Short Shifters?

[Aaron318iS]

Hey guys, I'm new to the forum and have some questions regaurding short shift kits. :)

I'm thinking of buying a short shift kit for my 318iS, hopefully to make it perform a little quicker! The kits I have found are both 35%, one is a B&M shifter, the other is a local product based on OEM parts.

I've been getting some mixed reactions about short shifters from friends who are into track racing, some swear by them and say it was an excellent upgrade, others say that the shift is too notchy and actually slows them down?

Secondly, is the shift throw to uncomfortable for daily street driving? Would like to hear opinions from users, Aaron

[bimmerphile]

You're going to smack your head on the desk when you see this thread:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=5004

[fabianyee]

I fitted a short shift extension adapter to my existing shifter and it added 1 inch.
The shifting is much better now.

[Aaron318iS]

You're going to smack your head on the desk when you see this thread:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=5004

*smacks head on desk*
How on earth did I not find that thread! :oops: Thanks for the link bimmerphile :)

[e9nine]

I fitted a short shift extension adapter to my existing shifter and it added 1 inch.
The shifting is much better now.

Fabian any more info on this extension? I assume you extended the lever so it closer to the wheel correct? Any pics or parts info?

Thanks...

[e30Matt]

Closer to the wheel? That'd make throws longer. You want it to be shorter up top, longer on the bottom.

[e9nine]

Closer to the wheel? That'd make throws longer. You want it to be shorter up top, longer on the bottom.

I will take any longer lever over those stubby ass shift levers. Proximity to the wheel is where its at. That's what give's you faster shifting. The short shifter which is stubby takes longer to get to. The longer lever with the short throw is what I seek...Reaching out a few inches from 3 o'clock to switch gears = :pimp:

[rs4pro3]

the shifter in my 84 318i was like a mile long Go by that pull a part yard as there are at least 5-6 m10's there with trannys, one is bound to have the longer shifter.

[fabianyee]

I fitted a short shift extension adapter to my existing shifter and it added 1 inch.
The shifting is much better now.

Fabian any more info on this extension? I assume you extended the lever so it closer to the wheel correct? Any pics or parts info?

Thanks...

I had that custom made. and sold quite a few to my buddies. 1 was fitted to an E23 732i
And I would say it'll fit all the shifters.

Basically the top part of the adapter is screwed onto the lower bush/ring/hole, and then the lower part of the adapter has a hole same size as the rubber bush of the stock shifter, and the lower link rod is attached to this new hole.

Installation is a piece of cake. But I need to bend the lower link rod a little to clear the prop shaft balancer.

However, the 'lower' hole is slightly off center (about 1cm) more towards the right but it doesn't affect the shifting (at least for me)...

[tonytony]

cosmo racing sells these spacer deals on ebay for 30 bucks

[Rob]

here is an interesting setup in a ITR track car:

[Spaz]

here is an interesting setup in a ITR track car:

not interesting, proper, you want the shifter as close to you as possible, so you don;t have to reach for it when your racing elimates dead time (time where your hand is moving from the steering wheel to the shifter, and back)

[Rob]

well yeah, but I've got to watch myself around here when praising honda stuff :P

[e9nine]

well yeah, but I've got to watch myself around here when praising honda stuff :P

[fabianyee]

I fitted a short shift extension adapter to my existing shifter and it added 1 inch.
The shifting is much better now.

Fabian any more info on this extension? I assume you extended the lever so it closer to the wheel correct? Any pics or parts info?

Thanks...

I had that custom made. and sold quite a few to my buddies. 1 was fitted to an E23 732i
And I would say it'll fit all the shifters.

Basically the top part of the adapter is screwed onto the lower bush/ring/hole, and then the lower part of the adapter has a hole same size as the rubber bush of the stock shifter, and the lower link rod is attached to this new hole.

Installation is a piece of cake. But I need to bend the lower link rod a little to clear the prop shaft balancer.

However, the 'lower' hole is slightly off center (about 1cm) more towards the right but it doesn't affect the shifting (at least for me)...

OK... here's the long overdue photo of the adpater/extension I custom made