New type of gear shift cable - LotusTalk

iana · 06-10-2009, 05:07 PM

SSC Improved Gear shift cable - for Toyota Lotus Elise & Exige

Simply Sports Cars Australia, has developed a new shift cable as a direct replacement for the factory cable. We needed a stronger cable that could cope with race conditions while having a more positive engagement feel. The result is a cable that is stronger, has less lost motion, and is smoother in operation.

Main features:
At the gear shift end –
Brass nickel plated guide sleeves with dust seals, instead of plastic guides with no seals – provides better guidance of side loads.

Terminates with low friction Teflon lined Spherical Rod ends – and eliminates ball linkage shear at the gearstick.

At the gearbox end -

Larger operating rod with brass nickel plated guide sleeve instead of plastic –
providing smoother operation with a higher load capacity.

Increased longevity with double protection neoprene boots providing a dust- proof seal, instead of a single gaiter.

The Cable -

Low friction inner cable provides higher efficiency, reduced force, and minimised backlash, for a smoother operation.

The cable design incorporates a splined core allowing a close low-friction fit with the inner cable liner to reduce play.

Components -
(See picture)

This single cable is to be used in conjunction with the other factory Crossgate cable.

Fitting instructions included.

Available now from Blackwatch Racing (BWR) for US/Can markets. Other markets email us for price and freight.

lee@simplysportscars.com

trfewfe · 06-10-2009, 05:57 PM

What model year is this for? What kind of testing has this assembly under gone?

jim-clayton · 06-14-2009, 07:11 AM

Is the price quoted per cable?

Dragon · 06-14-2009, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim-clayton

Is the price quoted per cable?

Sounds like this is only the shift cable and you keep the stock cross gate cable... Shift cable has the most stress since your pushing threw the syncro's and engaging the gear... I don't think I've ever heard of a cross gate cable failure in anyone's posts to date.

Looks to be around $340 to the USA shipped... The Rear tow link brace I got from him was beautiful quality and very beefy so if this is on the same order of awesomeness then it's a win...

You Ausi's make some great car part's by the way... I've ordered quite a bit of stuff from over there with great success... I just wish the AUS $ to US $ rate was what it was 8-10 years ago...

jim-clayton · 06-14-2009, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragon

Sounds like this is only the shift cable and you keep the stock cross gate cable... Shift cable has the most stress since your pushing threw the syncro's and engaging the gear... I don't think I've ever heard of a cross gate cable failure in anyone's posts to date.

Makes sense. Some larger photo's would be nice.

cobrabyte · 06-14-2009, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim-clayton

Makes sense. Some larger photo's would be nice.

+1 … my eyes are too old for those tiny pics above.

iana · 06-14-2009, 05:18 PM

Some clearer pictures of cable ends.

New SSC cable is the lower one in both pictures.

iana · 06-15-2009, 09:06 PM

SSC cable has been tested in 2 race cars last race season and came through with no issues.

Shift cable is for all Toyota engined Elise and Exige cars.

BWR holds stock for US/Can.

For reference I understand that the US market recommended retail price for the factory gear shift cable is US$310.

iana · 07-05-2009, 09:29 PM

SSC Improved gear shift cable

In response to questions, here are some additional photos. The kit includes a new ¼” shoulder screw to fit the spherical rod end (Heim joint) to the gear lever – complete with washers and locknut.

From the SSC Fitting Instructions: “Using a hacksaw, cut the back side of the existing ball pin flush with the gear lever bracket and then twist it out. Once released run a ¼” drill carefully through the hole. (must be an exact ¼” drill, not metric)”.

SSC supply only an improved stronger gear shift cable and gear lever bolt. You retain the other factory crossgate cable. We have not broken any crossgate cables and the more positive feel of our cable would only marginally improve the crossgate feel - so SSC opted to do the shift cable only.

steidley · 07-06-2009, 07:59 AM

What does the install look like? can you get to the transmission without any undue histrionics? (i.e. is there any step that looks like "Now remove engine from car")

Adam

ACE51 · 07-06-2009, 08:04 AM

very nice, does this take out all the "slop" in the shifting process? can you use this with the LETSLA shift kit?

How big of a pain is it to pull out the old cable and put this one in?

kverges · 07-06-2009, 02:30 PM

How heat resistant is it? I actually had more trouble with the crossgate cable melting internally and making the action very "sticky"

DPM · 07-07-2009, 03:55 AM

Did you wrap the cables with any thermal protection? The foil that the factory uses is worthless.

iana · 07-12-2009, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACE51

very nice, does this take out all the "slop" in the shifting process? can you use this with the LETSLA shift kit?

How big of a pain is it to pull out the old cable and put this one in?

Yes reduces the slop and yes can be used with the LETSLA short shift kit.

Replacement of the gear shift cable requires:-

Remove gear shift knob, handbrake cover and centre console.
Jack rear of car and remove diffuser and rear panel.
Rest is straightforward. We supply fitting instructions.

Hope this helps.

kverges · 07-14-2009, 07:03 AM

My cables are NOW wrapped, as I learned about the crappy factory insulation the hard way

turbophil · 07-14-2009, 07:20 AM

Keith/DPM- You ever look into making a midlength turbo header that places the turbo under the boot- similar to how hypersport does it? I would think that would really help you turbo guys who live on the track manage the heat better... Should be a pretty easy header to make for any local speed shop...

FWIW- I've seen even reasonable well wrapped shifter cables still burn up over time on a FF275 car. Took multiple layers of reflective heat wrap to finally solve the problem...

Cables look great Ian!

TP

Certified Lotus · 07-14-2009, 05:50 PM

Just ordered this and received. Thanks Lee for the quick response and delivery (even while on vacation). Installing this week, will let everyone know about the outcome after my track days next weekend.

Certified Lotus · 07-21-2009, 08:31 AM

very fast response via email and package showed up in 2 days. Install complete, have 3 days of track time later this week, will advise results. Will you be at NJMP this weekend?

Certified Lotus · 07-21-2009, 09:39 AM

Schattenbaum Thursday, Members day Friday & Saturday. All three days at Thunderbolt. Will be breaking in my new engine ;-)

dmh · 07-21-2009, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Certified Lotus

Schattenbaum Thursday, Members day Friday & Saturday. All three days at Thunderbolt. Will be breaking in my new engine ;-)

Got good BI oil such as Brad Penn or Gibbs?
See you there...

06-10-2009, 05:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
iana 111R Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 94	Improved gear shift cable SSC Improved Gear shift cable - for Toyota Lotus Elise & Exige Simply Sports Cars Australia, has developed a new shift cable as a direct replacement for the factory cable. We needed a stronger cable that could cope with race conditions while having a more positive engagement feel. The result is a cable that is stronger, has less lost motion, and is smoother in operation. Main features: At the gear shift end – Brass nickel plated guide sleeves with dust seals, instead of plastic guides with no seals – provides better guidance of side loads. Terminates with low friction Teflon lined Spherical Rod ends – and eliminates ball linkage shear at the gearstick. At the gearbox end - Larger operating rod with brass nickel plated guide sleeve instead of plastic – providing smoother operation with a higher load capacity. Increased longevity with double protection neoprene boots providing a dust- proof seal, instead of a single gaiter. The Cable - Low friction inner cable provides higher efficiency, reduced force, and minimised backlash, for a smoother operation. The cable design incorporates a splined core allowing a close low-friction fit with the inner cable liner to reduce play. Components - (See picture) This single cable is to be used in conjunction with the other factory Crossgate cable. Fitting instructions included. Available now from Blackwatch Racing (BWR) for US/Can markets. Other markets email us for price and freight. lee@simplysportscars.com Attached Images Last edited by iana : 10-11-2009 at 10:13 PM. Reason: amendment

06-14-2009, 07:11 AM	#3 (permalink)
jim-clayton Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Fort Lauderdale Florida Posts: 1,630	Is the price quoted per cable? __________________ 2005 Elise Storm Titanium

06-14-2009, 05:18 PM	#7 (permalink)
iana 111R Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 94	SSC Improved gear shift cable Some clearer pictures of cable ends. New SSC cable is the lower one in both pictures. Attached Images

06-15-2009, 09:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
iana 111R Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 94	Improved gear shift cable SSC cable has been tested in 2 race cars last race season and came through with no issues. Shift cable is for all Toyota engined Elise and Exige cars. BWR holds stock for US/Can. For reference I understand that the US market recommended retail price for the factory gear shift cable is US$310. Last edited by iana : 11-03-2009 at 12:25 AM.

07-05-2009, 09:29 PM	#9 (permalink)
iana 111R Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 94	Improved Gear Shift Cable SSC Improved gear shift cable In response to questions, here are some additional photos. The kit includes a new ¼” shoulder screw to fit the spherical rod end (Heim joint) to the gear lever – complete with washers and locknut. From the SSC Fitting Instructions: “Using a hacksaw, cut the back side of the existing ball pin flush with the gear lever bracket and then twist it out. Once released run a ¼” drill carefully through the hole. (must be an exact ¼” drill, not metric)”. SSC supply only an improved stronger gear shift cable and gear lever bolt. You retain the other factory crossgate cable. We have not broken any crossgate cables and the more positive feel of our cable would only marginally improve the crossgate feel - so SSC opted to do the shift cable only. Attached Images

06-10-2009, 05:57 PM	#2 (permalink)
trfewfe Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Rochester Hills Michigan Posts: 72	What model year is this for? What kind of testing has this assembly under gone?

07-06-2009, 07:59 AM	#10 (permalink)
steidley 06 CaRed Elise Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Piscataway, NJ Posts: 135	What does the install look like? can you get to the transmission without any undue histrionics? (i.e. is there any step that looks like "Now remove engine from car") Adam

07-06-2009, 08:04 AM	#11 (permalink)
ACE51 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Summerfield, NC Posts: 604	very nice, does this take out all the "slop" in the shifting process? can you use this with the LETSLA shift kit? How big of a pain is it to pull out the old cable and put this one in? __________________ 06 Exige CO BWRized 05 Civic "Special Edition" 05 Elise CO, Trim shop interior and other things...SOLD

07-06-2009, 02:30 PM	#12 (permalink)
kverges Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Dallas Posts: 925	How heat resistant is it? I actually had more trouble with the crossgate cable melting internally and making the action very "sticky"

07-07-2009, 03:55 AM	#13 (permalink)
DPM Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 702	Did you wrap the cables with any thermal protection? The foil that the factory uses is worthless. __________________ 2006 Diasio D962R Arancio Borealis SOLD: 05 Elise, Benetec Carbon Fiber full body & rear wing, FF 275 turbo kit , Ikeya sequential shifter, Ohlins coilovers, Porterfield R-4, Sector 111 RTD brace & HNT pad, Yokohama A048, Caterham seats, Simpson 5 point belts, Moroso oil pan, Sector 111 Boomerang, AutoMeter CF Oil Pres-Boost-Vac gauges. No AC, heat, airbags. 1619 pounds "wet"

07-14-2009, 07:03 AM	#15 (permalink)
kverges Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Dallas Posts: 925	My cables are NOW wrapped, as I learned about the crappy factory insulation the hard way

07-14-2009, 07:20 AM	#16 (permalink)
turbophil Plug Whisperer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Kansas City/ Overland Park Posts: 2,544 Images: 6	Keith/DPM- You ever look into making a midlength turbo header that places the turbo under the boot- similar to how hypersport does it? I would think that would really help you turbo guys who live on the track manage the heat better... Should be a pretty easy header to make for any local speed shop... FWIW- I've seen even reasonable well wrapped shifter cables still burn up over time on a FF275 car. Took multiple layers of reflective heat wrap to finally solve the problem... Cables look great Ian! TP __________________ \| '05 GG LSS Elise \| A Track Chariot \| BOE ClamHinge \| BOE TVS SuperCharger 280whp/180wtq \| EFI Standalone Engine Management \| BOE Fuel Surge System \| BOE Lotus Tow Package See my car at BOE Fabrication: www.boefabrication.com *----->Last Updated: 9/25/2009* If something ain't worth doing right, it ain't worth doing... *Whoever thought working on a Lotus is hard, clearly hasn't tried it. Pick up a wrench and get some grease under your nails*

07-14-2009, 05:50 PM	#17 (permalink)
Certified Lotus Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 173	Just ordered this and received. Thanks Lee for the quick response and delivery (even while on vacation). Installing this week, will let everyone know about the outcome after my track days next weekend. __________________ '07 Exige S,LSD,2bular Header,SportCat & GT3 Exhaust,Gotham Tune ECU, V2 Fuel Cell,BOE Surge Tank,MWR Fuel Rail,RLS Intercooler&Pipes,CircuitWorx Oil Pump Gears,Moroso oil pan, Accusump,Fidanza 3.2 Kevlar Clutch & Alum Flywheel,Nitron GT3,V2arms,AP Racing Brakes(315mm),SS Brake Lines,Prototype Composites CF Roof,ReVerie CF Front Splitter,diffuser & 1650MM Wing,RTD Brace, SSC Shift Cable, Lotus Racing M Mounts/High Perf.Air Box,Defi Gauges,RAC Monolite Wheels,Safecraft 5 Point Harness,Traqmate.

07-21-2009, 08:31 AM	#18 (permalink)
Certified Lotus Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 173	very fast response via email and package showed up in 2 days. Install complete, have 3 days of track time later this week, will advise results. Will you be at NJMP this weekend? __________________ '07 Exige S,LSD,2bular Header,SportCat & GT3 Exhaust,Gotham Tune ECU, V2 Fuel Cell,BOE Surge Tank,MWR Fuel Rail,RLS Intercooler&Pipes,CircuitWorx Oil Pump Gears,Moroso oil pan, Accusump,Fidanza 3.2 Kevlar Clutch & Alum Flywheel,Nitron GT3,V2arms,AP Racing Brakes(315mm),SS Brake Lines,Prototype Composites CF Roof,ReVerie CF Front Splitter,diffuser & 1650MM Wing,RTD Brace, SSC Shift Cable, Lotus Racing M Mounts/High Perf.Air Box,Defi Gauges,RAC Monolite Wheels,Safecraft 5 Point Harness,Traqmate.

07-21-2009, 09:39 AM	#19 (permalink)
Certified Lotus Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 173	Schattenbaum Thursday, Members day Friday & Saturday. All three days at Thunderbolt. Will be breaking in my new engine ;-) __________________ '07 Exige S,LSD,2bular Header,SportCat & GT3 Exhaust,Gotham Tune ECU, V2 Fuel Cell,BOE Surge Tank,MWR Fuel Rail,RLS Intercooler&Pipes,CircuitWorx Oil Pump Gears,Moroso oil pan, Accusump,Fidanza 3.2 Kevlar Clutch & Alum Flywheel,Nitron GT3,V2arms,AP Racing Brakes(315mm),SS Brake Lines,Prototype Composites CF Roof,ReVerie CF Front Splitter,diffuser & 1650MM Wing,RTD Brace, SSC Shift Cable, Lotus Racing M Mounts/High Perf.Air Box,Defi Gauges,RAC Monolite Wheels,Safecraft 5 Point Harness,Traqmate.

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