Anyone ever pull your knob off while racing???

[drl911]

Shift knob that is...

Last week I took the 911 to the Atlanta Dragway for a few 1/4 mile runs just for fun (every Friday night is "test and tune" for $20, usually can get 5~8 runs). My first match up was against a '05 Mustang GT so I as was anxious to get a good run and put the new pony car in its place (I usually run about 13.4 sec @ 103 mph). Everything was great on the launch and I let first gear wind out to near 7000 rpm pulling ahead of the 'stang. Then during my overzealous 1-2 shift I pulled the shift knob right off the lever, but I didn't immediately notice what had happen as I got back on the gas only to find the car in neutral and slamming into the rev limiter. I hastily finished the shift and embarrissingly finished the run. Darn crush sleeve!!! Anyway now some new Mustang owner thinks he has a faster car than me.

I have since put in a roll pin to secure the knob and will be going back to the strip for a rematch!!!!

Dan

[widebody911]

BTDT

[Jeremy Cottrell]

Did it at the last auto-X I ran.

[Jamie79SC]

The shift knob coming off was your car's way of saying, "Oh, ouch, what the he11 are you thinking running me on a drag strip?"

[cstreit]

Done that myself. Nearly hit myself in the face when it came off, har har

[Plavan]

Epoxy and Green/Blue loctite does the trick..... When in doubt, racers tape

[Jeff Alton]

The one on my WEVO has a nice bolt that holds it on! Seriously though, that sucks.

Jeff

[carnutzzz]

drl911-

What mods do you have?

[skinnerd]

sure.....I did it while Club Racing a few years back
nothing more distracting than the knob rolling around on the floor under your feet while braking and downshifting!!!

I think I ended up putting a big allen set screw in the side of the knob to prevent that from happening ever again.

[Jack Olsen]

BTDT, too.

When it happens, it's a lot more confusing than you'd think.

[drl911]

Originally posted by carnutzzz
drl911-

What mods do you have?

The PO had most of the engine work done and I have done all of the weight savings stuff, but here is the rough list:
Regrind cams
Headers
SuperTrapp exhaust (completely open when racing)
Autothority Chip (7000 rpm rev limit)
ARP head bolts
K&N BIG tapered cone filter (no airbox)
No AC
No heat
No windshield washing system
Passenger wiper delete
Fiberglass ducktail
Fiberglass rear bumper
Over 50lbs of delete from 2~3 lb "stuff"
......

[iamchappy]

I had mine come off in my 914 with the top off, it flew right out of the car.

[Paulporsche]

That's the funniest thing I've read on this BB!

BTW, sorry for your loss.

[Joe Bob]

That's why the gud aftermarket knobs have allen set screws in the sides to keep them from spinning and flying off....

[GeorgeK]

And when you *want* the darn thing off, it won't leave before a few choice words, possibly a whack in the head the teeth, and before destroying itself while leaving the shaft....

[Mike Andrew]

My Mom always warned me about the dangers of pulling on my knob.

[zymurgist]

Why does Porsche use a crush sleeve to retain the shift knob? My '77 Corvette shift knob screws on and has never come loose. My Neon shift knob is retained with tangs on both sides of the lever and it has never come loose.

My theory is that the Porsche knob has the shift pattern on it and the shift pattern always hast to be legible to the driver. That way new drivers won't freak out when driving a car with a 901 tranny and its strange shift pattern.

[JBO]

The 05 GT WILL beat you, regardless of the knob...I thought the Carreras had a bolt rather than a crush sleeve, or was that just the G50's?? Heck, I couldn't get my knob off even after severe beatings with a wrench and hammer. Finally gave up.

[}{arlequin]

Originally posted by zymurgist
Why does Porsche use a crush sleeve to retain the shift knob?

it's the car's way of saying "be gentle w/ me, don't be so rough and hamfisted, you twit"

[drl911]

Originally posted by JBO
The 05 GT WILL beat you...

I have already ran faster times then the "stock" 05 GT (at least the one at the track that night) before and since...., but heck maybe he pulled his knob off to.... LOL

Dan