I have an 07 rx8 AT, and I didn't like the automatic shift knob and its plastic shift cover. So I decided to chage to manual look.

I am not manual wannabe, most people never know it is an automatic though. I just wanted to replace the original shift knob and manual look is one of the solution. I was going to buy a carbon shifter cover but it was over $100. I don't think it worth $100, so I was looking for other solutions. I think manual shift boot is a good idea.

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/7466/43305946.jpg

http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/466/04152010.jpg

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/8136/sk2.jpg
-This is the installed universal shift knob

I bought a used OEM manual shift boot for $30 shipped, and $19 cheap universal shift knob from ebay. I thought the universal shift knobs have exact size of adapter that fits with shift stick screw. But the universal shift knobs usually comes with plastic holes, so it doesn't hold tightly.

So I bought a 8mm X 1.25 nut for 40 cents from Homedepot, and fix it in the shift knob's hole.
I like the shift knob though its fitment is crap, its aluminium color with leather wrapping is really well-matched with the rx8 interior.

There are some shift knobs that comes with adapter that has thread. But they are usually for 10mm which is common size of manual. AT rx8 has 8mm x 1.25 shift stick. Voodoo sells 8mmX1.25 shift knob but it is ball type that I don't prefer.

The attachment is a picture of my 8 with flowers :)
Anyone who are good at Photoshop? I really like this picture and want photoshop to use it as a wallpaper, but I don't know how to use the photoshop.

u sir get a high 5! amazing!

+1 on the plastic shift plate looking cheap

i went with an oem shift boot with the stock knob. i just bought the boot w/the plastic cover & heated seat switches on ebay and swapped out the parts i needed. sure it isn't easy to change gears if you aren't used to it but i typically don't let anyone drive my car so that really doesn't matter.

never really took pictures but you can see it a bit in this one:

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs393.snc3/23937_627820505784_27305089_35914107_8331142_n.jpg

I like the 04-05 AT shift knob. It looks better than 06+'s. My OEM shift knob looks like a cheap rubber and it doesn't match with shift boot due to its long height.

I did mine a couple years back. Got the boot from Polak graphics

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt145/CretoMyers/Car%20Stuff/Shift%20Boot/100_2511.jpg?t=1271549019

^^^ :hahano: :bootyshak :angel:

any issues with actually getting the boot to attach to the ring that would hold it to the console?

any issues with actually getting the boot to attach to the ring that would hold it to the console?

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=173370

Fail, Bought an AT. Dinna want a Frakkin MT

any issues with actually getting the boot to attach to the ring that would hold it to the console?

I had picked up the retaining ring from an MT, and it's a very snug fit with my custom boot, so I didn't use any glue/contact cement on mine. Only part that I did glue was the top of the boot: four tabs at the top that I wrapped around a rubber o-ring.

I never understand why people with A/T's make there car shifter look like a M/T. IMO a waste of money.

I never understand why people with A/T's make there car shifter look like a M/T. IMO a waste of money.

that is because you don't understand the point of it. it isn't to make a car look like a manual. it is because it looks better with a shift boot versus the shitty looking plastic plate. what I don't understand is why so many people with manuals think that any automatic is inferior. have you seriously never seen an automatic with a shift boot? :rolleyes:

I guess, I would rather spend my money on something else.

it is a <$20 mod...

Now that I know you guys do it to make the interior look better than to make your car look like a M/T. It does like better. I personally do not mind the plastic plate.

the plastic plate is a pain in the a$$ to keep clean. Stuff is forever getting up inside of it. The boot simplifies all of that and looks good too.

well I am sure that some people do it to look like a manual. unfortunately there will always be douchebags out there pretending :)

i did it too, love the way it looks.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs349.ash2/62947_475914312641_642417641_6989531_3139722_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs323.ash2/60371_475914282641_642417641_6989530_2767584_n.jpg

Wannabe's :lol:

Wannabe's :lol:

xD +1

im digging this sparco knob...feels good in the hand

Sparco is good stuff.

im digging this sparco knob...feels good in the hand

Dude you go from Park to Drive, why does it matter how good it feels in your hand? :mdrmed:

Seriously tho, it does look alot better than the AT plate.

i have it in manual mode unless im in traffic..and the paddle shifters are fun but suck in turns so i actually use it a little bit :D

anyways was done purely for looks haha...i will soon have whole CF interior to compliment the knob

Dude you go from Park to Drive, why does it matter how good it feels in your hand?

Because if we're smart, we'll often put it in manual mode, shift it ourselves, and let it rev a bit more than the automatic programming usually allows it. Healthier for the motor...