Applicable to: '99-'05 1.8 liter
Magnum Polished Aluminum Knob
This knob has a hefty solid feel. I originally picked up the standard Voodoo polished knob right after I bought my '03. I recently had some spare change and decided to get the Magnum. Even though my palm isn't that big (about a medium glove size), the feel of this knob is positive and confident.
I'm actually a collector of shift knobs and this is my favorite just ahead of my Moon Eyes knob.
Under 5 minutes to remove
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
Black textured knob and ebrake handle
the sig other spent around 100 total for both knob, handle, collar. i love the feel of everything, although they didnt have a magnum, which i hear is a better fit for most hands. the other ones wouldnt match my stock 96M interior so i got the black textured. but the wooden ebrake wouldnt look right so i had to get the black textured ebrake handle too. if feels as if i've gotten a short shifter, compared to the stock nardi knob, which was a good half an inch taller. it also was not weighted well, but this one is. the voodoo now goes into gear very "tight." everyone thats driven it says i made a great decision. the textured one doesnt seem to be hot during hot days either, maybe a more dull surface? anyway it feels more grippy, and plus i didnt want to keep reglossing the shinier ones as is recommended. only bad thing is the collar is really expensive, and doesnt seem to fit 100% against the shift boot, and doesnt take up the entire space between the knob! and the boot. i wish the collar was black as well.
one of those things that will make you want to take the long way home. well, more than usual anyway.
Under 5 minutes to remove
Applicable to: '99 + 1.8 liter
shiny round weighted aluminum treaded shift knob, w/ a scratch resistant clear coat
easy to put on, shifts nice, clean look. %100 better than that cheap stock plastic nub. much more reliable than the MOMO which used to slip off. this thing gets really hot when it is in direct sunlight, no joke.
nice knob. should have read the posts before, don't waste your time or dough on a MOMO
Under 5 minutes to remove
Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99 + 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
Crinkle black finish, engraved by Knobmeister, standard size shift knob.
An absolute waste of money. Blazing hot to the touch after sitting in the summer sun, even with the top up. Others have mentioned that the extra weight adds "momentum" to the shifts--this knob weighs 5.25 ounces and the stock knob weighs 7.0 ounces. Not pleasant to the touch, doesn't aid in shifting--this has to be classified as a downgrade from the OEM knob. Beautiful engraving by the Knobmeister, though.
All show, no go. Another case where Mazda got it right the first time.
Under 5 minutes to remove
Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99 +
Voodoo Magnum Black Knob----shiny black, about 2 inches in diameter.
I've been using this knob for about three weeks. Installation was simple. A good first mod for the timid.
I tend only to replace gear when necessary. My MCA knob had become impossible to keep tight after some 200K. The Voodoo Magnum fits my hand better, looks great with my black interior (no shiny stuff allowed), and comes down far enough on my shift lever to eliminate the gap between knob and gaiter. I'm very pleased.
Under 5 minutes to remove
Applicable to: '99 + 1.8 liter
Smooth, Bright and Shiny.
Cold in the morning. After some spirited driving, I'll park the car. An hour later, I'll get in and the shifter will be very warm. Just a little heat conducive but no prob.
I like bright, shiny objects.
Under 5 minutes to remove
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.8 liter
Voodoo Shift Knob
Fits well. Looks cool. Heavy. Gets burning hot in the summer and freezing cold in the winter. Frankly I'd prefer a plastic knob.
Under 5 minutes to remove
Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99 + 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
Polished Aluminum on both shift knob and brake handle.
Great buy for any miata owner. Looks are what they are suppose to be, which is awesome. Not to flashy and it fits the style of the miata. Shift feel is more better. Installation is easy as going to the can:) Brake handle requires a tool to install but any no-brainer can do it, just don't lose the set screw like I did. After 3 months with this knob I'm leaning towards purchasing a black one by Voodoo because I don't like it to be too blingblingin in my interior. That just leads to more eyes looking at my car for it to be stolen. But if your into the show stuff then this knob is awesome. I'm sellin the the knob & brake handle at sometime later on for about $50 without shipping, so email me if your interested. My original purchase of this was a little less than $100 from BR performance.
Get the titanium one if your willing to spend a lot for a knob, because it's just so darn cool to have titanium on every shift:)
Difficult to remove without leaving damage
Applicable to: '99 + 1.8 liter
Pearl finish, magnum knob
The knob and collar were very easy, 1 minute, to install or uninstall.It looks and feels very good with my black interior. However as a result of the decreased length and lighter mass, when compared to the OEM knob, there seems to be a small increase in the effort required for a change. Also, the material used for the knob seems to transmit mechanical vibrations from the gear box to my hand. When I switched back to the OEM knob the shifts seemed smoother under my hand, as if the material of the knob was damping these vibrations. These are not serious criticisms, more in the nature of an observation which I confirmed by switching back to the OEM.
Having said this, I will replace and keep the Voodoo knob and am now looking for matching metal trim for my gauges and central console cluster.
Under 5 minutes to remove
Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99 +
Very round and very nice. Black crinkle finish blends in PERFECTLY with factory black interior. Be sure to get the little ring that goes under it - with this particular finish, it's a nice snug fit (or at least it is on my 2000).
This shiftknob is great! Very solid. It brings me much joy. The metal makes you "feel" the gears. Very comfy in the hand too. I have nothing negative to say about it.
I've been using mine for about 6 months now, and while I don't rest my hand on it while driving, the hand-to-knob contact I do apply has not affected the finish in any way.
Under 5 minutes to remove
Applicable to: '99 + 1.8 liter
Regular size Voodoo shift knob, polished
Purchased from BR Performance. Took ten days to recieve, popped right on. Awesome additon as it definetly improved the shifter feel especially when warmed up.
Great product, glad i purchased it.
Under 5 minutes to remove
Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99 + 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
Voodoo Shift Knob and Brake Handle, Pearl finish
Fantastic product! No-brainer installation.
This was my first mod and I enjoy it every time I get in the car. Not only do they look striking, I can't keep my hands off them! Even in hot weather, the metal is never too hot to touch. This knob enhances my interface with the car. The brake handle is just a logical addition to the knob. I have seen the other finishes on these knobs. I chose pearl because it doesn't show any fingerprints like the polished pieces. If you want a metal knob, the Voodoo won't dissappoint!
Under 5 minutes to remove
Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99 + 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
Polished Voodoo knob and brushed alloy collar.
Unscrewed my stock knob, slipped the collar on and screwed the Voodoo on. No fitment issues and it threaded on my friend's '99 Civic shifter as well.
I like the knob's look and feel. Makes for a slightly lower knob and allows for a really nice grip. I was surprised by just how much I like the shape. My only complaint is I bought the polished version and it has discolored slightly in just a few months from contact with my hand.
Under 5 minutes to remove
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.6 liter
Spun Voodoo shift knob magnum
After reading many post, I decided to give Voodoo a try. As weird as this may sound, it truly delivers new life to miata. A must have for ppl that are upshift and downshift freaks. Great weight, oneness with the car...ahhh No regrets buying this knob. Much better(this is subjective) than my woodgrained Nardi Torino.
Purchased the Voodoo from Brian at Goodwin Racing. Awesome customer service and quick deliver(at least for me..I'm in CA).
Under 5 minutes to remove
Applicable to: '99 + 1.8 liter
Great product easy to install just unsrew the oem knob and screw in the new one. The Voodoo knob feels great as it slids through my hand. Lowers the shift throw what seems like 2 inches probably only 1/3 of an inch still feels great 2 problems through the first is that the rev limiter comes up on you alot quicker and that damn gap between the boot and the knob but if you take off the center console and slip a oil drain plug crush washer over the shift lever the gap will disapear. If your any kind of DIY mechanic you should have a few crush washers laying around total time bout 10 min and alot better than paying 12 bucks for a collar.
Under 5 minutes to remove
Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99 +
Brushed finish spherical shift knob to replace factory shift knob.
Replaced Factory knob
A ball shape is most comfortable, the ball fits the palm at all angles and makes for quick shifts . All racing school single seat race cars have them. VooDoo makes the only one like this for a Miata. Sparco may, but it's diameter is too small. Criticism of the VooDoo knob was well taken: metal knobs are hot in summer and cold in winter. The shape's great, the material goodlooking but impractical. Also, the base of the ball is a disapointment, it doesn't fit the gear shift boot: it has a noticeable and ugly gap. A "Collar" was designed for this. But does not fit tightly against the bottom of the knob and rattles/buzzes. I glued it to the knob which worked for a while but it vibrated loose. The collar somewhat covers the top of the shifter boot but it still doesn't fit like the stock shifter knob. If a slight neck was manufactured on the bottom of the collar it would fit in the top of the shifter boot, as the bottom of the stock knob does. Too bad the! knob's not made of plastic.
Not an installed item
Applicable to: '99 + 1.8 liter
Chrome shift knob.
Easy as changing a lightbulb. Complete change in persona of transmission. Lends itself to smooth shifts and easier gear finding. Much more of a RACECAR feel.
Best cheap mod available IMHO.
Under 5 minutes to remove
Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99 + 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
High Polished Magnum VooDoo shift knob replacement.
I recently purchased this product for my 2001 Protege ES. I must say that Team VooDoo, and more specifically "VooDoo Bob", is very helpful and a great company to deal with. He answered all my questions quickly, and set me up with a friend of his that has installed a VooDoo knob in her Protege5. This product is great! and I can't emphasive that enough. It makes the Protege 50 times more fun to drive, which isn't very hard to do with economy sedans. The knob is about 1" shorter than the stocker, and adds tremedously to the feel of the shifter. I think this should be a "Must Do" for all motoring enthusiasts.
Run, don't walk to your closest VooDoo retailer and pick one up, you will NOT be dissapointed.
Under 5 minutes to remove
Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99 + 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
Voodoo Shift Knob - Perl
Looks great! Shifts Great! A must have!
I purchased with an aluminum shift knob collar. This ended up working great. The Voodoo knob fits into the top of the collar and the collar cleans up the fit against the leather boot. Makes for a good finished look. I purchased from Performance Buyers Club. You can find both the knob and the collar there. #5.95 for the knob and 12.95 for the collar. The cost of the collar is a bit ridiculous, but it makes the installation.
Under 5 minutes to remove
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
Team VooDoo Textured Shift Knob which replaces the stock shift knob
I absolutely love this shift knob. Installation could not have been easier, and it feels so much nicer than stock.
This 0μΉ, very easy way to improve both the look and feel of your interior.
Under 5 minutes to remove
Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99 + 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
I got a custom made Ti shift knob with no neck and recessed threads. I also had it finished in a spun finish to match my MSSS stereo.
This is easily the best shift knob on the planet. Titanium is so much better than aluminum for making shift knobs. It doesn't get anywhere near as hot in the summer, and also doesn't get cold in the winter. Another plus is that it weight more than aluminum, so the shifting is much more smooth.
Well worth the money. This knob is absolutely perfect.
Under 5 minutes to remove
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.8 liter
Black shinny round Voodoo shift knob
When I installed the new Voodoo knob I wasn't expecting too much and I already liked the OEM shifter. For the first few drives (around town in traffic) I wasn't over the moon about it. After 1/2 a hour on a Miata grade road I started to learn how to shift with this baby. You need to use a little more enthusiasm..... I commented to my wife, and she concurred, "The gear box feels like its been blueprinted to exacting tolerances". Everything I liked about the shift remains and everything I didn't like is gone. It now feels like mechanical perfection. Really, it's that good. Feels like you bought a much better gearbox, not a knob. So whats the down side? Balance. It upsets the balance of the car. The Miata feels like a sports car, not a race car. You might find that you'll need to add thicker swaybars, stickier rubber, 50-100 extra horsepower and a Momo steering wheel to match your new 'race car' gearbox.
So be warned, install this product and you'll be messing with forces you are yet to understand.... you're Miata may never be the same again. You're dabbling in voodoo.
Under 5 minutes to remove
Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99 +
A billet aluminum ball type shift knob with a "brushed" finish. Cost about $35 with shipping.
The Voodoo knob fits the hand really well. It's like a scaled down version of the knobs in my 84 and 95 Camaros. The ball is nice because you can grab the shifter comfortably from any angle. This comes in handy if you a have a drink in the cupholder.
The old knob came off with some difficulty, not surprising after 10 years. The new knob screwed on easily and has stayed tight over the last 5 months. Quality and finish are great. It goes well with the speedo/tach rings and my Pioneer double DIN CD/cassette. I would buy this again in a heartbeat and highly recommend the Voodoo knob.
Under 5 minutes to remove
Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99 + 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
Voodoo shift knob engraved by the Knobmeister
Very satisfied with the craftmanship, ease of instalation, value, and the knobmeister himself.
I recently went for ride in a Honda s2000 that had a brushed metalic shift knob and from that point on I was conviced that I had to have a similar knob. Highly recommened to any sports car owner.
Under 5 minutes to remove
Applicable to '90 - '97
Voodoo Shift knob for both M1 & M2.
There is nothing like a VOODOO!!!
Get it and you won't stop staring at it...Ofcourse keep your eyes on the road!
I was really excited to get the knob after much debate and countless hunting. Heard all of the positive testimonials, and went ahead paid $33 (includes shipping) to get my Voodoo. I ordered it on a Friday and it got to my house via UPS Tuesday. I put it on immediately. With a little struggle with the old knob at first, I easily screwed on the new Voodoo Pearl.
This knob is beautiful and you can't help but keep looking at it. It's really a distraction from the road...And this is definetly not a bad thing at all. For the price, you can't get a better product. Remember, even though they call it pearl, it's actually a shinier polished version of the 'Spun' model. Atleast that's what the guys told me at place I got mine from.
On a side note, I did expect it to be a little lower then the OEP knob, which it wasn't too much.
I also wish there was a longer collar that reached more into the boot. There is about half an inch between the knob-collar and the shift boot. I have seen a separate color that is sold for about 10 bucks, which is ridiculous, but I think I might have to get it.
Bottom Line Buy it...You'll know then why they call it VOODOO...Definetly Hypnotic!
Under 5 minutes to remove
Applicable to '90 - '97 1.6 liter
Voodoo Polished ALuminum shift knob purchased through BSP.
Looks and feels very nice and cannot complain at all about the quality. It adds a lot of 'chracter' to an otherwise dull interior and has a good grip when power shifting. Although I must warn any one that lives in AZ, that the knob gets mighty hot in the summer(100-115 degrees!), I cover it up with a old sock when I park it, otherwise it WILL burn your hand.
Under 5 minutes to remove
Applicable to '99 + 1.8 liter
Chrome Voodoo shiftknob with laser engraved shift pattern. Purchased from BrainStorm for 49.95
The OEM shift knob has a circumference of 5 3/8" and measures 2 7/8" from the top of the shift boot to the top of the knob. Similar measurements for the Voodoo knob are 6" and 2 3/8".
The 1/2" drop in shift lever height results in quicker throws and a perceptible increase in shift effort. There is significantly more ‘feel’ with the Voodoo knob.
The Voodoo knob is beautifully made and the laser engraved shift pattern is so crisp and attractive that this shift knob qualifies as sculpture.
My quick trip around the block turned into a 125 mile test drive in the rain. I think the chrome version of this shift knob deflects raindrops. We kept the top down without getting wet!
Selection of the chrome Voodoo knob is an easy choice. All the good things others have said about the Voodoo shift knob are still true. The difference is with the chrome shift knob you don’t ever have to polish it and it will help you dodge raindrops.
Under 5 minutes to remove
Applicable to '90 - '97 '99 + 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
Polished aluminum ball shift knob
LOVE IT!
Just a couple of quick comments...I owned a 91 Miata for the last several years. The only aftermarket addition made to the car was a polished aluminum ball shift knob from Voodoo Bob. It made a HUGE difference in the shift throw, and "feel" of the road. Last week, I said goodbye to my 91, and traded it in for a new car for my wife. As a consolation, I took my knob with me. A week of suffering ensued, and my wife realized what my car meant to me. Well, today I proudly drove home in my new 00 M2...it's VERY red! I quickly drove it home and took off the oem knob, and put on my voodoo knob as quickly as I could! I can't have anyone see me driving around with a stock knob..no! Now, I have a little of the old with the new...my M1 will live on vicariously through my M2. Finally, the voodoo knob makes a great car even better. Funny how such an inexpensive item can make such a difference.
Not an installed item
Applicable to '90 - '97 1.8 liter
Very Lovely Spun Aluminum Shift Knob
I looked several places to find a proper and appropriate shift knob replacement. I thought I had a nice black leather one with yellow stitching but it was not available.
I considered a Momo Anatomic know in black leather. My wife told me that a black one would be better than an aluminum one but.....
I ordered the Magnum Spun Aluminum Knob and it is wonderful. Fits my hand good. Shifts well. Looks fantastic.
I would like to have a dressing spacer for the bottom of the knob between it and the boot. There is about 3/16's of an inch space there. I think I will remove the console and shift boot and put a 1/4" washer on top of the lever and under the boot to take up the space.
Buy one. Buy two. Buy a dozen. It is a perfect fit in my 96 Black and Tan.
Under 5 minutes to remove
Big, polished aluminum ball shifter. Ordered from Crazy Red, good people to deal with.
AWesomE! I love this knob. Shifting is much more fun. Looks cool, too.
I'm a big guy, about 6'1 (yes, we 6-footers can fit in Miatas just fine, and love them)and have a handspan of almost 10". I chose the Magnum because it was BIG. Fits in my hand perfectly.
General summation:BUY A VOODOO KNOB!!!!!!!!!
A round shift knob made of aluminum alloy for the Miata.
I ordered the knob (polished) from Crazy Red Italian a week after getting my '94. It was the first purchase from a long list of planned aftermarket toys for my car. It arrived about a week later and took about thirty seconds to install (you simply unscrew the old and screw in the new). I immediately took the car out for a test run with the idea that I would be back in about five minutes. Once I got on the road the story changed and I just drove and drove with no particular place to go. An hour later I can back home with a smile on my face. The knob brings a totally different feel to the car making it seem faster and more connected to the road.
About a month later I was beginning to get used to the voodoo knob so I put the OEM knob back on just to see what it would be like. It was back off before I had driven a mile. It just can't compare with the voodoo knob.
Definitly worth the money. If you don't have one yet, get one. You will not regret it. It not only feels great, it looks great with the interior of the car. I am very happy with the purchase.
The legendary Voodoo shift knob- spherical aluminum, gloss black finish.
Product offers a more direct, "connected" feel to the gear box/tranny, and matches well with the interior. Easily worth the money spent.
Had a couple of concerns prior to getting a new shift knob. I was concerned about the Voodoo shifter's shape, as I have always felt more comfortable using a pistol grip "thumbs up" type grip on a stick shift. I was also worried about possible heat build-up during the course of a drive. As it turns out, the ball on the knob is small enough to still use a "thumbs up" grip on the 1-2 and 3-4 shifts, and use a "palm down" grip for the dogleg shifts. Also, (transmission generated) heat is not a problem, although the Voodoo suffers from "four hours in the sunny parking lot" syndrome, just like everything else in the car.
As an aside, the Voodoo seems to transmit more transmission feel than the stock '99 shift knob, which is slightly heavier, and has a nylon liner. This is not necessarily a bad thing; a Miata transmits more road feel than, say, a Toyota Camry, but most people reading this would take the Roadster's ride any day of the week. Oneness between horse and rider, and all that...
End of the day, the Voodoo is as close to a no-brainer as I've seen in the gigantic Miata aftermarket. Very high quality product, and worthy of any and all superlatives heaped upon it.
This concludes what may possibly be the longest review of a damned shift knob ever penned.
Excellent knob. yes it's true this was the first aftermarket upgrade i puchased. Enough said about the knob, read the other reviews and go buy it!!! IMHO, the polished knob is far better than the crinkle finish (too rough a texture) and the matte black (looks like plastic.)
The real reason i'm writing since there's no rewiew section for the aftermarket companies per se: Performance Buyers Club is an excellent, excellent shop. As a frequent customer there, I went ahead and had an in-shop repair done, since I live in the DC area. Excellent service, and the price? Put it this way, the total cost of the repair AND labor was 25% less than what the "dealer" wanted for the part alone!!! Do the math, but I think you'll find that for customer service, quality, and price, PBC is the best of what's around. Not to take away from another competing aftermarket company, but PBC is surely a top-notch "dealer alternative."
Spun aluminum finish
This is (was?) the first aftermarket mod for my Miata, and what a way to start! Much has been said about these wonderful knobs, and I've found most (if not all) to be true. Quickly, then, here's the skinny on this wonderful product.
Pros:
* Smoother, faster, better shift action
* Incredibly good looking
* The exhaust sounds better (no, really, I swear! Maybe it's just because I'm
blipping the throttle more enthusiastically on downshifts now that I'm Voodoo'd,
but it really /does/ sound better! Honest!)
* The little wiggle it gives you when starting the engine and when pulling away
from stoplights
* Improved UI: one touch is all it takes to determine temps in the gearbox
* It's always in your field of vision when driving (at least for me)
Cons:
* It's always in your field of vision when driving. I keep wanting to glance
down and just marvel at how good it looks against the rest of the interior
* Gotta remember to put a hat over it when parking top-down on sunny days
* A couple of drives with the Voodoo, and you start thinking about more aftermarket
goodies (Is this a bad thing??)
In short, if you are thinking about a new knob for the automotive love of your life, this is the one to get. All joking aside, there really are no downsides to the knob that I've seen. Now where can I get a sequential 6-box for a Miata??
Replacement for the shift knob and brake handle made of solid aluminium, spun finish
The Voodoo knob and handle lived up to their expectations regarding quality and ergonomics. The temperature of the knob is only somewhat unpleasant when it freezes outside, heat is not a problem. Installation of the knob was a problem, since the thread did not exactly fit the one on my miata, I think it was not deep enough. It took a lot of force to install it although I was absolutely sure that I have put it on straight. I expected to find a matching knob for the brake handle, but that was just wishful thinking. It was not advertised and (therefore) not included. But now that I've got it installed I wouldn't want to do without them anymore.
I ordered it from The Dealer Alternative, since they were cheapest, and I found them responsive and adequate, I woul consider them for future buys
I thought it might be interesting to share some positive experiences about my aftermarket shift knob for the Miata. I currently own a 1995 "M" Edition Miata and for the past several months, I can honestly say I've haven't had this much fun with a car since my '72 Porsche 911T, and I don't have to worry about breaking an expensive flat-six engine! This car is a blast! However, I noticed one drawback during my driving excursions: Vibration from the gear lever. And lots of it.
The '95 "M" is equipped with a black leather Nardi shift knob, which looks sharp with the black and tan interior. It also has a nice feel. Yet whenever I'd push the engine beyond its sedate cruising speeds, I noticed an unusual amount of vibration coming from the gearbox, through the shift lever, through the knob and into my hand. I found myself shifting well before redline, subconsciously avoiding the intense vibration that would soon follow. I thought, "Surely this little motor can handle more revs than this, but it doesn't seem to enjoy the ride from 5000rpms and up." I tried tightening the knob but to no avail.
After a few thousands miles of "magic finger" messages, disappointment set in. It seemed my newly acquired Miata might not be as smooth as I thought. Fortunately, I discovered the plethora of knobs available from the Miata aftermarket and I wondered if perhaps a different knob might not improve the situation. I've always liked the look and feel of solid aluminum so I purchased a Voodoo polished aluminum shift knob (ball-shaped) from Brainstorm Products, Inc.
I have been amazed at the transformation ever since! Which made the discovery all the more bafflingŠ how can a solid metal to metal connection (shift lever and ball) quell more vibration than a padded leather shift knob? Theoretically, the aluminum should transmit more vibration, not less. But in fact, quite the opposite occurred. As soon as I had the knob installed, I took to the road, nailed the gas in second gear and promptly hit the fuel cutoff before I knew what was happening! It was that smooth!! I couldn't believe it! The whole car's personality changed! I spent the next 20 minutes exploring rpm's I never knew existed.
I'm happy to say the shift knob solved the tendencies toward vibration and I would wholeheartedly recommend shift knob replacement to any Miata owner thinking about upgrading to a new knob. For the most part, they're relatively inexpensive and easy to installŠ just screw off and screw on. I also like the short throw afforded by the ball-type knob. For the heck of it, I reinstalled the Nardi knob after a couple of months and it felt like I was shifting a truck lever. It seems so tall! Needless to say, the ball is back on to stay.
If you're thinking about buying a new shift knob, do it. There are basically only two contact points during driving: the steering wheel and the shift knob. The tactile response from both points affects the "feel" of your car and consequently your driving enjoyment. I only paid thirty bucks for the new knob and it's made the car come alive. I don't work for any shift knob manufacturer but I've got to believe this is one of the better accessories available for the Miata. I may even start a collection!
It all started about 5 years ago when a bunch of Miata enthusiasts over on the Compuserve Miataville forum were discussing the characteristics of the ideal shift knob for the Miata. About 10 of us were involved and speculating about such things as shape, metalurgy, height, finish, etc. Together we agreed on a general specification for the ideal knob.
Voodoo Bob Krueger (72727.2340@compuserve.com), who actually has the enthusiasm to follow through on these sort of things, arranged to have 10 prototypes made. The result was overwhelming. We loved our shift knobs so much, Voodoo Bob (VBob for short) decided to market them through BRAIN-STORM Products and the rest is history. It soon became the most popular aftermarket shift knob for the Miata and is one of the first accessories many enthusiasts end up acquiring!
Well, one day, a message was sent to VBob over on CompuServe from one Delbert U. Dykes (an obvious alias which has never been deciphered to this day) discussing the "thermal properties" of the Voodoo Knob.
Read on...
Message: #502363, S/15 Miataville
Date: Mon, Dec 11, 1995 09:49:07
Subject: Dog-gone VooDoo knob!
From: Delbert U. Dykes 73160,3361
To: 72727,2340
Deer Mr. Kangarooger,
I am writing this heer letter to you because this morning I had me a
reel bad problem with one of them polished aloominum VooDoo shift nobs of yours
and we need to get something worked out and so that is what this heer letter is
all about.
The problem all started when I went out to get in my Miater and go to
work. Like most guys I am reel fond of my Miater and over the yeers I have
commenced to doing a few things that other people who don't have one of these
little cars might find somewhat pecoolyer but seeing as how you have a Miater
yourseff you probably won't because you know how we get. This pecoolyer thing
I do in my case is, whenever I go out first thing in the morning I like to say
''Good Morning`` to my Miater and give her a little kiss. For the first couple
years I kissed her on her nose but heer lately my gararge has gotten kind of
full on account of the 1959 Edsel I am restoring in there, and so I have been
parking the Miater outside. Now I have to admit, I am not one of them annual
retentive guys who keeps his Miater all shined up like new, and sometimes the
bird poop that acoomalates from me parking under that old tree by my gararge
gets pretty bad. In fact it gets so bad that my little morning kissing rityall
was sometimes leaving an unpleasint taste in my mouth, if you catch my drift.
So a couple months ago I started thinking about finding me a different place to
give my sweetie her morning smooch.
Well I never did come up with me a better place until about a week ago
when the Ups man brought me the new VooDoo nob what I had ordered from that
Brain-Fade outfit down there in Atlanta. As I was screwing my new nob on the
stick shift it hit me that this would be the perfect place to plant a ''Good
Morning'` kiss! After all the nob sits pretty much right in the heart of the
car, and being it is inside it stays nice and clean, specially since my hand
always keeps it wiped off reel nice. I decided right then and there that I had
just looked for a clean kissing spot on the outside of the car for the last
time, I guess you could say it was a case of VooDoo being preferable to DooDoo,
ha ha ha.
Anyway to get back to my problem, ever morning when I go to work I like
to put my briefcase in the trunk so right after I unlock my door I always lean
inside and pop open the trunk lid using the remote release deal I mounted in
that little bin between the seats a couple years back. While I am all bent
over like that it is reel easy to lean up and plant a quick wet one right on
top of my VooDoo nob. So that is what I have been doing. And I would have to
say this heer new rootine has worked out reel good even if I do say it myself,
well right up until this morning anyway. You see last night it got down to
about 8 dergrees and whenever I went to give my Miater her kiss this morning,
I'll be dad-gum if my tongue didn't stick right to that polished aloominum
VooDoo shift nob!
Right heer I need to say something, and what it is is, I hope you don't
go getting no wrong ideas about me on account of what I just said. You might
think its kind of funny that it would be my tongue that got stuck to the nob,
instead of say just my lips. I mean, since it was my tongue, you might go to
thinking I must be some kind of prevert and was practicing some kind of weerd
unnatcheral act on my Miater's shift nob. Well I want to assure you that was
not the case. No sir! I will admit there has been a time or two in my life
when I was pretty bad off about wanting some female company but I ain't never
been so hard up that I'd go around french kissing a shift nob. Of course I
have to admit that it has been sort of lonely around the old Double-Wide here
lately, on account my wife ran off and left me a few months back because I was
spending more time and money on that old Edsel than I was on her. If you saw
my wife you would unnerstand why. You may have heerd people say the front of
an Edsel looks like a `58 Oldsmobile sucking on a lemon but I am heer to tell
you, that car is a lot more attractive than my wife ever thought about being.
In fact I once tried to pick up some quick extra money by entering her in an
Ugly Woman contest down at this bar I go to, only the guy up on the stage took
one look at her and refused to take my entry fee on account he was afraid it
might look like the contest was rigged, but that's another story so never mind
about that.
Anyway what I was trying to tell you is, the reason it was my tongue
what got stuck instead of just my lips is because the driveway was reel slick
after ever thing froze up last night, and when I was leaning in the car my foot
slipped and I ended up almost swallering that silly shift nob. That's how it
happened. Really.
Well as you may have guessed since I am able to write this heer letter,
I did manage to get my tongue unstuck, but it weren't easy. It was acterally
not so bad fishing my keys out of my jacket pocket and starting the engine and
turning on the heeter, but it was right embarrassing to stand there with my
butt sticking out the car door while I waited the 20 minutes it took for the
inside of the car to get warm enough so's my tongue would come loose. I am
sure all the people in the apartment building across the road got theirselves a
reel good show as they went off to work this morning.
What I want to know now is, just what are you going to do to keep an
unfortunate incerdent like this from happening again? It seems to me the very
least you could do is put some kind of warning label on top of your nob, after
all there is lots of room, seeing how you are too damn cheap to put the shift
pattern on it. Or maybe instead of aluminum you could use some kind of metal
that human tongues won't stick to. Anyway you sure do need to do something,
and fast. Don't worry I ain't going to report you to the goverrmint because I
ain't that kind of guy, but the next person this happens to might not be as
unnerstanding. Well that is all I have to say about this so bye.
Sinceriously,
Delbert U. Dykes
p.s. If you can't figure out how to keep peoples tongues from sticking to your
nobs, the least you could do is make them taste better. My personal favorite
is chocolate but then it hardly matters since I alreddy got my VooDoo nob, and
after what happened this morning I'd have to be pretty stupid to buy another
one now wouldn't I.
p.m.s. I know that some companies give out rewards to people who have good
ideas for improving their products, if your company has a policy like that you
can just e-mail me the check.
| Back to Product Reviews | 25 November, 2007 |