I like the new '02 shifter. It was given to me by the service department when I pointed out the forced option Ti knob on their first '02. It later appeared on my car as a gift. I don't know that I would rush out and buy one but it doesn't detract from the S2000's look in any way. There's a little less exposed metal to fry your hand (in Texas).
As for whether the Honda console cover appears cheap or not it looks a whole lot better than the carpet that once covered the tunnel. On the '02 model the console cover wraps behind the seat as well. In fact the carpet behind the seat seems to have been replaced with vinyl too.
You probably wouldn't want Honda to use leather anyway if the quality of the seat side bolsters is any indication.

 

My criteria are simple (and mostly concur with Rick). I'm looking for a larger (than stock) round knob that is maximally countersunk and doesn't get hot. I have a lower end C/F knob from Eurotech that meets these needs. I wouldn't recommend it, though because it was poorly manufactured and required a good bit of remanufacturing to become satisfactory.

I really like the equitorial etching as shown above. I think it has a high "class factor". And I think a round knob looks perfectly at home in our roadster.

BTW, another option to locate a shift knob is blue loctite. Not as good a solution as being able to screw it down, but functional nontheless.

 

Muz, I haven't followed your thread about shift knobs because I have a Ti Voodoo that I have been happy with. However, a countersunk Ti in approximately the same shape as the OE version would appeal to me. Is that a possibility you have under consideration?

I think the shift pattern on the knob is at least superfluous, and possibly even silly. I suspect so many favor it because there is a tradition of having it there. Certainly no driver on this forum is going to be looking at it to determine how to shift into another gear.

cal

 

If not, any machine shop could perform this simple mod on the OEM ti knob.

 

Nice synopsis Rick.

Here is an especially funny essay written by pdippel regarding S2000 shift knobs. Check it out: https://www.s2ki.com/faqs/faqpdf/shiftknobweight.pdf

 

Not all that easy.. the bore is easily done but it is more difficult to extend the threads deeper given you don't want to change size. Then of course there is the challenge of getting it on straight without a jamb nut.

Voodoo Bob supplied the shifter knobs for three of my previous cars so it took little driving for me to know I need one on this car. I sent Bob a message as soon as I got home with the car in October '99 and he went to work on it pretty quickly.. in November I was sending him measurements and December I was trying out prototypes. I think Prolene and I got the first titanium knobs in early '00.

I very much like the unmarked polished ti knob that is basically identical to factory equipment on early Ferraris.

 

pdippel's essay is a hoot. Thanks for pointing us to it, CoralDoc.

 

Actually, it's all done on a lathe. PM me if you want to know how. My Daddy was a tool and die maker and later a mechanical engineer. He had me working on a lathe by age 10. Back then, I used to think it was SOOOOOO boring. (no pun intended.) Glad I didn't join the profession, though. I'd have been replaced by a computer!

 

Go Voodoo! You'll love it!

 

Great review Rick, super pics, thanks!

I too will be able to join the debate soon. I put the Voodoo Bright Finish Aluminum knob on my Christmas list.

As a person who has been captivated by Ferrari since I was a small child, I have always dreamed of a car that deserved a big round chrome knob like the traditional Ferrari knob. That single emotional response to the Voodoo knob is why I choose to give it a try.

I'm in a boat much like jschmidt, my Dad was a tool and die maker just out of WWII and then later a Mechanical Engineering professor at a local college. Dad has 2 lathes in his metal shop and if I decide I don't like the bright aluminum we will make the next knob together.

If someone does have the Voodoo knob drilled and tapped from the side to locate it on the shift lever, beware of the fact that the set screw tightened up to the threaded shift lever will bugger up the threads of the lever, which will not do a lot of good to the threads in the knob when it is taken off and another one is screwed on. Another option (the one I'm taking) is to take the knob, screw it all the way down and mark it with a piece of tape so the front to back plane is marked. Then when it is sent out for engraving the shift pattern will align when the finished knob is installed.