S5x swap OEM shifter carrier?

[eternal24k]

looking to wrap up parts collection for my 318i swap, dropping in S52 with ZF trans, having a hard time finding a consensus on shift carrier to use (was hoping to use mine as I recently revived it with bushings),.

To complicate things, I find that there are many different length E36 shifter carriers (i have seen E36 M3 shifter carriers in 9", 9.5", 9.75", 10", 20.75", 11", 11.5", 13")


Any idea on which carrier to use? currently have Z3 shifter arm, if that matters.

Cheers

[Metallated]

The one stock to the engine on the e36 m3 will work but will place the selector slightly to the right. You can still shift but it feels weird and pinches 5th.

It works but it really bothered me so I'm switching to the m20 carrier which will give factory placement.

I'm not sure about the z3 fitment, but it's pretty easy to test fit once the trans is in the car.

[eternal24k]

The one stock to the engine on the e36 m3 will work but will place the selector slightly to the right. You can still shift but it feels weird and pinches 5th.

It works but it really bothered me so I'm switching to the m20 carrier which will give factory placement.

I'm not sure about the z3 fitment, but it's pretty easy to test fit once the trans is in the car.

thanks, i had not seen a confirmation that an E30 6 Cylinder worked, but that would be ideal for me.

[BlackSpeed66]

I wasn’t happy with how either the e36 or the stock carrier sat.... so I used a shortened e46 carrier on mine. Lines up pretty nice and straight, just needs to be cut down a bit. I through-bolted mine and used aluminum ‘C’ channel to strengthen it.

[Metallated]

thanks, i had not seen a confirmation that an E30 6 Cylinder worked, but that would be ideal for me.

I haven't fit mine yet I've just heard it will work. But I've heard a lot of other things as well...

I will report back once I have first hand evidence.

[eternal24k]

I wasn’t happy with how either the e36 or the stock carrier sat.... so I used a shortened e46 carrier on mine. Lines up pretty nice and straight, just needs to be cut down a bit. I through-bolted mine and used aluminum ‘C’ channel to strengthen it.

Could you share pics and overall length?

[Codym42]

I'm using the e36 m3 shift carrier that came with my ZF trans. It's not perfectly centered but it hasn't bothered me. 5th gear doesn't hit the center console or anything like that. I'm also using a z3 shift lever but I'm not sure which one it is.

[eternal24k]

I'm using the e36 m3 shift carrier that came with my ZF trans. It's not perfectly centered but it hasn't bothered me. 5th gear doesn't hit the center console or anything like that. I'm also using a z3 shift lever but I'm not sure which one it is.

Any idea what length? I still don’t get why there are so many lengths, more than there are trans options

[R3VM3UP]

I was planning on using the E36 328i shift carrier which appears to be the same part as the M3 one. I also have a carrier from my stock Getrag 240 trans from my 318is. I will compare the two this weekend. I wasn't aware that these would cause the shifter to sit awkwardly.

[pazi88]

I was planning on using the E36 328i shift carrier which appears to be the same part as the M3 one. I also have a carrier from my stock Getrag 240 trans from my 318is. I will compare the two this weekend. I wasn't aware that these would cause the shifter to sit awkwardly.

Not in my car at least. E36 328i unmodified new linkage with 320z zf trans and shifter sits perfectly.

[Codym42]

Any idea what length? I still don’t get why there are so many lengths, more than there are trans options

I thought they were all the same. Realoem shows 25111221864 as being the shift carrier for all e36 328i/s and m3's.

[eternal24k]

I thought they were all the same. Realoem shows 25111221864 as being the shift carrier for all e36 328i/s and m3's.

I did too, but then when i went to buy one found that Classic Daily has 8 lengths for an E36 M3
(9", 9.5", 9.75", 10", 20.75", 11", 11.5", 13")

[Mwishlist]

I ordered mine from ECS, the basic e36 one mentioned and it's pretty much centered. I also looked back at my order history to be sure and I think I paid $23 for it and now they are over $100, wow.

[eternal24k]

I ordered mine from ECS, the basic e36 one mentioned and it's pretty much centered. I also looked back at my order history to be sure and I think I paid $23 for it and now they are over $100, wow.

yeah.... trying to avoid that lol

[zcenterb]

Pretty sure the S50 (ZF310) and S52 (ZF320) have slightly different carriers, but for what it’s worth when I did my swap that you saw when We did your steering rack, the stock 310 carrier was a perfect fit. I bought a couple to try out too but that one worked so I used it.

Of course it matters what selector rod you use though to some degree. Stock again worked great for me there too.

Sounds like it’s all coming together man, looking forward to tearing into it.