SSK for ZF transmission

[achtunge30]

My swap was recently completed last month and I opted to go for the Z3 1.9 shifter + UUC DSSR and all new bushings and now my shifter feels long and vague. There is absolutely no side-to-side movement. Shifting into and out of reverse, first, hell all the gears just feels really vague. I also encounter that it is sometimes tempermental to get it into 1st but I talked to a few people and they say this is normal for the ZF. BTW fresh Redline tranny fluid.

I previously had the same Z3 1.9 shifter in my '91 318is with the Getrag and it was complete opposite, very short and notchy.

One idea I had was I could do the B&M SSK for e36 application as it seems to fit all E36 but I wanted to hear your thoughts.
My goal is to have a shorter front to back throw, at least 25% reduction, I can live with notchy but prefer a precise and snickety-snick shift.

[SHunter]

I know the ZF transmissions had problems with the detent springs hanging up. There is a service bulletin and updated parts available. Not sure if this applies to both the 310 and the 320. My car has the ZF320 and it's hard to find third sometimes because of it. Wish I would have known before I installed it. Mine works well going into 1st BTW. I usually only have a problem finding 3rd when coming out of 5th, like when exiting the freeway.
If those detent springs are hanging up it'll never feel snickety no matter how short you get the throw.

Steven

[328ijunkie]

You do the shifter foam under the shift rod joint? And +1 on the detent springs.

[SHunter]

Shifter foam?

[nrubenstein]

No shifter is both Getrag and ZF compatible. A short shifter for a Getrag will be stock length, or even longer on a ZF as a rule.

Also, the B&M is held on to the carrier by O-rings unless they have changed the design. It's a really bad way to do it.

[achtunge30]

No shifter is both Getrag and ZF compatible. A short shifter for a Getrag will be stock length, or even longer on a ZF as a rule.

Also, the B&M is held on to the carrier by O-rings unless they have changed the design. It's a really bad way to do it.

This supports what i've been told...tight and notchy on the Getrag tranny but a different feeling overall on the ZF (in my case, long and vague). I just wish I knew this going in while the driveshaft, exhaust, tranny was still out of the car.

I am leaning towards replacing with the UUC EVO 3 since I already have installed the DSSR.

Hopefully this thread and my bad judgement helps someoone else down the line in the same boat! Thanks!!

[Rugbyfan]

I think this explains my problem. The PO installed a uuc short Shifter and it's long and vague. I guess this means he bought a getrag version and not an e36