Two Questions- G50 Gear Lever Removal and Wire Running Tips

[Bravoaloha]

Hey guys! I have an '86 Carrera that has a 3.6 and G50 swapped into it, done by a PO.

1. I would really like to remove the gearshift lever to "restore" it (see pics, it is pretty beat up). I have learned the hard way that I am not removing the lever with it attached to the piece that connects it to the shift linkage without dropping the transmission. It looked like it would have been possible but after taking it apart and disconnecting the linkage where it connects to the tranny in the back and then doing some reading I've figured out it's not going to be possible.

I noticed there is a pin that looks like it would hold the "stick" into the piece that connects the stick to the linkage. I tapped it out hoping I could remove the stick that way but I am having no luck there either- is it possible to pull the stick out this way?







2. I am installing a GT3 muffler with electrical cutouts to switch between loud and quiet. I need to run the wires for the switch from the cabin back to the mufflers. I am looking for some direction on this- I am thinking I will run them down the driver side with the existing bundle of wires but I'm not sure what the best way is to get the new wires through the body into the engine compartment. From there I am thinking it would be best to bring them up over the motor and back down, but also looking for some ideas on that.

Please advise!

Thanks.

[Hnichols]

It's not too difficult to remove the shifter. You're more than halfway there. Remove the four screws holding the rear tunnel access panel (located under the carpet btw. the rear seats). Then you remove the two bolts that attach the shifter rod to the rear coupling. Once you have disconnected the shifter rod here, and (returning to the gearshift) you have removed the three bolts securing the shifter housing to the floor, you should be able to finesse the shifter rod out of the shifter housing. You'll be able to free up space if you shift into fourth.

Once you have the shifter housing on your workbench, it will be alot more clear what to do next.

People say that putting it back together is a pain, but I found it pretty straightforward if you're methodical and patient. The write-up in the Bentley manual is helpful, esp. if what i've written here doesn't make sense w/o pictures. Good luck!

[Bravoaloha]

Thanks Hnichols! I actually did most of that, and diddnt have any luck. The one thing I did not try was removing the shifter housing, I will try that, thank you!!

[Hnichols]

Yes, you have to remove the housing from the floor (the three bolts visible in your first photo).

It might be a good idea to buy the rubber bushing kit here on Pelican, which isn't too expensive -- if you have done the hard work of pulling it apart, you might as well replace the bushings, which do fail after a number of years. (You probably were going to do that anyway.)