New Elise Gear Change question

[ecswtrav]

Hi there, Just bought my first Elise last saturday. A 1999 model with 20000 miles on the clock. Great car, but one problem. I find it tough getting into second gear from first. If I go from third to second though its easy.

Its not a major problem, but its just not smooth enough and after flooring it in first I cant get into second quick enough. Is this common and takes a bit of getting used to or is it something I may have to check out?

Cheers all

[scuffham]

that's basically down to the fact that the difference in ratio's from 1st to second is a massive one, so it takes the synco a bit of time to achive the job of matching the speeds.

to give you an idea, if you change from 1st to 2nd at 7,000Rpm, it has to reduce the clutch and input shaft speed some 3,230 rpm to match 2nd to the road speed, this takes time.

[Martin_S]

As Scuffham says, it sounds like the synchromesh is fighting back a bit, but I can't say that I've noticed this on my car ('97 S1, standard - not close -ratio box).

[ecswtrav]

Even driving slow its seems hard to get into second - its as if it needs a bit of an extra shove to get it in place - like there is something in the way to get past first (if that makes sense). Is the synchromesh a costly job to repair? Thanks for the help

[scuffham]

that being the case, probably worth geting the linkage checked out? although it's not likely to be the problem (however it cost noting to look)

box wise they are easy enough to get sorted being a std Rover PG-1. If you do need to have it looked at, drop Bernie at CTS a line (www.gearboxman.com) he knows them back-to-front.

[Martin_S]

Yep, could be the linkage.

I'd strongly suggest that you invest in Elisepart's Quickshift and linkage kits. Easy to fit yourself, and well worth it fro the shorter throw and more precise gearchange, even if your standard gear linkage is in perfect working order.

If your linkage is at fault for the obstructive second gear, of course, you'll kill two birds with one stone.