How to Improve Shifter Feel

[6SPD]

I've recently installed a Z3 1.9 shifter in my E30 and am rather enjoying it over the original 87 ETA shifter. Installing it, it had a great shift feel when the tough rubber gasket (that seals the shifter from under the car) wasn't there. It was really nice and mechanical, tons of feel, very notchy. After putting it all together with the gasket installed the feel became more muffled and it was harder to get into gear, I have to use a bit of force to get the shifter into each gate. With the previous shifter it would just slip right in fairly easy.

My question is what can be done to improve the shift feel to a more mechanical feel, like it was without the gasket. Could it be that the gasket is meant to be aligned a certain way, an orientation where it has more give from being worn over time?

The previous owner had replaced most of the shifter components during his recent ownership with what I believe to be stock OEM parts.

Thanks in advance!

[DIIRTY-30]

My short shifter feels exactly as described, unfortunately my PO installed it too so I haven't a clue if he put in a new gasket. It's slowly made me not like having the short shifter period, I already have someone willing to swap their stock shifter with mine because of it. My 1st gear is a PIA to get into the gate, everything else doesn't give me much of a problem. In 2nd sometimes if you leave your hand on it makes a clicking/ticking sound that gets louded as the RPMs wind up as if its hitting the bell housing (i think). Would be cool to solve and square the issue away.

Sub'd for an answer.

[6SPD]

Glad to hear I am not alone in this issue.

[jclar]

Which gasket are you guys talking about?

[Quadrajet]

Have you guys checked to see if your shift rods have been making contact with the dampener ring of the transmission?

I ask as I helped another guy do a shifter swap on an early E30. I had to bend the shift rod to clear his dampener ring. Something my M42 car doesn't have.

[6SPD]

Which gasket are you guys talking about?

The circular rubber piece that that joins the shifter to the body, above the ball joint. It's the barrier between under the car and the cabin.

[serdar255]

Heavy shift knob and heavy dssr

[6SPD]

Heavy shift knob and heavy dssr

Already running a ZHP knob. Definitely looking to get a UUC DSSR later in August when I get back to my car.

[reelizmpro]

Heavy shift knob and heavy dssr

Amen to that. I have Z3 1.9 lever, custom DSSR, new selector joint, cup and UUC weighted knob. The throws are short and precise without too much notchiness.

[Bearmw]

Got the UUC 187 dssr and ultimate shifter with a ZHP knob on a 260/6 and it feels real good. Not cheap but good.

That said there are budget ways to improve such as a heavy knob, solder wrapped arm, and derlin bushings that help a lot.