Why, Why no market items on shifter knobs?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 11,125
Likes: 673
From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
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 ? 
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
Likes: 404
From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
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.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
Likes: 404
From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
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.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,522
Likes: 24,821
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
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.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Racer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 268
Likes: 0
From: tuttle ok
St. Jude Donor '11
I have that one too. Only problem is the cold. I would like to use the billiard ball like my old Hurst shifter.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,151
Likes: 1
From: N.CHARLESTON SC
Check out www.flameball.com. Had in my manual and first "mod" on this project. They even have a small LED too.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
Likes: 404
From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
Pro
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 568
Likes: 2
From: Dayton, Oregon
Oldtimer
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.
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.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
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.
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.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,681
Likes: 47
From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
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
Mr.Bill
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,438
Likes: 6
From: Paducah,Ky Four Rivers Corvette Club
C5 of the Month 5/13
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.
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.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,522
Likes: 24,821
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,438
Likes: 6
From: Paducah,Ky Four Rivers Corvette Club
C5 of the Month 5/13
