5BW Manual shift knob cover or replacement?

[revvhigh]

I'm not a fan of Alacantara in high-touch locations. Eventually it rubs unevenly and looks bad. So I'm looking for something to cover or replace my manual shift lever.

I can't find much online. Just the OEM replacement and this: 22-26+ Cadillac CT4-V/CT5-V Carbon Fiber Manual Shift Knob - Wildhammer Motorsports

Has anyone tried this Windhammer product and can give it a thumbs up or down? Or has anyone found other products of this type I should consider?

 

[Spyder043]

I’d buy or swap for my leather shifter (assuming yours is in good condition.) mine is coming off a 2026 5bw

 

[leres]

I'm not a fan of Alacantara in high-touch locations. Eventually it rubs unevenly and looks bad. So I'm looking for something to cover or replace my manual shift lever.

My '14 2nd gen CTS-V had the alacantara steering wheel and shifter. It was a CPO and I'm pretty sure they were replaced before I got it. But after a couple of years they got loaded with sweat and dead skin so I installed the OE leather versions.

 

[RKS]

I'm not a fan of Alacantara in high-touch locations. Eventually it rubs unevenly and looks bad. So I'm looking for something to cover or replace my manual shift lever.

I can't find much online. Just the OEM replacement and this: 22-26+ Cadillac CT4-V/CT5-V Carbon Fiber Manual Shift Knob - Wildhammer Motorsports

Has anyone tried this Windhammer product and can give it a thumbs up or down? Or has anyone found other products of this type I should consider?

I have the OEM leather and also bought the CF knob. It's nice and weighted but not enough contrast with the CF center console trim for me. I actually had my steering wheel wrapped with Alcantara and bought the Alcantara knob and shift boot assembl;y.

 

[hawk02]

I have the OEM leather and also bought the CF knob. It's nice and weighted but not enough contrast with the CF center console trim for me. I actually had my steering wheel wrapped with Alcantara and bought the Alcantara knob and shift boot assembl;y.

How hard was it to install the CF knob? Any tips or tricks? I'd like to replace my leather shift knob with CF.

I swapped the Alcantara knob on my '17 ZL1 for the CF from Wildhammer and really liked it.

 

[RKS]

How hard was it to install the CF knob? Any tips or tricks? I'd like to replace my leather shift knob with CF.

I swapped the Alcantara knob on my '17 ZL1 for the CF from Wildhammer and really liked it.

You have to remove the entire shift boot. I'll try to update with pictures. The plastic trim around the boot has to be squeezed in and pulled up (I used a plastic trim /pry bar). The knob itself just has 2 plastic arms that click into the shift boot.

 

[pmsteinm]

My 09 V had the steering wheel with Alcantara and that lasted 100k/14yrs without showing wear. But I always washed hands before driving the car. My shifter was leather (so technically a manufacturing error) but I never had them swap it out because I was worried about wear. I say just leave it and drive the car. If one day it looks bad, either get an OEM replacement or something else.

 

[PeteK]

I have a 2012 CTS-V with the sueded microfiber option and after years of driving it with a deeply matted wheel and shifter, I finally looked into maintenance/refurbishment, and realized:

1) Cleaning somewhat regularly keeps it from getting matted down with oils and dirt.
2) Even if it's rally matted down, it can be restored to surprisingly close to new with a little bit of elbow grease and suede cleaner. I used this: SONAX Alcantara cleaner

 

[flipray]

You have to remove the entire shift boot. I'll try to update with pictures. The plastic trim around the boot has to be squeezed in and pulled up (I used a plastic trim /pry bar). The knob itself just has 2 plastic arms that click into the shift boot.

I was really hoping the shift knob is held in place with a screw only. Like the corvettes so we can try to use aftermarket corvette shift knobs.

Now i wonder ZL1 camaros use the same shift knob design. I really want something heavier.

 

[Z28]

I’d like to know if an entire ZL1 shifter would swap over.

 

[Carguyshu]

I’d like to know if an entire ZL1 shifter would swap over.

the factory shifter i believe is the same as what is in the ZL1