LETSLA Short Shifter Linkage

[Addictedto]

Just a quick note, I went up to north jersey to install the LETSLA upgrade kit for an Exige owner. The upgrade made a nice difference. If anyone in the NJ area needs help let me know. Troy, thanks again.

[tvacc]

We should give this another bumpppppppp!!!!!

Great product and really makes a difference.

[fishtaco]

I did mine this weekend (1st gen kit). Took me about 3 to 4 hours. The engineering required to come up with this kit is impressive. The location of the linkage could not be in a much worse spot. You have to make the adjustments at the shifter under the center console. I did almost all of my adjustments on the lower crossgate cable. I couldn't shift into 1st-2nd at all and ended up turning the end at the shifter out about 4 to 5 full turns. It seems sweet now. I can only get into reverse by pulling up on the lockout.

Here's a tip for removing the center console: Reach either underneath or through the shifter boot hole (if you removed the shifter boot) and simply pop off the upper cable (shifter) with a 12 mm wrench to pry it off. It's a simple ball and socket and pops right off. Then your shifter will go very far forward and you can easily slide the console off. Pop that shifter cable ball socket back on and try out your shifts.

[ErictheBastard]

Originally Posted by TroyLotus

This should clear up the getting into reverse issue and also getting into 1st-2nd. It is the adjustment on the crossgate cable at the front of the car in the console. What happens is this. When stock the adjustment is set so when you push left on the shifter it moves the crossgate cable a certain amount to get into 1st or 2nd gear. If you pull up on the reverse knob you can go farther over pushing the cable farther and getting into reverse. What is happening when you install the LETSLA is you have to adjust the rod end at the console side. What you need to do is turn this in a few turns to get the correct cable length on the crossgate. The crossgate cable is the lower of the cables and the one that will move when you move the shifter left to right. You may need one more turn in or a couple. What I mean by turn it in is turning the rod end there to make the threads go further in the rod end so you are screwing in on further and making the cable a tiny bit shorter each time.

This is how I test to make sure it is just where it should be. I put it in 3rd gear and then try to downshift into 2nd gear. It should go right in. If you have to let up pressure on it and come back to the right a tiny bit to find 2nd gear the cable is to long and you need to screw in the rod end there another turn. You will find the perfect spot for the rod end and what I call the sweat spot. It should just go from 3rd to 2nd no problem.

Now if you can not go into 1st-2nd gear without pulling up on the reverse knob a little bit to find it then you have screwed the crossgate rod end in to much. You will know. When you have it right it will right into 1st-2nd gear and not go into reverse. This should solve the problems that you are having and a good tip for anyone else doing the install.

Troy

Another tip figured out is that you do not have to take the console all the way off to adjust. What I do is take off the two tor bolts that hold it on and also disconnect the hazard switch. Then I can lift the console up enough to get to the crossgate rod end and use my 10mm open end wrench to adjust it. It is tight, but might be easier than taking the console all the way off.

I'm still having an issue with going into reverse without using the reverse pull-up thingy. I have the rod end of the crossgate cable (lower cable) screwed down as far as it will go (the cable bottoming out at the end of the blind hole). The shifting action is fine on 1-6 in both directions, just no reverse lockout (caught me very much by surprise in traffic one day on a very busy PCH)

Should I dremel off 1/16 at the end of the cable?

Cheers,
E

[tandemracer]

Originally Posted by ErictheBastard

Should I dremel off 1/16 at the end of the cable?

Is there more room to adjust he cable at the transmission end?

[ErictheBastard]

Originally Posted by tandemracer

Is there more room to adjust he cable at the transmission end?

Probably, but.......TOO LATE!

Actually, I regret nothing, it worked fine and pulling the whole linkage assembly to get two turns out of the cable without absolute assurance that it would work was a bit daunting in 102°F weather. There was plenty of excess thread on the shifter end to work with.

It works beautifully now.

[simon_komo]

hi troy as my mechanic has been super duper busy. the install for the V2 kit has been delayed until 2 days ago

We have made the install... the shift was a little notchy and tight as we could not understand the instructions fully... we finally got HK-FEVER to pop around to the workshop and give us some insight... boy did that help. Shift kit is now installed....

Did a test drive this morning and boy its short and crisp..... alittle notchy but not enough to bug me... i am sure when the system gets used a bit more it will be even smooth

ONE question to ask troy, my complete kit is already the V2 kit. With the original cable bracket comes a recatangle aluminium spacer to change the angle of the bracket. We couldnt get the kit to work with the spacer on, the bracket leans forward and down towards the front end. Is this correct ? Kit seems to work fine without this spacer piece ? is it safe to install without this part ? my car is a 2005 exige, one of the first batches of the Exige S2

advise needed

SIMON

[TroyLotus]

Simon
I would say you do not have to put the alum angled spacer in there for the cable bracket, but it is made to make the cables at a better angle and should have smoohter operation for it. If you can put it in you should.

On the notchy feeling. I would try to make sure you adjust the rod end at the console side for the crossgate lever. Try another turn in and it my solve the problem. If it feels notchy going into 5th gear that will help and make it feel good and smooth.

[simon_komo]

hi troy

so far the shifter feel is excellent. on 2nd shortest setting for shifter cable and 3rd setting for the other cable. fine adjustments done

so far so good

have not installed the rectangular adaptor plate yet

will update on progress

best
Simon

[onthebeach]

Hello.

I'm now installing the Letsla kit V2 on my 08 Exige and have a few questions:

Cable length:
I'm confused about the number of turns that the cables must enter into the rod ends at the gearbox side.
I did the following: I fully screwed the locking nut on each cable, then fully screwed the rod end on the cable until it reaches the nut. Then I unscrewed each rod end by 5 full turns as explained n Troy's instructions.
Is this correct as I saw for the Crossgate that it should by unscrewed by 2 turns and not 5... Can I have more explanations please?

Shifter movement
I have seen a table comparing the shifting length of the stock install VS the Letsla install with the default setting.
Did anybody measured these lengths with the different Letsla settings?

Shortest throw
I have read that the shortest throw required more force for shifting. Does that mean also that it might break the cables easier???
What are your recommendations for the rod ends hole position for both cables? Is the default position (2 for shift, 3 for crossgate) ideal?

Console fine adjustment
I have read the threads for the crossagte adjustments, that is clear.
What about the shift cable adjustment. Does it need to be adjusted? What will this influence?

Thanks for your help!

François

[onthebeach]

Anybody knows if Troy is still following this thread?

[TroyLotus]

onthebeach. I have answered through email, but I will post it here also for anyone else that needs it.

Cable Length- On the bellcrank turn in all the way and then out 5 turns. On the crossgate you can turn it in all the way and then out 2-5 turns. You will also have to adjust it at the console, but sometimes you can get lucky with the cable length and 1st-2nd and reverse will be right where they need to be, but usually it takes a turn or two of adjustment to make it work just right.

Shifter movement. The farthest setting is basically the stock location. The shortest is a little less than half, but I have not measured specifically before and after. On the next install I will try to remeber to do this.

Console- On the forward back 1-2, 3-4 and 5-6 shifting you do not have to adjust it up front. If you do it will move the shifter closer or farther from you and if you like it one way better then the other then go for it. I did mine a tiny bit to be closer to me, but I am a shorter person so closer to me and the steering wheel seems to fit me better, but everyone is different.

On one other note I have come out with a new longer cable mounting bracket for those that want to keep the stock throw and it is really nice. I have used it for a few months and like the feel of it. I will put details on my site over the weekend once I get time.

Troy

[sleepe]

I don't get it.....the oem shifter has never been a REAL issue.

The REAL issue is the weak motor mounts.
-Robert

[ErictheBastard]

Originally Posted by sleepe

I don't get it.....the oem shifter has never been a REAL issue.

The REAL issue is the weak motor mounts.
-Robert

The oem shifter is an absolutely flacid slopfest. The LETSLA provides positive engagement. I love it and I don't have to add stiffer mounts that inevitably transfer vibration to the cabin. Still considering a ForcedFed damper though.

[RichardNHCooper]

My FF damper arrived today, I'll let you know what I think if you like.

Originally Posted by ErictheBastard

The oem shifter is an absolutely flacid slopfest. The LETSLA provides positive engagement. I love it and I don't have to add stiffer mounts that inevitably transfer vibration to the cabin. Still considering a ForcedFed damper though.

[FIL]

Love this product. Shift feel is fantastic. I didn't do the install myself, so I can't speak to ease of installation.

If you don't already have this product, you should get it!!!

[ErictheBastard]

Originally Posted by RichardNHCooper

My FF damper arrived today, I'll let you know what I think if you like.

Yes please - I assume you already have the LETSLA installed? I can't help but think that finding 2nd and 3rd when downshifting into a corner wouldn't benefit from this.

[RichardNHCooper]

I finished installing the FF damper a couple of hours ago and have taken it for a drive. It does transmit more vibration than without it.(Next Morning) I have just refitted it with the unit being tight but 'passive' I had to enlarge one of the top mounting holes so the unit was not under compression in a static state. Now it idles with no more vibration than stock.VERY HAPPY.
I don't think engine movement has a great effect on gear changing as the cables are fixed rigidly to the gearbox and so move with the engine.

Originally Posted by ErictheBastard

Yes please - I assume you already have the LETSLA installed? I can't help but think that finding 2nd and 3rd when downshifting into a corner wouldn't benefit from this.

[Turtle]

Originally Posted by lotusforsale

Originally Posted by cutters68
What is the difference in the LETSLA standard 05-06 and the LETSLA S 07-08? I just ordered the LETSLA S 07-08 for my 07 Elise. I did order the right one, right?

The cable sheaths on the later cars are a bit thicker, so Troy has to drill out a larger hole in the sleeves he puts in the kit to fit over the cable ends. That's it.

Does it mean the 07-08 kit will also fit the 05-06 cars? Would there be a problem using 07-08 kit on 05-06 cars? Thanks!

[Chococar]

OK, so I think I have it installed and adjusted properly, but...

In Section B. of Troy's LETSLA Installation procedure for the 2nd generation kit, he says "The bellcrank will still need to be unscrewed 5 full turns to have the clearance for the sheath protector." What does this mean? How does one unscrew the bellcrank--isn't the bellcrank the L-shaped aluminum lever?

I had extra parts left over Please see the photo below and give me a hint as to what they are and where they go.

Thanks,

Joe