Midas Cars Forum - www.midascarsforum.com

Hi,

Although my car isn't anywhere near the road yet I can see an issue that will drive me nuts on a daily basis, namely rapping my knuckles on the dash when engaging 1st and 3rd gears.

Am I right in thinking that a quickshift kit would reduce the throw and save my knuckles?

Rich

Yes I have a quickshift and don't have issues with the dashboard, but occasionally I can't find a gear while on the move. Then I have to make a full stop, engage first and the rest is then okay.
The weird thing is that I never had dashboard issues in anyone of my Midasses. Have your gear selector shafts been lengthened properly? Check the build manual and then measure the welded pieces of the gear selector shafts under the car. Or check with another Midas.

Hans Efde wrote:Yes I have a quickshift and don't have issues with the dashboard, but occasionally I can't find a gear while on the move. Then I have to make a full stop, engage first and the rest is then okay.
The weird thing is that I never had dashboard issues in anyone of my Midasses. Have your gear selector shafts been lengthened properly? Check the build manual and then measure the welded pieces of the gear selector shafts under the car. Or check with another Midas.

Hi Hans,

It doesn't appear that the shafts have been lengthened at all, everything looks standard under there.

Rich

According to the manual (which I suppose you have or have downloaded?) both rods must be lengthened by 62mm. I think it's a better solution than a quickshift that will cost you around 150 pounds and makes the gearshift even less precise than it already is. The only problem by moving the assembly aft, is that you probably need to do something with the exhaust to prevent interference.

I have a KAD quickshift on both my Mk3's and they are great. If you want to go further its possible to slightly rebend the hollow shaft back towards the driver using a pipe bender. Im happy with mine though as they are.

Prior to using the KAD gearstick on the old ones I cut 3 inches off my gear stick and rewelded it back on (3inches less = quicker shift), with a slight bias towards the driver seat. Was easy done and only took a few mins with an arc welder. No interference problems at all. Job done. Still have them lying around somewhere. Complete with alloy TVR knobs.

What you might find on some Midas though is that the selector and steady rods have not been equally cut and lengthened correctly. The result is poor engagement as the stabiliser rod is actually tilting the base of the gearbox out of line either forwards or backwards.

The single rod systems rely on a very stiff (rock solid) engine mounting system in order to operate correctly. Great if you dont mind losing filings in your teeth .

Hope that makes sense.

Cheers,

D