DPE Shift Knobs Now Available!
10-11-2005, 03:00 PM
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DPE Shift ***** Now Available!
DPE is proud to introduce our own billet aluminum shift ***** for the RX-8! They replace the oddly-shaped OEM RX-8 shift **** with a proper 50mm billet aluminum ball. We start with a cylinder of T-6061 aircraft aluminum, which is machined on a CNC lathe to the final shape. We then bore it out and tap the hole to the proper thread pattern. Next, a top cut is made to accomodate the acrylic dome DPE logo decal on a chrome disc. And finally, each **** is clear anodized giving it what we like to call a 'Machined Satin' finsih, which matches the plastic silver trim in the interior of your car.
Our **** provides a superior interface with the shifter, allowing for comfortable placement of your hand on top of the ball. This allows for proper shifting technique, rather than the 'pistol grip' hand position that the OEM **** encourages. Or if you prefer the pistol grip, the ball shape allows for that as well. Additionally, the DPE **** is lighter than the OEM part. Not like that matters much, but we know how the RX-8 guys and gals can't stand adding weight!
Each shift **** includes a DPE decal (to be fitted after the **** is screwed on), and instructions. In the RX-8, it's simply a matter of unscrewing the old **** and screwing on the DPE one. Affix the decal in the proper orientation, and you're ready to go! Being clear anodized, this **** won't rub off black on your hand as some 'bare' aluminum shift ***** do. And each **** is 100% manufactured in the USA utilizing the talents of local small businesses.
These ***** are priced right at $40 each, and through the rest of October (or until we run out) we're offering Free Shipping! To check them out on the site, or to place an order, go here: http://www.dpeweb.com/ProductDetails...7&vehicleID=58
Please post if you would be interested in different finishes. We like the subtle look of the Machined Satin, and it matches the interior well, but we also have left several ***** unfinished with the option of powdercoating, polishing, etc.
Interior shots:
Closeup of the decal; also note you can see some of the machining, but it's nice and subtle under the clear anodizing.
And finally, for you artsy types, we thought this was an interesting shot if nothing else. No Photoshop work on this, it's just how it came out.
Our **** provides a superior interface with the shifter, allowing for comfortable placement of your hand on top of the ball. This allows for proper shifting technique, rather than the 'pistol grip' hand position that the OEM **** encourages. Or if you prefer the pistol grip, the ball shape allows for that as well. Additionally, the DPE **** is lighter than the OEM part. Not like that matters much, but we know how the RX-8 guys and gals can't stand adding weight!
Each shift **** includes a DPE decal (to be fitted after the **** is screwed on), and instructions. In the RX-8, it's simply a matter of unscrewing the old **** and screwing on the DPE one. Affix the decal in the proper orientation, and you're ready to go! Being clear anodized, this **** won't rub off black on your hand as some 'bare' aluminum shift ***** do. And each **** is 100% manufactured in the USA utilizing the talents of local small businesses.
These ***** are priced right at $40 each, and through the rest of October (or until we run out) we're offering Free Shipping! To check them out on the site, or to place an order, go here: http://www.dpeweb.com/ProductDetails...7&vehicleID=58
Please post if you would be interested in different finishes. We like the subtle look of the Machined Satin, and it matches the interior well, but we also have left several ***** unfinished with the option of powdercoating, polishing, etc.
Interior shots:
Closeup of the decal; also note you can see some of the machining, but it's nice and subtle under the clear anodizing.
And finally, for you artsy types, we thought this was an interesting shot if nothing else. No Photoshop work on this, it's just how it came out.
10-11-2005, 08:11 PM
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It's only a shade lower, at 70mm overall height vs. 74mm overall of the OEM ****. You can't go a lot shorter on the RX-8, as a person with medium to large hands will be running out of finger room. I believe because how it's threaded we probably could take roughly 10 mm off the bottom for anyone who wanted it as low as possible (for a price), but for a one-size-fits-all solution we believe this is the optimum size.
We also made ***** for the 350Z, which are notably shorter than stock (15mm if I remember right off the top of my head), and that really shortens the overall throw. My tester, in fact, got ticked off every time he had to give my prototype back and go back to stock due to how much longer it made the throws
. I didn't feel too bad for him though; he got a free **** out of the deal. On that car the stock **** is unusually 'tall' though, so you can get away with lowering the **** and not running into space issues.
We also made ***** for the 350Z, which are notably shorter than stock (15mm if I remember right off the top of my head), and that really shortens the overall throw. My tester, in fact, got ticked off every time he had to give my prototype back and go back to stock due to how much longer it made the throws
. I didn't feel too bad for him though; he got a free **** out of the deal. On that car the stock **** is unusually 'tall' though, so you can get away with lowering the **** and not running into space issues.
10-11-2005, 11:16 PM
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We could anodize them black, but that really isn't very nice to look at. What do you mean by darker exactly? If there is enough interest, I'd have no problem getting several of them powdercoated black or a charcoal gray, and if it changed the price it wouldn't be by much.
Understand that powdercoating gives you a solid, glossy finish like paint. The anodizing leaves some evidence that it's a machined part. Just FYI.
Understand that powdercoating gives you a solid, glossy finish like paint. The anodizing leaves some evidence that it's a machined part. Just FYI.
10-11-2005, 11:27 PM
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very very nice, id love to see a polished version of it if possible, befor making my choice though. but most likely i`ll be getting one. the decal will math nicely with my red/black inter.
10-11-2005, 11:29 PM
#7
Originally Posted by DPE
We could anodize them black, but that really isn't very nice to look at. What do you mean by darker exactly? If there is enough interest, I'd have no problem getting several of them powdercoated black or a charcoal gray, and if it changed the price it wouldn't be by much.
Understand that powdercoating gives you a solid, glossy finish like paint. The anodizing leaves some evidence that it's a machined part. Just FYI.
Understand that powdercoating gives you a solid, glossy finish like paint. The anodizing leaves some evidence that it's a machined part. Just FYI.
beers
10-12-2005, 09:12 AM
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Just to clarify, we're not going to be doing any 'custom' finishes, we're just open to suggestions. If we see a lot of folks wanting the same type of finish, we'll try and get a batch done that way. Unfortunately, due to how the finishing process works, it costs us the same amount of money to have 1 **** powdercoated charcoal gray as it would to have 20 ***** done that way.
I just didn't want to get anyone's hopes up that they could custom order one of these. Unless you don't mind paying double the price, in which case we could do one-off finishes. We've got 23 left of the machined satin, and once we see that supply getting low we'll take into account all of the suggestions and get the batch of unfinished ones made to whatever gets the most requests. Or if there's no clear-cut preference, we'll have the next batch done just like the first round; it really is a nice looking finish.
As for polishing, that will likely add $10-20 to the price, due to all of the manual labor involved, but it could be done. May not be able to anodize them after being polished though, as that would take away some of the luster, so keep in mind the polished ***** might rub off black on your hand just a bit. Not like every time you drive it, but on occasion after a long drive you'd notice it.
Anyway, keep the suggestions coming, or feel free to buy one and try it out.
I just didn't want to get anyone's hopes up that they could custom order one of these. Unless you don't mind paying double the price, in which case we could do one-off finishes
. We've got 23 left of the machined satin, and once we see that supply getting low we'll take into account all of the suggestions and get the batch of unfinished ones made to whatever gets the most requests. Or if there's no clear-cut preference, we'll have the next batch done just like the first round; it really is a nice looking finish.As for polishing, that will likely add $10-20 to the price, due to all of the manual labor involved, but it could be done. May not be able to anodize them after being polished though, as that would take away some of the luster, so keep in mind the polished ***** might rub off black on your hand just a bit. Not like every time you drive it, but on occasion after a long drive you'd notice it.
Anyway, keep the suggestions coming, or feel free to buy one and try it out
.
10-12-2005, 01:55 PM
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I believe I could do that, or perhaps do a trade of some sort. Actually not sure if you can powdercoat over something that has been anodized, but we can figure it out one way or another.
10-13-2005, 04:09 PM
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We can definitely take paypal. Just send $40 to paypal@dpeweb.com with your shipping address and phone number (for shipping purposes), and we'll get one sent out.
Sorry that's not obvious on our site; it's something we're going to add to the checkout portion of the page, but it just hasn't been done.
Thanks for your interest!
Sorry that's not obvious on our site; it's something we're going to add to the checkout portion of the page, but it just hasn't been done.
Thanks for your interest!
10-13-2005, 09:38 PM
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I think MD is three business days. So next Wednesday, most likely. We're rarely more than 3 days shipping from anywhere in the lower 48; one of the advantages of being in the middle of the country .
.
10-14-2005, 11:15 AM
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Originally Posted by DPE
No, it does not have a nylon insert. It is threaded on the inside.
10-14-2005, 11:29 AM
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** EDIT: SWAP PENDING **
Anyone here want to get rid of his rotary **** when you replace it with a DPE? In essence, make a free swap? Then how about this:
I'll pay for your DPE **** with PayPal if you ship me your stocker in good condition -- AND you can wait to send it to me until AFTER you receive the DPE.
Let me know. Thanks.
** EDIT: SWAP PENDING **
Anyone here want to get rid of his rotary **** when you replace it with a DPE? In essence, make a free swap? Then how about this:
I'll pay for your DPE **** with PayPal if you ship me your stocker in good condition -- AND you can wait to send it to me until AFTER you receive the DPE.
Let me know. Thanks.
** EDIT: SWAP PENDING **
Last edited by Hard 8; 10-17-2005 at 04:05 PM.
10-14-2005, 12:01 PM
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The thread is machined into the billet aluminum; we bore a hole through the vertical center of the **** (actually two holes of different sizes), and then tap the hole where it screws on. It's one chunk of aluminum; the only separate part is our little decal that sits in a recessed area on top of the ****.