12 replies to this topic

[Bishop IRL]

Are they easy to fit and how does it change the throw?

[Cooperman]

A good quality one like the KAD is quite easy to fit.
They don't make the change any quicker, despite the name, they just reduce the amount of lever movement. Once you fit one, it takes a while to get used to, but when you've used it a while it's very good. However, if you try to change gear more quickly it'll damage the gearbox and, initially, when I fitted one, I found it easy to miss a gear.
Before you do fit one, just check your existing linkage as perceived excessive travel can be caused by worn linkage and soft rear mounting rubber block.

[The Otter]

I can't say much about the fitting of them, but from my experience they make gear changes horrible! A friend of mine has one in his car and it ruins the drive in my opinion! Also, from what I've read on here they're a bit pointless as there is a minimum time in which you can physically change gears anyway, before you beat the capability of the synchromesh to actually engage the next gear, if that makes sense? So you can't change gear any quicker with a quick shift than you can with a normal shifter due to the limits of the speed that the synchro can engage the gear you're changing in to, if you move the gear stick too fast then it will crunch and not engage properly, which can easily be done with a standard shifter let alone a quick shift.

I may not have explained that very well, but I hope you sort of get what I'm on about

EDIT: As Cooperman mentioned them, if you do want one then you should only really consider a high quality item such as the KAD quick shift. I believe the one in my friends car is a cheaper alternative from Minisport (hence the horridness of it )

Sven.

Edited by J322OverTheTop, 18 January 2012 - 11:11 PM.

[Cooperman]

Not for nothing are they sometimes referred to as 'Quick-Graunch' gear shifts!

[PhilipGCaldwell]

they have the name 'quick shift' but its more like 'short shift' as it only changes the amount you have to move the gear stick to change gear, thus can damage your gearbox because peole think you can change gear quicker

[zef]

If you use a KAD one, work to the limits of the gearbox and adjust them (they are sometimes over stiff in movement) then I think they are a nice addition. But then it's all down to personal choice. Might be an idea to try find someone who has one so you can try before you buy.

[chrisandsarah]

I drove a mini with one around the block and couldn't stick it - too used to the standard set up - just my 2 pence :)

[Wil_h]

For a road car I wouldn't bother, but It was a great improvement to my hillclimber.

[Cooperman]

On a 1991 Cooper 1275 rally car I built I modified the gear linkage by fitting different rear linkage supports made from Mk.1 Cooper 'S' remote gear linkage rear mountings. I used 2 of them, cut across the base mountings to suit. Then I renewed all the other linkage parts and when fitted it was probably better than a 'Quick-Shift' as the gear change was crisp, but still had enough travel to shift positively. On a bumpy road going quickly it would be easy to miss a gear with a Quick-Shift.

[bmcecosse]

As above - the biggest problem is wobbly gear lever mounts - just fitting new standard ones makes a huge improvement. Save the quack shaft money for something useful!

[Cooperman]

As above - the biggest problem is wobbly gear lever mounts - just fitting new standard ones makes a huge improvement. Save the quack shaft money for something useful!

I wasn't going to be that blunt

[Bishop IRL]

Ok guys, Thanks for the advice. My son`s car has one fitted and I liked how positive it felt. I was just wondering if a noob like me could fit one.

[Gulfclubby]

Yes, all you really need is a set of spanners and some time.