Ferrari style shift gate

[twink]

Has anyone ever seen a 'Ferrari style' open shift gate installed in an Elan plus 2 instead of the rubber gaiter, like the one below?



I've always liked the satisfying click when a gear is engaged using such a system.

[el-saturn]

...............................not that much of a problem: a 120x80x8mm piece of aluminum (titanium if you do it by hand, because this?ll take 5 hrs to do the most artisinal way and the 50quid for the nicer stuff won?t make the difference). you?ll have to copy the H + Reverse gear geometrie to a piece of paper and to the metal. get a 10mm drill (new) - drill about 45 holes and use an appropriate file to make it look nice - sand and prepare to 600 and polish the top (have engraved if U want) - a midget CNC mill would also do sandy with a great idea for someone who?s tired of his wife! sandy - elan maniac?

[twink]

It certainly would be an improvement over the standard plus 2 rubber gaiter which is far from attractive!

It doesn't sound too daunting really, I would certainly try to make it reversible incase the next owner disliked it, however most people in the elan community have come to expect the odd modification here and there - upgraded radiators, electronic ignition etc.

Thank you for the input, will add it to one of many summer lotus projects!

[Chancer]

It would make a hell of a lot of noise, and if the seperators are as thin as those on the photo a couple of spirited take offs especially in reverse will soon have it looking like a fork with bent prongs.

Would look nice if you never had to drive the thing!

[dougal9887]

Love the bent fork analogy!
It would also give the through flow ventilation a bit of a boost.
Dougal.

[elanfan1]

The rubber keeps out fumes from the underside so what is going to stop that if you go ahead? I'd have also thought that the gearstick would vibrate against the edges of the gate - would get annoying very quickly indeed.

[Chancer]

Dont know how it works on the Ferrari or even one of the period vehicles that had that type of aesthetic shift gate but I can only see it working with something like a modern cable operated decoupled gearshift.

If the gate was mounted solid not only would it get bent but with the gearbox movement movement from the engines torque reaction I doubt whether you would ever be able to select the gear that you want unless at a standstill with the engine not running.

It would work if it was rigidly fixed to the gear lever housing but thats going to look really naff going from side to side and up and down.

Then there is the o?l fumes entering the cabin issue that has already been raised.

[lotus looker]

From personal experience I own "2" Sports Cars with a gated shift configuration.

A 1991 Ferrari Testarossa & a 1972 DeTomaso Pantera.

When properly adjusted their is no subsequent vibration due to the shifter rod riding against the shifter gates/slots & a boot below the shifter gate eliminates any smell from seeping in.

Keep in mind that both cars are mid engined.

DO NOT use aluminum as the wear would be relatively increased.

I would recommend stainless steel...Mark

[john.p.clegg]

Twink

If you go ahead , post the results will you,the thought has been passing through my mind recently...

John

P.S.
Current project is sealing the rear wheel arches ( inner ) to stop the calipers etc getting drenched in wet road crap....

[Chancer]

Surely both those vehicles have a rod or cable operated "decoupled" gear shift lever?

They are isolated from the engine/drivetrain movement just like my FWD vehicle and pretty much all modern vehicles.

Anyone know of a front engine RWD gearbox with a direct mounted gated gearchange?

[RogerFrench]

Surely both those vehicles have a rod or cable operated "decoupled" gear shift lever?

They are isolated from the engine/drivetrain movement just like my FWD vehicle and pretty much all modern vehicles.

Anyone know of a front engine RWD gearbox with a direct mounted gated gearchange?

The P-type MG had a lovely gate on its remote change, and I think other MGs too.
Which is of no real help, but of casual interest.
I'll go now.

[LaikaTheDog]

Surely both those vehicles have a rod or cable operated "decoupled" gear shift lever?

They are isolated from the engine/drivetrain movement just like my FWD vehicle and pretty much all modern vehicles.

Anyone know of a front engine RWD gearbox with a direct mounted gated gearchange?

The gated shift on ferrari is a good indicator that the gearbox is either a transaxle or the vehicle is mid-engined (But not always ! The daytona 365 has a transaxle but I have seen early daytona without a gate (much to owners distress) other transaxle ferrari were the 330gtc. And mid engined; the 246 Dino and almost everything since.

If you look at a the infamous ferrari california (1950s beauty . Not the modern cali/hyundai lookalike) this has no transaxle and as a result has a traditional leather gator.

The transaxle is linked to the lever via a rod with UJs at either end. The gate is your guide so that as you stir on the lever the corresponding rotation and in/out of the rod equates to a gear.
It would appear that Ferrari owners are unable to tell if they are in 2nd gear or 5th without the gate you can remove the gate and still select gears... however the gate has one useful function. There is a lip underneath the slot for reverse which forces you to push down to then select the gear. Removing the gate means you could select reverse while still rolling and causing 10k of damage to your transaxle....

[vincereynard]

If you are considering actually going ahead you may want to think about having it laser cut in stainless.

I had the attached cut for a project I was working on.

One may cost about ?60, however 50 would cost maybe ?70! The cost is in setting up the laser.

You can also have it engrave things. (Gear positions / lotus badge?) but I don't know the cost.

If there was interest I could inquire.

Vince