How i shortened my Knob

[quiksilva]

Well that got your attention!

the one thing that always annoyed me with my elan is the height of the gear knob in relation to the otherwise well thought out driving position, it reminds me of the celery stick gear lever on the mini metro i learnt to drive in years back with the movement required to shift forward and backwards being excessive for a sports car.

I did buy way back in the day daves short shift kit to try and remedy this but was never brave enough to fit it mainly cos i didn't want to knacker the cables with excessive stress.

Anyhoo after sitting in a mates mx5 i noticed his knob had changed (stop it) from the original to one of these

The Momo Anatomico knob next to the original elan item

It drops the height quite considerably as not only is it shorter externally but also the gearbox shaft sits deeper inside than the original.



Result? Really nice to hold and transforms the gear change in my view more direct with shorter movements between the cogs and doesn't look too aftermarket



Worth pointing out that they do a short or long version of this model so if you prefer the existing height as it is then you are probaby catered for

Andy

[PJR-Elan]

Looks much better....I expect it was reassuringly expensive?

[Rusty Wishbone]

I am glad that I am not alone in thinking that the more positive action you get from a shorter knob is much more satisfactory.

Returning to the Elan, the previous owner of mine cut the end off the steel shaft and rethreaded it. The result is excellent. I recommend it.

[quiksilva]

Looks much better....I expect it was reassuringly expensive?

About £56 after a small online discount, not the cheapest out there but very well made and for something which you are interacting with every time you drive the car a fair price i think given the cost of some interior trim items

andy

[theelanman]

the reason the shifter is the length it is.........

I thought was because Lotus had an optimum distance from wheel to shifter.......
so your hand was off the wheel for the minimum amount of time......
just look at the length of the one in the Elise compared to the Esprit......and look how far both are from the wheel

just noting.........nothing wrong with a shorter version...or one with the short shift on.......
we all like different things.........designers do their best to design.......

[quiksilva]

Designers do their best to design....

True enough but then I guide you to exhibit A..









Elan digital clock

Your witness mlud :-

[theelanman]

You can buy an N/A if you'd like to read the clock.......lol...