shifter modification help

Drew_Dye · 12-17-2008, 06:18 AM

I'm interested in improving the shift action on my '75 914 and am exploring the idea of converting to a cable shifter. I've seen a website in which one person detailed his installation of a Mitsubishi shifter (http://www.etischer.com/914cableshift.html). I'm no professional automotive engineer, but it seems to me that the conversion could have been done more cleanly and maybe more simply (it does, however, seem to be a very sound design... I admire Eric's ingenuity). I've also stumbled across a website which caters to the Pontiac Fiero (http://www.rodneydickman.com/), a car which utilizes a cable shifter, and sent the webmaster an e-mail inquiring as to the feasibility of installing a Fiero shifter in a 914. He suggested that I make my inquiry on a kit car forum. Lastly, I recently found a 5-speed/6-speed cable shifter in the "New Products" section of the January 2009 Kit Car magazine. I haven't yet fully explored this possibility. Has anybody on this forum tackled or attempted to tackle a conversion to a cable shifter? I'd appreciate any feedback/insight. Thank you all.

Drew_Dye · 12-17-2008, 08:16 AM

I just got more information on the cable shifter I saw in Kit Car. The website is http://cncperformanceparts.com/. The phone no. is (760)542-9871. I called and talked to Larry. Very nice guy. He's going to make an inquiry with one of his customers (the customer is the one who makes the adapter brackets... Larry makes the shifters). Things may be looking up, but please don't hesitate to provide feedback. Thank you.

Clay Perrine · 12-17-2008, 12:23 PM

As a suggestion... go through the shift linkage and make sure that all of the nylon bushings are good, including the one at the bottom of the shifter. Also make sure that the side shift console is not worn out from a bad bushing.

If it still does not shift good after that, get a rennshifter for your stock linkage. A cable shifter will not shift any better than the stock parts plus the rennshifter.

RandyLok · 12-17-2008, 01:46 PM

I have to agree with Clay on this one. Several guys have done cable-shift conversions (with a hell of a lot of work) and they found the results weren't any better than a well-sorted stock design.

The easiest way to improve your setup with a 901 is refreshing it, and installing a couple of the well-engineered and proven upgrades that are already out. Check out the Jwest stuff.

If you are moving away from the 901, that's another topic.

Drew_Dye · 12-18-2008, 09:44 AM

Clay & Randy-
Thank you for your feedback. I have replaced all of the bushings (including the one at the bottom of the shifter... I'll have to take a look at the side shift console) and was already eyeballing the Rennshifter or Jwest shifter. I was putting the question out there in because I wanted to explore all available options and I didn't want to leave any off of the table. It does help to hear from knowledgeable enthusiasts that the Jwest and Rennsport shifters are as good as or better than a cable shifter. Thanks again, guys, and Merry Christmas!!!
-Drew

degreeoff1 · 12-20-2008, 07:01 AM

well I have to pipe in....

I have ZERO issues with mine and its stock minus the short shift rod....make sure all your bushings are good and that the trany is adjusted properly and you should be ready to go....why spend all that cash? unless of course $$$$ is no issue then have at it. ( I'd do the renshift console....$500 bucks!!, thats 1/3 of my WANTED TB diff....)

Josh

charliew · 03:04 PM

If any of the motor or tranny mounts are loose the motor and tranny move around and bind the stock shifter up. I think you will be way ahead if you can make or buy a good cable shifter. I have two fieros one is a 5 spd. and it will get 2nd and thrd gear rubber. The saker cars use a cable shifter but they also use a suby tranny. The Ultimate GTR, a very neat kit car uses a cable shifter. There are some expensive cable shifters already in production 915, 930, etc. maybe not yet for the 914 tranny but the mechanism on the tail shifter will be easy to adapt, it's similiar to the suby, I'm not sure about a clean one for the sideshift.

Gonna give up on this as to post you gotta resign in each time. Cable shifters are being discussed on both narp and club.

mike95125 · 12-24-2008, 08:45 AM

Here is one done by Tonyakavw for his suby conversion.

Charlie, click the little box that says "remember me" and you wont have to re log in every time.

charliew · 12-24-2008, 09:06 AM

That is a very good example of the job that can be done with a minimal number of tools and the desire to make something work. The only thing I would do is maybe clean the cable mounts up some. The left cable could be moved to the top of the arm and the right cable housing could be raised some to give a more compact look but it works and that is the main thing. Some times once a project works we go to something else with the intention of going back later and refining it after we try it out for awhile.

Hey the remember me worked. I thought it was so you wouldn't have to sign in each time you visited.
Yesterday I would sign in and type a reply and have to resign in again to get it to work. Oh well

Joe Ricard · Joe Ricard's Garage

I upped the game of bushings with a 3/4" Spherical bearing at the firewall. and bronze bushing at the console. Polyethelene (Plastic cutting board) engine and transmission mounts

And of course 1500 bucks in shift sleeves and synchros.