Subaru STI Raceseng Alcantara Stratose Shift Knob Review and Install

[@TacoTheVenturesome]

LMAOO that picture of the giant shift knob is hilarious

[@2018wrxaddict]

I watched this review last week. Just ordered the same shift knob but got the limited production yellow neon color with neon stitching. Can't wait to try it on my WRX! Never thought I'd spend $270 on a shift knob, but ya know what.....I deserve it. I'm an RN and have worked my ass off, so heck yeah I got one of these.

[@Autofreakgarage]

Well deserved my friend. Front line hero right here! Stay safe brother.

[@2018wrxaddict]

@@Autofreakgarage thank you. Staying as safe as possible, as always 👍👍

[@Volksmash]

RN here too and I feel you

[@limewhite71]

Expensive yes but absolutely worth it! The Stratose transformed the shifting in my 2002 WRX.

[@TheGCJourney]

Was looking at this knob (the leather version) on their website and this video is exactly what I needed to see to decide! Thanks!

[@jc4626]

Thank you so much, I had the Raceseng Topology and felt it was way to bulky, got the Stratose perforated leather, and wow it's awesome. Your video helped me immensely - thank you!

[@xil3ntkha0s]

Looks like a quality piece but damn even with the discount it’s still pricey. Still, add it to the ‘optional’ mod list

[@tommanning7337]

Dude!!! They must have made that shift knob just for you, it has your name all over it!!! Totally your style. Looks so good with the theme you’re going with. 🔥🔥

[@jslife2172]

I have a contour raceseng shift knob I want to get this one because the contour is a bit heavier and gets really cold in the winter but still a solid shift knob, probably get this one before next winter and just switch them out every now and then

[@joestasi8329]

That looks perfect in your interior! Enjoying my raceseng knob, really heavy

[@victortrense5640]

2 years later how is the alcantara holding up?

[@Autofreakgarage]

Held up extremely well. Looked as good as it did the first day I got it.

[@jessebudelman]

I was thinking about picking one up for my Focus ST, but the perforated leather version thou.

[@Autofreakgarage]

Do it! I honestly think I’ll have one in every future car. They are fantastic. Can’t recommend it enough.

[@jessebudelman]

I had one of their other knobs but felt it was too big, too heavy and i actually sliced my hand open a little bit on the engraving. Haha went back to the stock knob. Ended up getting the Cobb knob In white with black base.

[@Autofreakgarage]

That is the reason why I never went with them prior to the stratose. They are all too massive. This one is the exact size of the cobb, which was my favorite knob for years.

[@jessebudelman]

@@Autofreakgarage awesome, I’m sold. Lol when they were release the first run of these I think I was told like 3-4 months waiting time. I think that was mostly the manufacturing time to complete all the pre-orders. That was around New Years of 19’/20’.

[@Autofreakgarage]

Yeah, the wait is the worst part. They come in stock and sell out quick. Luckily, I only waited about 3 weeks for mine so it wasn’t bad. Worth it though!!

[@Reefurr]

Do you think over take that alcantara will mess up faster than the leather ? I heard that the alcantara steering wheels mess up so quick.

[@Autofreakgarage]

Both leather and alcantara can wear. Both matter how you maintain them. I’m 4 years in with my alcantara steering wheel and still looks as good as new.

[@Reefurr]

@@Autofreakgarage ok thanks I'll go with the alcantara then. I have the stock sti the white one it's is so small I don't like it I want something bigger and a bit heavier. Would you say this one is bigger than the stock

[@Autofreakgarage]

Yes heavier than stock

[@TheDemn]

How did the shift knob age, especially with the alcantara? Would you still recommend it or did you switch to another shift knob.

[@Autofreakgarage]

Still would recommend. It held up very well over the years. Just need to stay on top of it and it looks like new every time.

[@73538z]

@@Autofreakgaragehow do you clean/maintain it ?

[@gerardogalindo8943]

Raceseng knobs are pricey, but well worth it. I have one in my STi and I love it.

[@michaelkouyoumdjian7142]

Do you need to change the reverse lock out as well or can you change the knob itself?

[@tommanning7337]

If you’re just changing the shift knob you don’t have to change the reverse lockout but I’m guessing if you want now would be a good time to do it👍🏻

[@Autofreakgarage]

You don’t need to change the lockout. Best time to do that is when/if you change the shifter.

[@tommanning7337]

@@Autofreakgarage 👍🏻👍🏻

[@michaelkouyoumdjian7142]

Sweet I want to buy the neon version of this exact knob to match the brakes!! Awesome so lockout and short throw together!

[@tommanning7337]

@@michaelkouyoumdjian7142 man, do it!!! I haven’t been doing a lot of mods lately but my next purchase is definitely a short throw and a AP👍🏻👍🏻 I’ve been slacking, I don’t daily my STI so it’s been on the back burner, yeah I’m ashamed 😂😂

[@fernandobarahona3503]

Great shift knob! I'm wondering how come it's not centered it looks it's in 3rd gear?

[@Autofreakgarage]

I think it’s just the camera angle. It’s most definitely centered.

[@fernandobarahona3503]

Oh okay thanks!

[@phiL_2022]

Where did the WC lathe titanium one go? This one is fire too

[@Autofreakgarage]

Sold those awhile ago. His craftsman ship is beautiful, but I wasn’t a fan of having a full metal knob.

[@phiL_2022]

@@Autofreakgarage hot as shit in the summer too. I used to have to drive with a microfiber towel to hold it - I had to go back to stock. This might be the next one since the leather is deteriorating after 5 years lol

[@codydakota95]

Love the shift knob, but I feel like overtime it would degrade from constant use. I’ve considered an Alcantara wheel but passed for the same reason...I do drive a lot probably more than most...173k on my 2016 😬

[@Autofreakgarage]

I’ve had my alcantara steering wheel for 3 years. Looks as good as it did on day one. Just need to stay on the up keep snd it’ll stay look new.

[@codydakota95]

@@Autofreakgarage that’s good to hear! My buddy was driving a Camaro with the alcantara wheel and shift knob and that thing was obviously not well kept. It’s a shame people don’t take care of their cars. My buddy didn’t own the car btw, it was a trade in at the dealer and he took it for the weekend. Since seeing that I guess it’s stuck with me. What product do you use to maintain your alcantara?

[@Autofreakgarage]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4qsqo2rlLebqcU

[@icloudchris]

Very nice! It also cleans up the look a lot just by getting rid of the Cobb logo that was directly next to the Perrin logo.

[@WRXMAN-ms2mm]

Raceseng makes quality and cool 😎 looking shift knobs absolutely. Mine is on the way I am happy to say. Delrin instead of alcantara though. Great that a company offers so many options to satisfy different tastes. Yours matches your interior spot on.

[@ericdavisii3912]

Where did you get all the Alcantara suede material at for your center console?

[@Autofreakgarage]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGPIk4R9nct8pa8

[@mrm7525]

How would you compare this to the wc lathe werks piston that you ran? Currently debating between the wc piston ss (for weight) and the raceseng contour.

[@Autofreakgarage]

Both great options but since the wc is full titanium, it got crazy hot. I wasn’t a fan of how tall the wc sat as well. This one is a better fit for me overall.

[@mrm7525]

@Scoobyfreak86 thanks for the info! I should've specified, I meant the piston knob you tried that is half copolymer on top. I'm assuming that one sat even higher than the round wc knob. How do you feel the difference in weight performs in real time? I believe the wc is about half of the raceseng (close to oe knob weight). Thanks again! 🤙

[@Autofreakgarage]

It was definitely a nicely made shift knob. But it sat even higher and was a bit too light. This one is just perfect in every way.

[@MICHAEL30K]

hey question, im debating between the Alcantara and leather versions. I really want the Alcantara version but am worried it will wear out faster. I wanted your opinion on this and an update if yours is wearing out or not? or if i should go leather because of this reason, let me know please!

[@Autofreakgarage]

Leather is easier to maintain, but mine looks as good as it did the first day. Just need to stay on top of the maintenance of it a bit more. It’s worth it!

[@MICHAEL30K]

@@Autofreakgarage what maintenance in particular? if you say it still looks the same i will probably go with Alcantara then

[@Autofreakgarage]

Just cleaning it every few months with alcantara cleaner.

[@MICHAEL30K]

@@Autofreakgarage Ah okay, i really appreciate your responses, i live in Canada so this isnt cheap at all and wanted to make sure the Alcantara was worth it

[@abba9415]

on the site it say's ADAPTER option, what did you choose?

[@Autofreakgarage]

They have a fitment guide on the website. Just find your car and select that adapter.

[@abba9415]

@@Autofreakgarage they don't have any subaru option. do you remeber what size you picked ? thank you chris

[@1slkss]

@@abba9415 m12x1.25

[@abba9415]

@@1slkss ty

[@tyyamamoto]

Thank you for the review! I've been eying it, but it was out of stock for a while and I had stopped checking...Just ordered it! :)

[@seththomas3084]

Long term review/feelings? Better than your cobb delrin knob?

[@Autofreakgarage]

Way better. Absolutely love this knob. Honestly I can’t recommend it enough.

[@seththomas3084]

@@Autofreakgarage Sweet! I'm a couple weeks into my 21' wrx. Perrin shift stop so far. Looking at shift knob options.

[@5murf495]

I like the material it compliments the shift boot

[@thebeaststi4300]

Dang that shift knob looks so nice, I might have to pick one up!

[@Dom-vv1xo]

Is it gonna fit without the thread adapter?

[@Autofreakgarage]

No you need the adapter for your application

[@GR8GUY54]

I have been looking for one and you almost sold me on this. That price is steep for a shift knob. If it was a $100 I would buy it tonight! Maybe they'll have a BF sale?

[@Autofreakgarage]

I picked mine up around Christmas time last year and it was sub $200 if I remember correctly. Either way, 100% worth it. I don’t think I’ll own another knob again.

[@wrxstivideos7422]

I’m definitely gonna get one.

[@ViggenStory]

Worth it ?

[@abba9415]

hey Chris did you use any blue Loctite ?

[@Autofreakgarage]

No sir

[@edwynperales591]

Love the videos (:

[@FastnFuriousCDN]

They're having a great sale now (11/2021), but even with discount, it's $335 for the STI. Ouch!

[@Autofreakgarage]

Worth it!

[@FastnFuriousCDN]

@@Autofreakgarage Hope so dude! I just bought it! Thanks for the review man!

[@FastnFuriousCDN]

Chris, did you install your R Lock yourself? I got the Raceseng R Lock as well, but really nervous about doing it myself in case that brake cable drops down. Any pointers? Thank you buddy!

[@Autofreakgarage]

I’m running the Perrin reverse lock out, but same concept. Just need to get under the car and pin the cable bracket. I used use an Allen key.

[@touayaaj84]

which way is reverse?

[@Autofreakgarage]

To the right and down

[@neophytemma768]

you selling the cobb? :)

[@Autofreakgarage]

Haha nah

[@neophytemma768]

@@Autofreakgarage i had to try :P

[@seththomas3084]

Was the Cobb still pretty good quality? Where I work we produce delrin so just wondering real world application.

[@Autofreakgarage]

Yes. It’s a fantastic knob.

[@TehAnalog]

10/10! She's a beaut!

[@Dave-so7sf]

That shift knob is really nice. I can’t believe the price though.

[@Autofreakgarage]

Worth it!

[@jessel1217]

Was about to order until you said $220 lol I mean hey if you got the cash spend it but... shit. Lol.

[@igotreef]

Pricey

[@Autofreakgarage]

Worth it

[@rubberlessg241]

Now sells for $295. gtfoh.