Topic: New JPM steel shift knob

[lil goat]

I have been looking around at different shift knobs on the web, kept running into knobs that were weighted, supposed to make it easier to shift. After reading this I strted to thing about how heavy the stock shift rod is, hmmm maybe there is something to this and that's why Pontiac made the shift lever so heavy. I found a knob I liked the style of and called Joe at JPM to see if he could do what I wanted. The guy that does his shift knobs already made similar knob so it was easy. The first picture is the  just knob, you have to have the JPM shifter for it to work. With the new knob you take off the adjuster that's on the shaft for the other knobs. The shift boot may need some adjustment, Joe and I will work on that at the mod meet, but I rigged it up, just put a wire tie around the base of the knob on the inside and folded it over. I really like the way it looks and the added weight does really help, it shifts MUCH easier now, just drops into place. I have not done any aggressive driving yet, but so far I really like the look and like the feel even more. The knob is solid stainless steel. JPM will have to come up with a price he gave me a really good deal for being the guinea pig.

[DeepBlueGXP]

Looks awesome LG

[amo]

Looks very nice and love the shifter boot.  Whats the material, is it the Alcantara?  Whats the weight difference between this and the other spheres he already offers?

[elff]

I really like that.

Lil Goat,
I think you really hit the nail on the head.  In about 5 different mini's I have tested out heavier knobs and there is just something crisper and easier about the feel.

Joe,
Do you happen to use Whalen?
That's where we have gotten 2 shift knobs for our Mini's.

This is exactly what I am looking for.  Make mine in Black and that's one of the Mod Meet Items I would like.

[Uranium-238]

I'm going to follow this as well. Really not a fan of the stock shifter, I can feel it flexing when shifted briskly. I'm afraid one day it will snap off in my hand.

I'm with the Elff, make it available in black, and I'll be all over it.

It's funny, just today I was contemplating getting a JPM shifter. Looks like I'm definitely waiting now.

[lil goat]

I am not sure if the vendor can do black, he does it in a dark gray, blue, bronze, and a rainbow kind of thing, he heats the knob to get the effect calls them burnt effects (the blue would look awesome in a Deep car, hint hint). It really looks cool but adds to the cost. I just wanted to keep the cost down as this was a test. I also like the plain stainless with my carbon fiber. I tested it this morning in rush hour traffic, it definitely works. Makes shifting easier. It makes me want to shift, is it not night and day but for sure an improvement. I really want to try it on some backroads. I am glad people like this as much as I do. I think it looks fantastic, and works even better. Joe and I need to work on the boot a little, it is a bit stretched to fit around the base, and the wire tie I used as a retaining ring can be improved on, you can feel the joining point of the wire tie. I think a c-clip will work or even and o-ring. I will go to Lowes and investigate options.

 Sorry I can't post pictures from work, but can when I get home tonight if JPM doesn't do it first.

[rich71]

I think the proper name of the flame effect is case hardening....just like the frame of some of the old single action army revolver...I have one like that and it is a nice industrial look. Kinda like rainbow colors of oil/gas on a puddle of water in a parking lot.....I have the black polymer ball shifter from JPM and I love the feel of it compared to the numb slug of the stock shifter. Do you know how much heavier your steel piece is from the polymer ball? The ball feels substantial, but lighter than the stock shifter. Also, has the steel knob gotten hot when the car sits in the sun all day? Looks clean and crisp, nice job.  

[JPM]

Thanks for posting Jim.

To answer a few questions, this is a knob from our Subaru line that Jim happened to like so we gave it a shot to see how it would work.  The design is available in any of our materials (black/white copolymer, aluminum, and steel).  The weighted one is obviously in steel and that's really hard to change to black unless it was powdercoated.  I can look into that option I guess.

Price is $90 per knob.  It's a little high but they're all hand made.

[lil goat]

I had the aluminum ball before, it would get very hot and or cold, I am sure the steel will do the same. It has never really been an issue to me. The steel one is 1.2 pounds, the co-polymer is 3 oz's so it is over 8 times heavier than the co-polymer. It makes a difference, remember all the weight on the shaft of the stock shift lever. I always wondered about that, there really was a reason for it.

[DragonSolGXP]

Thanks for posting Jim.

To answer a few questions, this is a knob from our Subaru line that Jim happened to like so we gave it a shot to see how it would work.  The design is available in any of our materials (black/white copolymer, aluminum, and steel).  The weighted one is obviously in steel and that's really hard to change to black unless it was powdercoated.  I can look into that option I guess.

Price is $90 per knob.  It's a little high but they're all hand made.

I recently bought the aluminum shifter and knob. I REALLY like it, excellent workmanship. (Thanks Joe)... the knob just says "quality" and gives my solstice more of vintage "roadster" look. And the "roundness" and brushed finish doesn't clash with the style of the car... everything is "roundish" in the solstice.

So yeah, I love it!

I think I would have gotten the steel knob instead of the Aluminum if I knew about it (Joe?)... I think the extra weight would make a difference.

[elff]

Joe
Just out of curiousity, how much does the Piston shaped shifter you sell weigh?

Lil Goat
What is the diameter of the Sphere on this?

Tanks

As far as the heat goes, My wifes gets a little hot from time to time, but it's only on the initial grab due to the sun hitting it.  Putting a hand towel over it prevents the sun from getting to it. 

[JPM]

Joe
Just out of curiousity, how much does the Piston shaped shifter you sell weigh?

Lil Goat
What is the diameter of the Sphere on this?

Tanks

As far as the heat goes, My wifes gets a little hot from time to time, but it's only on the initial grab due to the sun hitting it.  Putting a hand towel over it prevents the sun from getting to it. 

I think the aluminum knobs (including the piston) are around 5oz.  I have to double check though.

[rich71]

are you able to have just the knob turned withOUT the shaft? I would like to try it, but i just want to spin off my polymer knob and spin on the steel ball without having to mess with the spacer that is already installed on my shifter.

[lil goat]

I am sure you can he offers some in stainless without the lower shaft for other cars, I really like the lower part being all one piece. It will screw on with the spacer in place just makes for a longer shifter. I like it without the spacer as it makes it even shorter than the aluminum knob with the spacer. It does require a little engineering to use it with the old shift boot, but it wasn't hard, be even easier with an o-ring.

[JPM]

are you able to have just the knob turned withOUT the shaft? I would like to try it, but i just want to spin off my polymer knob and spin on the steel ball without having to mess with the spacer that is already installed on my shifter.

yes, that's already an option.  Standard Sol/Sky knob is $75 in any material.

[rich71]

i checked the site, i don't see "steel" as an option. Would I add in the comments section that i want it in steel? if so, is the price the 75 or 90.

[JPM]

i checked the site, i don't see "steel" as an option. Would I add in the comments section that i want it in steel? if so, is the price the 75 or 90.

I'll fix that in a few.  I thought it was on there.

Anyway, here are the weight specs from my machinist:

-2" Copolymer Sphere Knob ~120 grams
-2.25" Copolymer Sphere Knob ~160 grams
-2" Aluminum Sphere Knob ~180 grams
-2" Stainless Steel Sphere Knob (without collar, use alum boot piece)
~465 grams
-2" Stainless Steel Sphere Knob (with collar, do not use alum piece) ~550 grams -Copolymer Piston Knob ~120 grams -Aluminum Piston Knob ~180 grams -Stainless Steel Knob ~525 grams

Finishes:
-Copolymer: White, Black, Blue, Red, Gray
-Aluminum: Brushed silver (or black anodized for spheres only) -Stainless Steel: Brushed silver, Bronze Flamed, Blue Flamed, Bronze/Blue Fade Flamed, Gunmetal Blueish/Gray Flamed (coming soon: 
Black Hardcoated)

Engravings: Available on all selections EXCEPT brushed silver aluminum

[elff]

That's the hotness.

[lil goat]

I just undid the wire tie on the boot that secures it to the knob and put a 1" rubber o-ring from Lowe's on works great and you get 10 for $2. Here are the pictures of the other colors except black.

[elff]

Those look killer
What is the exact description for #2?

[JPM]

that's the blue flamed

[elff]

It's Sweet!!!

[DragonSolGXP]

what kind of turn around time do you have on the steel with the knob on the bottom? it's $90?

It will fit on the new shifter I bought? without the collar right?

[1LILNDN]

Now thats another ( KNOB )that you have to keep Polished .

[lil goat]

what kind of turn around time do you have on the steel with the knob on the bottom? it's $90?

It will fit on the new shifter I bought? without the collar right?

Yes it will fit that's how mine is set up, I ordered mine on Thursday got it Monday, but these are hand made one at a time, depends on what he has in stock, the one with the collar fits more than one make of car so he may stock them, I got lucky. JPM does not make them so he is at the mercy of the machinist. In case I didn't mention it I LOVE THIS SHIFTER KNOB! It feels very silky to the touch and it is definitely easier to shift.