Upgrading gear linkage and short shift for Toyota S2

[Jonblue]

I was getting all excited about upgrading the linkage on my Toyota engined 'R' (providing of course that it isn't going to be written off).

But looking at EliseParts I notice that the upgrade is not compatable with the Toyota.

Does this mean I'm out out of luck?

[21TonyK]

What's wrong with it? Mines solid as a rock and very precise.

[Jonblue]

Very notchy indeed. It had only done 6000 miles so it could just need to wear in. But I've read so many good things about this upgrade, I really wanted to get it done. It will need to be completely rebuilt around a new chassis so, it would make sense to get it done at the same time.

[NathanE]

It's being built on a new chassis? I can't believe the insurers didn't write it off !

Have you taken it back to Lotus/Hethel? If not then I would ask for a pay out as rebuilding one of these cars on a new chassis just isn't going to be the same. There will be major built quality faults, leaks, trimmings not lining up etc. The sort of things that Lotus' production line workers just instinctively know about and how to avoid whilst building the car.

[Jonblue]

It's with Specialised Paintwork in Reading whose reputation is second to none. They would be rebuilding with new parts (everything from the windscreen forward) and I'm confident the job would be immaculate.

I'm still waiting for a decision from the other driver's insurance company. My thinking is that if they opt for writing it off, the best I will get is a cheque for £23k made out to the finance company - which does not really appeal.

Here's a gruesome pic:

[21TonyK]

Jonblue said:

It's with Specialised Paintwork in Reading whose reputation is second to none. They would be rebuilding with new parts (everything from the windscreen forward) and I'm confident the job would be immaculate.

I'm still waiting for a decision from the other driver's insurance company. My thinking is that if they opt for writing it off, the best I will get is a cheque for £23k made out to the finance company - which does not really appeal.

Here's a gruesome pic:

Based on my limited experience with Specialised I'd say you're safe in Alan and Karls hands Yet to meet anyone quite as passionate about what they do. Took them nearly two weeks to fix a bodged stone chip fix. Ended up being a full clam off respray to get it right. (And it is)

As for the gear shift, I'm sure the kit is for the woolly 111S. I'm not aware of any mods for the R other than the one documented on sands for flex between the assembly and the chassis itself.

[tricky 100]

Doesn't matter who repairs it and how well its done i still wouldn't want to buy that afterwards . Not unless the price was drastically reduced like it would be if it was a Cat D . Thats the problem when they dont get written off and are repaired by insurers , they dont get Cat D or C status so unsuspecting buyers dont anythings happened !

[Lotusnick S2]

NathanE said:

It's being built on a new chassis? I can't believe the insurers didn't write it off !

Have you taken it back to Lotus/Hethel? If not then I would ask for a pay out as rebuilding one of these cars on a new chassis just isn't going to be the same. There will be major built quality faults, leaks, trimmings not lining up etc. The sort of things that Lotus' production line workers just instinctively know about and how to avoid whilst building the car.

An Elise rebuild with new parts by a good bodyshop-engineer with big experience on them, will be better than most of the examples that come out of Hethel.
After all if you have worked on your Elise at all, you would have found out that most things are fairly simple