Are Light or Heavy Shift Knobs Best for your BRZ/86?

[Mike Roadway]

Happy Friday Twiners,

In this video I compare five shift knobs from 106 grams to 672 grams and share some pros and cons -- I also reviewed quality and posted pricing if you're in the market for your twin.

What weight works best for you?

Hope you enjoy, cheers,

-- Mike

[RToyo86]

I've done heavy, light, long and short. Always end up going back to the OEM knob.

[autoracer86]

Just installed the GRMN GR yaris knob which is a good bit lighter than OEM and enjoying it.

[Mike Roadway]

Originally Posted by RToyo86

I've done heavy, light, long and short. Always end up going back to the OEM knob.

Exactly where I'm at now for daily use. It was much easier to toss OEM knobs in the Mustangs I grew up driving...plastic nonsense. These GR and BRZ bits are very well made.

-- Mike

[EndlessAzure]

Shape matters a lot more for overall comfort because you can suit it to your girp


Weight is just how much or how little effort/gate feel you want; basically your own exerted force versus the inertia of the knob.


I use a Beatrush Q45 duracon knob that's way lighter than stock. Add a short shifter and some stiffer bushings, and the shifts feel very tactile and sharp. Stock knobs have that sticky-ish plastic/gel top that I don't like.

[cmiovino]

I currently have the Grimmspeed stubby knob (~600g). Overall I do like the feel of the knob. Doesn't get hot or cold ever surprisingly. I like how it slides into gear well with the added weight.

I did use the OEM knob for a number of years and wanted to try a heavier one to see what the fuss was about. I didn't go back, but I'm also now wondering what the OEM feels like after 2 with the heavier one lol.

Odd comparison, but I was helping a buddy with his NSX this weekend and he has a thin, lightweight knob on his and I was messing around in the car. It felt borderline horrible. Nothing to grab onto. Felt like a pencil sticking up to grab onto. I will say the NSX is noticeably more mechanical and attached than the twins feel. Extremely notchy.

[Desertnate]

Originally Posted by EndlessAzure

Shape matters a lot more for overall comfort because you can suit it to your girp

This is what drove me to get a new shift knob. I really didn't like the shape and size of the OEM knob. It's far too small for my hands and hand position.

Originally Posted by cmiovino

I currently have the Grimmspeed stubby knob (~600g).

I have the delrin version of this knob. The size/shape is perfect for me.

It tips the scales at 105 grams and I really like it. I feel I can shift faster with it and shift action actually seems a little smoother than with the OEM.