throttle cable options

[Atcogas]

Hi all. Wondering if there is any other options out there as far as replacing the ffr supplied throttle cable for the MK4. I messed up mine a little during the install and would like to replace it before it breaks as it's only held in by a few strands. I refuse to pay $85 to have one from ffr delivered to Canada plus the cost of the cable. I have a 5.0L stock. Thanks, Ken

[skullandbones]

You may not be interested in this option but I thought it would be worth posing anyway. I have a bag of heim joints that I will eventually transform into a mechanical linkage on my roadster. I have the throttle cable right now (easy install) but really don't like it. I have used mechanical linkages before and like them as it seems easier to modulate. I guess that could depend on the leverage and overall design. Anyway, they look super cool so that is one of my future mods when I'm not driving it. There are a lot of examples on the forum and they seem to operate very well. BTW, my cost for the EFI setup I have is about $63 dollars. I thought you might not mind the similar expense for a very cool application like that. IMO, WEK.

[cobrajj]

Perhaps you could source this in Canada? Got mine from Breeze. http://www.breezeautomotive.com/details.php?prod_id=559&cat_id=39

[Atcogas]

That seems like a good option. The mechanical option would be pretty cool too. Maybe next winter. I also wondered, maybe I could just slide the old cable out from the jacket and replace it with a bike brake cable or something. Any one try that?

[skullandbones]

That is a good idea if you can find the same or close to the same diameter cable. That would be a cheap durable fix. Also, if you messed up it would be easy enough to do over. I got mine done per manual but it was not something I had a lot of faith in when I first saw the procedure. Good luck, WEK.

[lazrcng]

I switched to the Lokar braided cable and will not be using my FFR supplied cable, private message me if you need it.

[SCFFR]

x2 on the Lokar cable.................easy to connect and works great.

[CHOTIS BILL]

I have used bicycle brake cable before. It may be a little small for this application but it is sold by the foot and is not expensive.

Bill Lomenick

[edwardb]

This is the throttle cable guys. Along with brakes one of your really big safety items. Be careful and do it right. If you don't have a replacement donor cable, then Lokar is the way to go. That's what I have on my Mk3 with no issues. My Mk4 is being build from the ground up with a mechanical throttle linkage. Having done both, I'm not sure it's much more work and is bullet proof.

[CraigS]

I would be perfectly comfortable using motorcycle brake cable for a throttle cable. Think about which one would have more stress-applying brakes or opening a throttle. If you look at the lokar cable, the piece that attaches to the carb has a hole bored in it for the cable to enter. There is a crosswise threaded hole for a set screw. When you tighten the setscrew the cable ends up w/ a small banana shaped portion caused by the set screw. I have never had one come loose. My point is that, if you use stuff from known suppliers, I think you can be comfortable that it will work. BTW, lokar sells just the inner cable as a spare part. BTW, I just had a thought. I installed a mechanical linkage three weeks ago, so I have a complete lokar cable, a new spare inner cable, and a bunch of fittings. I can mail them to you if they will help. PM or email me.

[edwardb]

I would be perfectly comfortable using motorcycle brake cable for a throttle cable.

Probably OK. I was mainly referring to the suggestion to use bicycle brake cable. It's just an area I would be really careful with and lean toward totally engineered solutions for the intended purpose.

[Ringo]

If its just the inside cable thats bad go to Summit and get a replacement inside cable from lokar. I picked up a spare center for my cable, it will be in the tool box, just in case.

[Atcogas]

If its just the inside cable thats bad go to Summit and get a replacement inside cable from lokar. I picked up a spare center for my cable, it will be in the tool box, just in case.

picked up a 60" 1.5mm diameter bike cable for $3.50. works like a charm. looks stronger than the original after all applying brakes requires much more force. Thanks for all your input. the mechanical is very tempting , but going on a speed build for 7 months to get this on road has tuckered me out. Body work done as well. running in primer for the summer. I'm sure by next winter I'll be ready to tackle some more mod's