9 replies to this topic

[TopCatCustom]

Has anyone done it? On a manual!

I can't see it being particularly difficult if a nice bracket was made up for the back of the engine- and the assembly used from a modern car- can anyone see why it couldn't be done? The only thing I'm not sure about is it has to be reliable!

[Ivor Badger]

Maxis originally came with a cable gear change and it was so bad that they designed the rod change. It was so simple and cheap, it was then fitted to the mini/1100/allegro.
So what's your next project, redisigning the wheel?

[TopCatCustom]

Well it seems like every car manufacturer "redesigned the wheel" as every single modern car I can think of has a cable gear change. Hence why I was wondering if it was feasable to mount a modern (and proven to work across millions of cars) cable type gear change, or whether the A series gearbox is too clunky for it to work nicely.

[ANON]

mate of mine made one up years ago, took him forever to do it and took it off after a couple of days as it was a pain in the bum to get it set up/working properly.

haven't looked into it yet but i'm toying with the idea of setting a servo shift up to run a sequential change.

[998dave]

Well it seems like every car manufacturer "redesigned the wheel" as every single modern car I can think of has a cable gear change. Hence why I was wondering if it was feasable to mount a modern (and proven to work across millions of cars) cable type gear change, or whether the A series gearbox is too clunky for it to work nicely.

Most modern cars don't have an easy direct run from the gearstick to the transmission, so use cables.
We're able to make a direct run with a rod, so leave it be, it's much nicer and easier to get right.

Similarly the mini has a hydraulic clutch, look at how long it took a lot of other manufacturers to do that, into the 90's and later there's cable clutches everywhere!

[998dave]

However, please don't take that as a put down, I do admire the ideas, and the doing something because it's new attitude, but this is a lot of work for not much gain!

[TopCatCustom]

Thats ok Dave- I'm only looking into it as I want to relocate my gearshift inside the car, and with the work involved in making the new linkage and either solid mounting the engine or attaching a tie bar (as on a standard set up) I thought I would look into making a cable type up.

[SolarB]

Similarly the mini has a hydraulic clutch, look at how long it took a lot of other manufacturers to do that, into the 90's and later there's cable clutches everywhere!

All the modern cars I've owned or looked at had cable actuated clutches. A cable has to be cheaper and quicker to install on the production line than a hydraylic system.

[998dave]

Similarly the mini has a hydraulic clutch, look at how long it took a lot of other manufacturers to do that, into the 90's and later there's cable clutches everywhere!

All the modern cars I've owned or looked at had cable actuated clutches. A cable has to be cheaper and quicker to install on the production line than a hydraylic system.

True - but a Hydraulic Clutch is better!

[bmcecosse]

If you want a nice gearchange - get a box with the remote control - it's SO much nicer than the rod change.