opinion on quickshift in mini.

[vrooom]

What you think of it?
as I just fitted one. I liked the feel of quickshift.

Jay

[minimax]

everyone I ever met at various mini garages and clubs have told me they shag the gearbox..

..couldn't tell you how though - I imagine it' ssomething to do with heavily loading the 2nd to 3rd change and putting extra stress on already weak components in a weak gearbox

[vodkakid]

I think that only happens if you add a bias spring to the rod(for the 2nd to 3rd change). The quick shift on its own should be ok.

[miniman]

I heard that if your gearbox is on its last legs, the quickshift will make it more obvious. I imagine the prime culprit is worn synchros - if they don't have as much time to do their job, you'll get grinding etc from the box.

I do like the idea of the bias spring, though.

[minimax]

vodkakid said:

I think that only happens if you add a bias spring to the rod(for the 2nd to 3rd change). The quick shift on its own should be ok.

so how does the quickshift work then? I understood all it did was bias the 2nd to 3rd change?

[miniman]

minimax said:

so how does the quickshift work then? I understood all it did was bias the 2nd to 3rd change?

The design of the linkage is different - it gives a much shorter throw of the gearstick. Basically where on the standard box, the movement of the lever between 1st and 2nd is, say 4 inches, quickshift reduces that movement to 2 inches or so.

[Wildfire]

Everyone i've spoken to on the subject, when I considered one, says it kills the gear box. A mate ignored this and got one. One dead gear box in 3 months. And it had only done 30K.

Unless you get the propper Jack Knight kit, stay away. IMHO.

[vodkakid]

Got a kad one, had no worries with mine.

[vrooom]

the linkages, its longer at the bottom of stick, with extension cup on the top.

[bjw970s]

Had one fitted to my sprint car but it didn't add any value and increased wear on the box.

The bias afair is a small device from Minispares which apparently gives a better feel to the gear change. I have got a Kit Car with one fitted but haven't had a chance to drive it yet!

Brian

[vodkakid]

The bias spring can make it hard to get over to first, and i found reverse a right pain till i got the kad stick with the collar lift.

[British_Mini]

I guess the thing is that the name "quickshift" is probably a bit misleading. In that, you can smack the box between gears if you are aggressive with the standard lever arrangement. Difference is with the quick shift it's easier to do that quickly. I'd put one on if you want a shorter throw, but remember to be gentle with the box in normal driving!! It's not having the quick shift in place that knackers the box; it's using it.

I'm not convinced by biasing, although I haven't tried it, so whadda I know?? Modern cars levers are biased to 3rd/4th, so people tend to expect that when they jump in yer Mini which doesn't have a bias. Of course it makes the 2nd to 3rd shift slicker, but the 3rd to 2nd downshift more difficult.

[Paul V]

My engine builder warned me that the quickshifts cause excessive wear to the bulk rings in the gearbox so I never fitted one to my car.