Subaru Transmission Cable Linkage, Some Photos with a Rule Options

[DBCooper]

I can't find the thread now, but I promised some photos of my Subaru cable linkage, with a rule for dimensions. Seem to be several projects getting to this point, so hopefully it will be helpful. I wrenched my back so it's been slow, sorry, but here are a few.

General layout. The cable going through the center of the photo is anchored on the left at the sheath to the main bracket, then connects to the shift rod bracket on the right, attached to the shift rod coming out of the transmission. That cable is the shift rod in and out. The rotational cable connects to the bottom of that same shift rod bracket, on the right. The main bracket is the important piece, it locates all the cable sheath anchors. This is the best view of the reinforcing gusset that keeps everything stiff.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i379.photobucket.com-2618-1381090895.1.jpg)

Same view from below and a little further back so you an see the cable sheath mount for the rotational cable.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i379.photobucket.com-2618-1381090895.2.jpg)

Same direction of view, but a little around the main bracket so you can see the shift rod bracket. That's the important dimension for full throw of the MR2 shifter, 8.5cm from the center of the shift rod to the cable heim center.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i379.photobucket.com-2618-1381090895.3.jpg)

Another, that same bracket and dimension. This is the best view of now that bracket attached to the transmission shift rod:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i379.photobucket.com-2618-1381090895.4.jpg)

Same components, different view. The main bracket curves out from the transmission mount to put the sheath attachment point out in the same plane as the shift rod. In the photos above you can see the shift rod bracket is bent in toward the rear of the transmission to keep that cable movement in the same plane. You can also see more of the main bracket gusset (that triangular shape). Need that gusset to keep it all stiff, minimize cable shifter "mush".

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i379.photobucket.com-2618-1381090895.5.jpg)

Different view, same stuff.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i379.photobucket.com-2618-1381090895.6.jpg)

Shows the main bracket size. This isn't a critical dimension, but it will give some perspective, maybe help. that 5" measurement is from the point where it attaches to the transmission to the cable sheath anchor tab for the rotational cable.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i379.photobucket.com-2618-1381090895.7.jpg)

No, this is NOT Andy's camera, it's my sore back. Not a critical dimension so it's OK. It's 17cm, the distance between the mounting tab for the in-out cable sheath to the middle of the in-out heim joint on the transmission rod bracket.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i379.photobucket.com-2618-1381090895.8.jpg)

Layout (during the build) of the modified MR2 shifter inside the car. That verticall piece of flat stock between the cables from the shifter to the sheath mounting tabs makes the whole thing stiffer, eliminating a lot of the movement and making the feel a lot more precise. Note that there are adjustments everywhere in the system, every cable end. There's also a video of the shifter working in my build thread, ink in the sig, below.

And last but really first, your reward for reading this far, my little hot rodder grandaughter. She just wants to have fun.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i379.photobucket.com-2618-1381090895.9.jpg)

Sorry things are dirty, but this is how things look with 20K miles of road grime. No maintenance done so far other than regular oil changes and a set of tires. If anyone has any questions or you want to see more or different photos just let me know.

[DBCooper]

That's true to a point. I'm not familiar with the Boxster cable mechanism so can't compare, but isn't the rotational motion in that transmission made internally? If so it's not really possible to duplicate it on the Subaru transmission, which works like a 901 tailshift. But the reason to use cables is to be able to make curves, and sometimes putting in a curve means you can simplify the rest of the mechanism. For example the curve in that cable eliminates the need for a bell crank or other mechanism to change rotation, so all in all a pretty good trade.

As long as you stay within specs that cable ought to outlast the rest of the car. It just seems to me from the cables I've seen that Factory Five setup is a bit too tight. They may be using a different cable with different specs, I don't know, but there's no excuse for not aligning the brackets with the cable's pull direction.