View Full Version : Direct to turret gear mechanism
I would love to ditch the standard gear linkage and go direct to turret. Anyone got any hints/tips/pictures how people have achieved this whilst avoiding the steering rack? From what I can tell it requires a new hole in the bulkhead, two universal joints, a modified selector turret, some sort of brace on the gearstick rod, and an inverted gearstick mech if using a Cav internal one.
Alternatively, are the cable mechanisms nice to drive with, and how much work are they to get working well?
Johnny A
09-10-14, 10:46 AM
I have never driven a direct to turret setup so I can't comment on that, but you well know I am a big fan of cable shift - both my Novas run them. Benn has sat and tried out the cable shift too and loved its direct positive feel
OK I'll have a browse of your threads for pointers setting that up, suppose I can try some at the scrappers before removal!
Johnny A
09-10-14, 11:05 AM
OK I'll have a browse of your threads for pointers setting that up, suppose I can try some at the scrappers before removal!
Pay more attention to my estate pages as this applies more to you using the Vectra 1.8 setup
So you basically use an F23 cable shift selector turret, cables and shifter mech and make up a bracket on the box itself to hold them firm?
https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t1.0-9/10532340_10154257953445214_4806982111280534013_n.j pg
Then the position in the car is dictated by the length of the cables I guess.
Johnny A
09-10-14, 11:13 AM
So you basically use an F23 cable shift selector turret, cables and shifter mech and make up a bracket on the box itself to hold them firm?
https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t1.0-9/10532340_10154257953445214_4806982111280534013_n.j pg
Then the position in the car is dictated by the length of the cables I guess.
No no chap:
SEF ran a full F23 shifter setup (gearbox, cable and shifter)
The Estate runs the standard gearbox (same as yours), Vectra-C 1.8 16v (F17) shifter turret, bracket, cables and shifter (pictured)
However you notice I modded the crap out of the bracket to pull the cables close to the gearbox body - this was purely because I raised the engine 1.5 inches and assuming yours is in the original position its not necessary. You may need to tweak one of the bracket bolting positions, some F20's had the requires mounting points, some didn't.
Johnny A
09-10-14, 11:15 AM
Also in SEF I shortened the cables a bit to bring the shifter forward as much as possible, in the estate however I wanted the shifter further back to match the new seating positions so it all worked out perfectly.
Got it now, thanks sir. This is definitely the way forward me thinks.
mk1 astras had a direct to turret rod, and i think mk2's did too.
Not necessarily directly fittable as I believe it goes under the car not through it? Otherwise the mk2 Astra 16v guys would be using them instead of linkages.
people have cut new bulkhead holes & fitted decent grommets to them in the past. the front floor design isn't that different between the nova & astra.
you could use it as the basis for the selector & use extra UJ's & sliding rose joints, like on racing cars to get the linkage to fit better.
You got a rose jointed linkage on atm?
Yeah rose jointed, nylon bushes and later cav shifter with no rubber bush, and better later selector turret... And still not happy with it.
RallyMarshal
10-10-14, 12:33 PM
Iain
I know we discussed the cable change system as well but the Astra Mk2 underfloor linkage can be fitted to the top of the tunnel with a new bulkhead hole and works well too....
Paul..
I am running a direct-to-turret set up. It's ace! As said, it's a universal joint welded onto the Astra gte shifter and a mk2 linkage fitted to the turret...
Nice one. No panic though picked up a cable shift setup today!
nova_stee
12-10-14, 10:38 AM
Id liked to see the direct to turret shift because the cables still arnt as good as the quiffe selector
did any pics of said direct to turret jobby surface? wanna try this on mine
RallyMarshal
21-10-14, 03:01 PM
Julian Wilkes runs an Astra linkage in his rally Nova.
His is fitted underfloor like the Astra and is modified so it fits directly to the turret.
Some photos of his new build on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wilkes-Motorsport/302023946564700
Paul..
wwinstanley
22-10-14, 07:55 AM
I fitted a Corsa B selector direct to turret on my Rally Nova, which unfortuantely just about lasted a rally. I can imagine it would be ok for road use though as its not getting as much stick.
What was the issue with it wwinstanley?
Paul that's a nice looking build on that link.
wwinstanley
22-10-14, 12:10 PM
firstly the rubber part of the ball in the shift mechanism broke and fell out, resulting in extreme difficulty selecting gears.
replaced that, and had more issues with the rubber collar at the front of the selector (where the rod passes through) must have worn and kept falling out, resulting in no gear selection whatsoever. Screwed that in with self tappers (rally bodge)
then by the end of the rally gear selection had become so sloppy it felt like stirring a bucket of bricks, compared with the nice positive feel i had at the start of the rally.
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