Aluminium Gear Gate?
Discussion
My gearstick gaiter has split on a couple of places and I suppose I could go on the hunt for matching material for a replacement.
Alternatively I wondered if I could replace it with an aluminium gate. I know Leven make a gaiter surround but there's no sign of what I'm thinking of in their brochure (I've emailed them to see if they're interested in making one).
Alternatively I could knock one up myself as a template (I know the finish wouldn't be great) and take it to a manufacturer.
Anyone tried this?
Alternatively I wondered if I could replace it with an aluminium gate. I know Leven make a gaiter surround but there's no sign of what I'm thinking of in their brochure (I've emailed them to see if they're interested in making one).
Alternatively I could knock one up myself as a template (I know the finish wouldn't be great) and take it to a manufacturer.
Anyone tried this?
I think you need a fairly precise gear mechanism first before you can use a gate as you describe - for example a Ferrari one. The gate will restrict the movement of the lever, which could lead to a lot of graunching and unreachable gears if the actual mechanism isn't quite that precise.
Those cars that have these have them specifically to herald the precision and accuracy of their gearboxes - yes, Ferrari again.
Now, TVR gear linkage. For a start it is that, a linkage - albeit fairly direct. That introduces some degree of imprecision even if the box itself was consummate engineering perfection. Add in a healthy dollop of TVR build quality and the chances of a "gate" arrangement working are pretty slim. And the chances of the gate developed for one specific car working on another? Minimal.
TVR don't work to anything close to the tolerances required to ensure that all the components of the drivetrain are millimetre perfect from one car to the next. Nice idea, but no chance!
Those cars that have these have them specifically to herald the precision and accuracy of their gearboxes - yes, Ferrari again.
Now, TVR gear linkage. For a start it is that, a linkage - albeit fairly direct. That introduces some degree of imprecision even if the box itself was consummate engineering perfection. Add in a healthy dollop of TVR build quality and the chances of a "gate" arrangement working are pretty slim. And the chances of the gate developed for one specific car working on another? Minimal.
TVR don't work to anything close to the tolerances required to ensure that all the components of the drivetrain are millimetre perfect from one car to the next. Nice idea, but no chance!
Hmmm, I wondered about that.
There's one available for the Elise which instead of having six 'channels' cut out has just one big hole with a scalloped pattern top and bottom. Only problem with that is you're then looking down into a fairly unattractive mess I would imagine.
Or how about a sliding plate? (Walks off muttering to self).
There's one available for the Elise which instead of having six 'channels' cut out has just one big hole with a scalloped pattern top and bottom. Only problem with that is you're then looking down into a fairly unattractive mess I would imagine.
Or how about a sliding plate? (Walks off muttering to self).
I had thought you could have a "mock" gate as a sliding plate, but rapidly dismissed that as an open invitation to mockery!
I think the level surround is a fair compromise. If you're still not convinced about how impossible a gate would be just talk to them about how much effort it was to come up with a surround design which worked!
I think the level surround is a fair compromise. If you're still not convinced about how impossible a gate would be just talk to them about how much effort it was to come up with a surround design which worked!
We have looked at this before and it can be done but not quite as straight forward as it looks. The gate pattern will not be as obvious as you think and will be more like a hole with notches around the edge.
The hole around the lever needs to be addressed, not just for the looks but the heat that will come into the car. And then there is the old problem that each car is just that little bit different to make a version that will fit all. There are other design issues beyond the above so it will take a bit of time and effort. If there is enough interest we will consider looking at it in more detail. If you are interested rather than hijack the forum please email us direct.
The hole around the lever needs to be addressed, not just for the looks but the heat that will come into the car. And then there is the old problem that each car is just that little bit different to make a version that will fit all. There are other design issues beyond the above so it will take a bit of time and effort. If there is enough interest we will consider looking at it in more detail. If you are interested rather than hijack the forum please email us direct.
Flintstone said:
My gearstick gaiter has split on a couple of places and I suppose I could go on the hunt for matching material for a replacement.
Alternatively I wondered if I could replace it with an aluminium gate. I know Leven make a gaiter surround but there's no sign of what I'm thinking of in their brochure (I've emailed them to see if they're interested in making one).
Alternatively I could knock one up myself as a template (I know the finish wouldn't be great) and take it to a manufacturer.
Anyone tried this?
Flintstone, there's a ferrari one on ebay if your still interested: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-FERRARI-GEAR-SELECTOR-GATE-MOST-MODELS-PTno-148452_W0QQitemZ4580705617QQcategoryZ10380QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
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