[hotspoons]

I've owned the car 6 days and already I'm starting. I did Stan's shifter bracket mod, though I ended up using a 50mm bolt, 3 washers, and two nuts instead of a spacer.

Anyhow, I am very satisfied with the result. The plastic center console doesn't move around nearly as much when shifting, and I can reliably shift into second from any other gear. Also, I don't think I'll be accidentally putting it into reverse while trying for first like I had done a few times. Accuracy is much much improved. Feel is improved as well. It's not great, but it is light years better. I also sprayed some lube down the reverse/first lockout slide and the horrible squeak went away.

All of the instructions I read involved removing the seats and the center console completely. I was able to do it just by undoing the two bolts on the side of the console, disconnecting the plugs, and swinging it up and out of the way so I didn't need to cut the zip tie on the boot.

Next up is fabricating a mount for two aluminum cup holders I got off of amazon out of aluminum angle. I was thinking of mounting it under the dash in the middle where the two bolts are in the middle. I will post pictures.

 

[me73]

Your comments on the lockout make me think you may have something out of adjustment. You should only need to pull the lockout to get into reverse. Finding first shouldn't involve the lockout at all.

 

[hotspoons]

Your comments on the lockout make me think you may have something out of adjustment. You should only need to pull the lockout to get into reverse. Finding first shouldn't involve the lockout at all.

Hmm, I thought it was odd that the car needed the pull ring to get it into first. I'll try first without the pull ring. The previous owner told me that I needed to use the pull ring to get into first, and I guess I never tried without. I'll report back later.

 

[me73]

Hmm, I thought it was odd that the car needed the pull ring to get it into first. I'll try first without the pull ring. The previous owner told me that I needed to use the pull ring to get into first, and I guess I never tried without. I'll report back later.

If the crossgate cable is adjusted to be biased too far to the left, it can force you to have to pull the lock out for first and second, as you seem to be experiencing. The shift lever should be leaning quite far to the right when it's in neutral. I suspect yours is too far set to the left.

 

[turbophil]

Wow, are we still calling that the stan shifter mod? Brings back some memories!

 

[hotspoons]

If the crossgate cable is adjusted to be biased too far to the left, it can force you to have to pull the lock out for first and second, as you seem to be experiencing. The shift lever should be leaning quite far to the right when it's in neutral. I suspect yours is too far set to the left.

I think the crossgate cable is biased too far left. I tried this morning, and indeed I do need to pull the ring to get it into first.

Wow, are we still calling that the stan shifter mod? Brings back some memories!

Haha, after spending a couple of hours researching ways to improve the shifter, many threads from 7 or 8 years ago came up that called it by that name. What is a more appropriate name?

 

[Motard]

oh the slippery slope finds another victim ! That was my first Mod as well !

Sector 111 shift re enforcer helps too. So does the tranny mix of GMsychromesh and redline RT-90. Then you can get the SSC cable... They all make a difference unfortunately !

I have not graduated to full blown LETSA, but it acts and shifts like a car vs whatever it was before. Is that how Go carts shift ? heh

 

[hotspoons]

oh the slippery slope finds another victim ! That was my first Mod as well !

Sector 111 shift re enforcer helps too. So does the tranny mix of GMsychromesh and redline RT-90. Then you can get the SSC cable... They all make a difference unfortunately !

I have not graduated to full blown LETSA, but it acts and shifts like a car vs whatever it was before. Is that how Go carts shift ? heh

I will be looking into some of these options, thanks!

 

[driftwood]

Sector 111 shift re enforcer helps too.

dont confuse the guy now... that's essentially the same thing as 'stans shifter mod'

What is a more appropriate name?

you can call it anything you want... but its just a DIY fix to strengthen the shifter mounting frame that's flimsy & not supported very well from the factory... which can cause extra movement & play during shifts

also to touch on the other related areas in shifting...

LETSLA is a mechanism that's supposed to crisp up shift feel... there are some mixed reviews on weather its actually need & seems to be more personal preference

the stock shift cables are known to be a bit weak... so the SSC (simply sports cars) cables are aftermarket alternatives that are known to help prevent the frailness that the stock ones suffer from

happy learning, you're already on the right track :up:

 

[hotspoons]

dont confuse the guy now... that's essentially the same thing as 'stans shifter mod'



you can call it anything you want... but its just a DIY fix to strengthen the shifter mounting frame that's flimsy & not supported very well from the factory... which can cause extra movement & play during shifts

also to touch on the other related areas in shifting...

LETSLA is a mechanism that's supposed to crisp up shift feel... there are some mixed reviews on weather its actually need & seems to be more personal preference

the stock shift cables are known to be a bit weak... so the SSC (simply sports cars) cables are aftermarket alternatives that are known to help prevent the frailness that the stock ones suffer from

happy learning, you're already on the right track :up:

I've read about the LETSLA; it seems like it is better engineered than the stock set-up and provides good adjustability, but I plan on autocrossing this car in super stock and I think modifications to the shift linkage would put me in the prepared class.

I'll be removing my center shroud (again) today and attempting to adjust the crossgate cable so first isn't locked out without the pull ring :/

 

[LostPawn]

Next up is fabricating a mount for two aluminum cup holders I got off of amazon out of aluminum angle. I was thinking of mounting it under the dash in the middle where the two bolts are in the middle. I will post pictures.

Not sure what your end goal is for this but these are also available http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f3/rails-engineering-double-cup-holder-stock-226594/

 

[tmr]

I did Stan's mod when I changed out my console for a leather-covered one last year. Best single thing I've done to the car. It still will never shift like my old Elan did, as the shift lever on it went directly into the gearbox - no linkage.

 

[hotspoons]

Not sure what your end goal is for this but these are also available http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f3/rails-engineering-double-cup-holder-stock-226594/

I've seen those, and they are so nicely made and beautiful, just like they should have been from the factory. They are also $200 for a double cup holder. Having just spent a lot of money on this car, I need to curb my spending for a while, so I'll see if my $20 solution with an hour or two of my time will suit my needs. The cup holders I got are aluminum and black plastic, so they should fit the aesthetic of the interior pretty well. And if it sucks, I wasted $20.

I'll post a thread with pictures as I make it.

 

[hotspoons]

I did Stan's mod when I changed out my console for a leather-covered one last year. Best single thing I've done to the car. It still will never shift like my old Elan did, as the shift lever on it went directly into the gearbox - no linkage.

Yes, linkage-free or rod-actuated transmissions are so much better than cable-operated assemblies. Usually. I'm not impressed by the feel of the 6 speed in my Subaru, but my miata, if not accelerating at full tilt (motor rocks in mounts and 5th ends up being where you think third is), is a joy.

 

[hotspoons]

If the crossgate cable is adjusted to be biased too far to the left, it can force you to have to pull the lock out for first and second, as you seem to be experiencing. The shift lever should be leaning quite far to the right when it's in neutral. I suspect yours is too far set to the left.

I popped the center binnacle off today, twisted the crossgate ball joint socket three rotations out, put it back together, and it now goes into first without the pull ring! Of course, now I notice that first grinds if not rev matched, but maybe I'll try better gear oil and see if that fixes it. Thanks!

 

[me73]

I popped the center binnacle off today, twisted the crossgate ball joint socket three rotations out, put it back together, and it now goes into first without the pull ring! Of course, now I notice that first grinds if not rev matched, but maybe I'll try better gear oil and see if that fixes it. Thanks!

You may still be off a turn if it takes heavy pressure to get into gear and that's causing the grinding.

 

[Lotus F1]

Yeah I got the Stan the ripp-off mod. Makes your car and wallet light ..should have stuck to just this one.

 

[dcat151]

I popped the center binnacle off today, twisted the crossgate ball joint socket three rotations out, put it back together, and it now goes into first without the pull ring! Of course, now I notice that first grinds if not rev matched, but maybe I'll try better gear oil and see if that fixes it. Thanks!

I just changed my transmission fluid and put in some Redline MT90 and the shifting is much improved. I'd recommend giving that a shot.

 

[Coyne]

Yeah I got the Stan the ripp-off mod. Makes your car and wallet light ..should have stuck to just this one.

What do you mean? Please elaborate.

 

[Swic]

Yeah I got the Stan the ripp-off mod.

I just read through this thread.

Jeez you were such a fan girl back then, I hope you made amends with Randy after that crap show. It's never cool to be the guy who's "just asking questions..."

Having said that, I too just did Stan's shift mod. Used only a correctly sized bolt and a huge stack of washers. Got it really tight and it's totally solid. I'm so happy the mushiness is gone!