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Rod shifter linkage for transverse middy?
sgraber - 26/1/05 at 06:38 PM

Can anyone supply me with some info and/or photos of a rod shifter style transverse tranny mounted in a mid-engine configuration.

I have a friend who will be building the next La Bala using a Honda B16 donor engine. That transmission has a rod-actuated shifter.

Thanks

Graber


kb58 - 26/1/05 at 07:26 PM

Over on www.attackforums.com there was a picture showing how they did theirs. In their case they had a cable shift tranny, but used rods from the shifter back to right ahead of the engine, then used bell-cranks to invert the direction and switch to cable the rest of the way.

I can see how you could use rods all the way back, under the pan, which gets pretty close. The hard part is turning 90deg upward, then another 90deg to the shift levers...


sgraber - 26/1/05 at 07:51 PM

What about the shifter developed by Stanisforth and used on the Terrapin?

Does the Mini trans work with a rod in a similar fashion?


kb58 - 26/1/05 at 07:58 PM

Yes, but since he was building a single-seater (and being British) the rods are on the right side of the car, going straight back, above and to the side of the tranny. It worked well but only because the rods were high and to the right. For a two seater with the shifter in the center, it runs face-first into the block...

FWIW he also tried tried hydraulic actuation, with two push-pull pistons at each end, but he didn't like how it worked.

Both reasons are why I used push-pull cables. I'd rather have used rods but couldn't see how to pull it off.


wheelsinsteadofhooves - 26/1/05 at 10:16 PM

not sure how much use to you guys in the states but "kit car" mag here featured mk ith audi trans at the back with some great photos of the linkage, rod actuated with some simple pivots to make it work. no photos on their site though.
if i have any presence of mind in morning will take mag to office to scan and post.
atb


sgraber - 26/1/05 at 10:34 PM

quote:
Originally posted by kb58
For a two seater with the shifter in the center, it runs face-first into the block...



How about running it under the engine, between the oilpan and the tranny? There is a lot of room there.

Is the MK ITH transverse? I would love to see the photos if you can manage it!


sgraber - 26/1/05 at 10:44 PM

quote:
Originally posted by wheelsinsteadofhooves
mk ith


what is that car?


Dean - 26/1/05 at 10:58 PM

I think he meant "with" not "ith". lol


Alan B - 26/1/05 at 10:58 PM

Steve, I think it's...MK With Audi trans.....


sgraber - 26/1/05 at 11:38 PM



ooops. hehehe

But the more I think About it, the audi is traditionally a longitudinal Transaxle? right? Or is there a transverse unit?


tadltd - 26/1/05 at 11:54 PM

Try: RCS (Remote Control Systems)

I saw their kit at the Autosport show and chatted with a guy called Gordon Riseley.

It's very impressive stuff (they do the g/shift cable mechanism for the new GT40) - one of their demo pieces was a push-pull cable tied like a reef knot - tightly - and it still worked smoothly (I tried it out).

They can do one-off's in just about any length with a wide variety of end fittings.

[Edited on 26/1/05 by tadltd]


kb58 - 27/1/05 at 01:25 AM

quote:
Originally posted by sgraber
quote:
Originally posted by kb58
For a two seater with the shifter in the center, it runs face-first into the block...



How about running it under the engine, between the oilpan and the tranny? There is a lot of room there.



That's what I said in my first post:

I can see how you could use rods all the way back, under the pan, which gets pretty close. The hard part is turning 90deg upward, then another 90deg to the shift levers...


kb58 - 27/1/05 at 01:28 AM

quote:
Originally posted by tadltd
Try: RCS (Remote Control Systems)


They need to work on their website. It's not helpful to have a website saying "we can do anything, write us an e-mail." Some pictures of products, data, app-notes would do wonders...


sgraber - 27/1/05 at 02:04 AM

^ Kurt, I missed that part of your post. oops.

I am still wondering if the mini shift motion is similar in action to the Honda. If so, I would say that the nifty rod and pawl that Stanisforth used is still suitable and could be modified to work, even from underneath the oilpan. If you have the High Speed-Low Cost book, you can see that the distance from the 90d turn is pretty far...


wheelsinsteadofhooves - 27/1/05 at 09:36 AM

my mistake, was indeed supposed to be "mk with..."
also appears i got wrong end of stick and you (or friend) using transverse number, not longi as per audi.
still want scan?
cheers


MikeR - 27/1/05 at 01:06 PM

i'd love a scan, just picked up a audi trans for my next project and gear change is one of the worrys


Terrapin_racing - 27/1/05 at 01:31 PM

Steve, searching for some photos - My Terrapin uses the latest mini rod change mechanism - change is mounted on side of driver, rod runs through rose joint to rear of car, diverts to centre via UJ, then through bulkhead (another UJ) andd then connects to the gearbox via a bellcrank.
Used on Midas, GTM kit cars where mini engine is at rear.


Doug explains the principle here, my version is a little less agricultural (if you know what I mean)

http://www.westhouse.plus.com/hawke12.htm


Terrapin_racing - 27/1/05 at 01:37 PM

best i could find Rescued attachment Terrapinlinkage.jpg
Rescued attachment Terrapinlinkage.jpg


TheGecko - 27/1/05 at 01:38 PM

There's some good info on making cable shifters for the Audi box on this page. Could be applied to a transverse rod-change box too. Cables are a LOT easier to route in a mid-engine setup than a rod.

Dominic


sgraber - 27/1/05 at 03:04 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Terrapin_racing
Steve, searching for some photos - My Terrapin uses the latest mini rod change mechanism - change is mounted on side of driver, rod runs through rose joint to rear of car, diverts to centre via UJ, then through bulkhead (another UJ) andd then connects to the gearbox via a bellcrank.
Used on Midas, GTM kit cars where mini engine is at rear.


Doug explains the principle here, my version is a little less agricultural (if you know what I mean)

http://www.westhouse.plus.com/hawke12.htm


That is a great start! You can easily picture this setup in the centre of a LHD (USA spec) middy with the gear change rod running down the center console and under the oil pan. And your attached photo is fantastic! Now if I could "just" see an image of the bellcrank mechanism on the other side of the engine and how it attaches to the gearbox... Is it similar in action to the old VW beetle transaxles? (I am showing my ignorance at this stage! )

So far this thread has more than paid for my membership!


marc n - 27/1/05 at 03:17 PM

we use push pull series cables ( m5 rodends on each end ) on our bike engined cars, can route the cable just about anywhere and still get a nice smooth action without any play.

regards

marc


sgraber - 27/1/05 at 03:24 PM

quote:
Originally posted by TheGecko
There's some good info on making cable shifters for the Audi box on this page. Could be applied to a transverse rod-change box too. Cables are a LOT easier to route in a mid-engine setup than a rod.

Dominic


Wow Dominic! That is a real find. My 3rd La Bala, (which is already having parts sourced for it) is using a Buick Grand national GNX V6 and the AudiS transaxle. So that page is exceptionally brilliant.

There should be no reason that a transmission that was originally rod-shifted could not be converted to cable. Especially now that I have seen that Lambo website. Sweet.

Which of the 2 methods - cable or rod - would be the sloppier? I've never used a rod actuated middy shifter before, just my own Toyota cable operated one, which is pretty good.


wheelsinsteadofhooves - 27/1/05 at 03:41 PM

scan still on way. due to unforseen circs`have had to take day off work. lambo lounge link is great but theyre using a different audi box to that fitted to the 80/a4. still nice ideas (and pictures though).

gotta love those terrapins!


Terrapin_racing - 28/1/05 at 01:01 PM

Steve, I'll take some close up photos at weekend for you.
Incidentally, cable great for sequential bike gearbox - gets complex for h pattern change as you may see on Audi

Spoke to Gordon before on this (cable shift company) not easy to resolve & can be expensive - he is keeping me posted with developments

[Edited on 28/1/05 by Terrapin_racing]


sgraber - 28/1/05 at 11:31 PM

Any and all photos and ideas are welcome! Thank you in advance.

Graber


Peteff - 29/1/05 at 12:04 AM

Mine has a twin cable linkage to the gearbox which may be adaptable to your setup. It's not lightning fast but you could tune it to your own taste I suppose.


cymtriks - 29/1/05 at 07:00 PM

Try looking under an MGF, MR2 or Elise. In the kit car world there's also Marlin (5Exi) and GTM (Libra).

If what you see is transferable or copyable to your car then that's your solution.

There was a company making replacement shifts for the MGF with rose joints. Could be just the thing but I can't remember who made it.

edited to add-

Oops, forgot you're in the States. I suppose an equivalent car over there would be the Fiero. Don't know if you have any of the cars I listed over there.

[Edited on 29/1/05 by cymtriks]


Rorty - 31/1/05 at 05:43 AM

I've used cable shifters from various cars including a Volvo estate (don't know which model..8 something I think), Toyota Corolla and Golf amongst others.
They're so simple, you could make your own with a couple of rod ends and a length of round silver steel (or an old gear stick).
If you were using a VW transaxle, there's now a fully sequential cable shifter and nose for them. It wouldn't fit in LaBalla though.


wheelsinsteadofhooves - 31/1/05 at 11:03 AM

for all those waiting on tenderhooks (anyone??), heres the scans of the audi shifter linkage as prmmised. this is all there is in the mag but i think it shows the mechanism pretty well.
atb,
z Rescued attachment audi001.jpg
Rescued attachment audi001.jpg


wheelsinsteadofhooves - 31/1/05 at 11:04 AM

numero 2...
that the lot Rescued attachment audi002.jpg
Rescued attachment audi002.jpg


sgraber - 31/1/05 at 02:54 PM

I have a mechanically completed La Bala middy that is using MR2 mechanicals. Just the bodywork to finish at this point.

The next 2 versions (already off the drawing board) will be using an Audi 5000 transaxle and a Honda B18 respectively so thanks Wheelsinstead for that very clear photo of that transaxle. It shows the shifter mechanism very clearly. That is very helpful. Now I am hoping that TerrapinRacing will be able to post the photo of the back of that beautiful rod shifter for the mini.

edit - oh! and the link to the lambolounge linkages was spectacular!

Thanks guys.

Graber

[Edited on 1/31/05 by sgraber]


JC - 31/1/05 at 07:59 PM

The Sylva Mojo modifies a Vauxhall Cavalier gearshift (which reverses the action) to link to a Ford Box - details at www.sylva.co.uk or pics here. The alternative is a Ford Focus shift which uses a rod for fore/aft and cables for the rest. Rescued attachment gearlinkage-2.jpg
Rescued attachment gearlinkage-2.jpg


JC - 31/1/05 at 08:03 PM

And this Rescued attachment gearlinkage-1.jpg
Rescued attachment gearlinkage-1.jpg


sgraber - 1/2/05 at 01:03 AM

Wow! ASk and ye shall receive. That's the ticket brothers!

Graber out.