What manual trans gear selector rod do I need?!

[JustinS1219]

So, I'm down to the home stretch on my 5 speed swap but I'm getting hung up on something that's really frustrating! When I have the current gear selector rod in place my shifter is super far off to the right (if you're sitting in the drivers seat). I've tried mounting it to either sides of the linkage holes as well and it doesn't seem to do anything. When I searched more online and used realoem.com I find that there are a few different gear shifter rods. Some straight (which i believe i currently have), some bent...Can anybody confirm which one I should be using?

My car is a 91 325i Vert and I believe the new engine/trans set-up is out of an 87 iirc. If anybody has had these issues or knows of somebody that has and has successfully corrected the problem I'd really appreciate some input! Thanks in advance!

[jw 325ic]

You probably need the rod thats bent. Are your motor/tranny mounts okay?

[JustinS1219]

yes, brand new in fact. Ordering the bent selector rod tomorrow. hoping and assuming it's going to get the trick done and not going to take forever to get here!

[jw 325ic]

Nice man, i really think thats your problem. Be sure to post back with results

[JinormusJ]

Do you have a SSK.. Like a Z3M/2.4/2.8 lever..?

The only short shifter that doesn't require bending of the selector rod is the Z3 1.9 and e30 M3. If youre running top stock, then I'm out

[jlevie]

The selector rod should be straight and the rod should be installed from the left side. As stated above, the rod will need to be bent upwards for some short shift levers.

The shift lever being off to one side suggests that the end of the transmission isn't centered. That could be from bad motor mounts, bad or wrong transmission mounts, or possibly the wrong transmission cross member. You must use the crossmember from a car that had a Getrag 260 transmission. When correct the output flange will be centered in the tunnel.