shift linkage. cable delete

[Alxsmt]

has anybody put any thought into getting rid of the shift cables? Ive been thinking about trying it but wanted some opinions/ideas. I REALLY hate cables. well and the transmission in general..

my #1 idea will require a new rear header so I cant exactly try it for a few more years. this is my best idea so far I think

#1
after adapting the factory shifter and trans, basically have a rod (well 2), go through the firewall, attach to a pivot point that would move another rod that moves the arms on the trans. pretty basic and simple. getting it to funciton 100% every time in a race setting is a different story. cant be TOO hard tho.

#2
basically the same as above, but have 2 pivot points and make the transmission shift from front to back instead of side to side. more complicated and higher chance of failing. this would make my current exhaust work (in my head, no real world testing or measuring)

#3
same as #2, but have one piot point. run one single bar (one for each action I should say), through the firewall, take a 90* left and move along the firewall then go straight forward to the trans after modifying it to shift front to back. I feel like too much flex would happen with this idea.

I attached a BASIC idea of #1

[3400-95-Modified]

4t60e shifter cable delete mod... LOL!

This would be a neat idea but the geometry has to be exactly right on this and I don't know how possible that is do to with our setup's

[Purple pit]

Big hole in the firewall? Or would it be an exhaust reroute?

[Dave96z34]

Pointless your going to make a reliable system over complicated and none user friendly. Quote Burt Gummer to the feds take something simple and complicate it.

[caffeine]

You could maybe look at an older VW for ideas. They use shift linkage. My friend has owned quite a few though and the shifter always feels sloppy.

[Purple pit]

VW Bug? That is the most slop I have ever felt in a shifter. Even more than a 3 on the tree(3sp on the column) I tested in a 69 Chevy truck with 250k.

[ga2001532]

Your better off making a more solid shifter. The cables don't have the slop its all the shifter.

[Alxsmt]

I dont think it would have to be perfect, just close enough to move the levers correctly. there would be added support/guids not shown in the pic. Im thinking about doing a mini/bench test for the hell of it.

it would be a hole in the firewall and exhaust reroute lol.

reliable system??? I think not. Its my car, being user friendly only matters for the guy working on it, plus it seems REALLY simple once everything is designed actually setup, thats the complicated part. I cant count how many I have bent/broken cables, yes, the metal ends bend. its one component that holds the car back. out of all my cars, the beretta is the worst when it comes to shifting. even my geo metro has solid linkage! it shifts amazing. I think a lot of hondas use solid linkage too

the beretta has a solid shifter, its tighter than factory

I was thinking 1/2" or 3/4" DOM for the bars. might be able to find a pully and modify it to bolt the bars too. then its just a matter of attaching/supporting everything. I was thinking about heim joints on everything. already planned on making new headers so thats not extra

[ga2001532]

Rebuild your trans I bet it will shift way better

[Alxsmt]

it has been done. about 30k on it. it was pulled apart and fixed/inspected 10k ago, everything looks good but I feel it does need another rebuild along with the lsd. It will come in a few years for sure, when the clutch goes out or when I go turbo. Im going to run Redline MTL this year instead of syncromesh to see how that does.

3rd and 5th grind. 2nd wont slide in enough to do anything if you shift fast. cables really dont help that.. but they still work for auto cross, hoping I can get a few drag runs in before I need to change them

[ga2001532]

Something is wrong I can fly through mine with no problem. With unknown mileage guessing over 100k. My only problem is the stock Beretta clutch can't hold my 3500 any more. Slips. I run syncomesh. Maybe your linkage is out of adjust ment or your clutch isn't disengaging all the way. I had to adjust mine. It shouldn't grind at all.

[pocket-rocket]

Making a linkage sounds like asking for headaches to me. Since I've moved to booger bushings mine is nice and tight. Couple that with my short throw linkage, and I think it's going to be a fun summer.

All I can think of with this idea is how much you are going to miss gear changes from engine/trans movement, unless you have completely solid mounts.

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

[3400-95-Modified]

The biggest problem is no one has made stronger more reliable cables for the beretta application. SO many companies will make you ANY configuration of a push pull cable you just need to contact them! I think with some good aftermarket cables then this would no longer be an issue.

[Purple pit]

http://www.berettabowden.com/Products-custom-Bowden-cables.html

Look...there it is again(lol). All you need is 1,000 orders. Too bad they don't do small batches.

[3400-95-Modified]

Thats not the only company out there... There are ones that will build a one off application specific cable.