jfgw Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 hi guys, I am about to order the new Quaife 6 spd sequential dog box for my Caterham to replace my 5spd type 9. I want to avoid having to get the gear indicator from quaife by getting the AIM MXL Strada Dash display but looking for some input on the potentiometer I would need to use the strada's gear indicator. Has anyone done this, or using a potentiometer and loom to get the signal into a dash system? Are potentiometers universal, and if so, where would I get one from in the US? Thanks in advance James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shiva Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 Can't you just buy the potentiometer from Quaife as a "replacement part" without the display? From there you can easily just "calibrate" the value from the sensor on the MXL. Just get the raw value from each gear and configure it. That would be the easiest way. Otherwise, you'd need to find a good working potentiometer and a way to mount in on the box. While the quaife pot is bolt-on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfgw Posted October 28, 2008 Author Share Posted October 28, 2008 Thanks Shiva, Quaife want $210 just for the potentiometer and loom. MXL are saying I can use speed and rpm to calculate, and I will need the speed sensor anyway, so i think i am going to try that route first, and if that doesnt work, I think I agree with you on getting the Quaife pot and loom as it's cheaper than the one MXL is offering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shiva Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 Yes, with the speedometer installed, and the proper "ratio" configured in the MXL software, the dash with be able to know in which gear it is. It's not perfect, but it works. I think that you need a neutral switch installed too, since reving the engine while moving will fool the MXL. Not sure about the details. But asking 210$ for a potentiometer is highway robbery. Now I know why you asked the forum . It all depends on how much your time is worth. You'd need to know the size and matting surface on the tranny and then go to an electronic parts store and try them out. They are cheap... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manik Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 Not to dissuade you from the Quaife box, but have you looked at the Elite 6-speed sequential? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfgw Posted October 28, 2008 Author Share Posted October 28, 2008 I read about the Elite box and the mixed opinions, and ultimately decided on the quaife as I have used their stuff in the uk in the past and always had a good experience. Incidentally, anyone have any views on ratios? I am decided on 2nd to 6th having worked back from the overdriven 6th, and now have to choose between the 2.057 and 2.240 1st gear. I don't autocross or drag race, but i like to use the available performance of my 2.0 XE Vauxhall engine (built by QED to about 230-240bhp). Len at quaife is recommending the longest 1st (to about 62mph!) on the basis of the torque of my engine, the lightweight of the car and the fac that a shorter gear would lose much to wheelspin. My two concerns are the load i would put on a 1st gear by using full torque frequently as opposed to short shifting and loading 2nd gear, and any significant loss in acceleration. I do however like the idea of very closely spaced ratios when i'm really going for it. Any thoughts? I've wired the funds now, so i just need to finalize ratios and i am committed, or should be! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfgw Posted October 28, 2008 Author Share Posted October 28, 2008 forgot to say, the other choice of 1st gear has a 56mph max, with 2nd gear having a 74mph max. the longer ratio drops rpm by 1324 rpm, the shorter by 1828rpm. All other changes drop rpm by between 840 rpm and 1598 rpm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
11Budlite Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 James, I'm far from an expert but my original thought would be the 2.240 1st gear. I guess it would depend on final drive and tire size, but I would load in all the specs in a gear/rev calculator and see what you have. Something like this one which has a 6-speed version: http://www.our-nest.co.uk/Caterham/html_files/Files.htm Bruce :7drive: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCh Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 I would go with the shorter 1st gear as well. The 1828rpm drop is still pretty damn short. Another gear calculator to check out is on this page. It enables you to perform an A-B comparison and will also calculate optimal shift points if you enter torque data from a dyno sheet. My Motogadget tach/speedo also has a gear display that is calculated from road and engine speed. It works great with a normal gearbox, but with a sequential it would be nice to have a sensor on the gearbox. Without it I imagine it could be a little confusing when approaching a stop light with the clutch disengaged. “Did I just down shift 4 times to first, or 3 times to 2nd?” -John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfgw Posted October 29, 2008 Author Share Posted October 29, 2008 Thanks everyone, money got transferred today so i had to make my choice. Quaife spoke to Caterham and they said they recommend the 2.4 first gear and thats the one they use in their sequential box which is a Quaife unit. So i went for the 2.4 first in the end. Using the Quaife gear ratio program and inputting tyre circumference, final drive, etc it works out to 52mph at 7500 in 1st, 74 for 2nd, so I am happy with that compromise. Now if only i could find someone who wants to sell me a clutch and flywheel for my car, I would be happy! Tried Fidanza and can't find anyone who knows anything about my Vauxhall engine, so I have to go to the UK - seems like SBD and QED are the guys with Vauxhall experience. Any comments for US sourcing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowss7 Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 James, I'm in a similar situation. QED built my RoverK series and Nobody around here has even heard of K series. I just ordered some parts from QED last week. Easy to deal with and very prompt response from Simon. I just emailed them in the evening here and I had a response first thing the next morning. They even found the paperwork on my build from June of 2000. Exchange rate is finally moving a little back in our favor. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfgw Posted October 29, 2008 Author Share Posted October 29, 2008 Yeah, Simon has been very helpful in the past when i had to replace my cylinder head. They weren't able to find my engine build details though Do they do a catalogue? Their website doesn't have too much detail... I'd like to see what their ali flywheels are like, for example.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowss7 Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 They actually do have a parts catalogue for the K series, so I'd assume that they have one for the Vauxhall as well. (it's a PDF). Tom Here's the link for the Vauxhall parts catalogue. http://www.qednet.demon.co.uk/xe/vxe_0808.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfgw Posted October 30, 2008 Author Share Posted October 30, 2008 Thanks very much Tom! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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