Discussion
I love all things about my S2 111s apart from the gear change, 2nd to 3rd inparticular.
Twice now while, shall we say, setting off at pace I've managed to go straight from 2nd to 5th, as you can imagine this proves to be rather embarrassing.
I've heard mention of a gear linkage kit from Elise parts, would this help make things better or am I just a crap driver?
Twice now while, shall we say, setting off at pace I've managed to go straight from 2nd to 5th, as you can imagine this proves to be rather embarrassing.
I've heard mention of a gear linkage kit from Elise parts, would this help make things better or am I just a crap driver?
I'm having the gear linkage fitted next week, I've already got the quickshift but I understand that you should normally do the linkage first. I've heard it makes a big difference, with more of a 'click-clack' and feel to the change. I was stunned at how bad the gearshift was when I got the Elise.
jonblue said:
Sounds like the linkage and shortshift is really worth having. I'd be interested to know if there are any downsides though. (?)
you take the car out more to experience the new found pleasure of changing gear, thus costing more money in petrol and making you consider other upgrades that could poosibly heighten the driving experience even more
Grumpy; if your problem is that you occasionally select 5th instead of 3rd then the quickshift is absolutely the last thing you want, because it gives a very narrow movement across the gate.
As Paul says, check that the gear lever is centreing properly and that there isn't too much play in the linkages (the Eliseparts linkage kit - rather than the quuickshift kit, might help), but other than that it's just a matter of getting used to the gearchange. It is pretty rubbish on pre-Yota engined cars, though; it's the one thing that really lets the Elise down, IMO.
As Paul says, check that the gear lever is centreing properly and that there isn't too much play in the linkages (the Eliseparts linkage kit - rather than the quuickshift kit, might help), but other than that it's just a matter of getting used to the gearchange. It is pretty rubbish on pre-Yota engined cars, though; it's the one thing that really lets the Elise down, IMO.
You're doing the right things in the right order. Have the gear linkage replaced with the improved kit first and make sure it's properly adjusted and the stick is centering properly. That should make things feel much, much better. As Sam notes, the quickshift will not make things better if the linkage isn't well sorted first.
kambites said:
However it is very hard to get my car into gear if I've been sitting stationary with the clutch up... do I need to adjust my linkage?
Possibly, yes, but it may also be that that your clutch is not disengaging fully when you press the clutch pedal down to select a gear.
Simple way to check is to support the rear of the car on axle stands, then with the engine running and the clutch pedal pressed to the floor, select first gear. If either of the rear whells rotate, you have a problem - if your car is an S2, it shouldn't have the deraded red clutch hose (which causes exactly this symtom when hot) but you might need your clutch hydraulics bleeding/adjusting.
Sam_68 said:
Grumpy; if your problem is that you occasionally select 5th instead of 3rd then the quickshift is absolutely the last thing you want, because it gives a very narrow movement across the gate.
As Paul says, check that the gear lever is centering properly and that there isn't too much play in the linkages (the Eliseparts linkage kit - rather than the quickshift kit, might help), but other than that it's just a matter of getting used to the gearchange. It is pretty rubbish on pre-Yota engined cars, though; it's the one thing that really lets the Elise down, IMO.
As Paul says, check that the gear lever is centering properly and that there isn't too much play in the linkages (the Eliseparts linkage kit - rather than the quickshift kit, might help), but other than that it's just a matter of getting used to the gearchange. It is pretty rubbish on pre-Yota engined cars, though; it's the one thing that really lets the Elise down, IMO.
What he said.
My gearchange got worse with just the shortshifter. Do the linkage first. In general, the clutch is not designed to be held for long periods disengaged. At traffic lights, I am always in neutral, foot OFF the clutch. As Sam said, something doesn't sound right.
shangani said:
In general, the clutch is not designed to be held for long periods disengaged. At traffic lights, I am always in neutral, foot OFF the clutch.
Apart from anything else, it is very abusive to the thrust bearing. Never the less, it should be possible to hold the clutch out on the pedal (with no clutch drag) pretty much indefinitely if the hydraulics are working and adjusted correctly.
Sam_68 said:
kambites said:
However it is very hard to get my car into gear if I've been sitting stationary with the clutch up... do I need to adjust my linkage?
Possibly, yes, but it may also be that that your clutch is not disengaging fully when you press the clutch pedal down to select a gear.
Simple way to check is to support the rear of the car on axle stands, then with the engine running and the clutch pedal pressed to the floor, select first gear. If either of the rear whells rotate, you have a problem - if your car is an S2, it shouldn't have the deraded red clutch hose (which causes exactly this symtom when hot) but you might need your clutch hydraulics bleeding/adjusting.
OK next question... how does one jack up an Elise?
S Works said:
I don't know do I? What do you want me to do FFS? Come round there and do it for you?
Good plan!
I did look in the handbook actually and couldn't find jacking points... obviously I didn't look hard enough. Out of interest what is the clearance of the elise... so I know what jack will do the job?
Edited by kambites on Monday 30th April 13:24
shangani said:
What he said.
My gearchange got worse with just the shortshifter. Do the linkage first. In general, the clutch is not designed to be held for long periods disengaged. At traffic lights, I am always in neutral, foot OFF the clutch. As Sam said, something doesn't sound right.
My gearchange was complete f*cked with the linkage and the short shift. Then I scrapped the short shifter,put in an OE shifter and kept the linkage, smooth as silk
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