GTO-3R v M400 Gear Linkage
GTO-3R v M400 Gear Linkage
Author
Discussion

mdrc

Original Poster:

446 posts

302 months

Thursday 30th July 2009
quotequote all
I've found the gearchange on the earlier 3R models very clunky and a little difficult to find the gears relative to the M400 gear linkage you get on the later model cars.

That said, I've not driven either car for very long - I'd welcome some comment from those in the know - is the older model gear linkage something you get used to quite quickly, or is one of those things you have to put up with??

sjc

16,395 posts

299 months

Thursday 30th July 2009
quotequote all
mdrc said:
I've found the gearchange on the earlier 3R models very clunky and a little difficult to find the gears relative to the M400 gear linkage you get on the later model cars.

That said, I've not driven either car for very long - I'd welcome some comment from those in the know - is the older model gear linkage something you get used to quite quickly, or is one of those things you have to put up with??
I've had both,the M400 is better but my 3R linkage wasn't anywhere near as bad as some of the others I drove before I purchased it.I'd imagine with the nature of the Nobles they vary a lot from car to car.

daddysumo

2,545 posts

242 months

Thursday 30th July 2009
quotequote all
The earlier 3R's had the old ST200 linkages I believe and these are woeful.I had mine converted to M400 linkage kit and the difference is night and day, especially when pressing on.
Don't quote me but I'm told that around chassis 35/36 they went to the ST220 linkage which was better.

Gadgeroonie

5,362 posts

265 months

Thursday 30th July 2009
quotequote all
has anyone got pics of the linkages ?

TOENHEEL

4,501 posts

256 months

Thursday 30th July 2009
quotequote all
I tried a couple of cars before my 3R and the gear linkage was awful..not sure if mines ever been uprated but its pretty good. Reverse is a little bit of a pain at times but stick it in third before engaging reverse and it goes in great.

GTO400

1,877 posts

280 months

Thursday 30th July 2009
quotequote all
GTO3 / GTO3R with 6-speed all had a linkage system with a rod and cables, M400 and converted 3's use the ST220 shifter with cables. You should be able to tell by the position of the gearlever, if it's central in the tunnel then it will be M400 type, if it's offset towards the drivers side of the tunnel then it's the original.
Both types are in the US build manual.
Kevin

brischi

133 posts

240 months

Thursday 30th July 2009
quotequote all
my noble and a 2002!! 2500gto, the change works as hard and suck badly...

F.C.

3,901 posts

237 months

Thursday 30th July 2009
quotequote all
brischi said:
my noble and a 2002!! 2500gto, the change works as hard and suck badly...
A bit like my missus then hehe

JAMESCMR2

713 posts

208 months

Thursday 30th July 2009
quotequote all
how much would you expect to pay to have the linkage upgraded.

I have an 03 GTO3 (i.e 3L) so i expect i have the old linkage.

It's not that bad but would be interested in an upgrade. Is it a big job?


cheers

peterguk M500

2,622 posts

246 months

Friday 31st July 2009
quotequote all
JAMESCMR2 said:
how much would you expect to pay to have the linkage upgraded.

I have an 03 GTO3 (i.e 3L) so i expect i have the old linkage.

It's not that bad but would be interested in an upgrade. Is it a big job?


cheers
You have PM

sean_goodman

536 posts

232 months

Friday 31st July 2009
quotequote all
i must be lucky, i find my 3r gear linkage really good, sharp, positive and like a rifle bolt.

from the feel of mine i would not even entertain changing it.

have heard some are good and some not so good, i guess i must be lucky,

AMG Merc

11,955 posts

282 months

Friday 31st July 2009
quotequote all
sean_goodman said:
i must be lucky, i find my 3r gear linkage really good, sharp, positive and like a rifle bolt.

from the feel of mine i would not even entertain changing it.

have heard some are good and some not so good, i guess i must be lucky,
Me too. Mine even "clacks" if I want it to - like a Ferrari gated changer biggrin

BobE

605 posts

210 months

Friday 31st July 2009
quotequote all
I initially found the change on my 3R a major let down to the car but after `acclimatization` it doesn`t doesn`t become such a problem. The major down side is that you need to careful if you change quickly or you might get a wrong gear (3rd instead of 5th etc) - which could have very expensive results... I`ve thought of trying to fabricate a Ferrari style `open` gate in the car with a polished aluminium plate milled out for the `tracks` - but there are other jobs on the car to do first before I look too deeply into that option. (I think the main problem would be sealing the lever assembly as it would no longer have a gaiter).

Jenx

11,579 posts

271 months

Friday 31st July 2009
quotequote all
AMG Merc said:
Me too. Mine even "clacks" if I want it to - like a Ferrari gated changer biggrin
So how come, when you tried mine, you said it was a million times better? hehe

AMG Merc

11,955 posts

282 months

Friday 31st July 2009
quotequote all
Jenx said:
AMG Merc said:
Me too. Mine even "clacks" if I want it to - like a Ferrari gated changer biggrin
So how come, when you tried mine, you said it was a million times better? hehe
Well yours is better mate - superb switch-like action - I was just saying my standard design is well OK. biggrin