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- 2003 Protege5
My '03 P5 knob is practically the same design as my Probe GT's knobs, so it feels right to me and I'd rather just add weight to it. It is also leather wrapped so my hand won't get burned on hot days. Tungsten is about 1.7 times heavier than lead, so based on the articles below I decided to purchase Blue Demon TE2C X 3/16" X 7" Tungsten Electrode, 5-Pack rods with 2% cerium from amazon for $31 (I got the last pack in stock of this size) - https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned). Golfsmith tungsten powder would be another great option but it's a little harder to find. DO NOT PURCHASE THORIATED RODS as they are RADIOACTIVE!
A few notes...It seems like the inner plastic is harder on the inside and softer towards the edge, so I kept my holes near the center. I tried drilling closer to the edge but the holes didn't seem to hold up to the drilling. Because of this I actually did not need to peel any leather back...I could have drilled with the leather in place on the bottom. I also was not able to add as many holes as I had planned due to this...so my finished weight was reduced. Also, be very careful not to drill too deep and go through the leather! I drilled all the way through the plastic once but the leather held up alright. It just about ruined my project through. Below are a few articles that helped me decide what how I wanted to proceed
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-...ft-knob-heavy-weighted-shift-knob-$10-924401/
http://boysdad.com/archives/482
Stock OEM knob weight : 138g…
Blue Demon TE2C X 3/16" X 7" Tungsten Electrode, 5-Pack rods…
I gently peeled back the leather from the bottom of the shift knob (this step not necessary if drilling only towards the center)...
I drilled out 3/16" holes one by one in the bottom of my shift knob...
I measured the depth of each hole using a screw driver
I cut the rods to fit by scoring them using a dremel...
I then inserted them into a vise and broke them off. ..
I put a dab of dishwashing detergent on the rods to get them to slide in easier...
I gently drove them into the holes using a hammer...
I would have used super glue to re-attach the leather, but It still seemed to be holding just fine.
My shifter weight went from 138g to 317g...not as heavy as I had hoped but I more than doubled the weight of the stock knob.
ENJOY! ...and post up your results when you're finished. Let's see who can set the record. The winner will receive….
much deserved self respect!
A few notes...It seems like the inner plastic is harder on the inside and softer towards the edge, so I kept my holes near the center. I tried drilling closer to the edge but the holes didn't seem to hold up to the drilling. Because of this I actually did not need to peel any leather back...I could have drilled with the leather in place on the bottom. I also was not able to add as many holes as I had planned due to this...so my finished weight was reduced. Also, be very careful not to drill too deep and go through the leather! I drilled all the way through the plastic once but the leather held up alright. It just about ruined my project through. Below are a few articles that helped me decide what how I wanted to proceed
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-...ft-knob-heavy-weighted-shift-knob-$10-924401/
http://boysdad.com/archives/482
Stock OEM knob weight : 138g…
Blue Demon TE2C X 3/16" X 7" Tungsten Electrode, 5-Pack rods…
I gently peeled back the leather from the bottom of the shift knob (this step not necessary if drilling only towards the center)...
I drilled out 3/16" holes one by one in the bottom of my shift knob...
I measured the depth of each hole using a screw driver
I cut the rods to fit by scoring them using a dremel...
I then inserted them into a vise and broke them off. ..
I put a dab of dishwashing detergent on the rods to get them to slide in easier...
I gently drove them into the holes using a hammer...
I would have used super glue to re-attach the leather, but It still seemed to be holding just fine.
My shifter weight went from 138g to 317g...not as heavy as I had hoped but I more than doubled the weight of the stock knob.
ENJOY! ...and post up your results when you're finished. Let's see who can set the record. The winner will receive….
much deserved self respect!
