Both my gear cables have given up after 42k miles. There appear to be three options, new OEM, Lotus Motorsport cables and Sector 111 cables. Prices go up quite steeply with each option. My car has a pretty good gear change(had until the cable came apart). I found a pipe blowing cool air onto the linkage at the gearbox stop the high temp bulking that many complain about.
The car will be doing fewer track days (probably none) in the future so it will not be getting so hot and worked so hard.
I’m tempted to just get the OEM ones unless the others make a big difference. Informed wisdom please,
I got the Simply Sports Cars cables from Australia and it made a big difference…it’s all about the feel. These cables are much thicker (much less flex) and significantly smoother…
Pay the money…you get what you pay for… you pay shit, you get shit…
Be warned. Older Exiges (pre 07) have Teleflex gear cables which are no longer available from Lotus and will never be made again. Your only option from Lotus is to replace the cables, centre frame, gear stick, gear knob and reverse lock tube with the so called 2-11 assembly. Total cost for that lot is £650! The other option is Sector 111 cables from Dave at Seriously Lotus who has advised my whilst on his holiday (thanks). They fit any variant of gear shift. For the old cars with Teleflex a saw drill and mallet are required, normal Lotus tools. Only £430 so I have the ordered them and they are winging their way to me.
Hopefully all will be fixed soon. Thanks you to Dave at Seriously Lotus for a solution, Geary at Elise Parts, Elise Spares and Datum Motorsport for searching their cupboards for old stock and Stratton Lotus and B&C who identified he full Monty Lotus fix.
I’m starting to think about cables / linkage. My last track day my gear change was a complete pain in the ass with missed gears on downshifts to the point t where it was interfering with my corner braking routine. I’ve never really had a problem with it before but now it’s noticeable.
Cables arrived today, thanks Dave. The symptom of mine failing was the gear stick going too far back towards the handbrake. It then started popping out if fourth as it was not fully in. When Gav at Unit looked at them you can see the inner cable comes out of the side of the outer housing at the gearbox end.
HOpefully all will be fixed. No plans to take the Exige back on track now I have the Cat. My car was always fine on the road, bulked at 3rd sometimes on track. Then the gear change became horrid, once the cable fell apart.
Latest update from Lotus Motorsport, via Sjsportscars. : newer cables can fit older cars, you just have to do the same adaption as required to get the sector 111 cables to fit, saw, drill, mallot, Lotus Motorsport cables can be purchased for £240 for the pair. Much cheaper than the sector111 jobbies BUT I can see the much higher quality in the sector 111 cables, so I am happy.
Upgraded cables are on my agenda, the gear change (2010 RGB) can be pretty hit and miss, especially when hot. The SSC kit looks good, but no mention of the latest Trueleo LETSLA cables. How long / £? is a professional install ? … I am not confident enough for a DIY installation.
Cables are being fitted by Gav in Burton. Thanks to Dave at Seriously Lotus for helping whilst on his holidays. I will report back on how they feel. My car always had an OK gearbox until the cables failed. At least I thought it was ok until I drove my Caterham.
Tested my new gear cables at Bedford today. Gavin at unit 4 fitted them. He wisely added a spacer at the gear stick end so the cables are not canted over as they attach to the linkages. No idea f that helps but…
Verdict…they are better, still not a rifle action. Better than my Audi A4, not as good as my wife’s Fiesta, not as good as a Caterham. I managed about 170 miles on track and always found the gears, normally 3rd would hide on downshifts.
…timely, my old cables fell apart as Gavin parked my car in his workshop.
