Shift Carrier Question

[Mwishlist]

Cool, thanks for the info. Yeah I don't know if it makes a difference by my zf sits pretty much in the middle but I am the only one with a ZF that sits that way from what I can tell based on a bunch of posts.

[SirMaxximus]

What engine mounts are you using? I was curious cause I think that has a lot to do with how the carrier fits but people rarely mention it. My zf carrier doesn't sit forward at all, but I am on the AKG motor mounts.

Good point, I used the classic green motor mounts (e28 I think..) with small 1/8" spacers. e30 trans mounts + e30 crossmember.
driveshaft sits pretty dang flat to the trans so shouldnt be much guibo stress

[Mwishlist]

What engine mounts are you using? I was curious cause I think that has a lot to do with how the carrier fits but people rarely mention it. My zf carrier doesn't sit forward at all, but I am on the AKG motor mounts.

[SirMaxximus]

Looked at this thread earlier this week! Was hoping to shed some light on it because it doesn't have much of an answer... I was switching from a G250 to a ZF

I had at my disposal an entire shifter assembly from a 328 (ZF) and a 325 (g250). Was able to mix and match and was hoping to let any future readers know what for sure works... the honest and unfortunate answer is nothing works perfectly, there isn't a clear answer, at least for me there wasn't. Here's how the ZF carrier lined up for me:



Getrag 250 carrier:



The ZF is more slightly more centered, but too far forward and to the passengers side
The Getrag is about perfect front to back, but is pretty far to the passengers side.

Either seems like it would work fine, you'd have the classic "rubbing into 5th"... I ended up heating up the getrag carrier with a torch and bending it to the left. This turned out incredibly easy and worked great! got it to sit perfect... But lining up the shifter with the rod is another story, it would sit too far forward or too far backwards... again, all of them work work. but i found rubbing into certain gears... the 328 shift rod was the only one that was close. I ended up twisting and welding one of my shifters to get it to fit perfect... I know thats not helpful for anyone in the future.. Basically any number of things can work, but nothing seemed to work perfectly for me without modification. Here's my end result.

[bubbajan21]

So after a bit of research and particularly looking at aftermarket systems, the E36 M3/328i and E36 325i are separate parts that we already know just by the PN. However when you go to order lets say a UUC shifter kit, there's also two different products one for the M3 and one for the 325i. And looking at pics of the 325i carrier it's safe to say the slight offset the M3 one has, the 325i one does not. I'll be ordering a new one for my swap and see. ;)

Any updates on how this worked out?

[SHunter]

For those of you who lengthened the E30 G260 shift carrier, did you use the selector rod from the E36 M3 (or a DSSR that is supposed to be for an E36 M3)?

I used the selector rod from the zf trans.

[RoadHazard]

I use BMW E36 M3 linkage and selector rod with ZF320. Didn't notice any pinch in the boot though. I might replace it later with UUC but right now the setup works well enough for me.

[bubbajan21]

For those of you who lengthened the E30 G260 shift carrier, did you use the selector rod from the E36 M3 (or a DSSR that is supposed to be for an E36 M3)?

[SHunter]

I have an m52 with zf320 trans from a 328is (same trans as M3) and my stock g260 carrier was too short. The zf320 carrier was the right length but offset my shifter to the side as stated above. So I did this to my g260 carrier and it works just right.




Its about 1/2" longer now.

The carrier from a e36 325i sounds promising. Can anybody confirm if this works properly with the zf trans?

-SH

[bzboardz]

i used my stock e30 325i carrier, cut and lengthened it, centered perfectly

[bubbajan21]

So I finished up my swap and I ended up with this configuration.


It works but the shifter is offset to the right and the boot gets pinched. Did anyone ever figure out if there is a different linkage that will move it a bit more centered?

[SwiftE30]

Any updates on this? What's everyone using for shifter linkage with the ZF?

i have the e36 carrier and selector rod. but i heated up the carrier and twisted it 15 degrees so it verticle and not tilted to the side

EDIT: Get the UUC DSSR. and all new oem bushings and clips. makes a world of difference.

[bubbajan21]

Any updates on this? What's everyone using for shifter linkage with the ZF?

[JRKOUPE]

k sport

never saw that...looks interesting....

[Taper]

anybody know where can buy this k-sport short shift?