maybe I should get one
just wondering if I missed the glowing reviews now that people seem to have been shipped them ??
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Dave's shortshift
Moderators: theelanman, dapinky, Specky, clemo, Nige, Sy V, Dave Eds, DaveT, Elanlover, muley, Enright, algirdas, nitroman, GeoffSmith
by Darren » Wed 11.10.2006, 14:48
ME
Darren
markv
Dave M
discovery
DAdragna
Doc Fizzix
geoffsmith (if its easy to install
Sorry folks, I'm out. As it appears that some good soul dropped me one in the post a couple of days again (thanks Dave
)
Darren.
Open mouth, insert foot.
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by DeeAitch » Wed 11.10.2006, 21:11
Ekapol you have me worried 
I've tracked all USA ones which were sent by DHL and yours was delivered and signed for on 3rd Oct. You have e-mail with POD.
How about all the others I sent tracking info to? I've tracked everything this side and all are now marked as delivered.
I have paid the invoice from DHL so please tell me you have them. I sure hope so as I will be out of circulation for the best part of 3 weeks starting today so wont be able to do anything about it untill I get back
I've tracked all USA ones which were sent by DHL and yours was delivered and signed for on 3rd Oct. You have e-mail with POD.
How about all the others I sent tracking info to? I've tracked everything this side and all are now marked as delivered.
I have paid the invoice from DHL so please tell me you have them. I sure hope so as I will be out of circulation for the best part of 3 weeks starting today so wont be able to do anything about it untill I get back
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by DeeAitch » Wed 11.10.2006, 23:09
Elanlover said:
First of all thanks for all the interest. Strange that around 60% of it comes from owners outside the UK! Disposable income?
Please remember that there are only 12 of these kits out in the field, with only 3 fitted as far as I know (& seemingly 1 AWOL). For obvious reasons I need to get some feedback on how these go before embarking on another run.
N.B. For all of you with AB cables please see my next post!
Geoffsmith said
No disrespect Geoff, but for obvious reasons I’m reluctant to make the install instructions freely available, although I accept the inevitability of this. I’m sure they won’t appear on e-bay at a fiver for a while yet but at least I would like a fair run at it before China comes along!
I can now do an install in under 15mins on my car, but that is after the first one which took 3 hours just to remove the old shift pins and cross gate pivot pin
Basically it goes like this:
1. Detach clutch and gear cables
2. Remove control box – 4 bolts
3. Remove OE shift cable pins – 2 M10 nuts
4. Detach cross gate bellcrank from control box - 1 circlip - and drill Dia 8 hole using template supplied.
5. Attach new cross gate pin / keep plate assembly to bellcrank
6. Re fit bellcrank to control box
7. Attach new fore aft adapter plate assembly – M10 socket head screw and Nylock nut.
8. Re fit control box to gearbox
9. Reattach and adjust gear cables (Fore / aft may be OK as is but cross gate will need adjusting) and clutch cable.
10. Enjoy!
Some history:
This project started off with a chance conversation when I jumped in with a rash claim a few months before Donny 2005, repeated at that event!
At that time everyone blamed the poor shift quality on cables. However, through my work at the time, I had access to several of the latest generation cable shifts and knew it was possible to get a cable shift that was almost impossible to differentiate from a rod shift. Admittedly these were not as good as the best direct gearbox entry systems, as used on RWD e.g. the original Elan &, dare I say it, MX5 but they were good nevertheless.
My target was to get a shift quality on a par with these latest FWD cable offerings and I am happy to say that I have almost achieved this on my car. It is not quite as good as the best but close enough to make me smile
I then decided to offer my development up to those on LEC as my contribution to the cause – after all I’ve gained significantly from you guys since I first bought my car - In the main it has been positively received as just that, a contribution.
Dougs said
Very tempting Doug!
The price was set in my naïve belief that I could shift 50 or more sets, therefore getting a good price on materials & labour. Also the cost of some jigs I needed would be greatly reduced if amortised over a larger volume.
At £45 + shipping I’m barely breaking even, sob, sob.
(In fact on overseas shipments I’m currently out of pocket, see below. Stop press: Especially if Ekapol’s proves to have gone AWOL! ) and I must admit I’m struggling to justify the effort required to make it all happen, cue more sobs.
I do believe at this price level it represents something of a bargain, bearing in mind the gain in shift quality you will get – but I would say that wouldn’t I?
Having said all that I will try to maintain the price at this level for the next batch. However I’m afraid any escalation in costs I see will have to be passed on.
With regard to overseas shipments, in future these will have to be paid for in two stages, one for the parts before I send them and one for the shipping at whatever it costs me when I get the bill.
Sorry to have to do this but I’ve just had the bill from DHL for the last batch and been hit for a ‘remote area service’ charge! In addition they have invoiced at inconsistent levels for identical packages to the same continent – tw@s.
Trying to get this back as we speak but I’m not too hopeful, especially as I have blagged a heavily discounted rate in the first place!
(Stop press. If Ekapol’s goes tits up I may not be sending any more overseas.)
I will be out of circulation for the next 3 weeks. If interest is still high and, more importantly, feedback positive when I return then I will kick off another batch.
These would not be ready until maybe the 3rd week in November, which will take us right up to the Stoneleigh event. Some of you might want to wait until after then before making any firm commitment
Cheers,
Dave
The official unofficial list:
First of all thanks for all the interest. Strange that around 60% of it comes from owners outside the UK! Disposable income?
Please remember that there are only 12 of these kits out in the field, with only 3 fitted as far as I know (& seemingly 1 AWOL). For obvious reasons I need to get some feedback on how these go before embarking on another run.
N.B. For all of you with AB cables please see my next post!
Geoffsmith said
any chance of making the fitting instructions available?
No disrespect Geoff, but for obvious reasons I’m reluctant to make the install instructions freely available, although I accept the inevitability of this. I’m sure they won’t appear on e-bay at a fiver for a while yet but at least I would like a fair run at it before China comes along!
I can now do an install in under 15mins on my car, but that is after the first one which took 3 hours just to remove the old shift pins and cross gate pivot pin
Basically it goes like this:
1. Detach clutch and gear cables
2. Remove control box – 4 bolts
3. Remove OE shift cable pins – 2 M10 nuts
4. Detach cross gate bellcrank from control box - 1 circlip - and drill Dia 8 hole using template supplied.
5. Attach new cross gate pin / keep plate assembly to bellcrank
6. Re fit bellcrank to control box
7. Attach new fore aft adapter plate assembly – M10 socket head screw and Nylock nut.
8. Re fit control box to gearbox
9. Reattach and adjust gear cables (Fore / aft may be OK as is but cross gate will need adjusting) and clutch cable.
10. Enjoy!
Some history:
This project started off with a chance conversation when I jumped in with a rash claim a few months before Donny 2005, repeated at that event!
At that time everyone blamed the poor shift quality on cables. However, through my work at the time, I had access to several of the latest generation cable shifts and knew it was possible to get a cable shift that was almost impossible to differentiate from a rod shift. Admittedly these were not as good as the best direct gearbox entry systems, as used on RWD e.g. the original Elan &, dare I say it, MX5 but they were good nevertheless.
My target was to get a shift quality on a par with these latest FWD cable offerings and I am happy to say that I have almost achieved this on my car. It is not quite as good as the best but close enough to make me smile
I then decided to offer my development up to those on LEC as my contribution to the cause – after all I’ve gained significantly from you guys since I first bought my car - In the main it has been positively received as just that, a contribution.
Dougs said
wow, very popular -- time to raise the price
Very tempting Doug!
The price was set in my naïve belief that I could shift 50 or more sets, therefore getting a good price on materials & labour. Also the cost of some jigs I needed would be greatly reduced if amortised over a larger volume.
At £45 + shipping I’m barely breaking even, sob, sob.
(In fact on overseas shipments I’m currently out of pocket, see below. Stop press: Especially if Ekapol’s proves to have gone AWOL! ) and I must admit I’m struggling to justify the effort required to make it all happen, cue more sobs.
I do believe at this price level it represents something of a bargain, bearing in mind the gain in shift quality you will get – but I would say that wouldn’t I?
Having said all that I will try to maintain the price at this level for the next batch. However I’m afraid any escalation in costs I see will have to be passed on.
With regard to overseas shipments, in future these will have to be paid for in two stages, one for the parts before I send them and one for the shipping at whatever it costs me when I get the bill.
Sorry to have to do this but I’ve just had the bill from DHL for the last batch and been hit for a ‘remote area service’ charge! In addition they have invoiced at inconsistent levels for identical packages to the same continent – tw@s.
Trying to get this back as we speak but I’m not too hopeful, especially as I have blagged a heavily discounted rate in the first place!
(Stop press. If Ekapol’s goes tits up I may not be sending any more overseas.)
I will be out of circulation for the next 3 weeks. If interest is still high and, more importantly, feedback positive when I return then I will kick off another batch.
These would not be ready until maybe the 3rd week in November, which will take us right up to the Stoneleigh event. Some of you might want to wait until after then before making any firm commitment
Cheers,
Dave
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DeeAitch - God
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by DeeAitch » Wed 11.10.2006, 23:19
For those with, or about to fit, AB cables - read on
I have received one report regarding a compatibility concern with my shortshift kit when used in conjunction with the AB cables. You may recall that I expressed concern over this earlier in the thread but ESM’s successful install settled my nerves!
The concern that has been raised involves what appears to be a very early sample of the AB set up. I may be wrong but my understanding is that there has been some development over the years with regard to the cable abutment bracket. That’s the one that is bolted to the gearbox and retains the outer cables where the adjusters are – this may or may not have an influence on the reported compatibility issue.
On a positive note I have just received this feedback from another AB user who has the latest version of the AB abutment bracket:
So all is not lost! It does seem, from the 2 positive endorsements I have, that the latest level of AB cables are compatible with my kit.
I can only apologise for any inconvenience this news causes any of you with the AB cables who have purchased my kit in good faith, believing, as I did, that it would be fully compatible.
If you are in any doubt then please either wait until I get a chance to review the concern before proceeding or contact me by e-mail to arrange a full refund.
However if you do have my kit and intend installing it with the AB cables then please take extreme care when fitting the cross gate cable, making sure there is no damage to the cables and that no foul condition exists between the cables and adjacent hardware.
Until I get a chance to look into the problem and come up with a countermeasure to solve it I recommend that you consider fitting the cross gate cable to the modified bellcrank before re fitting this to the control box. This is entirely possible with the control box fitted to the car – I have done it at least 15 times now! – please do not drop the circlip into the Abyss – I was lucky to find it again!
Sorry, but due to long standing commitments I will not be able to review the concern or address any requests for a refund until the end of Qctober.
Regards,
Dave
N.B. The above in no way reflects badly on the AB cables. All reports I have seen on these are positive and suggest that they are bullet proof! Unfortunately I haven’t had access to a set to check out their compatibility with my shortshift kit – lesson learned
I have received one report regarding a compatibility concern with my shortshift kit when used in conjunction with the AB cables. You may recall that I expressed concern over this earlier in the thread but ESM’s successful install settled my nerves!
The concern that has been raised involves what appears to be a very early sample of the AB set up. I may be wrong but my understanding is that there has been some development over the years with regard to the cable abutment bracket. That’s the one that is bolted to the gearbox and retains the outer cables where the adjusters are – this may or may not have an influence on the reported compatibility issue.
On a positive note I have just received this feedback from another AB user who has the latest version of the AB abutment bracket:
“I have fitted the unit. I must say that the job was simple apart from the one thing. Connecting the cross gate (cable) was a complete pig. The AB cables have very little play and therefore are quite stiff and unco-operative. Once on it seems fine & functions fine. You're right. They don't seem to foul once in the correct place. The rubber boot just slides up out of the way.
I must say that it's a love job The feel from it is, as you said, really good. I've only driven it for a short period, but like it alot already.
Its a lovely job”
So all is not lost! It does seem, from the 2 positive endorsements I have, that the latest level of AB cables are compatible with my kit.
I can only apologise for any inconvenience this news causes any of you with the AB cables who have purchased my kit in good faith, believing, as I did, that it would be fully compatible.
If you are in any doubt then please either wait until I get a chance to review the concern before proceeding or contact me by e-mail to arrange a full refund.
However if you do have my kit and intend installing it with the AB cables then please take extreme care when fitting the cross gate cable, making sure there is no damage to the cables and that no foul condition exists between the cables and adjacent hardware.
Until I get a chance to look into the problem and come up with a countermeasure to solve it I recommend that you consider fitting the cross gate cable to the modified bellcrank before re fitting this to the control box. This is entirely possible with the control box fitted to the car – I have done it at least 15 times now! – please do not drop the circlip into the Abyss – I was lucky to find it again!
Sorry, but due to long standing commitments I will not be able to review the concern or address any requests for a refund until the end of Qctober.
Regards,
Dave
N.B. The above in no way reflects badly on the AB cables. All reports I have seen on these are positive and suggest that they are bullet proof! Unfortunately I haven’t had access to a set to check out their compatibility with my shortshift kit – lesson learned
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by Ekapol » Thu 12.10.2006, 00:42
Dear Dave,
Thank you for the PM. My package might be some where in my community office. Since the carrier is DHL, it is possible that the delivery person might have gone straight to the office without posting me a delivery note. Please don't worry and just enjoy your vacation.
Best regards,
Thank you for the PM. My package might be some where in my community office. Since the carrier is DHL, it is possible that the delivery person might have gone straight to the office without posting me a delivery note. Please don't worry and just enjoy your vacation.
Best regards,
"Do or do not.... there is no try."
“Named must your fear be before banish it you can.” -- Yoda
“Named must your fear be before banish it you can.” -- Yoda
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Dave's Shortshift
by algirdas » Thu 12.10.2006, 05:45
Dear Dave:
Mine showed up Monday, October 9th, 2006.
Thank you again.
Sincerely,
Algirdas
Mine showed up Monday, October 9th, 2006.
Thank you again.
Sincerely,
Algirdas
Noli illegitemi carborundum.
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by paulwatkins » Thu 12.10.2006, 07:55
Elanlover and Dave, If Darren has dropped out, could you add me to the official unofficial list for the next batch run?
I suppose it's another job I could do while the cars in bits around the garage! I hope I remember how it all goes back! 
I suppose it's another job I could do while the cars in bits around the garage! I hope I remember how it all goes back!
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Dave's Shortshift
by algirdas » Thu 12.10.2006, 08:10
Dear Dave:
If I owe you any more money because DHL hit you with a "double top secret probation" shipping charge, please let me know and I will Paypal you the additional monies.
Sincerely,
Algirdas
If I owe you any more money because DHL hit you with a "double top secret probation" shipping charge, please let me know and I will Paypal you the additional monies.
Sincerely,
Algirdas
Noli illegitemi carborundum.
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by Fubar1764 » Thu 12.10.2006, 23:51
Ekapol wrote:Since the carrier is DHL, it is possible that the delivery person might have gone straight to the office without posting me a delivery note.
That's exactly what happened to me! I didn't realize the package arrived until a week later!
Thank you Dave. It's beautiful!. . .oh, is this stainless or should I paint before installation (ghosts of the 1960s Elan cast their shadows!
)."Lawyer, gambler, bookie, loan-shark, light arson, sundry interests in areas of questionable legality"
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by Ekapol » Fri 13.10.2006, 01:00
I picked up the package this morning. It was opened and checked by US_Dept_of_HL_Security and they didn't really close where they cut the pouch.
The thing is a beautiful piece of work Dave. Please let me know if I owe you from the additional shipping charges.
Beautiful ...
and they didn't really close where they cut the pouch.
The thing is a beautiful piece of work Dave.
Please let me know if I owe you from the additional shipping charges.
Beautiful ...
"Do or do not.... there is no try."
“Named must your fear be before banish it you can.” -- Yoda
“Named must your fear be before banish it you can.” -- Yoda
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by Doc Fizzix » Fri 13.10.2006, 04:40
Fubar1764 wrote:. . .oh, is this stainless or should I paint before installation
Touch it with a magnet for your answer, if the magnet does not stick then it is stainless
Saving the world with science!
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by ESM » Fri 13.10.2006, 14:34
With regard to the AB cables - this is probably obvious and in the instructions but I'll write it anyway. Loosen one of the bracket adjusting nuts on the crossgate cable to provide some play and assist fitting. If you leave the other nut alone it should go back to the right place when you tighten it up again.
It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but it doesn't take any to sit on your arse with a blank look on your face.
Click on my WWW link for information on chips and ElanScan.
Click on my WWW link for information on chips and ElanScan.
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by DeeAitch » Fri 13.10.2006, 15:27
is this stainless or should I paint before installation
No paint required - it is all 304 Stainless with the exception of the Clevis pins which are 303 stainless and the snap clips which are coated.
Posting this from New York and the weather is great
Might decide to stay -
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