DIY: V6 Manual 1st, 2nd & Reverse Adjustment - Hard To Get Into Gear

[djprov431]

I cannot believe I waited 3500 miles -- the adjusting screw wasn't even hand tight -- although it really didn't look like it had moved from the paint marked spot -- until I moved it up,, wow wow wow what a difference. Reverse, 1st, and 2nd, much more like buttah now compared to the force required 10 mins ago! 1st to 2nd AMEN!, downshift 3rd to 2nd AMEN! WOO!

 

[seriously]

I cannot believe I waited 3500 miles -- the adjusting screw wasn't even hand tight -- although it really didn't look like it had moved from the paint marked spot -- until I moved it up,, wow wow wow what a difference. Reverse, 1st, and 2nd, much more like buttah now compared to the force required 10 mins ago! 1st to 2nd AMEN!, downshift 3rd to 2nd AMEN! WOO!

It doesn't look like you shifted it much at all. Almost looks like a shift down? Maybe some of the improvement is related to just screwing the damn thing down tightly. Mine was also not super tight and could explain why sometimes it was fine and sometimes a little crunchy. Now, just smooth all the time.

 

[seriously]

Just did this mod and it is probably one of the best most impactful mods I’ve ever done on any car.

I went from being ok with my gearshift lever to absolutely feeling like its almost as good as my Japanese shifters ( mazda, honda, toyota ). It was always decent and pretty good for a lotus ,especially compared to my GT which was good , but the Emira was a bit better.

My experience is rubbery BMWs, vague Toyotas, Porsche perfection and Honda s2000 slippery sexiness (sorry, but that's what it is). The Lotus shifter is now precise, smooth and by FAR the most mechanical feeling. It fits the open gear look and overall ethos of an old school supercar. It still leans a touch to the right of center, but it's a Lotus right? Very happy with it.

 

[djprov431]

It doesn't look like you shifted it much at all. Almost looks like a shift down? Maybe some of the improvement is related to just screwing the damn thing down tightly. Mine was also not super tight and could explain why sometimes it was fine and sometimes a little crunchy. Now, just smooth all the time.

You can see the move better zoomed in on the original alignment mark -- I moved the plate forward

 

[seriously]

You can see the move better zoomed in on the original alignment mark -- I moved the plate forward

View attachment 64646

I looked at the original photo again and see the old washer marking (both the outline and the green mark). Wow! yours was setup from factory almost at the extreme bottom setting.

 

[djprov431]

I looked at the original photo again and see the old washer marking (both the outline and the green mark). Wow! yours was setup from factory almost at the extreme bottom setting.

I didn't even notice the washer mark until you mentioned it -- I hope I made it tight enough when I put it back, doubt I cranked it tight enough to make a mark with the washer, we'll see.

 

[MiamiBlue]

WTF are they doing in the factory?!

 

[kitkat]

WTF are they doing in the factory?!

Figuring out why they only have 18 minutes to install a whole ass dash and a shifter or something lol.

 

[Ryan94]

Gents,

Completed this lil tweak - when stationary - shifts as smooth as butter, yet when im moving - its still giving the same resistance as before

I also needed to move it up around 5mm at least - you can very much see the plate touching the other part regardless of where it is - might need to open it all up again

Any thoughts??

 

[kdkns]

Gents,

Completed this lil tweak - when stationary - shifts as smooth as butter, yet when im moving - its still giving the same resistance as before

I also needed to move it up around 5mm at least - you can very much see the plate touching the other part regardless of where it is - might need to open it all up again

Any thoughts??

How many miles on your car? It looks like most of us did the adjustment after a few thousand miles of break in

 

[Ryan94]

How many miles on your car? It looks like most of us did the adjustment after a few thousand miles of break in

7500

 

[djprov431]

I'm also curious if there's a sweet spot in the adjustment range? Where have others ended up on their adjustment? Maybe I have more to go; it would be nice to know a ballpark range folks found they liked. I think reverse and going into 1st is very much improved, but 1st to 2nd and 3rd to 2nd are the only slots I feel still have more to give.

 

[seriously]

I'm also curious if there's a sweet spot in the adjustment range? Where have others ended up on their adjustment? Maybe I have more to go; it would be nice to know a ballpark range folks found they liked. I think reverse and going into 1st is very much improved, but 1st to 2nd and 3rd to 2nd are the only slots I feel still have more to give.

mine looks like kitkat's original photo. slightly off to the north. all my forward gears are completely clear and crunch free. I can't imagine it getting better.

I suspect each gearbox is relative to itself (and all the other cable positions), but this might be a good starting reference.

 

[seriously]

btw I have found that when going 3 to 2, it is even smoother if you actually make an effort to pull towards the left. So instead of pulling down diagonally, pull to the left and down and it is smooth. It still requires more effort than 2 to 3 which more or less glides into place diagonally.

 

[djprov431]

Wow, comparing my as left to Kit Kat's as left is a big difference (photo attached), I'm going to open it back up and move it much further forward. Edit -- went and took care of it but can't take for a drive until later or tomorrow. That was a big move of the plate -- very very smooth in all directions when just sitting in the car afterward.

 

[Periokid]

Wow! I just did this and it made a HUGE difference! Thank you!!!