shifter changes

[golfbuddah]

Does going to a Seine, Rennshift or Wevo make a huge difference? Does the $200 coupler need to be a part of the change? Which one is best?
Frank

[tirwin]

What are you doing with the car? Daily driver? Street only? Track car? Some of both? I think it depends on what you're trying to do.

I only have experience with the Seine GSK and Ed's (ivangene, aka "the Coupler Whisperer") Delrin coupler bushings. If you're just looking to improve the shift feel and avoid the dreaded money shift, I don't think you could go wrong with that route.

For me, both were huge upgrades to the shifting in my '83 with 915 transmission. I can't speak to the more expensive couplers but for the significant price difference, Ed's replacement bushings are the way to go in my opinion -- but I'm not racing the car either. Ed also has a version of the Seine GSK. There are lots of good things said about both products.

The other "while you're in there" things to consider are checking to see if your motor and transmission mounts are in good shape. If they need replacing, you'll want to do that too because that can affect the geometry of the shift linkage and you might as well do all that at the same time. The other thing is there are some other bushings (ball cup and shift arm) that you should check, replace if necessary and re-grease.

[golfbuddah]

Thanks tirwin! Car had Ed's bushings put in with a short shift kit last winter along wit new motor and trans mounts. it is a aggressive street car with limited de use. I do not like f'ing around getting it into first al of the time.

[Arne2]

Originally Posted by golfbuddah

I do not like f'ing around getting it into first al of the time.

I also have a Seine with Ed's bushings, great street and occasional DE package, IMO. But a Seine or Wevo or whatever is not going to fix a reluctant first gear problem, if that's your current issue.

Or perhaps I'm reading it wrong - if your issue is that you occasionally catch first instead of third, Seine or Wevo will help that.

[golfbuddah]

First gear at stops is aggravating as hell. I still want smoother more predictable shifting. especially under track conditions.

[Arne2]

Originally Posted by golfbuddah

First gear at stops is aggravating as hell. I still want smoother more predictable shifting. especially under track conditions.

Seine or Wevo will give more predictable shifting on street or track, but not smoother. Neither will help you getting into first at a stop. That's a transmission (or possibly clutch) issue.

Actually, you might get smoother shifting by removing the short shift kit.

[tirwin]

I have noticed going into 1st with the car still rolling versus completely stopped is very different. A lot of resistance if still rolling. Easy if stopped. I have just chalked it up to the mystique of the 915. I suspect it has more to do with the transmission than the shifter. What kind of gear oil are you using? Some people have reported improvement from switching from Swepco to Kendall. There is a thread that pretty much kicks all the farts out of that dead horse.

A suggestion. Try to find some locals and talk to them. Maybe get them to drive your car or let you drive theirs so you can get an opinion on if your kinda normal of if you might have something else going on.

It sounds like you've covered most of the low hanging fruit... unfortunately your next suspect is going to be something in the transmission itself. Maybe worn synchros.

[golfbuddah]

swepco

[Arne2]

I just looked at your Garage page here - is the car we are talking about your 1970? That should be a 901 transaxle, not a 915. Completely different story, is so.

[golfbuddah]

it is 915, not original to car. 1973.5 2.4 liter motor.

[Kemo]

this also could be an adjustment issue...have you tried adjusting the "throw" into first gear by adjusting the coupler? You might need just a fraction of an inch to get it to fully engage.

[Kemo]

wait...you have a short shift kit...so you probably have plenty of throw

[matt f]

With my 74, at stops, I have always put shifter in 2nd gear then up into 1st.
I have not experienced any problems when utilizing that sequence.

Matt

[lsf911]

I have an 83 SC that I put a Rennshift in about a year ago, replaced all the linkage bushings and Swepco at the same time. It made a big difference in finding the proper gears but it didn't do anything to improve the rolling first gear engagement. It will go into first rolling but it has to be eased in as you approach a stop.

I can understand why you find this annoying, but as others have said, replacing the shifter will not fix it.

[rbogh901]

Think synchros.

[4flyboy]

I bought a Seine long throw shifter already configured from fellow Pelican andoni510. I had a factory ordered Short Shifter installed and feared that I needed a transmission rebuild. I bolted in the Seine and replaced the bushings with the Whisperer kit. Transformed my 915. No rebuild necessary and I can do a rolling shift into 1st.

I'm considering returning to SS with a new Seine installed and a Wevo coupler along with Swepco and new trans/engine mounts......I'm hoping for an even better experience. S

[dfhtrhjn]

I have a factory short shift, Seine gate shifter, Wevo coupler, and a shifter lever extension in my stripped out '74 street/track car. The difference is astonishing compared with the stock shifter in my '77. Never miss a shift again, feels 100% better.

However you decide to upgrade yours, it's an improvement you'll enjoy every time you drive and it never gets old.

If you're having trouble getting into first after properly adjusting your shift linkage, then you're syncos probably need to be replaced. They don't last forever.