Approx. cost to convert from tail to side shift? Options

[Cuda911]

Hey all,
.
I'm sure that topic this must be covered somewhere on 914world, but I just couldn't find it.

What's the approx. cost to convert from tail to side shift? (1970 1.7).

I work a zillion hours, so don't have time to do it myself (or space). I would have to pay a shop to do it.

Thanks in advance!

[Dave_Darling]

More for labor from a shop, I would think. I know someone like the Cap'n can do it in less time, but I'm betting the "book rate" for replacing the trans and shift linkage is more than four hours.

Most will say that it's a good idea to replace the clutch while you're in there. Add another ~$500 for the clutch parts, and another hour of labor.

Add ~$50 for all the shift bushings, which should be replaced no matter what.

Not to mention that the "big" parts will likely cost more if you get them through a shop.

--DD

[DBCooper]

More for labor from a shop, I would think. I know someone like the Cap'n can do it in less time, but I'm betting the "book rate" for replacing the trans and shift linkage is more than four hours.

Most will say that it's a good idea to replace the clutch while you're in there. Add another ~$500 for the clutch parts, and another hour of labor.

Add ~$50 for all the shift bushings, which should be replaced no matter what.

Not to mention that the "big" parts will likely cost more if you get them through a shop.

--DD

Hey Dave, your sig describes you as our local Pelican Parts shill so tell me, does that work both ways? I mean can you shill Pelican for us, too? Do they ever do new product development, or is it all by others? If they do then tell them to put together a simple cable shifter package for the tailshift transmissions, make them shift less like older Porsches and more like new Boxsters. Look at that list of parts up there, the hassle, the chance that used side-shift tranny will have problems too, the total cost and I'm pretty sure they could make a cable setup for half that or less that would still shift better than the typical upgraded side-shifter. Any point in asking Wayne the question? Given how often the related subjects come up I'm pretty sure it would become one of those "must have" upgrades.

[Dave_Darling]

Do they ever do new product development, or is it all by others?

It is very rare for them to do so. They have on a couple of earlier occasions, and they either lost money or just barely broke even. Which is not what you want to do when running a business, generally.

Much of Pelican's business is reselling parts that they can get wholesale. We also offer less-tangible benefits, like the BBS, the Tech Articles, and super people like Glenn and Gordon in our parts department. And even me, wandering around on their BBS and elsewhere...

I don't work at Pelican. I sort of work for them, but certainly not full-time. My "day job" is programming, and it pays a lot better than selling car parts. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)



And as has already been said, you can do the swap for a whole lot cheaper if you do it on your own and hunt down your own parts, versus driving the car to a mechanic and having him do the work and find the parts for you.

--DD

[DBCooper]

And as has already been said, you can do the swap for a whole lot cheaper if you do it on your own and hunt down your own parts, versus driving the car to a mechanic and having him do the work and find the parts for you.

Yeah, I'm aware Pelican doesn't do new products, but figured that since you're an insider, and a shill at that, maybe we could benefit from your considerable influence convincing them to make an exception. And maybe make a few bucks too, since I don't think I've ever met a happy tailshifter. Big market, relatively.

Well sure, that was just an estimate, understood, but the point is that if/when you do all work to your tailshifter the best case result is a car that shifts like a sideshifter, something a lot of sideshifter owners are not all that satisfied with. So then you're looking at the prospect of a Rennshifter, Chris's rear linkage improvements, etc, in other words ANOTHER considerale pile of money. It's the same basic transmission, so it seems you could skip all the expensive intermediate steps by simply improving the tailshifter's linkage. And I'd bet you'd find cables would improve sideshifters too, meaning a lot more market potential. No? Don't agree? Fine, but not too difficult to test the hypothesis.

If Pelican's not the place then who? Whatever you do please don' t suggest George.

[kevin311]

If someone takes this on please let me know. I would be happy to provide any info or measurements from my tail-cable shift project.

Kevin

And as has already been said, you can do the swap for a whole lot cheaper if you do it on your own and hunt down your own parts, versus driving the car to a mechanic and having him do the work and find the parts for you.

Yeah, I'm aware Pelican doesn't do new products, but figured that since you're an insider, and a shill at that, maybe we could benefit from your considerable influence convincing them to make an exception. And maybe make a few bucks too, since I don't think I've ever met a happy tailshifter. Big market, relatively.

Well sure, that was just an estimate, understood, but the point is that if/when you do all work to your tailshifter the best case result is a car that shifts like a sideshifter, something a lot of sideshifter owners are not all that satisfied with. So then you're looking at the prospect of a Rennshifter, Chris's rear linkage improvements, etc, in other words ANOTHER considerale pile of money. It's the same basic transmission, so it seems you could skip all the expensive intermediate steps by simply improving the tailshifter's linkage. And I'd bet you'd find cables would improve sideshifters too, meaning a lot more market potential. No? Don't agree? Fine, but not too difficult to test the hypothesis.

If Pelican's not the place then who? Whatever you do please don' t suggest George.