Shift carrier question

[Bimmerfanatik]

This may or may not have been answered, but I can't find it.

I have an 85 with the crap ass sheetmetal console. Can I retrofit the late style alu-minium carrier? Or am I stuck with this inferior hunk of crap that uses foam to secure itself?

[Sean]

There's only one way to tell for sure.

jack up the car, high enough so you can get under the tranny - and feel up above - or grab a flashlight and look - about the tranny. If you see something like looks like a mount - you can.

I'm not sure how else to describe the mount. I can get a pic if you want?

[Bimmerfanatik]

There's only one way to tell for sure.

jack up the car, high enough so you can get under the tranny - and feel up above - or grab a flashlight and look - about the tranny. If you see something like looks like a mount - you can.

I'm not sure how else to describe the mount. I can get a pic if you want?

Sean, you've been helping me out on like all my posts :)

Yeah, a pic would be good, but I think I know what you're talking about. It's where my sheet metal console mounts, right?

[Sean]

I'm not sure where that sheet metal console mounts.

Pictures: http://other.electrontek.com/r3vhost/shift_carrier/

In 0343 you'll see the tranny as a whole - the shift carrier mounts to that thing right about where the selector rod connects to the tranny - on the top on the back of the tranny. Can't miss it.

In 0383 you'll see the tranny in the car with the shift carrier above the selector rod. This gives you a point of view under the car so you know what to look for.

Lemme know if you need a better explanation. ;)

By the way - it's been my pleasure!

[Bimmerfanatik]

Much appreciated :) Any pics handy of the carrier itself? So I can picture the last puzzle piece?

[Sean]

Not currently, try searchin the forum.

I'll try to get one for ya, I'll edit this when I get it.

[Austin]

I already have a e36 M3 shifter with the carrier. My problem is where the carrier turns into a point that stabs into the rear bushings. How or where do I mount that rear bushing ? I currently have the sheet metal carrier/consol piece of crap.

[Sean]

Isn't there a spot up..uhh, in the tranny tunnel right there? I'm not sure how to describe it...umm ok. Say you laying underneth the car, with your feet under the engine, and your head under the hole for the shift lever. Right above you, if you look "up" a little, you should see something that you can screw the rubber bushing into - that's what holds the aluminum shift carrier.

Come to think of it - do the earlier styles even have the mount for it? :?:

[KenC]

Why do you want to change to the aluminum one? I've actually heard of people switching to the sheet-metal one due to strength problems with the aluminum.

[Bimmerfanatik]

Why do you want to change to the aluminum one? I've actually heard of people switching to the sheet-metal one due to strength problems with the aluminum.

Really? Seems like the bar-shaped aluminum would be MUCH firmer and sturdy than flimsy thin sheetmetal and foam.

[Bimmerfanatik]

Isn't there a spot up..uhh, in the tranny tunnel right there? I'm not sure how to describe it...umm ok. Say you laying underneth the car, with your feet under the engine, and your head under the hole for the shift lever. Right above you, if you look "up" a little, you should see something that you can screw the rubber bushing into - that's what holds the aluminum shift carrier.

Come to think of it - do the earlier styles even have the mount for it? :?:

Yes, I beleive that's there - the rubber bushing for the sheet metal ones use it. But the issue is on the tranny IIRC - soemthing about some trannies not having the right mounting for the aluminum carrier?

[Sean]

Isn't there a spot up..uhh, in the tranny tunnel right there? I'm not sure how to describe it...umm ok. Say you laying underneth the car, with your feet under the engine, and your head under the hole for the shift lever. Right above you, if you look "up" a little, you should see something that you can screw the rubber bushing into - that's what holds the aluminum shift carrier.

Come to think of it - do the earlier styles even have the mount for it? :?:

Yes, I beleive that's there - the rubber bushing for the sheet metal ones use it. But the issue is on the tranny IIRC - soemthing about some trannies not having the right mounting for the aluminum carrier?

Ohh, right.

Yea, unless you have the right style tranny, you may only have a mount for the sheet metal one. James' had mounts for both - I think it was an 87 or 86 tranny. Can't remember. But, if it's before then, you can only use a sheet metal carrier.

[Bimmerfanatik]

Yea, unless you have the right style tranny, you may only have a mount for the sheet metal one. James' had mounts for both - I think it was an 87 or 86 tranny. Can't remember. But, if it's before then, you can only use a sheet metal carrier.

I've got an 86 ES. What are my chances? What the hell am I looking for?

[KenC]

Why do you want to change to the aluminum one? I've actually heard of people switching to the sheet-metal one due to strength problems with the aluminum.

Really? Seems like the bar-shaped aluminum would be MUCH firmer and sturdy than flimsy thin sheetmetal and foam.

There have been several people on this board who have broken the aluminum carrier. I've never heard of anyone breaking the sheet-metal one. And once you have it in there with all new console mounts and hardware it's pretty damn sturdy. My sheet metal console with my Z4 3.0 lever feels super solid.

[Sean]

Why do you want to change to the aluminum one? I've actually heard of people switching to the sheet-metal one due to strength problems with the aluminum.

Really? Seems like the bar-shaped aluminum would be MUCH firmer and sturdy than flimsy thin sheetmetal and foam.

There have been several people on this board who have broken the aluminum carrier. I've never heard of anyone breaking the sheet-metal one. And once you have it in there with all new console mounts and hardware it's pretty damn sturdy. My sheet metal console with my Z4 3.0 lever feels super solid.

Makes me kinda wanna go that route.



Beemer - look at the top of the tranny, and feel for a squared off spot of some sort...I got a pic somewhere I'll post it when I get a chance.

Soo, hard to explian....lol