My new shifter

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Jul 23, 2012 | 12:24 AM

V-dub-R

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My new shifter

I've been toying with the idea of getting a new shifter knob for my TSX. That thing would always get crazy hot in the summer or freakin' cold in the winter. Never liked the look or the feel of this stock egg shaped thing in my hand and was never a big fan of the aftermarket selection.

Found a Subaru WRX (non STi) shifter, it looked perfect and exactly what I was looking for.
The only problem was it didn't fit the TSX's shifter rod, it had a different inside thread and was obviously too loose. The Acura's shifter rod thread is 9/16" and Subaru shifter was little bigger. Went out and bought threaded inserts (external thread M10 - 1.5mm with internal thread that matches shifter thread of 9/16"). I wish they had them in longer sizes, I ended up buying 2 short ones.

Drilled the new shifter using 31/64" drill bit, then ran 9/16" tap into it. Subaru shifter has a plastic thread so it is very easy to tap it without any special tools. Just put the tap in a clamp vise and turn the shifter clockwise. You should also mark the tap where to stop.

Screw inserts in (these things have some sort of locktite on them, scrape this stuff off or you won't be able to turn the inserts in any direction after a minute.) I used the spare bolt at home and didn't have to run several times to the car to see if it fits. After few tiny adjustments of the inserts it fits perfectly. Remaining insert finished off with the dremmel disk.

Here, very easy mod, anyone can do it. In my opinion it looks better than the stock one which had this ugly locking nut exposed. I'm very happy with the result it has a look and feel of the Audi shifter now, oh and it is about an inch shorter.
Stock shifter is little heavier then the Subaru, I might put few heavier washers underneath if I feel like it, but it's really not that necessary.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images...dwith3164.jpg/

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/21/2916tap.jpg/

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/713/3tapping.jpg/

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/838/4tapping.jpg/

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images...orinserts.jpg/

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/406/7inserts.jpg/

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/8833/8handytool.jpg

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/6197/9insertsin.jpg

http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/4213/10dremmel.jpg

http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/48/oldshifter.jpg

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/797...arushifter.jpg

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/4...ushifter01.jpg

http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/3...ushifter02.jpg

Tell me what you think? No hating...(!)

Last edited by V-dub-R; Jul 23, 2012 at 12:27 AM.