I talked to Mike at Fat ***** this Morning. They don't like to sell to dealers but he is willing to give it a try. They make a 2 1/4 round manual shift **** in black or white. They are made of some sort of hard resin material so you don't get the hot and cold problem as with aluminum. They are mainly for the Mustang crowd but he has made a few for the Corvettes. Problem is that they are special order and take a while for him to make with our thread size. I can buy 40 at a decent price and sell them for $44.95. That way I'll have them in stock and you guys won't have to go through the wait and hassle of a special order deal. I just don't want to buy 40 unless there is some interest.
I just installed a Hurst ball on mine (same size etc.) but had to cut the shifter off and weld on a 16mm threaded stud to make it work. I really like the feel of it. I've had just about every shfter and **** out there and I think I like this best. This would be a way to get that large **** without the hassle.
Just pipe up and let me know what you think. If it looks like they'll sell , I'll order them up. Thanks ,ANDY

 

Andy,
I'm the guy who asked Mike to make the first one for the C5 last year. It really has a solid retro feel to it. I hope this works out because Mike is a good guy and makes a quality product. Enclosed is a picture. - C.

 

Depends, Andy. The pic above looks like it might be made of Ultem. Can you find out? I use Ultem a lot and threads don't stand up well to abuse in this material.

Love the ****, though, and would buy it in black if you can get it.

Ed

 

Patches,
Take a look at the Fatknob.com website. It's described as being made of a hard resin. - C

 

I'd be interested. Let me know if you decide to do this.

 

What is the slight possibility of one for an auto? One where it just pushes straight down?????

 

Andy, I would be interested in a white one with shift pattern engraved if possible( my main squeeze forgets).

 

Thanks, but Ultem is a hard resin. I'd think they're using a threaded steel insert. If anybody has info on construction of similar ***** they make, please pipe in.

Ed

 

I've had my Fat **** on for over 9 months and love it. There is no steel or metal threaded insert. I cut my shifter down 2 times (hacksaw & file) and have had the Fat **** on/off about 6 times for different reasons with no problems stripping the resin or damaging the threads. Fits nice and tight and will not loosen up on it's own.
My $.02.

 

I bought a plain black **** from Flameball.com that has an insert for the Vette threads. It doesn't go all the way to the bottom of the threads on the stock shifter, but it only cost $14. Very tough material too. I changed to an aluminum **** so I'm not using it anymore if someone wants to buy it.

 

No insert. It's just drilled and tapped. He's been making them for Mustangs for years. It hasn't moved since I screwed it on two road races ago. - C.


[Modified by Mr. C's 5, 4:58 PM 2/19/2002]

 

I'm interest, but I'd rather have a round ALL leather ball.

I'm tired of the MOMO I have now and its time for a change.

 

If you want a round leather ball go to the Chev. dealer and order the Camaro six speed shift ****. Its plain, round and leather. About $28.00. They can get it overnight if not in stock. VNVETT

 

Ahhh, I see. Thanks for the info.

Ed

 

VNVETT

I was told the F-Body **** used different threads and won't work.

 

I bought one and used it on my 98 coupe and my Z06. Perfect fit and threaded right on. VNVETT

 

What cold problem with aluminum? Oh, you mean the fact I leave a layer of frozen skin on my shifter **** each morning? :eek: :) :cheers:

 

Count me in :)

 

My 99 Camaro SS round shift **** will NOT fit my Vette.....the Camaro shift ball is to big for the Vette.

 

The Camaro shifter has larger threads than the C5. I have two Camaro shift ***** and neither of them will work.