Shift Lever and Short Shifters

[Rob]

no, in general, SSKs arent bad for trannies.....their users are. Think about it, with a SSK, you change gears faster, and people tend to be harder on trannies without meaning to. if you are thoughtful with your usage, you wont hurt your tranny. Granted, most e30 trannies have some wear and tear in them, and a shifter may exaggerate that wear. However, I doubt SSKs will cause any extra wear by themselves. Hell, people can wear out trannies with the stock stuff if they try hard enough...

Some people have claimed that on E36s, most SSKs prevent the gears from fully engaging. I tend to doubt this, and I havent seen any widespread problems resulting.

[Gus]

ive noticed that most of the short shift levers have a rubber insert, causing a less than stiff feeling between the alloy looking top half and steel looking bottom half....was thinking about removing that and replacing it with fibreglass resin for a stiffer feel....but having problems getting it out...any ideas?

[rwh11385]

http://www.shortshifter.com/pdfs/UUC_Selector_Rod_Modification_Instructions.PDF

Sweet illustration of how the selector rod must be bent.

[KenC]

ive noticed that most of the short shift levers have a rubber insert, causing a less than stiff feeling between the alloy looking top half and steel looking bottom half....was thinking about removing that and replacing it with fibreglass resin for a stiffer feel....but having problems getting it out...any ideas?

Give it a shot and let us know!

[benDASHDASH]

Perhaps I missed something, but where would the best place be to order a kit be? I checked BMA but didn't see much. A specific link would be much appreciated.

[KenC]

Perhaps I missed something, but where would the best place be to order a kit be? I checked BMA but didn't see much. A specific link would be much appreciated.

You have to call them. Just call and talk to Patrick.

[318driver]

Ok, so im installing the M roadster, and the bottom the lever is rubbing on the drive shaft. I have to go down like another 1/4 in for it ot be in the right spot still. What do i do????
Should i try bending. btw this is on a 318is

[MR 325]

M Roadster
M42Tecknik - I have the M Roadster shifter in my car. It takes two 'clicks' to shift, and is very notchy, not as smooth as the Z3's shifter. I love it, and it sits at a much, much lower stance. You do need to bend the selector rod in order to place this in without rubbing against anything, and I reccomend you take it to a shop to have it installed.

[rwh11385]

Um, in another thread, someone was like the shift carrier bushing requires removing the bitch clip. DO THIS. Don't even think about not doing it.

Old worn rubber crapped bushing + notchy = sloppy + notchy = teh BAD.
I went with UUC's delrin shift carrier bushing and end had it 2nd day air'ed. It is worth it.

[Eric]

has anybody tried a taller shift lever from an x5?

[rwh11385]

has anybody tried a taller shift lever from an x5?

my buddy wants a tall off the floor shifter and we are going to try to make one. get a short shifter, like m roadster, and add a lot to the top and then we'll have a tall boy. who knows why, but he'll have it in his eta.

[Sean]

Um, in another thread, someone was like the shift carrier bushing requires removing the bitch clip. DO THIS. Don't even think about not doing it.

Old worn rubber crapped bushing + notchy = sloppy + notchy = teh BAD.
I went with UUC's delrin shift carrier bushing and end had it 2nd day air'ed. It is worth it.

He's not kidding. I have the same delrin bushings...it's heavan. :)

Except I sometimes grind my 2nd gear syncro...I'm gonna add weight to my selector shaft here in a while.


That clip can come off while the tranny's in the car. just remove the mounts, no driveshaft can be attached, and tilt the engine back. Use a screwdrvier from there. otherwise, it is a bitch.

[gjuu]

E30 318is --> Z4 3.0 SSK
I have just finished my SSK conversion and though I would share the experience.

CAR:
1990 318is

SSK:
Z4 3.0l

Supplier:
BMA Parts - these guys are great. One quick phone call to Patrick (had to be quick as it was an international call) to set up an account, email an order, and less than a week later the parts arrived. For less than half the price I was quoted for just the lever through my local BMW dealer including postage.


Conversion:
This was a very easy conversion as the 318is does not need to have the selector shaft bent.

It took about 30mins to do - this was mainly due to the fact that I was taking my time as it was the first time I had done this conversion - I always like to take my time the first time :shock:

Result:
Very short - VERY short - throw.
I have not experienced the tightness of shift that other people seem to have got. The force required to change gears is more - but this is just simple physics and not due to any interference fits on any parts (ran the micrometer over the parts before installation - this as a result of peoples comments re tightness of shift)
VERY Precise - the shift is notchy as hell but very precise - makes driving even more of a pleasure than usual.
I would recommend this to anyone with an E30.

You can see the difference in the gear levers - as has been displayed numerous times in this thread


Here is the change in the throws and the height.

Before:


After:

[golde30]

nice illustration of the throw..very cool 8)

[FrustratedMunky]

Shift Lever: Z3 1.9L
Purchased Through: Patrick @ BMAparts

It feels amazing, notchy, much shorter throws, not difficult to get into the gears, PERFECT. I was worried that it wouldn't satisfy my needs of the throw distance and knob height, but it was perfect.

100% recommended to all. It totally changes the whole feel of the car (get's rid of those sloppy shifts and freakishly long throws).