Hi Scotty big fan. I have 2 vehicles, a 2020 Subaru WRX 21K miles with the Fa20 motor and a project car, a 1995 Eclipse GS 180K miles with the DSM 420A motor both manual trans. I've been looking into different shift knobs of various styles and weights, the OEM on my WRX is about 200 grams and 150 grams for the Eclipse. . From what I have read, i've noticed there is a lot of different opinions regarding the potential damage that a heavy shift knob lets say between 300 and 600 grams can damage a shifter's components. The opinions I've seen have not come from actual mechanics. So with all your experience have you seen or do you believe there can be damage done if someone puts a heavy shift knob in their car? Thank you for your time.
Well I've never seen any problems with them guys put all kinds of crazy s*** there's on.
Understood Scotty thank you so much. I have seen some crazy stuff myself lol. I feel much better hearing it from you. Thank you again and god bless.
I doubt it, but with reservations. The main risk is the same as from driving while resting your hand on the shifter - you can knock it out of gear and potentially grind the gears a little. The risk of this is proportionate to the total weight of your weighted shifter, but probably very small. (The other risk, I suppose, is more theoretical, which is a heavy metal shift knob will retain heat in the sun and might make you grip the shifter less securely.)
IMO, the benefit of a weighted shifter is more subjective than objective. Personally, I'm more partial to a good leather knob than a heavy metal weighted one. But as long as you don't go crazy, it should be OK.
