Well the alitech is no longer in production. Supposedly there's a version 2 in the works, but you'll probably be waiting forever.

I'm intrigued by the Dolomiti one. Just looking at pictures and without an engineering background, I think it looks better engineered and designed than the inokinetic one. So take that for what it's worth (probably nothing).

Inokinetic is a great company. Some people have had given feedback from their shifter. And some have said it's marginally improved. I think if your existing shift feel isn't too horrible... You might not see a huge difference.

For me... a heavier knob, Stan's mod, shift reinforcing plate, SSC cables and the LETSLA improved shifting greatly. Still not like a s2k or Miata if you're comparing.

 

I’ve been planning on getting a new shifter but have been holding out because of some of these newer options. If you follow seriouslylotus on Instagram you will see they have the exposed factory shifter that they’re testing on a S2 Elise. Seems they needed to tweak the shift cables. I’m currently in contact with them and was told they’re doing testing at the track on Sunday. If all goes well we may see these newer shift kits offered to us! Seems like we’ll find out very soon! If so I’m sold!

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I’ve been planning on getting a new shifter but have been holding out because of some of these newer options. If you follow seriouslylotus on Instagram you will see they have the exposed factory shifter that they’re testing on a S2 Elise. Seems they needed to tweak the shift cables. I’m currently in contact with them and was told they’re doing testing at the track on Sunday. If all goes well we may see these newer shift kits offered to us! Seems like we’ll find out very soon! If so I’m sold!

Wow, I would love to be able to run the factory exposed shifter. Please share your experience if you get one once they're available. I was considering replacing my stock cables this winter, but I'll definitely hold off now.

 

Aesthetically the Inokentic Ultimate is my favorite out of all three. Dunno how well how the others perform but I was pleased with the improved shift feel over OEM. Heres a few pics of mine.

 

Not just the shifter to improve shifting. Motor mounts, Re enforcer/Stans mod, upgraded cables, bellcrank bushings all can help the feel of the shifter making shifting more precise.

 

Oh ya. The rear motor mount was also a noticeable improvement.

I've also always wondered if there was a way to improve the shift cable routing. So that it didn't have to go down and loop around the transmission and back. Shortening the cable and making it more direct would be a huge improvement in my mind. But who knows... Maybe if I had a race car with a fully gutted interior.

 

"Has anyone seen this product or know more about this one?
What are your thoughts."

Dolomiti gear shifter

Have seen one of these installed in an S2 Exige.

Precision made. CAD similar to the later oem shifter - with internal reverse lift. Durable CNC components and all roller bearing operation and metal lever pivot ball. Tig welded stainless handbrake frame incorporating switch mount.

Lever throw adjustable for Shift and Cross-gate movement. Option of anodised colours for those who wish to leave it exposed.

Your pic shows shifter with SSC cables that come with rod end connections, he can supply these for oem cables.

Precise shifting, a great piece of engineering.

 

Our Ultimate ShiftR111 Package is currently in stock.

It's also currently on sale for $2155 USD, almost $300 below the normal price!

Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions!

 

It must be considered that the car floor plays an important role on the overall stifness.
If never done: remove the shifter cover, pull hard the lever to the left in 1st or 2nd and see what appen to the floor....
Only Dolomiti Shifter and Inokinetic Shiftr111 has a large base to reduce floor bending and improve stifness.

Manuel

 

All reports are the EC60 transmission is the way to go, unfortunately there are not too many available here in N America.

 

Sub’d for more info on the OEM exposed shifter retrofit

 

Dolomiti Shifter under new OEM exposed done in UK:
Foto in Dolomiti Shifter - Google Foto

 

I was told that OEM exposed shifter and custom cable kits will be offered on the seriouslylotus web page when they have things ready. So far the prototype setup on their test car is doing great from what I’ve been told.


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I am really impressed with the engineering precision and components of the Dolomiti shifter solution.

Manuel shows some of the engineering that has gone into it:

 

I agree. I’m in contact with Manuel and his shifter is definitely a solid choice. I think I prefer his over the inokinetic one. I do not like the look of the wire for the reverse collar on the inokinetic shifter and like that the Dolomiti looks closer to the OEM style AND has adjustable throw built in without having to use a letsla. I have inquired about sourcing an OEM exposed shifter and seeing if it’s even possible to obtain and a time line for that(then I’d use the custom cables from serious lotus). Manuel is taking preorders for his new shifter through December for a 20% discount. I may lean towards his if the OEM parts are difficult or too expensive.

Dolomiti Shifter: Elise-Exige gear shifter from 2004 to 2017, LHD RHD, Toyota engine

Here you can find some videos: Youtube channel And here some pictures: Google Photo Album Developed and tested on beautiful Dolomiti roads, the shifter is made in stainless steel and anodiz...

classifieds.seloc.org

This thing looks solid AF!

Dolomiti Shifter in a Lotus Exige Cup260

Dolomiti Shifter fitted on an Exige Cup260, setted to the shortest cross stroke and near to shortest shift stroke.The shifter works perfectly with SimplySpor...

youtube.com

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I’m going the OEM open shifter route. Parts were ordered a few months ago from Lotus. Just ordered my custom cables from Dave at seriouslylotus that he just listed.

Here’s the link if interested.

S2 Gear Change Cables To Allow Open Shifter Installation

S2 Gear Change Cables To Allow Open Shifter Installation

www.seriouslylotus.com

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I’m going the OEM open shifter route. Parts were ordered a few months ago from Lotus. Just ordered my custom cables from Dave at seriouslylotus that he just listed.

Here’s the link if interested.

S2 Gear Change Cables To Allow Open Shifter Installation

S2 Gear Change Cables To Allow Open Shifter Installation

www.seriouslylotus.com

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Please post a write-up on here when you get all the parts and install it! I would love to see how it works and get your impressions!

 

Let us know how that goes, I have the dolomiti one on order and am looking forward to that, it really seems like a solid piece. It just didn't make sense for me to wait on the testing by seriously lotus and then buy all of the parts for the open shifter from Lotus, do the modifications to get it to fit, and also buy a new shift cable when I already switched over to the inokinetic cables when I bought the car two years ago.

 

I'll definelty make a post when all is said and done. Please keep us posted on how well the Dolomiti shifter works out. That shifter was my second choice.

Please post a write-up on here when you get all the parts and install it! I would love to see how it works and get your impressions!

I'll do my best. I hope to start this project when the weather starts getting a little warmer. Maybe March or April. I can't wait!

 

re Dolomiti shifter
Video here of adjusting the throw of the gear shift and the cross-gate mechanism.
Am impressed with the design, engineering and materials that have gone into this solution.
In the video Manuel has his shifter at close to shortest shift and cross-gate movement near minimum.

 

I’ve had the dolomiti shifter since June last year. It’s buttery smooth, quality is insanely good. The biggest issue with it I have found with it is it highlights the deficiencies or wear of the other elements of the shift system.

 

Maybe if you tried the LETSLA on the transmission end that would smooth things out a little more?


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Dolomiti shifter

I spoke to Manuel the engineer of the Dolomiti shifter and he advises against any changes to the mechanism at the gearbox end, as adjustable shift and cross-gate throw at the shifter end are adjustable to provide short enough throw for both functions and it is preferable for smooth operation to change leverage at the shifter lever end than at the short levers at the gearbox end.

As far as installing the Dolomiti shifter goes, he recommends the SSC cables - if you need to replace the cables. The SSC cables come with pfte lined rod end connections, but Manuel can supply the same rod ends to retrofit to your existing cables. Apart from less lost motion inside the SSC cables themselves and better guide sleeves to reduce whipping of the inner cables at both terminations, the rod ends themselves are a good improvement over the standard connections to reduce lost motion.

If the car has some years on it, then you could replace the bushes in the gearbox end mechanism for further improvement. One is more a dust cover than bush but can deteriorate over time and increase lost motion in that mechanism.
Below is a pic of 3 bush/cover items for the C60/C64 gearbox. The 2 bushes and dust cover are at bottom of pic and these are all you need from parts shown - Part nos. are 2nd and 3rd items on the list in the pic.

 

Dolomiti shifter

I spoke to Manuel the engineer of the Dolomiti shifter and he advises against any changes to the mechanism at the gearbox end, as adjustable shift and cross-gate throw at the shifter end are adjustable to provide short enough throw for both functions and it is preferable for smooth operation to change leverage at the longer lever end than at the short levers at the gearbox end.

As far as installing the Dolomiti shifter goes, he recommends the SSC cables - if you need to replace the cables. The SSC cables come with pfte lined rod end connections, but Manuel can supply the same rod ends to retrofit to your existing cables. Apart from less lost motion inside the SSC cables themselves and better guide sleeves to reduce whipping of the inner cables at both terminations, the rod ends themselves are a good improvement over the standard connections to reduce lost motion.

If the car has some years on it, then you could replace the bushes in the gearbox end mechanism for further improvement. One is more a dust cover than bush but can deteriorate over time and increase lost motion in that mechanism.
Below is a pic of 3 bush/cover items for the C60/C64 gearbox. The 2 bushes and dust cover are at bottom of pic.

One of the pieces at the transmission has been on B/O here for a while. I'll have to look back but it was the larger of the parts. The plastic bushings are available just not the arm with bush.

 

deleted, sorry

 

Dolomiti - Improved Lotus gear shifter
Latest pics from Manuel of replacement shifter assembly for Toyota S2 Elise, Exige and V6 Exige.
A piece of industrial art.

dolomitishifter@gmail.com

 

That Blue is nice. Can't wait for mine in red, been following the photo album pictures he's been posting, getting closer!

 

Look what just showed up today (Dolomiti Shifter, and according to Manuel, might be the first one he's shipped to the US):

Initial impressions is this is one solid shifter, I'm impressed just by messing with it on the floor. Probably will be a month or so before I get it installed (doing it along with a few other items, so I need to find the time).

Also, big shout out to @dzcmnl, such a great person to deal with through the entire thing and has been awesome in answering questions about his shifter.

I'll post more impressions (might do a thread on it), once I get it installed, but this is one nice piece of work, can't wait to get it installed.

 

Look what just showed up today (Dolomiti Shifter, and according to Manuel, might be the first one he's shipped to the US):

View attachment 1313957

Initial impressions is this is one solid shifter, I'm impressed just by messing with it on the floor. Probably will be a month or so before I get it installed (doing it along with a few other items, so I need to find the time).

Also, big shout out to @dzcmnl, such a great person to deal with through the entire thing and has been awesome in answering questions about his shifter.

I'll post more impressions (might do a thread on it), once I get it installed, but this is one nice piece of work, can't wait to get it installed.

Does it still use a polymer ball socket at the bottom? Tell me that isn’t so, as I was hoping this one wouldn’t have that.

 

AISI 420 polished ball into Ergal7075 T6 hard anodized alloy shell.
Both completely CNC machined from solid.

 

YES! Awesome!

 

I also have a deposit on a unit from Manuel...hoping it comes in sometime this month.

 

I'm predicting a run on these springs lol. Now it will be a race to order from the UK if it can't be matched here in the US.

 

The Dolomiti Shifter install has been completed and I have given the car and shifter a good shakedown with quite a few miles on it, so time for some impressions (I'll split this into a two sections (Install and Impressions)):

Install:

Install was fairly straight forward, took about a day to remove the old shifter and get the new one in, adjusted, and then out for a test drive. So if you have one, set aside a day or so and just take your time. I HIGHLY recommend viewing the videos Manuel (@dzcmnl) created on YouTube on setting the shifter adjustment once installed, he goes through in good detail how to set everything up once you're ready for that part (no instructions on installing the shifter itself, but I'll touch on that now).
Videos Here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbD6Xhzpprh66oeuGy41H_Q

For actually putting the shifter in, it's pretty straight forward, the shifter comes in two sections (the front with the shifter, and the hand brake side). Usually you would have the two pieces separated and install the shifter side first, and then install and attach the hand brake side to the shifter side. Being me, I did it slightly different. I had the full shifter connected, but removed one of the sides of the hand brake and slid the wires in that way and then connected it together, it worked well and gave me plenty of space to sort the wires, get the block/cables in, hand brake in etc..., or you can install it the traditional method of both pieces being separated and combining them, either way works. Picture for reference of how I installed mine by removing one side:

Lastly for the install, here's the settings I did for the throws, I went with the shortest throw distance. However, for the cross gate distance, I went a tad shorter than the longest throw on the cross gate (I don't like cross gears being super close, but personal preference), here's pictures of that:
Throw (Shortest Throw):

Cross Gate (Just a tad down from the longest setting):

Shifter Feel and Driving Impressions:

Alright, the actual reason you're reading this (or skipping the above), what are my thoughts... Quick background, I've had the car now for almost three years with the Inokinetic shift cables I installed the first year I got the car, other than that, Stan's Mod, and Inokinetic front/back engine mount inserts (Side note, seriously, add the inserts, they make a huge difference even with the stock transmission), the rest of transmission is stock. After giving it a good shakedown and putting quite a few miles on it here the last two days, going through all gears, up shifts, down shifts, heel toe, etc... Well... It's absolutely freaking fantastic!

I honestly can't say enough nice things about this shifter, the feel compared to stock is just outstanding. Gone is the vagueness and sloppiness of the stock shifter when putting it into gear from my perspective. The shifts just click into gear now and are so much tighter. I can't stress enough how much better it is in terms of of it being a much tighter and direct shift than stock for myself. It just feels so good going into gear. On top of that, having a shorter throw makes such a huge difference, and it being on the shifter side just makes it easier to adjust if needed, unlike the LETSLA. Every time I shift now it just feels so direct and precise. Don't get me wrong, it's still a Lotus cable shifter so it doesn't solve every issue that presents, but it tightens it up at the least and transformed the shifting for me. Let's not forget about how well its engineered and built too, Manuel did an amazing job designing and putting this together, and the time and effort he put into this product to perfect it shines through from the moment you get it. It is an extremely well built piece of work and what an awesome contribution to the community!

Out with the old and busted and in with the new and shiny:

Thanks for reading my jumbled thoughts, big shout out to Manuel @dzcmnl. The product he built is top tier and the engineering of it is so precise and so smooth, it really is a huge step above stock (can't comment compared to the Inokinetic one, but maybe @me73 can provide that comparison if he installs his).

Let me know if you have any questions, but in summary, Dolomiti Shifter is absolutely amazing, can't say enough nice things about the shifter and the way it feels and Manuel himself for making it and supporting it!

 

The product he built is top tier and the engineering of it is so precise and so smooth, it really is a huge step above stock (can't comment compared to the Inokinetic one, but maybe @me73 can provide that comparison if he installs his).

I've now used them both back to back.

I set the Dolomiti to about stock shift throws. I'd say they're both extremely well constructed and the shift feel is crisp and mechanical in both. If blindfolded, I don't think I'd be able to tell the difference in the feel going from gate to gate between the two. The bases are both really solid and eliminate motion. The most significant difference being that the Dolomiti locates the lever towards the passenger far more than the ShiftR does. So it's further from the steering wheel but gives your leg more room. With the first shift, I was used to either position so I don't think it's a big deal.

As far as construction, both are really nice. The ShiftR's mechanism is a piece of art. The Dolomiti is more conventional, but the entire base mechanism is machined pieces, as opposed to the cut base plate that Inokinetic uses. That and the crazy beautiful aluminum cable retention block make the Dolomiti something that could easily be left naked and appreciated. I liked the way the e-brake bridge is designed and constructed on the Dolomiti more. It's easier to assemble and to keep the cables and harness routed without any interference with the brake. I noted that the Dolomiti's ball joint has lower resistance than the ShiftR. Both are super smooth and well built, but the shifter on the Dolomiti moves around much more freely before the shift cable is attached, which I have to imagine helps with the feel of the shifts maybe just a bit. The Dolomiti's reverse lockout is simpler and doesn't need set-up but the mechanism is guided by some sleeves that have a bit of slack to allow motion.

The Dolomiti does fit a bit better under the stock console. It doesn't interfere with the few spots that the ShiftR does.

I had a noise in my shifter from vibration that was coming from what I think is the transmission in the ShiftR. I was curious to see if the Dolomiti did the same thing and it does, maybe even a bit more. So I'll be living with that

Overall, I'd say they are both equal on function. They are very well constructed and I don't see any reason why one would last longer than the other in the long term. The Dolomiti does allow you to adjust shift throw and has the stick angle towards the passenger. So I don't think you could go wrong with either one, it comes down to the features that you care about.