Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I've just run across this seemingly great soluion for a nice gearshift for the Lotus 5 speed
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Quaife-Rocket-4- ... Swv0tVDYKV

The stick doesn't look like it requires any modifications and might be the right length.

Has anyone (with a Lotus 5 speed) try this stick?

Looks like a " quickshift " set-up...

Have tried it but with little/no success,the 5-speed gearshift configuration is on the limit as it is and with what seems like a good idea to shorten the throw it puts it over the limit...

IMHO

John

John, I know you expressed, in the past, your dislike for the quickshift sticks, or mods to make a stick so, but
I'm not sure I understand why, yet. Is it the feel? Is there a physical problem that happens on the
Lotus box versus other boxes the sticks fit? When you say 'over the limit', what does that mean?

On the surface, the quickshift thing looks good, so I'm just trying to get a feel (no pun intended) for what
happens when I go there

Greg
When I went there I thought it would be a good thing too,reduced throw making it more precise but...with the reduced throw it means you have to put more pressure into the changes and it just didn't feel good,as you know the gear linkage within the box has lots of twists and turns...mine lasted just a week or so before I returned to normal....well nearly...





John

Good explanation, thanks!

They seem to do a long version of that stick at 12". Not sure if it's any good or not and haven't found it for sale any where.

It's probably possible to extend it and fit isolating Bush to either.

Looks like a stick for the ford type e box is the correct one for the lotus 5 speed box. Rather than the type 9 box.

This picture is right from Burton's site, of a Type e box.. Lever looks like it, but, physically, I'm not sure what the difference would be, other than quick shift versus non. But as John as indicated, the Lotus box has different linkage arrangement, so, it may physically fit the Lotus box, it just won't be suitable.

From my googling the levers are basically the same for type 9 and type e. The difference appears the fitting method, type 9 normally have the three screws, the type e has the threaded base like the lotus box.

The one you linked at the start of the thread is for a type e box. The main differences to the standard one:
- length, it's only 8"
- no rubber bush
- bearings rather plastic ball set up

Whether it's just one of these that makes the change worse or all if them I don't know. It should be possible to address the top two with some machining but not the bottom one.