heavier shift knob a problem?

[cscholz]

Car is an '87 Carrera with the G50 transmission. I'm considering having a custom shift knob from a MINI adapted to replace the ugly stock knob. The stock knob weighs about 2 ounces and the potential replacement weighs about 8 ounces.

Will the extra weight be an issue in terms of wear on the transmission? Any other reason not to pursue this??

Thanks,
Carl

[KTL]

Heavier shift knobs or levers have been used to increase shifting ability. I've seen it done by aftermarket companies for BMW cars. The heavier shifter helps reduce shift effort. If you've ever seen a BMW shifter with a fat section on the bottom of the lever, that's why.

I don't see a problem putting a heavier knob on your shift lever.

[rnln]

I don't think there is any problem either. Yep, the stock G50 knob is ugly. Send it my way. I'll trash it for you.

[Jdub]

You'll find drummers like to balance the beaters on their pedals by adding weight towards the top to work the throw and kickback.

Why not your shift lever?

[aigel]

Just the knob, not reducing the length of the shifter?

That's not an issue.

If you shorten the shifter, increasing the required force to shift / reducing the trow, you can make it tough on the transmission, because now the shifting may happen too fast / less sensitive.

G

[vintage guy]

I switched the knob in my 993 to the version that Porsche uses in 4S and turbo versions of the 993. The new one is larger and is metal so it's considerably heavier. The extra weight does give an improved shift feel in my opinion and can't cause a wear problem as it's used by Porsche in the same application.

[KTL]

BTW some people might be aware that there is a factory short shifter for the 87-89 G50 cars. It's the shifter from the end-all be-all glorious Club Sport model that came out in '88.

I have one of those shifters. It's a whopping 3/4" shorter on the upper handle/stick. That's it. No other geometric changes on the upper part or the lower fulcrum part. Point being, anybody thinking that the factory Club Sport shifter is going to be some sort of tremendous modification is going to be disappointed. I was..........

You could always do the JWest Engineering or Wevo G50 shifter modification. Those do a nice job of modifying the shift action (and modifying yo' wallet contents...... )

[cscholz]

Thanks for the all the input. I'm going to pursue this project with the knob dude. If it works out, I'll post pictures. He'll probably want to sell more to this community.

Carl