Shaving down the reverse-lock...opinions please!

[ESP]

All my car buddies are envious of the AC...that goes without saying. The only area of contention, however, is the height of the shifter. Now, having the reverse-lock is a PITA not only for the lack of available shift knobs, but nobody seems to have made a true "short shifter" that I can find. I read in one of the STS threads that it was possible to shave down the reverse lock. While this seemed dangerous at first glance, I thought about it for a while and now it doesn't seem like that big of a deal. First of all, the mechanism that actually "locks" the shifter out of the reverse gear is internal...so shaving down the top bit shouldn't affect that, right?

If anyone's confused, here's what I'm talking about:

If I shaved it down to the red dotted line, then I would be getting rid of all that superfluous material that slides up and inside RL-compatible shift knobs. I'm interested in getting the M1 Abrams knob, but it's more expensive for the RL-compatible model and it weighs less too!

Let me know what you think of this.Thanks!

[Blackmobile]

I don't believe this will work because the part you intend to shave off actually glides into the knob. As you can see in the pic, the amount of space between the knob and the lockout mechanism is just big enough to lift the lockout. so if you were to shave that off, you would still need that gap otherwise you would have the bottom of the knob right up against the lockout mechanism, blocking you from lifting it.

If you were to make a shorter shifter, i think you would have to somehow lower the reverse lockout somehow. i've never taken apart the leather boot but if someone has, maybe they can figure out how to lower it.

[mcheddadi]

yeah you could do that or just get the RA25 Aluminum Round Onyx 340g that is the same look and WAY cheaper or the 465g Stainless Steel STi Spherehttp://store.lathewerks.com/pr...8782f

[spockrock]

I have thought of the same thing, but I think it should be ok. You are just planning on cutting the excess plastic off the top of the lockout mechanism right not cutting the shift lever right? I think one could easily dremmel that plastic piece off.

[spockrock]

Hey ESP let me know if you go through with this, I think I am going to order http://www.carbeyondstore.com/...d=590 this shift knob 400g, if not I will give it a shot and see if it works.

[ESP]

I don't believe this will work because the part you intend to shave off actually glides into the knob.As you can see in the pic, the amount of space between the knob and the lockout mechanism is just big enough to lift the lockout. so if you were to shave that off, you would still need that gap otherwise you would have the bottom of the knob right up against the lockout mechanism, blocking you from lifting it.

Yeah, I get that it's supposed to slide into the knob...that's why I'm suggesting I cut it off and get a "regular" knob that doesn't require the indentation in the bottom for it to slide into. I'd still be able to life up on the lockout (as there would still be a gap) but that excess plastic would be gone. I only mentioned my displeasure at the height of the knob because in all the pictures I've seen it looks like the RA96 is a fair amount taller than the stock knob, thus making the overall height even larger!

I have thought of the same thing, but I think it should be ok. You are just planning on cutting the excess plastic off the top of the lockout mechanism right not cutting the shift lever right? I think one could easily dremmel that plastic piece off.

Yup, that's exactly what I'm thinking! I'm just curious if anyone knows if that top plastic piece is actually used for something important!

[chow]

Hey Spock,

Don't think that one will work as It doesnt say anything about reverse lock out compatible. Anyhow, I reallly really like that style of shifter, especially the Nismo one. (looks like that one except with a NISMO laser etch on the top of it, uber sex) The price is almost the same too!

Anyways, I'm really looking into getting a cylindrical style shift knob but I havent found any that will fit our cars. So im leaning towards the Momo module R , black and polished chrome. Anyone know how much that one weighs? can anyone photoshop that onto our shifter?

Thanks

[mcheddadi]

Anyways, I'm really looking into getting a cylindrical style shift knob but I havent found any that will fit our cars.

look what I found http://store.lathewerks.com/pr...73963

and it fit the coupe, how convenient

[spockrock]

Yup, that's exactly what I'm thinking! I'm just curious if anyone knows if that top plastic piece is actually used for something important!

that I am unsure of.

Hey Spock,

Don't think that one will work as It doesnt say anything about reverse lock out compatible. Anyhow, I reallly really like that style of shifter, especially the Nismo one. (looks like that one except with a NISMO laser etch on the top of it, uber sex) The price is almost the same too!

Anyways, I'm really looking into getting a cylindrical style shift knob but I havent found any that will fit our cars. So im leaning towards the Momo module R , black and polished chrome. Anyone know how much that one weighs? can anyone photoshop that onto our shifter?

Thanks

The nismo shift knob is is light apparently and no that one wont work without shaving the reverse lockout.

look what I found http://store.lathewerks.com/pr...73963

and it fit the coupe, how convenient

That one is expensive, and the crappy thing is to get it in a dark colour, I was looking at the prices and its I pay 100$ for the shift knob or 60$ for the razo.

[ESP]

look what I found http://store.lathewerks.com/pr...73963

and it fit the coupe, how convenient

Mehdi...you must have the patience of a saint! I've lost count of how many times you've posted these links to various shift knobs! haha

I see you keep linking to the Lathe Works fellow...are you sure the STi knobs will fit on our coupes? Just a heads-up though...LatheWorks charges an extra $30 for a "special" finish whereas it's all included with TWM's knobs. The latter has lighter knobs though...

Ugh...so many knobs, so little money!

[Rob.Vegan]

I'm interested in getting the M1 Abrams knob, but it's more expensive for the RL-compatible model and it weighs less too!

Im sorry if this is backwards, im a cvt fellow myself but have some experience in mannys. Don't you want a heavier knob as to make throwing the shifter easier. I would think the more "top heavy" the shifter was the easier it would be to throw it. But i'm not sure. If the shift knob was lighter, seems like it would be more maneuverable. IDK, just thought I would clear that up for myself

[ESP]

Im sorry if this is backwards, im a cvt fellow myself but have some experience in mannys. Don't you want a heavier knob as to make throwing the shifter easier. I would think the more "top heavy" the shifter was the easier it would be to throw it. But i'm not sure. If the shift knob was lighter, seems like it would be more maneuverable. IDK, just thought I would clear that up for myself

No, you're absolutely right. I WANT the heavier knob. Unfortunately, having a RL compatible knob shaves about 60g off the overall weight. If it wasn't for the RL, I could use the regular M1 Abrams which weighs in at 460g (as opposed to the RL compatible model at "approx 400g".

...I know it's only a matter of 60g...BUT I WANT IT!!!!!!!!

[Blackmobile]

I don't know if this would be an issue or not, but wouldn't you want a longer shifter?? the lower the shift knob, means less leverage when shifting, and if you're relying on the weight of the shift knob to help transition into the next gear, then having a heavy shift knob with a longer lever would give it more inertia.

i realize that it's just desirable to have a shorter shifter in terms of feel, and it would make throws even shorter as the shifter would have a smaller arc, but as mentioned before, it may cancel out the extra 60g you speak of.

please let me know if i'm just full of it, i'd want a shorter shifter too

[mcheddadi]

yep they do sell shifter extentions for that extact reason and also the long cynlindrical type shifter are the way they are also because of the fact that it makes the lenth of the shifter bigger aslo making shifting easier

[ESP]

Well, I just ordered the RL-compatible M1 Abrams a few minutes ago...I figure 60g isn't worth worrying about at this point in the game.

...still interested in shortening our shifters though........

[mpbclutch33]

Please post pics on this thread when you get it installed. This is the exact Shift knob I want.

[ESP]

^^Will do!

[RobPaulson]

just wanted to say, besides the height of it, i absoluely LOVE my razo knob.

I was not too hot about how it looked at first either, until i installed it. my hand fell so naturally into the contours of the shifter i couldnt believe how i ever drove without it. those ball/bar shift knobs seem very simple and appealing (I LOVE minimalistic styling) to me, but i wont ever replace this razo now, its absolutely amazing =)

[mcheddadi]

just wanted to say, besides the height of it, i absoluely LOVE my razo knob.

I was not too hot about how it looked at first either, until i installed it. my hand fell so naturally into the contours of the shifter i couldnt believe how i ever drove without it. those ball/bar shift knobs seem very simple and appealing (I LOVE minimalistic styling) to me, but i wont ever replace this razo now, its absolutely amazing =)

same thing I thought. ergonomics FTW!