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Why, Why no market items on shifter knobs?

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Old Nov 29, 2011 | 06:09 PM
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Default Why, Why no market items on shifter *****?

How come not one vendor here offers any replacement or custom shifter ***** for the A4 equipped 1997 -04 Corvettes ? We have replacements for every other mechanism ?
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Old Nov 29, 2011 | 06:40 PM
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here's the situation....the A4 shift ***** in the aftermarket are way underrepresented compared to the 6 speeds. I have both a CF and a brushed aluminum A4 **** that I use back and forth from time to time. That's it...there are no others out there, the reason being the center button has to be pushed down to allow the shifter mechanism to change gears, whereas with the 6 speed and the clutch depressed the driver just yanks it to the gear he wants...no center button to push down on. As a result, there have been very few aftermarket offerings. However, there is an adapter kit ($50) that allows certain other ***** to work. But on these the whole **** has to be pushed down, not simply a center button that your thumb could press. I am currently running this type and it took a while to get used to it. They are available from the major catalog vendors all of which are supporting vendors here.
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Old Nov 29, 2011 | 06:52 PM
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Have seen this adapter and wondered about how it worked? You said you were getting used to it. How is it now that you have used it a while?
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Old Nov 29, 2011 | 07:43 PM
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Originally Posted by wally2004
Have seen this adapter and wondered about how it worked? You said you were getting used to it. How is it now that you have used it a while?
the trick is to set it up so that it doesn't resist your arm pressure...there is a coil spring inside that is a bit sensitive. I have to pull up on the shifter in order to get the key out of the ignition...the **** doesn't pop back up all the way. At first I didn't like doing that but realized it might serve as a kind of a theft deterrent for my key.

here is the one with the thumb ****...I have 2 of these...they are ok, but not finished off very well...the holes are sharp and not pleasant to touch....but they are cheap and reliable, but they get very cold in the winter...

http://www.zip-corvette.com/_Images/Blobs/ST-460.JPG

Here is the one I am using now, but mine is black...these require the adapter...this one feels very nice to the touch; no sharp edges, but it also will get cold in the winter.

http://www.zip-corvette.com/_Images/Blobs/ST-444.JPG

That's about all there is, however, I once saw a MOMO one for an A4 that looked very nice...around $90 though.

Last edited by $$$frumnuttin'; Nov 29, 2011 at 07:57 PM.
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Old Nov 29, 2011 | 09:24 PM
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Problem #2. With the adapter you will gain about 1" in height,, looks like crap o
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Old Nov 29, 2011 | 09:44 PM
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UPR Products sells chrome, brushed aluminum and woodgrain ***** for A4 C5's. I have the chrome one on mine.

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Old Nov 29, 2011 | 09:55 PM
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I have one like the chrome one pictured above only in bushed aluminum. I like it and switch it out every now and then with the stock shift ****, but more offerings would be great.
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Old Nov 29, 2011 | 10:30 PM
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Do you have to use the adapter with the UPR ****? That looks nice
Got a link?
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Old Nov 29, 2011 | 10:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Vetteman Jack
I have one like the chrome one pictured above only in bushed aluminum. I like it and switch it out every now and then with the stock shift ****, but more offerings would be great.
I have that one too. Only problem is the cold. I would like to use the billiard ball like my old Hurst shifter.
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Old Nov 29, 2011 | 11:01 PM
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Check out www.flameball.com. Had in my manual and first "mod" on this project. They even have a small LED too.
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Old Nov 29, 2011 | 11:22 PM
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Originally Posted by timritchieblue
Problem #2. With the adapter you will gain about 1" in height,, looks like crap o
closer to a half inch
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Old Nov 29, 2011 | 11:22 PM
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Just ordered a chrome one, thanks
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Old Nov 30, 2011 | 11:20 AM
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I've been looking for a T handle with a thumb button like my old Fiero had, you could rest your wrist on it. I measured a spare I had, it's smaller on the Fiero Maybe another GM car has one that will fit but I doubt the salesmen at the local GM dealer would see the humor in my spending so much time on their lot.
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Old Nov 30, 2011 | 11:25 AM
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Actually the ***** for the M6 are pretty well under represented as well IMO for the vette period.

You get a ball or rewrapped leather stock looking one. I would like a T handle wrapped in leather myself but can't find one.
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Old Nov 30, 2011 | 11:34 AM
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No adapter required.
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Old Nov 30, 2011 | 08:09 PM
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You can put any shifter ball you want on an A4 by using the adaptor, I have one and don't think it looks like crap, I think it looks a lot better than the stock ****.
Mr.Bill



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Old Nov 30, 2011 | 10:42 PM
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I agree with Mr. Bill.
I did the adapter and had a shifter ball custom made.
I have had plenty of positive comments and some think that it is a manual shifter.





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To Why, Why no market items on shifter knobs?

Old Nov 30, 2011 | 11:19 PM
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Originally Posted by YELLO1
That looks really good. Where did you get that shift **** made?
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Old Dec 1, 2011 | 10:05 AM
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Looks great! That is what I want!
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Old Dec 1, 2011 | 10:31 AM
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Originally Posted by Vetteman Jack
That looks really good. Where did you get that shift **** made?
Hey Jack,the guy that made the Shifter **** is not a supporting vender so I sent the info to you in your PM.



Irv
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