and no I don't care to salvage the stock knob as It should be replaced here in the next few days

 

I would use a vice grip and turn. With out the locking nut, it must just be set all the way down. Check the threads after you take it off. Perhaps he put on a knob with the wrong size threads. If so, I think a tap and die tool might fix it.

 

This should remove it with ease. It will damage the shift knob, no question about that.

 

If you twist it to much you could damage the actual shaft not just the shift nob.

 

that's exactly what I'm worried about

 

If you lift your center console so that you can get under the leather cover and tape/wrap your shifter so that you can clamp on another vice grip. Then use another vice grip or wrench to loosen the knob. Atleast this way the vice grip on the bottom is taking most of the force when losening the shift knob. Also putting in 4th gear might give you better clearance and keep the shifter from moving around.

From this DYI the pic looks like the shifter is on plastic on the bottom:
https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/772...e-shifter-diy/

Look at the 8th picture, I could be wrong but better to be safe than sorry. Good luck with the knob. It took me almost 5 hours to get my wheel bearing bolt off to grease and restrike it. But that was rusted on.

 

If you lift your center console so that you can get under the leather cover and tape/wrap your shifter so that you can clamp on another vice grip. Then use another vice grip or wrench to loosen the knob. Atleast this way the vice grip on the bottom is taking most of the force when losening the shift knob. Also putting in 4th gear might give you better clearance and keep the shifter from moving around.
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I wouldn't stick it in gear to stabilize this type of removal. Could end up needing a ton of force to get off.

 

got it off! I guess it was just stuck on there pretty good.

 

my 2cent. w/o the locking nut the knob's pattern is upside down when tighten on the way down. so have to over tighten to make right side up. I think a little more than 180 degree.

 

BTW, You can leave the locking nut off if you like. I replaced my OEM a few years ago and only hand tight. No problems.