Seine Systems Gate Shift Kit - Good value? [long]

[turbo6bar]

Well, the '78 Euro SC sitting in the driveway has fully sunk in, and now I'm already thinking about ways to improve and protect her.

I read a recent thread about the Wevo shifter, and I feel a shifter improvement is a good idea. I'm not really interested in spending the megabucks for the premo shifters. For guys who've already gone the route, is the Seine gate shift kit a good buy? Is there any sacrifice in function to the more expensive shift kits? I'm mainly interested in its ability to reduce or eliminate the chance of a misshift. I've logged ~10k miles on 915 trannies, with no missed shifts. However, it only takes one instance to really make a bad day. Under normal driving, I'm careful with my shift movements, but under spirited driving, when I'm more likely to execute 5->4 shifts, I can see the chance for disaster.

I already have a factory short shift kit, but I'm not sure what route I'll take yet. I was thinking about the gate shift kit + factory short shift. That, plus an improved shift coupler seems like the best combination. I'm just going to stick with the stock coupler and make sure the bushings are fresh.

Basically, if money is an object, would you buy the Seine gate shift kit or pass? I bought a strut brace and am considering selling it and going with the Seine Systems product. $150 for a shift kit seems like money better spent, especially considering how it could save a costly valve-meet-piston affair.

Comments appreciated. I have searched the archives. It appears the Seine gate shift kit hasn't been on the market long, therefore my questions now.

Jürgen

[emcon5]

Search the archives, this has come up a few times, and Sherwood is an active board member.

I don't have one, but I don't remember anyone being unsatisfied with it.

Tom

[RickM]

Tom is right..this came up recently. If I recall correctly, the members that installed the Seine shifter were very happy with it. However, there was a question on the use of a (hose?) clamp that didn't sit well with some.
I'm interested in this product or the Wevo as well, so I'll be paying attention to this thread pretty closely.

[Jack Olsen]

It's a great bargain, compared to its competition (from Robotek). A zinged engine is (generally) a dead engine, so I'd consider it as wise an investment as Carrera tensioners or a pop-off valve.

[RickM]

Jack: Are the replacement shifters from Seine, Weltmeister, Wevo and Robotech all designed to help prevent mis-shifts as well as a cleaner shifting experience? I wan't to compare apples to apples and I'm not sure if I am. This area of the car is a bit of a mystery to me.
Rick

[nostatic]

I've never read a bad thing about the Seine unit. If my shifter was sloppier I'd put one in...but (knock on wood) mine still feels like new.

[Jack Olsen]

The Seine and Robotek units are not shifter replacements. They're enhancements. They add a spring to keep the selector in the 3-4 gate (similar to the one that keeps it out of the 5-reverse gate on a stock shifter. They make it less likely that you will blow a shift.

Some shifter replacements (like the Wevo) also provide this sort of thing, but the point with the Seine or the Robotek really isn't about imroving shifter feel so much as it is about making it more difficult to blow a shift and select too low a gear (causing a mechanical over-rev).

[RickM]

So, if I understand correctly, the Seine is an Add-on where the Wevo is a replacement for the factory shifter unit. Does the Wevo have the gated mechanism incorporated into it's design? That's what I took away from a recent thread.

[Vipergrün]

I have the Seine Systems gate shifter on my SC. Really nice design and it works great. It basically prevents accidental shifts from 5th to 2nd or 4th to 1st. Installation was straight forward and the instructions were good. The spring tension in neutral to the 1st/2nd gate is probably 2/3 of the 5th/reverse spring.

Definately go for it. BTW, I used JB Weld along with the clamp, rather than actually welding it. Seems to be fine so far.

Best of luck.......

[turbo6bar]

Alright, that settles it. I'm sold. The Seine product was introduced in May 2002, and I wanted to make sure there were no developments or issues since. I did read about the radiator clamp issues, but I'm going to weld mine. I don't anticipate a big improvement, but it's more about peace of mind and reducing risk ($150 vs. bent valves).

The WEVO shifter sounds like an awesome product, but I cannot justify spending $600 to replace a system that currently functions fine. On top of that, I don't feel any of the replacement shifters OR shift kits eliminate the possibility of missed shifts. If I can get the same protection for $150 vs. $600, why not? However, the WEVO looks like an incredible item. If money were no object...

I'm going to order the Seine Systems kit this week and install it soon.

Jurgen

[JonT]

Do any of these shifter mechanisms affect the shifter throw distance? Do they work with the short shift kit or do they replace it? TIA

[turbo6bar]

John, the Robotek & Seine Systems products are only shift enhancers, as Jack Olsen stated. They do not change the shifter throw. The Wevo 915 Super Shifter replaces the entire shift lever and housing. This does change the throw and incorporates a reverse lockout.

Here are a few combinations to consider:
1) Robotek or Seine shift gate kits
2) Robotek/Seine + short shift kit
3) Robotek/Seine + short shift kit + aftermarket coupler
4) Wevo 915 super shifter
5) Wevo + aftermarket coupler

Your goals and budget should help you select a good combination. The above listing is by no means definitive.

http://www.smart-racing.com/ProdCat/Shifter/Shifter.htm
http://www.seinesystems.com/GateShift-1.htm

Jurgen

[RickM]

Jurgen, Does the Wevo 915 Super Shifter also utilize a (spring) mechanism to help prevent Misshifts?
Rick

[KTL]

Correct me if i'm wrong, but didn't the WEVO gateshift cost over $1000 in the past?

I see the product listed nowadays for $595. What's up with that?

[turbo6bar]

Rick, from the SmartRacing web site above,
"All three gates are well defined by its spring tension and there is a neat reverse lock- out pin that must be intentionally moved from the neutral gate only, so nicking reverse is eliminated."

The above quote is regarding the Wevo 915 Super Shifter.

Jurgen

[RickM]

Thanks Jurgen....I should have picked that up.

Kevin: There is also an internal Gate that can be purchased as well. Perhaps the combination of this and the shifter is incorporated into a package.

Rick

[emcon5]

Originally posted by turbo6bar
so nicking reverse is eliminated."

Isn't this a solution looking for a problem to solve?

The factory 915 linkage includes a reverse lockout from 5th, which to me is the only one to worry about. If your coupler is properly adjusted, you cannot shift into Reverse from 5th.

Tom

[KTL]

You were right Rick. I was thinking of the internal gate shift assembly. A different animal altogether.

[RickM]

Tom,
Speaking from personal experience...I've never had a problem with reverse but from 5th to 2nd or 4th to 1st.
Rick

[RSupdate]

Hi all, thought I would throw my .02 into the mix.......

I have Sherwoods Gate-shift" kit installaed in my car. Works exactly as advertised.

Only thing I did to enhance my piece of mind was to epoxy the new 1st-2nd gate tab onto the shifter in addition to the hose clamp provided in the kit. The clamp that was included had a slotted HEX head on it, so I used a 1/4" drive socket to really torque down that hose clamp after I had epoxyed it in place.

No problems, regrets or second thoughts. Works great. Cheap insurance and a helluva lot of piece of mind for me, personally.

If anyone has any Q's email me.....

cheers !!