quick shifter ?

[crackthatoff]

the lotus is in for a service and a geo on thurs, a friend of mine has a quick shifter I can have for free if I want, what exactly do they do? is it just a shorter gearstick and should I have it fit? I think I already have the c/r box as standard on the 135R although I'm not sure.

cheers guys !

[Thorburn]

I've got a quick shifter on mine which was fitted when I bought it, makes getting second gear a pain as it seems very stiff but not sure how it compares to standard unfortunately. 3rd, 4th and 5th have a brilliantly positive action, 1st is alright, but 2nd means I would probably rather have the standard mechanism.

I believe my car is also fitted with the S2 linkage as well.

[bogie]

i fitted one after a few months and then wouldnt be without it for the next 6 years ...it is a slightly shorter shifter, but more importantly the shift position is change too for shorter throw...once you get used to one then you wouldnt be without it

[crackthatoff]

so thats 50/50 at the mo then... any more for any more ?

[Chadders]

I think its best thinking of them as being a "short shift" and not a quick shift thing, as changing gear super fast aint always good for your gearbox???
Ive used them on classic minis and it didnt mean I could change gear any faster, still had to take the same time.
Difficult one, as its probably personal choice, but ive never really liked them. but if its free, maybe give it a try?

[slatess1]

I thought mine was great when i had it fitted, shorter throw thus quicker change up / down and the gear selection didnt seem to be any stiffer tbh...

[Trixster]

The quick shifter plus gear linkage upgrade is the best mod i've done on my S2.

[bogie]

if the gear change gets stiffer over time, its not to do with what 'stick' you have...you can lube it underneath, but most likely to the be bushes that its attached to at the gearbox end....they probably just need re-greasing, particularly on older cars

[cej]

In my opinion it's absolutely rubbish. My car had quick shifter and gear linkage when I bought it. Messed up the shifts completely. I've never tried a quick shifter solution that works,so I decided to swap in the OE shifter and keep the linkage. Smooth as silk

quick shifter =

OE shifter = :thumb:

[Gad-Westy]

cej said:

In my opinion it's absolutely rubbish. My car had quick shifter and gear linkage when I bought it. Messed up the shifts completely. I've never tried a quick shifter solution that works,so I decided to swap in the OE shifter and keep the linkage. Smooth as silk

quick shifter =

OE shifter = :thumb:

No experience with the quickshifter personally but I read this sort of opinion a few times when I was considerring one. I went for just the linkage as well and its a massive improvement.

[JTBUSH]

There is no point changing to a quick shifter unless you do the linkage as well. In order to make the shift "quick" or more accurately, shorter, you are losing some of the leverage force at the bottom of the gearstick. Therefore, a stiff gearchange will be made markedly worse. This is the mistake I made. I was well p*ssed off with mine when I first changed it. I then did the linkage as well, and I now love it. Wouldnt go back!

[Esprit]

JTBUSH said:

There is no point changing to a quick shifter unless you do the linkage as well. In order to make the shift "quick" or more accurately, shorter, you are losing some of the leverage force at the bottom of the gearstick. Therefore, a stiff gearchange will be made markedly worse. This is the mistake I made. I was well p*ssed off with mine when I first changed it. I then did the linkage as well, and I now love it. Wouldnt go back!

Echo this.

Also, with the improved linkage you have to spend some time adjusting it properly.

To the poster that had a stiff 2nd gear, that'll just be an adjustment issue, should take no more than ten minutes to sort with the diffuser off

A well-lubricated, well adjusted short-shifter and linkage kit makes the change rifle-bolt precise.

[bogie]

cej said:

In my opinion it's absolutely rubbish. My car had quick shifter and gear linkage when I bought it. Messed up the shifts completely. I've never tried a quick shifter solution that works,so I decided to swap in the OE shifter and keep the linkage. Smooth as silk

quick shifter =

OE shifter = :thumb:

mmm...seeing as thats the opposite of thousands of other owners, It would suggest to me that yours was fitted and adjusted incorrectly when you got it !

[piooly]

I got a quickshift stick off ebay new for £35. One of the best mods I ever done to the car. Gear change is a bit heavier but you soon adjust. Feels so much better than the old setup. Get one!

[Ron07]

Don't know about the short shifter but defo get the linkage kit!

[beez]

I fitted the Short Shifter to my S1 and some different bushes on the linkage (I think that what they're called) as thay are all that appears to be different to the OEM linkage. Actually I think giving the linkage a good clean and grease made the biggest difference!

I loved the result, wish I had done it sooner!!!!

[cej]

bogie said:

mmm...seeing as thats the opposite of thousands of other owners, It would suggest to me that yours was fitted and adjusted incorrectly when you got it !

Seen a few people in here having the same problems as me.
It was fitted correctly and adjusted correctly I even had a mechanic have a look at it.It's not like I haven't worked with cars myself (been tuning them for 10+ years ). And a quick shifter is not exactly rocket science

I've tried it in several cars (not just Lotus) and it's been crap each and every time.

Just my opinion. Take it or leave it. But don't come whining when your nice shift is messed up

Edited by cej on Wednesday 4th June 16:24

[R.P.M]

Quick shift is only worth it when it’s fitted with the linkage kit, as independently there is not much difference but together they work very well.

The quick shift is just a different stick which is slightly shorter above and slightly longer below in length around the pivot which makes it a shorter throws.

The linkage kit as far as I remember replaces all the naff bushes with a better grade material which helps to take the 'porridge' out of the action.

As others have said it was the best upgrade I did on my car. However to preserve the action I did make sure all the pivots/linkages were regularly greased and I did change the linkage kit after about 25k as they tend to wear.

HTH

Rpm

[shangani]

I loved the combination of the quickshifter and the upgraded linkage on my old k series. I have kept the quickshifter on the honda and still think it was a worthwhile upgrade. The old setup on the k series was like stirring porridge.