoid?

For the first, I've driven a couple heavy-weight shifters, they "feel" smoother and I like them. It's personal responsiveness... You could always sell it at the next meet near you if you don't. Not sure about that last question, it's a good one. I'm considering as well and hopefully somebody can chime in.

**boondocksaint** · 05-16-2008, 04:55 AM

I have one and love it. I'm no engineer, but I cannot think of a way a heavier shift knob is going to affect the gearbox. The resting your hand on the shifter deal isn't due to the weight of your hand, it's because that doesn't allow the shifter to move as the trans moves. As long as the shifter is allowed to, well, shift, you should be golden.

polyol · 05-16-2008, 05:01 AM

I see this as a "grounding kit" mod...of a sorts. Probably does nothing but people buy them and seem to like them...so...

**boondocksaint** · 05-16-2008, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polyol

I see this as a "grounding kit" mod...of a sorts. Probably does nothing but people buy them and seem to like them...so...

Excepting that you can actually feel the difference and don't have to mess with your wiring, yeah, they're exactly the same.

***Szumita*** · 05-16-2008, 05:15 AM

i absolutly love mine, feels like i added shifter bushings again.

makes it a very easy throw, with a short shifter, its sick!

polyol · 05-16-2008, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boondocksaint

Excepting that you can actually feel the difference and don't have to mess with your wiring, yeah, they're exactly the same.

My post wasnt meant to be a diss on you and I never said they were "exactly the same" did I?...but yeah...they are on the same level. Some people claim that they can "feel" a difference from a grounding kits. I guess this is the mod you get when you have already modded out and are dying to spend money on something.

If someone handed me one or game me the money to buy one I would pimp it.

**boondocksaint** · 05-16-2008, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polyol

My post wasnt meant to be a diss on you and I never said they were "exactly the same" did I?...but yeah...they are on the same level. Some people claim that they can "feel" a difference from a grounding kits. I guess this is the mod you get when you have already modded out and are dying to spend money on something.

If someone handed me one or game me the money to buy one I would pimp it.

Just seemed like and apples to oranges comparison to me. I dunno how anyone could "feel" a grounding kit, and have never heard such. Have you ever tried a heavier shift knob?

If not, how the heck would you know one way or the other?

polyol · 05-16-2008, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boondocksaint

Just seemed like and apples to oranges comparison to me. I dunno how anyone could "feel" a grounding kit, and have never heard such. Have you ever tried a heavier shift knob?

If not, how the heck would you know one way or the other?

I had one on my old car...and no it didnt make much of a difference.

So I guess my answer is yes and no. Maybe the STi is just such a different animal that I dont even know whats up...

**boondocksaint** · 05-16-2008, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polyol

I had one on my old car...and no it didnt make much of a difference.

So I guess my answer is yes and no. Maybe the STi is just such a different animal that I dont even know whats up...

Sorry man. Not trying to bust your balls. I'm just guarding against that: "I love/hate this mod even though I've never tried it." Seems to be becoming more prevalent lately.

polyol · 05-16-2008, 06:07 AM

No...I mean its a relatevely cheap and easy modification. I can see why someone would do it.

amg destroyer · 05-19-2008, 09:03 PM

I love mine. Definitely feel a difference in regards to smoothness.

**WC LATHE WERKS** · 05-19-2008, 09:36 PM

What do you touch the most in your car?
One thing is the steering wheel, the other is the SHIFT KNOB. This is why I am a huge believer that changing the shift knob to something better can drastically improve the entire feel of your car. I've had over 30 different knob types on my personal car and each one made the car drive a bit different.

The heavy knobs offer a large amount of smoothness that nothing else compares to. Its hard to explain, but the shifter just feels more solid.

Putting a heavy knob on the shifter will NOT damage your transmission. Resting your hand on the shifter puts an external force on the linkage if you do it purposely or not, you're adding a variable of forces or resistances to the natural motion of the lever during driving. These forces transfer directly through the linkage. A heavy knob adds no extra force if you are not touching it.
I fully believe that a heavy knob can only help the car, and if you don't believe me, ask Dan at AndrewTech.

SlackerNJ · 05-19-2008, 11:12 PM

^^^ Thanks

wi77iam · 05-20-2008, 03:13 AM

The shifter is a lever. Placing more weight on one end of a lever will cause it to move easier once its inertia is overcome. It will require more force to start it moving, but once moving, it will move into the gears easier.

The same effect can be gained by increasing the length of the lever, without needing to overcome the inertia of the increased weight. That's why I prefer a taller shift lever to a heavier knob. I have a pistol grip knob on a lever extender, it's tall and I like it a lot. Take a look at the rally cars. Their shifters are very tall, both for easy shifting and keeping the driver's hand near the wheel.

05-15-2008, 08:47 PM	#1
SlackerNJ Junior STI Driver Car: Black 08 STi Location: Boulder CO Posts: 110 Join Date: Mar 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Heavy Shift Knob Questions So I have never used a really heavy shift knob and I was thinking about trying one on the Kartboy short shifter I just ordered for my 08. But I have a few questions. The first is does it really effect shift feel that much?? Does anyone not like theirs? Next is a mechanical question. Does having a heavy shift knob stress the rest of the transmission. I know that you aren't supposed to drive around with your hand resting on the shifter for exactly that reason. Does having a 1 pound metal ball up there have any effect or am I being paranoid? This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

05-16-2008, 04:55 AM	#3
boondocksaint Reasonable Car: Boony's Motown STi Fav Mod: correct grammar Location: D3TR01T Posts: 22,575 Join Date: Jun 2006 Trader Rating: (5)	Re: Heavy Shift Knob Questions I have one and love it. I'm no engineer, but I cannot think of a way a heavier shift knob is going to affect the gearbox. The resting your hand on the shifter deal isn't due to the weight of your hand, it's because that doesn't allow the shifter to move as the trans moves. As long as the shifter is allowed to, well, shift, you should be golden.

05-16-2008, 05:01 AM	#4
polyol Spec C Club Car: 04 STi Fav Mod: Motor Mounts Location: Eugene Posts: 2,263 Join Date: Oct 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Heavy Shift Knob Questions I see this as a "grounding kit" mod...of a sorts. Probably does nothing but people buy them and seem to like them...so...

05-16-2008, 05:15 AM	#6
*Szumita* i eat cones Car: 08.5 GTI MKv Fav Mod: 18x8 Location: ma & ri Posts: 6,706 Join Date: Oct 2006 Trader Rating: (21)	Re: Heavy Shift Knob Questions i absolutly love mine, feels like i added shifter bushings again. makes it a very easy throw, with a short shifter, its sick!

05-16-2008, 06:07 AM	#11
polyol Spec C Club Car: 04 STi Fav Mod: Motor Mounts Location: Eugene Posts: 2,263 Join Date: Oct 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Heavy Shift Knob Questions No...I mean its a relatevely cheap and easy modification. I can see why someone would do it.

05-19-2008, 09:03 PM	#12
amg destroyer Iron Fisted Car: '05 STi Fav Mod: Sparco seat Location: OC Posts: 4,163 Join Date: Sep 2006 Trader Rating: (4)	Re: Heavy Shift Knob Questions I love mine. Definitely feel a difference in regards to smoothness.

05-19-2008, 09:36 PM	#13
WC LATHE WERKS Authorized Vendor Car: 04WRX /STi Swap Fav Mod: TiC AST Coilovers!!! Location: Tri-State, USA Posts: 1,307 Join Date: Nov 2005 Trader Rating: (90)	Re: Heavy Shift Knob Questions What do you touch the most in your car? One thing is the steering wheel, the other is the SHIFT KNOB. This is why I am a huge believer that changing the shift knob to something better can drastically improve the entire feel of your car. I've had over 30 different knob types on my personal car and each one made the car drive a bit different. The heavy knobs offer a large amount of smoothness that nothing else compares to. Its hard to explain, but the shifter just feels more solid. Putting a heavy knob on the shifter will NOT damage your transmission. Resting your hand on the shifter puts an external force on the linkage if you do it purposely or not, you're adding a variable of forces or resistances to the natural motion of the lever during driving. These forces transfer directly through the linkage. A heavy knob adds no extra force if you are not touching it. I fully believe that a heavy knob can only help the car, and if you don't believe me, ask Dan at AndrewTech.

05-19-2008, 11:12 PM	#14
SlackerNJ Junior STI Driver Car: Black 08 STi Location: Boulder CO Posts: 110 Join Date: Mar 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Heavy Shift Knob Questions ^^^ Thanks

05-20-2008, 03:13 AM	#15
wi77iam Grassroots STI Racer Car: 04 PSM STi Location: Hatfield, PA Posts: 566 Join Date: May 2003 Trader Rating: (2)	Re: Heavy Shift Knob Questions The shifter is a lever. Placing more weight on one end of a lever will cause it to move easier once its inertia is overcome. It will require more force to start it moving, but once moving, it will move into the gears easier. The same effect can be gained by increasing the length of the lever, without needing to overcome the inertia of the increased weight. That's why I prefer a taller shift lever to a heavier knob. I have a pistol grip knob on a lever extender, it's tall and I like it a lot. Take a look at the rally cars. Their shifters are very tall, both for easy shifting and keeping the driver's hand near the wheel. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.