The importance of the shifter

[cstetter]

Originally Posted by Pestodude

Add to this one of the stiffer motor mount solutions being offered by Sector 111, Manly, or Forcedfed and it gets better still.

I got the FF engine damper as part of the turbo install as well - that made a further improvement for shifting under load I think it will also help to keep those bolts that hold the turbo to the manifold from working lose - I certainly don't want any "added natural smoky goodness "

[nvrblu]

Originally Posted by SUTOL111x

on my early 914, shifting was easier than snapping all the clutch cables in that thing! I was a student and couldn't afford to fix the broken cable insert on the firewall. Had to carry a spare - always.

I drove my bro-in-law's 914-6 several times in the mid-1970's and I thought the shifting was fine. My car was a VW bug... the 914 was an improvement in shifting.


Speaking of clutch cables. I always carried a spare in my VW. Had to change it one night in the middle of nowhere on I-44 in the rain

[fpitas]

Originally Posted by Pestodude

Add to this one of the stiffer motor mount solutions being offered by Sector 111, Manly, or Forcedfed and it gets better still.

And I'll add in my case, changing to MT-90 tranny oil. So reinforce the shifter mounting, add the FF motor damper, and put in MT-90. After those changes, it's not bad at all.

[Vampyre]

Originally Posted by Stormrider

...I'm afraid the change may be really shocking. .

Stick with what you like... A Lotus is not for everyone...

[plastique999]

The original shifter is rattly....
As above, add the Shifter re-enforcer and the Bollock ball and your throws will drastically improve.
I think engine mounts may help too

[fitfan]

i have never had problems with the shifter - 3rd can be a little balky if you try to rush it during break-in, thats it. otherwise its average for a cable shifter.

...apparently some magazines can't shift it.

[Scrumpot]

As others have said - I think improvements have been made to the '08 models, as I personally, really have no problem(s) at all with the shifter in my '08. That said, last year I gave my eldest son my reconditioned '86 Fiero GT, which is also a mid-engined car. He replaced the stock shifter (lever only - the rest of the mechanism itself is still all stock) with a "short-shifter kit", and I have to say, when I drive his car now - those short-throw shifts are quite SWEET!

There are several (and quite inexpensive) variable mod's you can do to your shifter to set it up virtually any way you like it. To throw this SUPERB overall piece of machinery into the scrap-heap of consideration just over the shifter, IMHO, would be like proverbially throwing the baby out with the bath-water!

JMHO.

Cheers, and best wishes no matter what/how you decide.
-Grant

[Manxman]

I bought my Elise (a 2006) in July, with 5,000 miles on it. I was initially critical of the gearshift, in particular 2nd to 3rd. I just couldn't rely on hitting 3rd 100% of the time.
Then after a few a few weeks I realised that I wasn't having the problem any more. As another poster mentioned, it's best not to try to slam the shift through the "gate" - a more delicate approach pays dividends.
I also did the Stan's mod at the weekend, which has improved the action and will probably fit the new Sector 111 engine mounts when they are available.

So don't be put off by the lack of a "rifle bolt" shift action - the Elise has lots of other ways to seduce you!

[fpitas]

Mine was vague, notchy and sort of gooey feeling, and had not improved noticeably in a few thousand miles of driving. The MT-90 fixed the notchy and the shifter reinforcement helped the gooey feeling. Still, my major gripe was the shift gates would move during hard maneuvers. That meant shifting on hard corners was a crap shoot, I would have to hunt for the gear. The FF motor damper fixed that.

[LotusBear]

I haven't had any problems with the shifter.