Life to a tighter shift, death to the bitch clip.

[MattM20]

Notchiness is good for me.

I want mine to be notchy as hell. If i'm goin got shift, i want to know that i'm in 1st gear, and none other.

A ferarri with the gated shift pattern is as notchy as it comes.

The Z3 1.9 is disgustingly smooth without ANY notchiness. Matter of fact, save yourself from the Z3 1.9 and just cut your shift lever and recut the center groove, then sensation is the same after you are done.

That said, i'm going with the Z4 2.5, and it sounds like jordans mod will make it even more notchy, which to me is a performance mod.

A Z3 1.9 shift lever is like M3 springs on a non-M e30
A Z5 2.5 i'm hoping is like IE's Stage 3 race springs with custom valved Konis.

We'll find out tuesday

i have a Z4 2.5 shift lever and i wish the throw was shorter, the Z3 2.8/3.0 lever's throw is shorter than the Z4's and the lever is angled so that would be a better buy imo

[iXer]

Re: Life to a tighter shift, death to the bitch clip.

....
After fitting it I decided the amount of slop in the shift knuckle, and the rubber bushing that mounts the shift carrier was unacceptable. So heres what I did.

I took the shift knuckle sleeve off, and drove out the pin. Took the knuckle off the shaft. Replaced the shaft seal while I was there, because I knew it leaked. The small rubbery cap inside the knuckle was virtually gone, deteriorated from old age, and grease. I removed it and replaced it with a 3mm long section of fuel hose. I then pressed the knuckle on for all I was worth (hella hard to get on all the way with that extra rubber in it) then with some luck I managed to drive the pin back in and replace the sleeve.

When all was said and done, the knuckles side to side movement was reduced 2/3, and it was nice and stiff.
...

I don't quite understand what you are describing. I have a picture below of the shifter linkage. If I had to guess I'd say the "shift knuckle sleeve" is #11and the "small rubbery cap" is #10. Am I right?
Did you replace #4 with something other than a new stock item? Why I'm wondering is because I'm afraid your replacement of #2 is going to cause the shifter linkage to buzz annoyingly! But #4 might help lower the buzz somewhat if it's kept as an original rubber part. Just guessing.

[Jordan]

Way to dig up old threads.

#2 was replaced with a solid bronze bushing.
#3 was replaced with a 19mm bolt.
#14 was replaced with solid rubber

You're wrong on all guesses lol

[LikeCDoos]

Way to dig up old threads.

#2 was replaced with a solid bronze bushing.
#3 was replaced with a 19mm bolt.
#14 was replaced with solid rubber

You're wrong on all guesses lol

that makes it much more clear to me

[EVOIIIM3]

Did you know that E30 M3's don't have the clip, they use a bolt and nut.

That's a great option, but IMHO, it might transfer some noise and vibration. But I'm sure it will be a tight shifter.

You might want to put some urethane or rubber washers on each side of the sleeve.

[Jordan]

Mike:

I was actually not aware that e30 M3's use a similar setup to mine, but it seems like common sense to pick the route I did. The bitch clip is a bitch.

I'm quite sure it will transfer some vibration and or noise, but I'm not overly concerned with that. Keep in mind that every last ounce of sound deadening material in my car has been removed, so "eh"

As the bronze bushing sits now, there is no room for washers. The bolt pulls in the aluminum transmission ears, and tightly locks the bushing. The shift carrier then rotates on the fixed bushing.

[iXer]

Way to dig up old threads.

#2 was replaced with a solid bronze bushing.
#3 was replaced with a 19mm bolt.
#14 was replaced with solid rubber

You're wrong on all guesses lol

Glad I asked then.. ;)
I will do your modification and exchange all the other worn out parts in the shifter linkage in a month or two, I'll prolly use the Z3 1.9l shift lever as I heard it fits in the 325iX without touching the transfer case or other components, I've heard that something about the angle of the lever makes it possible.
I will think about adding some washers in the sleeve together with the bronze bushing.

[EVOIIIM3]

Mike:
I was actually not aware that e30 M3's use a similar setup to mine, but it seems like common sense to pick the route I did. The bitch clip is a bitch.

I'm quite sure it will transfer some vibration and or noise, but I'm not overly concerned with that. Keep in mind that every last ounce of sound deadening material in my car has been removed, so "eh"

As the bronze bushing sits now, there is no room for washers. The bolt pulls in the aluminum transmission ears, and tightly locks the bushing. The shift carrier then rotates on the fixed bushing.

I was surprised also, after doing 2 SSK and 2 trans swap they all had the bolt setup.

S14's are known for having a buzzy shifter. My old one DROVE ME NUTS!! There is no way I could live with it. For me it's more important for it to be quite then to be that precise.

If you find that it is has to much noise, or buzz, then you can always remove the bushing, sand it down a bit and add some washers in there.

Make sure your trans mounts are in good shape, having such a tight shifter will find worn out parts a lot faster! It can also make it hard to get into the proper gear.

Hopefully the car will be all done by this years E30 picnic and I'll be able to see it.

[bimmerphile]

The bitch clip is solid... it doesnt contribute to slop. The black rubber bushing that goes where by brass bushing is aids in adding slop.

To anyone that has their tranny out of the car, I would highly recommend what I have done here. It must be done out of the car tho.

When I am in gear, I have NO side to side, up and down, or forward to back slop.
NONE, I mean absolutely NONE.

Neutral is a circle between the size of a nickel, and a quarter

Somebody that does this mod is totally going to pull a money-shift...

[Sean]

The bitch clip is solid... it doesnt contribute to slop. The black rubber bushing that goes where by brass bushing is aids in adding slop.

To anyone that has their tranny out of the car, I would highly recommend what I have done here. It must be done out of the car tho.

When I am in gear, I have NO side to side, up and down, or forward to back slop.
NONE, I mean absolutely NONE.

Neutral is a circle between the size of a nickel, and a quarter

Somebody that does this mod is totally going to pull a money-shift...

Shit, I hope not.. :shock: (cause I plan on doin this when my tranny's dropped...)

[Jordan]

The bitch clip is solid... it doesnt contribute to slop. The black rubber bushing that goes where by brass bushing is aids in adding slop.

To anyone that has their tranny out of the car, I would highly recommend what I have done here. It must be done out of the car tho.

When I am in gear, I have NO side to side, up and down, or forward to back slop.
NONE, I mean absolutely NONE.

Neutral is a circle between the size of a nickel, and a quarter

Somebody that does this mod is totally going to pull a money-shift...

Highly unlikely, my shift pattern is so insanely tight and percise. I have no worries.

[Beej '86 325es]

Thanks for sharing the info and pictures, Jordan. I plan on rebuilding my shifter before the autocross season starts. I put in a UUC shifter over the summer and the slop is even more evident now. Sometimes when I shift from 1st to 2nd really hard, the entire shift pattern falls out of place, but pops back in when I go to 3rd. I thought it was the sheet metal carrier (pre-5/86 cars), but I'm thinking it may just be bad transmission mounts. Anyway, good work on fixing the infamous slop!

[Bill 84 318i]

Thanks for sharing the info and pictures, Jordan. I plan on rebuilding my shifter before the autocross season starts. I put in a UUC shifter over the summer and the slop is even more evident now. Sometimes when I shift from 1st to 2nd really hard, the entire shift pattern falls out of place, but pops back in when I go to 3rd. I thought it was the sheet metal carrier (pre-5/86 cars), but I'm thinking it may just be bad transmission mounts. Anyway, good work on fixing the infamous slop!

I dunno...that sounds more like a bad shifter bushing (console mounting bushing) than a tranny mount thing. Maybe the bushing at the back of the console is loose?

[Beej '86 325es]

I dunno...that sounds more like a bad shifter bushing (console mounting bushing) than a tranny mount thing. Maybe the bushing at the back of the console is loose?

I don't think so, I checked that. The dealership installed the shifter and new selector rod, so I know they tightened that down a little. The fronts are a possibility though. Colin 86 325 from BEN said he was having problems with his forward mounts staying in though. The strange thing about mine is it only hapens between 1st and 2nd, and mostly just when I am cornering / fishtailing...not nearly as often in a straight line.

[EVOIIIM3]

I don't think so, I checked that. The dealership installed the shifter and new selector rod, so I know they tightened that down a little. The fronts are a possibility though. Colin 86 325 from BEN said he was having problems with his forward mounts staying in though. The strange thing about mine is it only hapens between 1st and 2nd, and mostly just when I am cornering / fishtailing...not nearly as often in a straight line.

Engine and trans mounts are going....