DPE Shift Knobs Now Available!
 

DPE is proud to introduce our own billet aluminum shift knobs for the RX-8! They replace the oddly-shaped OEM RX-8 shift knob 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 knob 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 knob 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 knob encourages. Or if you prefer the pistol grip, the ball shape allows for that as well. Additionally, the DPE knob 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 knob includes a DPE decal (to be fitted after the knob is screwed on), and instructions. In the RX-8, it's simply a matter of unscrewing the old knob and screwing on the DPE one. Affix the decal in the proper orientation, and you're ready to go! Being clear anodized, this knob won't rub off black on your hand as some 'bare' aluminum shift knobs do. And each knob is 100% manufactured in the USA utilizing the talents of local small businesses.

These knobs 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 knobs unfinished with the option of powdercoating, polishing, etc.

Interior shots:

http://www.dpeweb.com/GalleryImages/rx8knob1.jpg

http://www.dpeweb.com/GalleryImages/rx8knob2.jpg


Closeup of the decal; also note you can see some of the machining, but it's nice and subtle under the clear anodizing.

http://www.dpeweb.com/GalleryImages/rx8knob3.jpg


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.

http://www.dpeweb.com/GalleryImages/rx8knob4.jpg

Very nice last pic. How much lower is it than the stock shifter?

It's only a shade lower, at 70mm overall height vs. 74mm overall of the OEM knob. 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 knobs 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 knob out of the deal. On that car the stock knob is unusually 'tall' though, so you can get away with lowering the knob and not running into space issues.

phil,
is there a way to make it a bit darker without the expense of powdercoating????

looks good.

beers

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.

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.

you nailed it charcoal gray was the answer!!! let me know. apparently oct is my month for mods.

beers

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 knob powdercoated charcoal gray as it would to have 20 knobs 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 knobs 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 :).

yes,
i knew that. the charcoal was a suggestion. if i buy one and you do a run of charcoal would you throw mine in. i will pay shipping both ways?????

beers

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.

done.

beers

will you take paypal cause i've had 40 bux sittin there for awhile and i really like this knob

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!

Sent Can't Wait For New Knob I Hate The Rotor One

Good deal! It'll be on its way tomorrow!

how long you think it will take?

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 :).

I ordered one by paypal. Let me know if everything is ok.

Csaba

Csaba, I've got it. It'll go out today. Thanks for the order!

Hi....just one question....does the knob have a nylon insert?

No, it does not have a nylon insert. It is threaded on the inside.

Ok, that's what I meant...is the inside thread made of nylon, where it couples with the shifter?

** EDIT: SWAP PENDING **

Anyone here want to get rid of his rotary knob when you replace it with a DPE? In essence, make a free swap? Then how about this:

I'll pay for your DPE knob 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 **

The thread is machined into the billet aluminum; we bore a hole through the vertical center of the knob (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 knob.

Ok thanks DPE...my short shifter shaft creates so much heat that unless the inside thread of the knob is nylon, it will fuse to the stick.