joesnow

I have the buddyclub one which is like an ITR one, but has a buddyclub etched graphic on it. Its taller than it is wide, and I love it.

I swapped from the oem aluminium leather wrapped stubby one.

A definate improvement.

Bassoctopus

And black instead of red writing.

Don't think the S knob is titanium either, but I could be wrong

B B

If you are shortening the shaft or installing a knob that sits lower on the shaft you need to compensate by adding weight on what is the moving mass atop the shaft.
Fit a featherweight ally knob, countersunk or sitting lower, will require more effort to move resulting in a less satisfactory gear change.
Think of the pendalum effect or swinging a lead hammer.
The expert engineers amongst you can explain better.

Some years ago I fitted a pretty little wooden gear knob ( to match a wooden steering wheel) to the already very short shaft on an MX-5 and the change was worse.
At the time a company called Eunosspares was selling very very heavy hoghly polished solid steel gear knobs as a replacment for MX-5/Eunos OE items.
The improvment in ease with which you could change gear was sensational.

Same gear knob is now on the S, installed after having the thread deepened, and the gearknob shaft slightly shortened.
With so much weight low down the car almost changes itself with the absolute minimum of wrist action - in fact it is almost switch-like.

I'm sure most current off the shelf after-market gearknobs could be adapted and you don't need something special - but get the heaviest possible.

(note to self - project for the week-end - learn how to post piccys )

loftust

I have a Ricks Aluminium Gear Knob which sits lower than stock. The shift is noticeably better.

Yes, I agree that there is less leverage when the shift is shorter, but this is not the only thing to take into consideration, the shape of the knob makes a difference.

Bear in mind the Mazda's gearbox, as good as it is, is alot slacker than S'.

Hockenheim

One of the option for the S2000 was a titanium shift knob from Honda. The other one I like the looks of is the ARC cylindrical titanium shift knob.

ade73

Yes.