Short Shift Kits (SSK)

[winstontj]

What do you guys use for a SSK? Can I pull apart a few OE shifters and put bits & pieces together to make a nice SSK or do I need to buy a "KIT" from someone like IE?

TIA,
TJW

[JPL]

either z3 or z4 depending on what you like. order the kit from patrick at BMA. you get a discount for being a member of R3V anyway. I've heard z3 1.9 is the smoothest. also, go to the diy section there's a thread on ssk's. all the info you could ask for

[E30Driv3R]

ive got Z4 3.0 and i love it! if i can id try them but if not just ask around thats what i did.

you can get them form the dealer also i think mine was like 42.99 with BMWCCA Discount and some other discount

[fretburnr]

a lot of guys use the shifters from a z3... different throw reductions depending on model.

i've got a lever from an e36 m3, feels good to me.

[winstontj]

ive got Z4 3.0 and i love it! if i can id try them but if not just ask around thats what i did.

you can get them form the dealer also i think mine was like 42.99 with BMWCCA Discount and some other discount

did you just buy the lower & put new bushings in the top or do you get the upper & lower?

please accept my appologies for the rookie comments... You guys probably get the same rounds of questions over & over again everytime a noob comes around

[Mastrcruse]

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=41971

[winstontj]

Thank you. I did search the forum as well as see that before I posted the ?. I think I should have asked differently.

I would like to simply swap out the lower part of the shifter with one that is longer between the base of the fulcrum (spelling) ball and the selector rod shaft extension. I'm not sure that I want to shorten the upper part - just leaving that stock will be fine for me.

Is there a preferred unit out there that is same as stock (in terms of the bend, etc) only longer below the ball? I'll read through one more time.

In my experience with other models there seems to be varying degrees of preference and choices however the vast majority seem to end up with one certain setup. this is what I'm after.

Thanks for being patient with a noob...

[nando]

the z3 1.9 is about as long on top as the stock shifter, but shorter on the bottom. it's just about perfect IMO. add in the UUC derlin carrier bushings and DSSR if you want crisp shifting that lasts a long time. I only have the bushings for now, I want to add the DSSR soon.

[Rennsport]

if it was shorter on the bottom, the throw would be longer no?

[318isbmw]

if it was shorter on the bottom, the throw would be longer no?

AFAIK i think he ment it was longer at the bottom, because I've heard the same as you, it would be longer throw if it were shorter.

[winstontj]

simple lever here. ball = fulcrum so length up top (knob) : length below the car is a ratio.

given same upper height

Short bottom = long throw
long bottom = short throw

shorten top, lengthen lower = closer to 1:1 ratio and shorter throw.

Shorten upper OR lengthen lower and you get a shorter throw

do both at the same time and you get a 1:1 result, do one at a time you get a 1/2 result

[nando]

if it was shorter on the bottom, the throw would be longer no?

sorry, that's what I meant. I had just downed 2 beers on an empty stomach ;)

either way I think the z3 1.9 is the way to go

[erik325i]

I would like to simply swap out the lower part of the shifter with one that is longer between the base of the fulcrum (spelling) ball and the selector rod shaft extension. I'm not sure that I want to shorten the upper part - just leaving that stock will be fine for me.

Well, you cannot simply swap out the lower part of the lever and not the top because they are not meant to be separated.
I would look into getting an X5 shift lever if I were you. It is longer below the fulcrum for the shorter shifts, but the top pert of the lever is no shorter than the e30 lever. It might accually be taller, but I'm not sure.

I know at least one person on this forum has that lever in his e30.

-Erik

[winstontj]

Well, you cannot simply swap out the lower part of the lever and not the top because they are not meant to be separated.
-Erik

Erik,
Not trying to be argumentative but how so?

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=1113&mospid=47309&btnr=25_0205&hg=25&fg=05

The Z's are built the same way. There are circlips and snap rings holding the lower section in the upper section. I've done this many times with e21, e30 & 2002 shifters. It's possible that the Z's are different (I don't know so I can't speculate) but I know that our cars' (e30) shifters can be rebuilt for a better feel. There are even some that sell delrin or urethane internal bushings for a more firm shift at the expense of much vibration.

Please educate me if I am mistaken.

[nando]

you could with the older shifters.. but all the new ones that are sold are once peice. if you order a new E30 shifter, you will see what I mean.