Miata Mailing List: September 1995, Message #42
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   From: phredd@infi.net
Subject: ...that VuDu that Udu so well.
   Date: Fri, 1 Sep 1995 15:47:23 -0400

        Well, I just got my first handful of hot VooDoo.

        That's right, boys and girls, I finally sent away for my
all-aluminum, Ferrari-like, black, crinkle-finish, competition
gear-shifting knob. 30-odd bucks and change. (Man, I have *got* to think of
something to sell all you Miata dudes). I sure hope my wife doesn't find
out about it - the price, that is. I think she's already noticed there's
something different about my knob.

        You VooDoo guys weren't kidding about getting hot balls. I went out
to lunch the next day and grabbed the little bugger with the same gusto I
had the evening before during the apr=E8s-installation test drive.
Yeeeeeeeeouch! (At least, that is the *gist* of what I said.) That sucker
does heat up. Being aluminum, though, it does get down to body temperature
quickly - especially if you're unable to peel your hand off it.

        In short, I like it. That seems to be the prevailing sentiment
imparted by the gear change pundits here on the list, too. I like the
variety of hand positions afforded by the spherical shape. I like the
slightly shorter throw distance created by the lower overall height of the
shift lever assembly. I like the additional feedback from the gearbox
mechanicals that the all-metal assembly seems to provide (although, this
could be my imagination - I'm not sure).

        It needs work, though. I haven't examined it closely nor taken any
measurements but it seems to me that you can improve two areas fairly
easily. If you ground the neck off the VooDoo knob and cut the threaded end
of the shift lever in half (=B1) You could further shorten the overal height
of the lever assembly (and, consequently, the throw distance) plus get rid
of the thickness of the neck that must go between your fingers when you
really put a full grip on the knob.

        Some modification of the boot may be required, as well (as I
mentioned, I haven't taken any measurements), but my big concern is whether
reducing the length of the threaded portion of the lever by roughly half
might allow the knob to begin torquing around and cause the lever to begin
excavating the inside of the aluminum ball.
        I don't think this would happen if the new lip of the ball drilling
would seat on the conical part of the lever but, again, I haven't taken any
measurements, dammit!

        Does anybody have any experience with VooDoo knob mods or otherwise
have an opinion here? I'd appreciate your thoughts.

        Keep the revs up.

        Phredd



        PS:  Does this, by any chance, mean that I can add "Team VooDoo" to
the credits in my email signature or does that require some greater
initiation?

        PPS:  If I get those black blanks to fill up the ovoids where I
removed the M-Car's vestigial sun visors, would I have to list the dubious
credit, "Team Wiz?"



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        Fred Donour, Jr. ~ Norfolk, Virginia ~ XCIII RED A
        MCA ~ License Plate (rear only, of course) "MX-5"

        God's Miata is Red!