Need some help from fellow AZ Canadians; who can help me get a black MT shift knob?
#1
Colorado Springs
Thread Starter
Need some help from fellow AZ Canadians; who can help me get a black MT shift knob?
Bottom Line Up Front: I want the Canadian-spec 4G TL manual transmission shift knob.
For those that do not know, the Canadian-spec knob has a black aluminum piece on the top displaying the shift pattern. Our US-spec one is natural aluminum.
I'm located in Indiana, but I would guess that sending the money via PayPal would be the easiest solution for the conversion rate. Obviously, I would work on a solution for paying whoever can help me with a little bit more money for their time and effort.
For reference, our US-spec shift knob goes for about $45 at a dealership.
Does anybody want to help me with this?
For those that do not know, the Canadian-spec knob has a black aluminum piece on the top displaying the shift pattern. Our US-spec one is natural aluminum.
I'm located in Indiana, but I would guess that sending the money via PayPal would be the easiest solution for the conversion rate. Obviously, I would work on a solution for paying whoever can help me with a little bit more money for their time and effort.
For reference, our US-spec shift knob goes for about $45 at a dealership.
Does anybody want to help me with this?
#3
Colorado Springs
Thread Starter
That's actually not it. It's very similar to it, but that picture is of a Honda CR-Z. The TL one looks just like ours only the bare aluminum is black and the shift pattern is in silver instead of black like ours.
#5
Burning Brakes
I just called my local dealership Camco Acura in Ottawa. It's $97 and it's special order part so it'd have to be prepaid.
Not sure if that's really worth it lol.
Not sure if that's really worth it lol.
#6
Colorado Springs
Thread Starter
You're right, that is pretty high. I just looked up the currency conversion and $97 canadian is $87.06 US. We can take this conversation to PM's now if you want. Maybe talk how much money it would be for your effort. I'm also unaware of the price of shipping, but would want it to be as cheap as possible. I like the uniqueness of it, but I don't understand why it's so pricey?
#7
Burning Brakes
I can't tell the difference either...
I pulled up two ads for used Acura TL's. One in the USA and one in Canada. Is there a difference at all?
This is the American TL shift knob...
![](http://images.autotrader.com/scaler/544/408/hn/a655b606a7ca4fba89edf850c7a553a1.jpg)
This is the Canadian TL shift knob...
I pulled up two ads for used Acura TL's. One in the USA and one in Canada. Is there a difference at all?
This is the American TL shift knob...
![](http://images.autotrader.com/scaler/544/408/hn/a655b606a7ca4fba89edf850c7a553a1.jpg)
This is the Canadian TL shift knob...
![](http://azr.cdnmedia.autotrader.ca/5/photos/import/201403/2423/3247/38e29468-369f-4c10-8723-52fdc50ff2fb.jpg?w=800&h=600)
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#8
Burning Brakes
Also, keep in mind that in Ontario (my province) the sales tax is 13%... So you're looking at $110 CAD plus shipping. I just through in some random dimensions 10x10x3cm at 3lbs to Colorado Springs and it gave me an estimate of $25 for shipping... plus tax again. = $139 CAD
Again, just estimating but I dunno. You could find a lot better shift knobs for that price lol
Again, just estimating but I dunno. You could find a lot better shift knobs for that price lol
#9
Colorado Springs
Thread Starter
That's the Canadian one?! I thought it was this one:
![](http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr270/lockandload308/2010-acura-tl-sh-awd-manual-shifter-photo-228602-s-520x318_zps9643ffd2.jpg)
This is the article from when Car and Driver first began to test the manual TL and I swear that somewhere it was said on this forum or in a magazine that the Canadian TL's got the black shifter and we got the silver. Can anybody back me up?
http://www.caranddriver.com/photo-ga...-sh-awd-manual
![](http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr270/lockandload308/2010-acura-tl-sh-awd-manual-shifter-photo-228602-s-520x318_zps9643ffd2.jpg)
This is the article from when Car and Driver first began to test the manual TL and I swear that somewhere it was said on this forum or in a magazine that the Canadian TL's got the black shifter and we got the silver. Can anybody back me up?
http://www.caranddriver.com/photo-ga...-sh-awd-manual
#10
Colorado Springs
Thread Starter
Now that I look at this shifter I just posted and the shifter from UCF_Broncos, they look identical (except the test car seems more matte and the one UCF_Broncos posted seems like a glossy top)
#11
Burning Brakes
You can go through a few ads on AutoTrader.ca to see if there are any but as far as I can see. It's all the silver ones. Maybe it's a special accessory add on? If so, it'd be even more than $97 lol
#12
Instructor
iTrader: (32)
OP, I would just get the whole shifter package from heeltoe. It will change the whole feel of your shifter. I had this on my 3G TL. I now have it on my 4G TL. I also installed the kit on my friends 2010 V6 Accord.
The shifter package can be found here:
http://www.heeltoeauto.com/ht-spec-s...roductid=65462
Marcus doesn't have this listed in the 4G TL section yet, but he does sell all the parts to complete the package. Just put 2010 TL in the notes section at checkout. The Hybrid shifter bushings are the same as the 07/08 TL Type S, the shift knob is the same thread pitch so it works, CT short shifter works, and 4G TL/08-12 Accord clutch line.
The Stainless steel maven knob matches the shift boot collar very well. I also had my shift boot restitched by someone here in Denver.
The shifter package can be found here:
http://www.heeltoeauto.com/ht-spec-s...roductid=65462
Marcus doesn't have this listed in the 4G TL section yet, but he does sell all the parts to complete the package. Just put 2010 TL in the notes section at checkout. The Hybrid shifter bushings are the same as the 07/08 TL Type S, the shift knob is the same thread pitch so it works, CT short shifter works, and 4G TL/08-12 Accord clutch line.
The Stainless steel maven knob matches the shift boot collar very well. I also had my shift boot restitched by someone here in Denver.
![](http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s621/skier4lyfe303/4G%20TL/IMG_1384_zps98166547.jpg)
#16
Colorado Springs
Thread Starter
OP, I would just get the whole shifter package from heeltoe. It will change the whole feel of your shifter. I had this on my 3G TL. I now have it on my 4G TL. I also installed the kit on my friends 2010 V6 Accord.
The shifter package can be found here:
http://www.heeltoeauto.com/ht-spec-s...roductid=65462
Marcus doesn't have this listed in the 4G TL section yet, but he does sell all the parts to complete the package. Just put 2010 TL in the notes section at checkout. The Hybrid shifter bushings are the same as the 07/08 TL Type S, the shift knob is the same thread pitch so it works, CT short shifter works, and 4G TL/08-12 Accord clutch line.
The Stainless steel maven knob matches the shift boot collar very well. I also had my shift boot restitched by someone here in Denver.
![](http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s621/skier4lyfe303/4G%20TL/IMG_1384_zps98166547.jpg)
The shifter package can be found here:
http://www.heeltoeauto.com/ht-spec-s...roductid=65462
Marcus doesn't have this listed in the 4G TL section yet, but he does sell all the parts to complete the package. Just put 2010 TL in the notes section at checkout. The Hybrid shifter bushings are the same as the 07/08 TL Type S, the shift knob is the same thread pitch so it works, CT short shifter works, and 4G TL/08-12 Accord clutch line.
The Stainless steel maven knob matches the shift boot collar very well. I also had my shift boot restitched by someone here in Denver.
![](http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s621/skier4lyfe303/4G%20TL/IMG_1384_zps98166547.jpg)
#17
Intermediate
OP, I am an acura tech (in Canada) and I have never seen a TL with the black shift knob you posted, only the silver one. Nor have I ever seen an Acura accessory know that resembles that
#18
Colorado Springs
Thread Starter
Welp, that about settles it then. I don't need to bother any more Canadian brothers in my search for that black shift knob.
However, I will start to bother my local Honda dealers to see the inside of the new manual Accord Coupes and see how nice/feasible the shift knob will look in my TL. I'll keep everyone posted.
However, I will start to bother my local Honda dealers to see the inside of the new manual Accord Coupes and see how nice/feasible the shift knob will look in my TL. I'll keep everyone posted.
#19
Colorado Springs
Thread Starter
Update:
So I took a long hard look at Ray01's comment that the shift knob that I was talking about was one from a 2014 Accord MT and he was right. I looked it up in the Honda Catalog at a dealership and found the manual transmission shift knob, but the color listed was "gray" and I couldn't understand why it said that. In all of the pictures, it looked black. The price was also over $130, but as with all dealership parts prices, you can whittle them down (I ended up paying $101). This is still a long ways off of the $45 I paid for a second TL knob back in the day, but I digress...
So the knob came in and sure enough, it is a very dark gray, not a true black. Then the disappointing part was that Honda/Acura has engineered two different mounting base points for their shift knobs to fit into a shift boot. My pictures will show the rest.
The bottom line is that I am going to attempt to get this bad boy to fit perfectly in the shift boot collar to have a stock look.
I will try to weigh both knobs later to show that, I believe, the Accord shift knob weighs more than the Acura (which is nice), but it is thinner in girth than the TL which might not feel as substantial in your hand. Again, this is a personal preference.
Here is a side-by-side picture of the base mounting point differences. You can also tell that the Accord one is narrower than the TL one.
![Name: 20150728_230947_zpswzrp9yal.jpg
Views: 85
Size: 356.4 KB](https://acurazine.com/forums/attachments/4g-tl-2009-2014-123/67135d1501410732-need-some-help-fellow-az-canadians%3B-who-can-help-me-get-black-mt-shift-knob-20150728_230947_zpswzrp9yal.jpg)
This picture shows how this knob will not mate up correctly to the shift boot collar.
![Name: 20150728_231610_zpssrvsfkeq.jpg
Views: 103
Size: 720.6 KB](https://acurazine.com/forums/attachments/4g-tl-2009-2014-123/67136d1501410732-need-some-help-fellow-az-canadians%3B-who-can-help-me-get-black-mt-shift-knob-20150728_231610_zpssrvsfkeq.jpg)
So with thick spokes sticking out the sides, it's time to shave it down. I used a combo of wire cutters and a file to reduce the sides and bottom:
![Name: 20150728_231224_zpsfykqbpnb.jpg
Views: 134
Size: 230.9 KB](https://acurazine.com/forums/attachments/4g-tl-2009-2014-123/67137d1501410732-need-some-help-fellow-az-canadians%3B-who-can-help-me-get-black-mt-shift-knob-20150728_231224_zpsfykqbpnb.jpg)
![Name: 20150728_232921_zpsy3vhsrsi.jpg
Views: 82
Size: 469.1 KB](https://acurazine.com/forums/attachments/4g-tl-2009-2014-123/67138d1501410732-need-some-help-fellow-az-canadians%3B-who-can-help-me-get-black-mt-shift-knob-20150728_232921_zpsy3vhsrsi.jpg)
So with the outside of the mounting points shaved down, the shift boot collar won't latch onto it anymore, but I'm thinking of wrapping some sort of electrical tape to thicken up the diameter and then the collar will be held up by friction. Yes, it sounds hokey, but I'm betting it will work.
![Name: 20150728_232514_zps1a4zeurw.jpg
Views: 53
Size: 642.4 KB](https://acurazine.com/forums/attachments/4g-tl-2009-2014-123/67139d1501410732-need-some-help-fellow-az-canadians%3B-who-can-help-me-get-black-mt-shift-knob-20150728_232514_zps1a4zeurw.jpg)
![Name: 20150728_232831_zps9ofms18r.jpg
Views: 118
Size: 702.8 KB](https://acurazine.com/forums/attachments/4g-tl-2009-2014-123/67140d1501410732-need-some-help-fellow-az-canadians%3B-who-can-help-me-get-black-mt-shift-knob-20150728_232831_zps9ofms18r.jpg)
I had higher hopes for this to have a better plug-and-play approach, but it did not, so I am doing what I can. At worst, it will be a $101 mistake. At best, I'll still be able to put the stock knob back on with no damage to the stock setup while being able to switch off a more unique knob for different occasions. Most of all, I just wanted to see if this would all be possible. Let me know what you think!
So I took a long hard look at Ray01's comment that the shift knob that I was talking about was one from a 2014 Accord MT and he was right. I looked it up in the Honda Catalog at a dealership and found the manual transmission shift knob, but the color listed was "gray" and I couldn't understand why it said that. In all of the pictures, it looked black. The price was also over $130, but as with all dealership parts prices, you can whittle them down (I ended up paying $101). This is still a long ways off of the $45 I paid for a second TL knob back in the day, but I digress...
So the knob came in and sure enough, it is a very dark gray, not a true black. Then the disappointing part was that Honda/Acura has engineered two different mounting base points for their shift knobs to fit into a shift boot. My pictures will show the rest.
The bottom line is that I am going to attempt to get this bad boy to fit perfectly in the shift boot collar to have a stock look.
I will try to weigh both knobs later to show that, I believe, the Accord shift knob weighs more than the Acura (which is nice), but it is thinner in girth than the TL which might not feel as substantial in your hand. Again, this is a personal preference.
Here is a side-by-side picture of the base mounting point differences. You can also tell that the Accord one is narrower than the TL one.
![Name: 20150728_230947_zpswzrp9yal.jpg
Views: 85
Size: 356.4 KB](https://acurazine.com/forums/attachments/4g-tl-2009-2014-123/67135d1501410732-need-some-help-fellow-az-canadians%3B-who-can-help-me-get-black-mt-shift-knob-20150728_230947_zpswzrp9yal.jpg)
This picture shows how this knob will not mate up correctly to the shift boot collar.
![Name: 20150728_231610_zpssrvsfkeq.jpg
Views: 103
Size: 720.6 KB](https://acurazine.com/forums/attachments/4g-tl-2009-2014-123/67136d1501410732-need-some-help-fellow-az-canadians%3B-who-can-help-me-get-black-mt-shift-knob-20150728_231610_zpssrvsfkeq.jpg)
So with thick spokes sticking out the sides, it's time to shave it down. I used a combo of wire cutters and a file to reduce the sides and bottom:
![Name: 20150728_231224_zpsfykqbpnb.jpg
Views: 134
Size: 230.9 KB](https://acurazine.com/forums/attachments/4g-tl-2009-2014-123/67137d1501410732-need-some-help-fellow-az-canadians%3B-who-can-help-me-get-black-mt-shift-knob-20150728_231224_zpsfykqbpnb.jpg)
![Name: 20150728_232921_zpsy3vhsrsi.jpg
Views: 82
Size: 469.1 KB](https://acurazine.com/forums/attachments/4g-tl-2009-2014-123/67138d1501410732-need-some-help-fellow-az-canadians%3B-who-can-help-me-get-black-mt-shift-knob-20150728_232921_zpsy3vhsrsi.jpg)
So with the outside of the mounting points shaved down, the shift boot collar won't latch onto it anymore, but I'm thinking of wrapping some sort of electrical tape to thicken up the diameter and then the collar will be held up by friction. Yes, it sounds hokey, but I'm betting it will work.
![Name: 20150728_232514_zps1a4zeurw.jpg
Views: 53
Size: 642.4 KB](https://acurazine.com/forums/attachments/4g-tl-2009-2014-123/67139d1501410732-need-some-help-fellow-az-canadians%3B-who-can-help-me-get-black-mt-shift-knob-20150728_232514_zps1a4zeurw.jpg)
![Name: 20150728_232831_zps9ofms18r.jpg
Views: 118
Size: 702.8 KB](https://acurazine.com/forums/attachments/4g-tl-2009-2014-123/67140d1501410732-need-some-help-fellow-az-canadians%3B-who-can-help-me-get-black-mt-shift-knob-20150728_232831_zps9ofms18r.jpg)
I had higher hopes for this to have a better plug-and-play approach, but it did not, so I am doing what I can. At worst, it will be a $101 mistake. At best, I'll still be able to put the stock knob back on with no damage to the stock setup while being able to switch off a more unique knob for different occasions. Most of all, I just wanted to see if this would all be possible. Let me know what you think!
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