New owners queries - Notchy gearbox, slight idle rumble
Discussion
Hi guys, I've got a couple of queries after a few days of ownersship. I was wondering whether any of you gents or ladies would be able to give some insight into them.
Gearbox - I've had several modified cars that have short shifters fitted and although stiff I've never had one that refused to go into first or slot easily into a gear at low rpms. However in the Ro I've noticed, mainly when city driving, that I engage the clutch pedal, slot the stick into 1st and it appears to 'stick' about 1-2cm before going in, no matter how hard I press, either on the pedal or the stick it won't go in. I simply drop it into neutral and then engage the clutch again and hey presto straight in. I know the gearbox on the Ro is not perfect, I simply wanted to check to make sure that others have had similar issues, if not I'll get it looked at. I'm still trying to find out whether it's based solely on the fact that maybe it's cold and the box is stiff. I'll check over this weekend, I have a nice long drive from Leeds to Newcastle at 6am tomorrow so I'll see if it's notchy when I arrive in 'TOON'.
Rumble - I've had V8's before and understand that even an idling lump will rock very gently, due to it's weight and momentum. However sitting at the lights in the Ro I could feel, what I can only explain as an uneven lumpy rumble. Nothing loud, nothing serious, but rather than a rythmic surge like some V8s I've been in it was more speradic, in a controlled way. If you know what I mean. Revs where sitting comfortably, no issues there. I just want to check to make sure that this is a trait of the car/engine/engine mounts and nothing that could give a hint of something be unaligned or niggling.
If anyone else has a VXR in the Newcastle area I'd love to meet up and compare niggles (so to speak). I have tea, biscuits and a whole double garage of car cleaning products, any of which you'd be more than welcome to use. You could even just come over and mock my collection of high performance Jap 'sh*tters' heh heh heh.
I know the gearbox on the Ro is meant to be a weak point (not fault wise but finish wise) therfore I've been peeking at the rip shifter from Wortec and having to stop myself from purchasing it.
Thanks for all your feedback in advance.
Sii
Gearbox - I've had several modified cars that have short shifters fitted and although stiff I've never had one that refused to go into first or slot easily into a gear at low rpms. However in the Ro I've noticed, mainly when city driving, that I engage the clutch pedal, slot the stick into 1st and it appears to 'stick' about 1-2cm before going in, no matter how hard I press, either on the pedal or the stick it won't go in. I simply drop it into neutral and then engage the clutch again and hey presto straight in. I know the gearbox on the Ro is not perfect, I simply wanted to check to make sure that others have had similar issues, if not I'll get it looked at. I'm still trying to find out whether it's based solely on the fact that maybe it's cold and the box is stiff. I'll check over this weekend, I have a nice long drive from Leeds to Newcastle at 6am tomorrow so I'll see if it's notchy when I arrive in 'TOON'.
Rumble - I've had V8's before and understand that even an idling lump will rock very gently, due to it's weight and momentum. However sitting at the lights in the Ro I could feel, what I can only explain as an uneven lumpy rumble. Nothing loud, nothing serious, but rather than a rythmic surge like some V8s I've been in it was more speradic, in a controlled way. If you know what I mean. Revs where sitting comfortably, no issues there. I just want to check to make sure that this is a trait of the car/engine/engine mounts and nothing that could give a hint of something be unaligned or niggling.
If anyone else has a VXR in the Newcastle area I'd love to meet up and compare niggles (so to speak). I have tea, biscuits and a whole double garage of car cleaning products, any of which you'd be more than welcome to use. You could even just come over and mock my collection of high performance Jap 'sh*tters' heh heh heh.
I know the gearbox on the Ro is meant to be a weak point (not fault wise but finish wise) therfore I've been peeking at the rip shifter from Wortec and having to stop myself from purchasing it.
Thanks for all your feedback in advance.
Sii
Yeah, had the same problem on the Monaro. My mrs wasn't very impressed at all, and was stressing all the time to try and get it into gear. Got a Rip shifter for mine and put it in, and tell you what, it makes a pretty big difference. If you want to drop around for a spin, just let me know. Phone number is 07950176689. We are just down in Whickham. Anyhow, yeah, as you said, that is the easiest way to fix it not going into first gear properly. I don't know if there is any other solution, but have found the rip shifter (not that I have driven it that much as it is now the mrs's), but it is pretty awesome.
Raggyman, appreciate the very prompt response.
I assumed it was a trait of the VXRs. I was just curious as to how many others had also spotted this and or complained.
I will drop you a text over the weekend, possibly dive in on Sat for a chat or stir of your box .... so to speak.
Cheers
Sii
I assumed it was a trait of the VXRs. I was just curious as to how many others had also spotted this and or complained.
I will drop you a text over the weekend, possibly dive in on Sat for a chat or stir of your box .... so to speak.
Cheers
Sii
Some work better than others. I had a brand new one fitted due to a whine and it was horrible when new hardly went into any gear at all.
But now after being nice when shifting, declutching, matching rpm etc its come nice. I suspect that if they dont get a nice "break in" they might not improve much and you end up with what you have now.
Mine is still scared of going into reverse but so was my last one, just pull forward a tiny bit and while rolling snatch reverse, that usually works ok.
As for engine rock and lump at idle, I suspect thats normal too. I quite like it
But now after being nice when shifting, declutching, matching rpm etc its come nice. I suspect that if they dont get a nice "break in" they might not improve much and you end up with what you have now.
Mine is still scared of going into reverse but so was my last one, just pull forward a tiny bit and while rolling snatch reverse, that usually works ok.
As for engine rock and lump at idle, I suspect thats normal too. I quite like it
Ringram I love the gentle rocking and fuddering under foot when idle at lights, my old 89 GT Mustang was cammed up with a 303, solid engine mounts and an off road X pipe with a blue printed engine. Sitting at lights made you look like you were doing thr truffle shuffle from the Goonies!
Was comedy tryind to drink water from a bottle on idle, went all over.
I shall order a rip shift, are they hard to fit? I have ramps at my house, I drive up at 30 degree angle, jack the back up and hey presro the car is off the floor by about 3 foot.
I'm quite technically minded, should help somewhat when fettling. Or should I just get it fitted by a garage?
I fitted the short shift to the GT Mustang and Toyota Starlet (cable driven change)
Was comedy tryind to drink water from a bottle on idle, went all over.
I shall order a rip shift, are they hard to fit? I have ramps at my house, I drive up at 30 degree angle, jack the back up and hey presro the car is off the floor by about 3 foot.
I'm quite technically minded, should help somewhat when fettling. Or should I just get it fitted by a garage?
I fitted the short shift to the GT Mustang and Toyota Starlet (cable driven change)
I had a rip shifter on the T56 in my old Trans Am. The stick was shorter than stock and I found it positive but required a bit more muscle to shift (plus I used my right hand).
My Monaro has the stock shifter and I've found it easier but slightly slower to shift with than the Trans Am - no sticking problems as yet though.
My Monaro has the stock shifter and I've found it easier but slightly slower to shift with than the Trans Am - no sticking problems as yet though.
ringram said:
Rip for monaro's is good, easy to fit a couple of hours on the driveway.
You can also get the GTO B&M shifter, I think it has shorter throws and its cheaper.
I ran a B&M on my old Camaro it was good.
Most in Oz run the Rip though.
You can also get the GTO B&M shifter, I think it has shorter throws and its cheaper.
I ran a B&M on my old Camaro it was good.
Most in Oz run the Rip though.
Do we have a supplier in the UK or a good online/US supplier?
S11LMX said:
ringram said:
Rip for monaro's is good, easy to fit a couple of hours on the driveway.
You can also get the GTO B&M shifter, I think it has shorter throws and its cheaper.
I ran a B&M on my old Camaro it was good.
Most in Oz run the Rip though.
You can also get the GTO B&M shifter, I think it has shorter throws and its cheaper.
I ran a B&M on my old Camaro it was good.
Most in Oz run the Rip though.
Do we have a supplier in the UK or a good online/US supplier?
Monkfish Performance have them supply only or fitted.
I thought the "rumble" ie bom bom bom bom bobobom bom" (you get what i mean i hope) was down to the firing order - (not the "classic" V8 order apparently (see Rover V8 for Classic order))
My mrs says it makes her feel sick if i leave the engine running whilst stationary for long periods as it not very rhythmic.
My 2penneth
My mrs says it makes her feel sick if i leave the engine running whilst stationary for long periods as it not very rhythmic.
My 2penneth
wolfracer said:
I thought the "rumble" ie bom bom bom bom bobobom bom" (you get what i mean i hope) was down to the firing order - (not the "classic" V8 order apparently (see Rover V8 for Classic order))
My mrs says it makes her feel sick if i leave the engine running whilst stationary for long periods as it not very rhythmic.
My 2penneth
My mrs says it makes her feel sick if i leave the engine running whilst stationary for long periods as it not very rhythmic.
My 2penneth
I think you may hit the nail on the head, it almost sounds (to me anyway) like a car radiator that has hot water and air (cavitation) moving around. That's what made me think "oh no" as I was used to the old Renault 5's boiling their tits off and dying on me, but getting over 200bhp out of a puch rod 1.4 Carb has to have some downfalls, heh heh.
My older V8s of yester year sounded a little different, however I knew ANY V8s would 'grumble' on idle, just wasn't used to the fire order of the VXR and thougt I would ask as questions cost nowt.
S11LMX said:
Gearbox - I've had several modified cars that have short shifters fitted and although stiff I've never had one that refused to go into first or slot easily into a gear at low rpms. However in the Ro I've noticed, mainly when city driving, that I engage the clutch pedal, slot the stick into 1st and it appears to 'stick' about 1-2cm before going in, no matter how hard I press, either on the pedal or the stick it won't go in. I simply drop it into neutral and then engage the clutch again and hey presto straight in.
My VXR has a Rip Shifter fitted and it still does what you describe. Especially in town or heavy traffic - just won't go in. Into neutral, clutch out, clutch in, and bob's your uncle.
I think I put it down to 'character'......
Rip Shifter is definitely worth it though - just a so much nicer feel.
Absolutely nowhere near Newcastle though.....got a mate that lives in Ryton - he has a Focus though so I don't think its worth popping round to see him :-)
Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 3rd October 20:48
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