Measuring for shift cable?

[orange150]

Is there a proper way to measure for shift (push/pull) cable?

I've got a tight area to work in so I'm hoping I can get away with a stock 3' length without creating any binds.

I'm hoping I can get by with McMaster part 3125K44 but it looks like I've got plenty of other options if that won't work.

McMaster-Carr

 

[Fabrik8]

Bend radius is the most important part of that for a push/pull cable, so use something as a mockup to mimic the cable routing, and then measure the length of that after you like the routing and proper bend radius. That McMaster cable has a 8 inch bend radius, so that's the smallest it can go. Don't try to go that small, because that's on the edge of binding or damage.. If that doesn't work, you might be able to go with a lighter duty model of cable with a 6 or 7.5 inch bend radius, depending on what your loads look like.

You can get them off-the-shelf in 2 inch increments usually, so if the 3 foot isn't enough you can get a 38 inch or whatever. There's a lot of places that carry them for about the same price as McMaster. Also try Pegasus Auto Racing. There's lot of places to try though, including many that will make custom length cables. I don't know what brands of cables these are, but if you see Ringspann cables they're about the best out there.