I was one of the few RX-8 owners who participated in the first group buy hosted by Herblenny for the shift *****. I opted for the black/chaparral (to match our interior), with illumination.

I installed it on Thursday and I couldn't be more pleased. I would have been perfectly happy with the black/chaparral, however, the illumination option just sets off the **** when the lights are on - it is red and matches the instruments.

I am attempting to include some photos. We'll see if this works.

The first is of the **** without the lights on and the second two are with the lights on.

Ernie

 

Photo two.

 

Photo number three

 

How difficult was the install on this?

 

Looks great Rotary Taz.

 

Is the base of the ****, where it attaches to the boot, much fatter than the stock one? Or did you attach the boot higher? Besides the cool lighting, the new one seems to look better, the stock shifter is tapered too much.

 

Sanguine, the installation was relatively easy. You have to remove the stock ****, then the plate with the boot (it snaps onto the console), and then the ashtray housing (two screws). And, depending on which package you have, underneath the shift surround plate are several connectors to separate. The kit comes with a **** with a pigtail and a new harness which connects to the cigarette lighter plug. Basically it is plug-and-play.

Gamera, the kit also comes with a replacement boot. The new **** is exactly the same shape as the original. The only difference is that the top metal piece is chrome rather than brushed and the base doesn't have the black ring at the bottom, the replacement is more flat. The replacement boot is necessary because the pigtail wire for the illumination wire fits down the opening at the top of the boot, then the new boot snaps to close the opening. It does fit up closer to the **** than the stock boot.

If ther are any other questions, I will try to answer them as well.

Ernest

 

Ernest

Would you be happy now with Chapparal stick... or you want a chapparal leather handbrake as well...

or you think the black stick will be a waste of money!

 

I have already purchased the chaparral handbrake assembly, however, I have yet to install it because you have to remove the passenger seat in addition to all of the console in order to install it.

Ernest

 

Ernest, do you want me to post the other pics..

 

I thought those three were sufficient.

I just missed you last Friday at Trussville. I was parked in the back and was in the servce department.

What time do the activities start Sunday at the dynotune?

Did I understand you correctly that you had gotten the person with the Revolution to honor the February cutoff fee until March? I looked and it shows that the fee when up after the 29th.

Ernest

 

Looks freaking awesome!!!! 2 questions, first does it get really hot at the top due to the heat transmitted from the led light? Secondly, how do you turn the light on? Does it automatically turn on with the ignition, or does it turn on when you turn the dashboard lights on?
Thanks in advance
-Alex

 

Alex,

The top

 

Alex,

The top gets "slightly" warm, just "slightly." The **** illuminates when you turn on either the parking lights or the headlights, not when you turn on the ignition.

Ernest

 

I'm sorry to pitch my GB info.. But My group buy on these shift ***** will end in two days.. March 31st, 2004.

So, anyone interested, please let me know.. It takes approximately 2-3 weeks to get them..

 

Just sent the PayPal payment... BLK/BLK 6 speed

 

I would get one, its just that I am worried the POS "aluminium look" top is going wear too quickly just like my original **** did that I had to have replaced (under warranty). Its lame that I have to wipe down my **** now everytime I get out of the car for fear that oils will expose the cheap plastic.

 

Wow.. that is interesting.. Hmm.. Does anyone else have this problem with OEM shiftknobs??

 

i was wondering if there is anyone out there that could mod these ***** to make them a black and yellow.....does anyone know?

 

I just noticed the other day that my shift **** alum is worn/discolored in one spot/ damn that stinks- I've had it 1.5 months

 

Who makes these shifters?

Can the lighted shifter be made for other cars?