Gear linkage Mods

[Nebby]

I think i read somewhere that there was possibly a upgrade/modification for the gear linkage to get rid of the cable system.

Can somebody tell me whats involved in changing it and whats in place of the cables i presume it can only be hydraulic of some description.

Also is it an easy job and any ideas on price for parts.

Thanks

[Jim O.]

As far as I know, there are two different linkage setups in the Nobles, both of which use cables. The earlier one, found in most of the M12's, has the gear shift lever pivoting on a rod end, moving a rod that goes down the tunnel to the engine bay. The fore-aft cable is attached to the rod towards the end of the tunnel, and the side-to-side cable is attached right where the rod exits the tunnel in the engine bay. From there, both cables loop around to the tranny - one goes directly to the shift tower on the transmission, and the other goes to a fulcrum mounted on the transmission, which is connected to the shift tower by a threaded rod.

The newer linkage is found on the M400s, and (over here in the States) some of the later M12s. It consists of a gear shift lever sourced from another car, modified and mounted in the tunnel. The two shift cables attach directly to the gear shift lever. Cables run to a pair of fulcrums mounted on the tranny, which are connected to the shift tower by two threaded rods.

The second linkage has a lot better feel - more positive, more precise, and the lever is spring loaded to center itself in the neutral position. It can be retrofitted to the earlier cars - PeterG offers a whole kit to do the retrofit. However, I think this linkage has been designed for the 6-speed transmissions. I don't know whether it would work with a 5-speed box unless you design and fabricate a mechanism to connect the cables to the 5-speed shift tower.

[andygtt]

I recently changed my box from a 5 speed to a 6 speed and also changed to Peters M400 kit that Jim mentions... it basically uses a production gearlever box and shorter cables and makes the change much more precise.

I am totally sure if you could fit it to a 5 speed box but i'm 90% sure it wouldnt work, defianatlly could upgrade if you have the 6 speeder tho and its around a days work.

Generally cable shift is nicer than rod shift, key is in the design and quality of the cables though.

[Nebby]

Thanks for the info

[Adrian W]

Nebby said:

Thanks for the info

Contact PeterUK through his profile http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?mem...

[caccobra]

There is also this option available from TurboHoses in the US:

http://www.nobleforums.com/showthread.php?t=6350&a...

[Jim O.]

andygtt said:

I am totally sure if you could fit it to a 5 speed box but i'm 90% sure it wouldnt work, defianatlly could upgrade if you have the 6 speeder tho and its around a days work.

We actually changed an M400 from a 6-speed to a 5-speed - we used the M400 cable shifter, but custom-fabricated new linkages between the shifter cables and the transmission, and new cable mounts on the transmission. We also had to fabricate a new engine mount, rewire the starter, and do some other stuff that I can't remember right now...Lots and lots of work, but the results were pretty good.