A4 shift knob mod finally done!
06-05-2009, 10:58 AM
#7
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Congrats! Looks great! I just did the same thing a few days ago.. I was sick and tired of the factory t-handle so I purchased a UMI pistol grip and the shift **** adapter like you.. I also bought a used M6 center console and shortened the shaft length of the factory shifter. I ended up buying a different shift ****, but it's still on par with your awesome mod! ( https://ls1tech.com/forums/11683549-post50.html ).
Trending Topics
06-05-2009, 11:14 AM
#8
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Haverhill Ma
Posts: 628
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Guys how does the adapter work? Does it eliminate the need to press in a button to shift out of park? I have a lot of shift ***** that I can use t handles and pistol grips.
06-05-2009, 11:31 AM
#9
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes.. in order to put your car in gear, all you need to do is "press straight down" on your shifter and select the gear you need. It is really a nifty little mod. It eliminates your factory button on your factory shifter and will allow you to use a standard stick shift style **** / handle / grip.
06-05-2009, 02:33 PM
#11
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
1. A small drill bit. I used a 1/16 drill bit.
2. Some small diameter wire. I used 16 gauge "soft" brass wire.
3. 3/4" outer diameter (5/8" inner diameter) rubber tubing.
I purchased all of the above materials (minus the drill bit) at Lowes for less than 5 dollars.
What I did was completely remove those allen wrench / hex head screws off of the adapter. Next, safely drill a very small hole from one end of the open hex screw hole all the way through the inner plastic plunger where it comes out the other side on the opposite hex screw hole. Be careful as this is a more delicate type procedure. Now, you should be left will a perfect 1/16 hole drilled through the middle of your inner plastic plunger.
Simply cut off the desired length of your wire. I deburred the ends to elimate the "pinch marks" on the wire. With your MBA adapter in place, simply insert your wire through the open hole. Fold each end down. Now, take your 3/4" hose and cut it to your desired length and slip it down over your MBA adapter. This is going to be a tight fit. It took me about 10 minutes to get the tube to fit over the adapter (with the wire folded down). You no longer need those little set screws. The tubing also helps hold the shift boot in place! I did use some liquid wrench to "help" the tubing slip over the MBA adapter. Even then, it was STILL a challenge. That tubing will not budge! This completely took all of the "play" out of my adapter and overall, helped strengthen the MBA modification!
The end result should look like this:
Last edited by officermartinez; 06-06-2009 at 06:34 AM.
06-05-2009, 03:37 PM
#13
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Haverhill Ma
Posts: 628
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So where do you get the adapter from? I failed to locate it on Thunder Racing's website. Is it pretty straight forward to put the adapter on? This is pretty cool find since I'm gonna be buying an M6 98+ center console for my A4 LT1 it'll look badass.
06-05-2009, 04:16 PM
#14
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree. That's what I have. A 1995 T/A A4 with a 98+ M6 console. I got my adapter from a sponsor here: http://www.afterthoughtsauto.com/aut...r-adapter.html
06-05-2009, 10:54 PM
#16
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: holding down the couch
Posts: 1,458
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The set screws tend to back out too, I'm constantly tightening them (I happen to have the hex wrench in the cupholder), mainly because I never think to put some Loctite on them unless I'm driving it.
06-06-2009, 12:03 AM
#17
Looks awesome. The factory T-handle is really unattractive. I'm pretty tempted to do this. The only thing that is a bit concerning is since the boot is there (and it's still an A4 tranny), there is no indicator of whether you have gone past D & into 3rd...
