Hi Jack, the up grade kit was very well engineered and beautifully made. Being a retired machinist I can say that 500 quid may seem a lot of money but, there are lot of hours even with CNC machinery to make parts like those. I have to say I am a bit jealous of that lovely little Lotus!

Really appreciate the honest and thorough insight into the fitting process - not just a glossy pushing a product - makes the positive results/feedback at the end all the more believable. Also helps the rest of feel slightly less silly when we also encounter difficulties/set backs on similar projects/installations.

I think the kit looks absolutely brilliant and beautifully engineered, you can see the 'throw' is also now shorter. If you go back over the footage you can see there is a bit of flexing when you go into reverse so whilst it's a bit more work I think the rivnuts were included for a good reason.

You couldn't have timed this video better, I'm in the middle of installing my kit now, I can't cover it up though so have powder coated the original frame. it's a great looking kit, I can't wait to get mine installed. great video thanks.

I have some Sheldon parts on my gear change as well, beautifully made!! Sorting the gear change is a worthwhile job and you got the very best kit for it there!,

Good result, and another very informative video.

Nicely done #27. Soon as you tried the gear selection before starting the engine Jack I could clearly see how much more positive the throw and Gear lever travel was. Last time I drove my son's S2 I did not experience any such issues. Soon after I got my high mileage very cheap MGF, the gear selection was most unsatisfactory. After a few weeks both 1st and 2nd gears were not selectable. Got home using third and the other two. 5th and reverse just possible with difficulty. On line enthusiast advice suggested the crank arrangement on the actual PG1 gearbox input selector shaft, That was fine. Removing the Gear Lever Gaiter and surroundings revealed the problem. Two key locking bolts had worked lose. Five minutes with the ring spanners and gear selection good as new. Both the Elise and MGFs have the Rover PG1 Gearbox cable operated which does have issues as the miles mount up. Those same PG1s fitted to the family MG ZS 120 runabout and the Rover 620TIs also have the PG1 Gearboxes. They are not cable operated but use a substantial straight metal tube for the Selection Input. That along with an equally stout stabilising bar and Poly Bushes, provides as good a gear selection as any on ordinary production cars. By welding a short metal insert in the section of the Gear Lever below the Pivot Ball, immediate shorter throw positive gear selection improvement. So successful I made up a batch and friends with PG1s fitted that modification to give a much more positive shorter throw and travel action to the Gear level. Keep this good stuff coming Jack. That way we all learn along with you.

Awesome video. Car looks fantastic. Keep up the good work.

Jack. Love the authenticity of your projects. Learning whilst doing is wonderful. Great result of the shifter.

Gorgeous looking and beautifully crafted bit of kit. £550 seems pretty reasonable to me!!

You're going to have to modify that shroud so you can really get to appreciate the beautiful engineering of that gear shift linkage.

Enjoy your 'snickety' gearchanges Jack! Think you could get a job at Lotus now to! Great to see it all working, & the little extra trials you overcame!

Great breakdown of the differences between old shifter and new shifter parts

Nice one Jack!! I don't even have an Elise...but your videos are always informative 😀 Keep them coming....

love any of the vids you do jack, so much so i automatically click "like" before watching them because i already know i will enjoy watching !!!

Been meaning to comment on this for ages Great series of videos on the Elise, wouldn't mind one to go with my 1970 Europa, but then I keep thinking I may get a matching Europa from '06! Really enjoy the channel!

Improved gearshift is a great way to reinvigorate an already great car. It's so integral to driving it and the improvement is something you can savour every single drive. Great to see high quality kit with all metal bits that will hopefully maintain the improved feel for the entire life of the car.

As a man of similar vintage I’m amazed by your bodily flexibilty.. my joints would NOT take sitting like that! 😊

A few years ago I was looking at getting an Elise and test drove a few (both S1 and S2). I didn't like the gear shift at all. Ended up with a VX220, the shift wasn't a deciding factor but it did feel better.

Great video thanks for uploading

Cracking work, a job well done 👍

Hi Jack great to see you at Scramblers, a treat to sit in Frankie and that gear change even at rest seems a lot better than in my S2 111R which is a nightmare 2nd to 3rd even warm. On the vid you seemed to be flowing well with this magnificently engineered piece of kit (that would probably have added a grand or more to the sticker price if that quality had been specced at the launch!)

Great stuff Jack, now if could get an exposed linkage kit next like the more recent cars that would really be something

Lots of fiddling about but a great result..... 👍

In Scotland we used to call loose gear changers "porridge stick gearboxes" because they were like stirring porridge with a spurtle (you might need to look that up but it's a good analogy).

I guess I got lucky with mine. The previous owner fitted uprated bushes at the gearbox end but didn't bother to adjust anything. It took a good hour of making adjustments but the gearchange is now really nice to the point it is enjoyable to snick it into gear. As nice as that kit is I couldn't stomach spending £500 on it.

The Elise seems to be basically a race car for the road. The new, tight shifter must be wonderful for exploring the car's handling potential around the lanes near you. The project continues to be really interesting. Keep doing what you do so well. I am happily addicted to Number 27. Stay well Maestro!

Good work, those sort of jobs are usually a faff! Enjoyed the longer content :)

Well done Jack, yes it’s a pity that you couldn’t have the new mechanism on show, because it looks a really nice piece of kit , but it’s down to the performance I sir pose, anyway another great video Jack, until your next video clip,👍👍.

Great video. During lockdown I made my own Ferrari style steel shifter gate and lever for my Toyota MR2. I’m really happy with the look and feel of it. It makes a big difference to the driving experience having a good manual shifter.

Jack, I completely understand having frustrations with remote gearshifts that feel like a "wooden spoon in a bowl of porridge". My first cars back in the 60's were VW Beetles and the gear change mechanisms on them could become a pain and hopeless. I spent a lot of thought and time trying to improve them, but I had to make the bits to modify them myself. It is a good feeling to drive a manual transmission with a nice positive feel. I really like little "Frankie", neat car.

Had all bushings (should be also a very valuable upgrade for your MK1 and also worth more than one video :-) ) for my Elise MK2 from EliseParts a few years ago. I can also approve they supply you with good quality spareparts. The video again is the content I want to see... a real sportscar with a bit of issues... treated right and improved finally. Usually I comment on your video calling you a crazy brit, but this I would rather say "Cool Brit" :-) Go ahead like this - L-I-K-E!

Nice upgrade and i think its worth the money for an improved shift. Would be interested to know if they would consider a kit for the toyota engined mk2,mk3 that preceded the visibile linkage version of the mk3. thanks for another good vid showing that even averagely skilled folk can work on their sports cars! :)

Well done...that lack of reverse would have spooked me

The traditional mistakes in putting stuff on incorrectly the first time is one of the things I really like about your videos. Chasing down the issues and problem solving is what I like about working on cars. Even something that's 'bolt on' is never quite bolt on.

I'm so looking forward to fitting the Prodimex kit to my car 😀

Great explanatory video. Won't denie 500£s is alot of money but how many times does one change gear when going for a drive.. 100s.? I think the secret to that updated gear linkage is the robust construction - not allowing any movement or flex. So all inputs are precise.. I guess that's what your paying for The riv-nut mounting (on the left of the bracket) must help secure /help with engagement of reverse...? Great to see all the adjustments and errors Jack. Anyone watching this video will get a broad insight to what's involved.. not so if the video www edited... That lotus does sound good.. Begging to be ragged through the gears..

Now for the v6 conversion!

Fab video as always.

How lucky are you Jack? Lotus Elise and an awesome piece of kit to spend the afternoon installing all with a Ferrari 308 as background scenery. You've earned every mile so well done you. Wondering if a weighted shit knob might help counter to stiffer springs, there and many nice one of varying weights available.

May be expensive….. but the smile on your face shows it was worth it😎

Recently bought an S1 and the gear change feels great! Nevertheless it has significant slop - way more than you have shown here. I think it even has the upgraded elise parts cables. Maybe the Prodimex shifter os the way forward. I tend to favour mods which improve driving enjoyment rather than outright pace. 118bhp feels more than enough for me!

I managed to get one of the last Alitech shifters. Paired it with some SSC shifter cables and hit the jackpot.

You tell us it's a better shift but you didn't show us how much free play there is in the new mechanism.

nothing like creating a tradition of mistakes to get us all smiling...good to see another positive outcome - hope that also becomes a habit

Great video Jack, a few little hiccups but you got there 👍

The linkage on the MG TF is a bit different. That black bit don't exist. The cross gate cables is routed over the clutch and connects directly to that L-shape piece on the shift rod, with a push together, ball & socket. The socket part can perish with all the oil in that area, so I changed mine. I found I had the same problem selecting reverse too: but only after driving it to work and then home. Reverse went in first time of asking, second time, no! Had to be pushed onto my drive. I turn out that the nut part of the new socket was just a fraction too long. Shorten it with a hacksaw. Refitted: worked fine. Later I upgraded the L piece. That's a whole other story with imposable roll pins.

Another great vid, no BS, nothing staged, we all make mistakes, Keepin it real 💪👍

That was a lot of work but well worth it. Happy days

I think I would have added the extra riv nut fixing while you had all the fixings out.

13 minutes in and I'm looking over your shoulder at a Ferrari and a Lotus. Not a bad garage 👍

Did I see the exhaust held in place with a cable tie at 11:18?

It probably wasn't necessary in this case, but it's not a bad idea when removing long cables, (of any purpose), to tie a piece of strong line to the end before pulling it through. Then, to install the replacement, tie the line (which is now where it emerges) to the new cable. You'll have something to pull the new one back in, which is usually much easier than pushing a long, floppy, replacement.

Jack, the bolts aren’t 10 and 13. Those are the head sizes!

I test drive one new back in ‘96 and the gearshift let it down, so much so, that I bought an MX5, probably my biggest mistake looking at values but at the time seemed logical!

Jack, great job. Is new new gear stick shorter than the OEM one ? If so, by how much? One of the original designs of the Elise was to place the gear knob about a hand stretch away from the steering wheel. I’m not sure I’d want that distance to increase.

A lot of work and a lot of cash, but looks like a great result.

Very nice, Jack. Happy you have it sorted. Question... ever cross paths with Harry Metcalf on those twists? You're both in the Cotswolds, no?

I drove an Elise around on a Silverstone junket and the gearchange was easily the worst part of a potentially great car. Fixing that plus the VVC engine make the early Elise a great package.

You seem to enjoy this car more than any of your previous projects. I was looking for a 964 for a while until I tried an elise and ended up buying one instead. Would like to know how this gear change compares with the last version of the elise.

A discount here; a free bit there: one of the perks of having a YT channel. Your honesty about this - much appreciated. Rather you than me with all that messing about though. I couldn't face it at all. Cracking vid, Jack. Peace ☮.

Lotus originally wanted Honda to supply the engine and their shifter is one of the best, for sure. Honda wouldn't sell their 2.0 engine to lotus but because Lotus had such a good relationship with Toyota, they were able to get their 1.8. Had Lotus been able to get the Honda setup, the car would have been on par with the S2000 by Honda, a really well shifting car with more power than the 1.8. Still, beggars can't be chooser's so i had to live with the set up placed in the S2 back in 2005.

Poor Jack nothing ever ever seems simple

I do enjoy your 'how not to' tutorials Jack, hilarious! 😉 Don't give up your day job... oh, hang on a minute!!!

Great car enjoy, be good if filmed a roadtrip in your videos to mix things up. Myself I will be going on big roadtrip in few months. In mine.

You can see the time that’s gone in to engineering that kit and how beautifully it’s made, I think £500 is a bargain in today’s insanely overpriced rubbish that touted. Well done on fitting it all Jack! Nice Job buddy 👍

There must be a way to expose that new gear linkage, it has surely been designed to be seen?

Reverse has the same selecting issue as MGFs. Put it in third and then reverse. It should slip in nicely.

Are you going to bring Frankie to Lotus in the Peak in July Jack? Would be great to have you there.

Maybe wouldn't fit, but I'd be trying to fit lock nuts on the cables behind the end joints, otherwise they can rattle about on the threads.

I have a ‘98 and the gear shifter doesn’t centre. I wonder whether you found this on yours? I have the eliseparts cables and short shifter and love everything else about that setup. PS great videos!

Mine not been posted yet!

Number 27, your endorsement for Sheldon @ Prodimex shift upgrade doesn't sound like a positive endorsement. Also, I think you should put another screw in the floor to give it more support. Because when you tried to shift it into reverse, you could see it shaking a bit. So, why not do that & be done with it for once & for all??? Sheldon added that there for a good reason. And since it's built for racing which gives you a much shorter shift. It will take you a while to get used to it. But I think you will enjoy it in the long run. Enjoy!!!

I’ve got the Eliseparts gear linkage upgrade kit in my S2 which vastly improves the gear change for much less money! Not sure this kit is value at all at £550! You mention other options at this price bracket, what are they?

What car Jack do you use?

Nice kit, but the new cables.. ? 🤔🍿😎

I've never noticed the shift being notchy or vague, sample of one mind.

You are acting just like I did after I put Numeric cables in my Cayman. It is such a delight to have solid, bolt action like gear changes.

So, how about a little road trip video in the Elise? ;-)

Are your seats fitted back to front? On my 1999 S1 Elise (bought new) I think only the drivers side had the lumbar pump, but it looked like it was on your Pax seat? Caveat: I had the 118bhp standard Elise.

Second! Podium! Lotus=Neverending Project :)

now you new a shorten shroud installed

How tall are you? Looks like you've gained a bit more space between the shifter in fifth and your knee?

Maybe it would have been a good idea to have used a little dab of loktite on the threads

🙏🙏🤟

Did you make a new word? Combined uprated and upgraded to form upgrated? 😁

The summary felt like you wanted to add a “but”. What was the downside that you didn’t feel you should say? :)

Please remove the shroud so that beautiful shift mechanism is on display a la GMA T.50! Paint the mounting in matt aluminium to match the shifter.

Do you ever bump into Harry Metcalf in your wanderings? I swear he often tests on what look like the exact same roads you do!

Hi Jack !!!!!! Hi think for £550 ,, I think i would stick with a Floppy knob

Glad this wasn't available when I had mine, or it would have been something else to add to the £10k I threw at it making things better 😂

There's alot to be said for a great gearbox feel ,the difference can transform the driving experience , I've had my mx5 for 13 yrs and the box in that is one of the best around...I bought a 986 recently and was so disappointed by the feel of the gearbox ,granted it's an old car but my Mazda is older by several years ,the Porsche was cool but that gearbox always spoiled the drive ,so I sold it and kept the miata....no regrets 😀 ...love the Elise...peace

Bottom of the problem the fritter

4th !

I love the elise jack ,but no one wants to part with one for free

£500! YIKES! Sadly, not in my universe.

Really good video...and now you have one car that needs nothing. Excellent. Now back to the Ferrari.

I thinks it's amazing that someone would pay 20k for what is ostensibly a go-cart with a sexy looking shell on the outside. Unless your brave and mechanically minded a car like this would soon become a money pit. I do enjoy your boundless enthusiasm though.

You haven't experienced gear shift slop until you've driven a Yugo!

Hi jack, if you ever consider selling your Elise, I’d be interested :)