M5X swap shifter carrier...

[bwh13]

On my 88 325is S52 with Getrag 250 swap I originally installed the shift carrier (part that holds the shift lever) from the old trans. This carrier placed the shifter about 2 inches too far forward.

SO I went about looking for the best solution to put the shifter back in the middle of the hole in the transmission tunnel without spending a fortune on trial and error.

Looking at a couple of carriers I had I noticed they had a a part number as well as an alpha numeric designation on them that read C=xxx. I wondered what that was, so I measured the center to center distance from the shift hole to the center of the carrier where it attaches to the transmission. Turns out that is what the number on the carrier means.

For example my E30 325is carrier has C=244, so it has a center to center span of 244mm or 9.6".

I have one that has a center to center of 325mm, it is from an E30 318 and is too long to work with the 250 Getrag.

I ordered the carrier for an E36 325is and it has a C=257.5 and moved the shifter back about 3/4", not as far I'd like but good enough for now. If I could find one about 280mm that would put the shifter in the middle of the trans hole.

It might be helpful for future swaps to compile a list of the carriers and the lengths...

[e30this]

if you know someone who can weld aluminum then you can cut out what you dont need and have it welded back together.
Shitty thing is the only guy in my town that welds aluminum is 80 years old. His welds ae not the best but they will hold strong.
Good thing is you cant see it from where I sit in the car.

[bwh13]

I thought of having the 318 carrier shortened, I'll have to check to see what it would cost. I'll have to find a longer shift rod too...or maybe just have my UUC shift rod lengthened...

[dude8383]

I thought of having the 318 carrier shortened, I'll have to check to see what it would cost. I'll have to find a longer shift rod too...or maybe just have my UUC shift rod lengthened...

you know i wanted to put up a post about the fact that my shifter carrier is too short.

so 280mm is the measurement? i have a feeling that the shifter carrier that i have is from a ZF gearbox... it would be nice to know the measurements for both gearboxes for future swappers.

[asubimmer]

just run solid engine and tranny mounts and get rid of the carrier all together :twisted:

I also raised my shifter up a bit to help level the selector rod. Shifts like a dream now.

[bwh13]

I'm not sure if the 280mm is correct for all trannies, I have the Getrag 250 from a 95 318i; the ZF trans may attach the carrier in a different location, making the carrier length different.

Another thing I noticed is the 'bitch' clip isn't used on the E30 M3, it uses a bolt and nut to hold the carrier to the trans with a detachable bracket. Since that clip is such a PITA I wonder if the bolt would be easier to use.

Also since I installed the delrin bushings in my old carrier I couldn't push the clip out now matter what I tried. So after lying there under the car for a while I realized I could drill a small hole in the trans tunnel from inside the car and use a long punch to push it out. Using a 3/8 drill bit, took 5 minutes, clip was out. Covered the hole with a plug and it's good to go.

[asubimmer]

I don't see why ppl complain about that clip. It seriously takes less than 15seconds to get it off.