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.

[914forme]

Thank you for posting these, as it is where I am at in my build. At least in my head, the physical part of the project is falling behind.

[mepstein]

Thanks for adding to the subie collective.

[Chris H.]

Awesome DB, thanks. Very timely.

[jimkelly]

two other pics I like of db's car are these. knowing the pns for the cables and where they were ordered from, would be gold.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i379.photobucket.com-2618-1268145998.7.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i255.photobucket.com-2618-1269179837.11.jpg)

and his mock up video provides some great guidance on a mock up technique - http://youtu.be/ncmaxYd1WNI

[DBCooper]

Yeah, sorry Jim. I have a pile of receipts but that one's not there and I just don't remember. You should be able to show those photos (both ends) to any cable guy and give him a length (lay a tape along the route) and he should be able to tell you. Then don't be like me, write it down and post it.

It's terrible seeing the before photos, when everything was so clean, and now the after. I should be a better owner. Damn good thing it isn't a concours car.

[jimkelly]

pretty sure one of these would be perfect.

assuming everyone is using an off-the-shelf length, seems 6' length might work, depending on where the shifter is mounted and which shifter is used. though it seems to have a little slack, 7' may be needed which McMaster does not seem to offer. i'm also assuming 2 of the same cables would be used.

[Chris H.]

Someone posted the name of a company who will make cables to whatever length you want. As usual I did not bookmark or write that information down.

[jimkelly]

here is one mention I found.
thread: http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...=Control+Cables
direct link: http://store.controlcables.com/servlet/StoreFront
but having the right cables in hand would make reverse engineering a bit easier : )

here is an alternate setup
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads/post-194-1284050225.jpg)
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...;hl=eg33+subaru

[CptTripps]

Awesome thread man. Thanks so much. Exactly what I was looking for. I was going to at with welding up some pieces to see if I can get it close to as clean as what you have. Yours is definitely the benchmark.

[Chris H.]

That's the one Jim. Control Cables...thank you. Sounds like the ticket for custom length.

[BIGKAT_83]

Heres where I got my cables from control cables
When I measured for them I used ploy tubing to get the correct length.

Bob

[jd74914]

If you are looking for a second source we get Morse (push-pull) cables for our race cars from Midwest Controls.

http://www.midwestcontrol.com/part_family.php?id=3

[DBCooper]

As a community service I'd suggest that when whoever is first up makes their shifter parts they do dimensional sketches at the same time, then once it's sorted make up a dozen sets of brackets. It's just flat stock, simple and cheap. There are that many Subaru transmission projects, and no point in all twelve folks repeating the same work when one could do it for all.

And If anyone feels really entrepreneurial take a look at what it would take to adapt the bracket design to fit 901 transmissions, side and tail shift. These cables work better than the aftermarket shifters I've tried, and are far less expensive. There are more than a few people out there who would love to get their 901's shifting better. It's the perfect solution for those poor tail shifter guys, no need to convert to side shifter. I know that Ian intended to do this, and the good Dr. Evil has mentioned it, but it's still waiting for someone to pick it up and run with it. Anyone who wants to drive my car to verify any of this is purely welcome.

[jimkelly]

seems that for those using ian's trans hangers, one could weld some brackets to the drivers side bracket, using db's general cable mounting points.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads/post-73-1376617918.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads/post-8018-1348107126.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads/post-8018-1360986310.jpg)

[mepstein]

As a community service I'd suggest that when whoever is first up makes their shifter parts they do dimensional sketches at the same time, then once it's sorted make up a dozen sets of brackets. There are that many Subaru transmission projects, and no point in all twelve folks repeating the same work when one could do it for all.

And If anyone feels really entrepreneurial take a look at what it would take to adapt the bracket design to fit 901 transmissions, side and tail shift. These cables work better than the aftermarket shifters I've tried, and are far less expensive. There are more than a few people out there who would love to get their 901's shifting better. It's the perfect solution for those poor tail shifter guys, no need to convert to side shifter. I know that Ian intended to do this, and the good Dr. Evil has mentioned it, but it's still waiting for someone to pick it up and run with it. Anyone who wants to drive my car to verify any of this is purely welcome.

I agree. An 914 world, in house effort, would be nice instead of just counting on an aftermarket supplier to make this for us. And doing the 901 trans as well as the subie is a great idea.

[jimkelly]

let's see how he makes out with his Teleflex cables?

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=220712

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads/post-2388-1380237073.jpg)

jim

[CptTripps]

I'd love to find someone that could make me a shift linkage like DBCooper has. I'll bet getting a dozen of these made would prove fruitful for someone. Perhaps we could get a group buy together and have someone make them for us?

I'll be using Ian's cradle too, so welding a few more pieces onto it could be easily done.

[DBCooper]

If we could get a few people together I think I could duplicate mine and get a few made. If you're interested let me know. Only problem is that the throw on this one was calibrated for the MR2 shifter, so if you're using some other shifter that would probably change. I might be able to accommodate that too, but will need to find out. So if you're interested let me know. If I'm taking things apart I could probably get the cables made as well (they were custom from a shop in Fresno) so all you'd need to do would be find and install the MR2 shifter.

EDIT: Hold up. Re-reading Doug's post about Ian's cradle, and then looking at the photo in Jim's post, there's a kind of funny drop to the transmission mount, looks like angle iron. I remember talking about that when he was designing it, and think that was to accommodate using either a 901 or Subaru transmission with the same cradle. I can't see well in those photos, but it could be that that mount would interfere with the main cable locator bracket and where the cable runs. Would it be possible to get more detailed photos from different angles, to try to see if there would be interference before I take mine apart to make copies?

[Chris H.]

I'll shoot some in the next day or two. My engine and trans are installed and waiting for clutch, throttle cable, shifter setup, etc. Just let me know if there are any specific pics you know that need. Otherwise I will just shoot 10 or so and we can go from there.

And BTW I would definitely buy a setup from you DB. I have the Honda shifter but would change if I can get this all in one kit. Seems like the reason why we don't see as many cable shifter/Subie trans swaps in the group is the concern over our individual abilities to fabricate a cable setup that is as good or better than the stock 914 linkage. We WANT to do it ourselves but we do not all have the engineering skills. This could be a big step!