Shifter Setup

[Bishop]

I was going to order the 1.9 and bushings and stuff soon, but I may wait till we hear more about that DTM replica setup, or at least see if the write up is easy.... That looks awesome, and you still reduce throw, and it's not notchy... win

[lifeiskaos]

How is the sturdiness of the Sheet Metal Console? The AKG part looks to a pretty stout cut from billet. Any flex to the sheet metal carrier version?

I was worried about that too, but it seems plenty sturdy. I can't detect any flex in it.

[dinanm3atl]

Z4 2.5 - Burn out the rubber isolator. Fill with Epoxy. Let it dry.
ZHP Knob
Fresh Rebuild of all parts


Delicious is what it is. Even just the standard 2.5 without the epoxy is good.



I wanna try that AKG shifter... someday.

[Dave]

It feels fantastic. The reason short throw shifters are so notchy is because of the big angle that it puts the selector rod at. When you raise the pivot point, straightening out the selector rod, you drastically reduce "notchyness". The other benefit is making the knob closer to the wheel. Win-win! :D

How is the sturdiness of the Sheet Metal Console? The AKG part looks to a pretty stout cut from billet. Any flex to the sheet metal carrier version?

[SA E30]

It feels fantastic. The reason short throw shifters are so notchy is because of the big angle that it puts the selector rod at. When you raise the pivot point, straightening out the selector rod, you drastically reduce "notchyness". The other benefit is making the knob closer to the wheel. Win-win! :D

You have PM

[lifeiskaos]

Interested to hear how this turns out.

It feels fantastic. The reason short throw shifters are so notchy is because of the big angle that it puts the selector rod at. When you raise the pivot point, straightening out the selector rod, you drastically reduce "notchyness". The other benefit is making the knob closer to the wheel. Win-win! :D

[Dave]

Yeah. I was thinking maybe with trans movement, you may have trouble selecting gears or possibly getting the right gear, but if you are doing this mod you probably have stiff mounts and it shouldn't be a problem.

I think I'm going to make this my weekend project, as I have a sheet metal console kicking around in the garage somewhere.

Interested to hear how this turns out.

[SA E30]

If you really felt up to it you could make an entire new shifter the the pivot point where you like just but using a rod end as the one end of the selector shaft and a double sheer connection on the other side.

[lifeiskaos]

Wow, I just now caught this. That's an awesome idea. So you just cut down the carrier, mount it on top of the tunnel, and then you don't need anything else underneath except the selector rod going to the trans? any downsides to this setup?

Yep! Your car has the mounting points already. It mounts where part of the Automatic shifter mounts, and the rear mounts on the stud that holds the center console. I can't think of any downsides... I mean, this is how some of the DTM cars did it. I was even able to install the selector rod from inside the car, since there's no carrier in the way. Awesome lol. DTM picture at bottom of post.

Yeah. I was thinking maybe with trans movement, you may have trouble selecting gears or possibly getting the right gear, but if you are doing this mod you probably have stiff mounts and it shouldn't be a problem.

Exactly. You've gotta have stiff/solid engine and tranny mounts or else the shifter will move around under hard braking/turning/acceleration.


DTM:



DTM replica from AKG ($375 iirc):

[SA E30]

A write up would be great! I'm going to do it as well. As soon as I can get one from the states.

[JGood]

I would guess the only downside is increased shifter buzz, but on a track/race car that's not really an issue.

Yeah. I was thinking maybe with trans movement, you may have trouble selecting gears or possibly getting the right gear, but if you are doing this mod you probably have stiff mounts and it shouldn't be a problem.

I think I'm going to make this my weekend project, as I have a sheet metal console kicking around in the garage somewhere.

[SA E30]

I would guess the only downside is increased shifter buzz, but on a track/race car that's not really an issue.

[JGood]

I love mine. Bavauto shifter (filled with poly, brass bushing). It's pretty similar to the z3 2.8 though.



With the sheet metal carrier mounted to the body of the car, the pivot point is obviously moved up, and there are no bushings to go bad. The selector rod is horizontal, minimizing "notchyness", and the knob is closer to the wheel.

Wow, I just now caught this. That's an awesome idea. So you just cut down the carrier, mount it on top of the tunnel, and then you don't need anything else underneath except the selector rod going to the trans? any downsides to this setup?

[BlackSpeed66]

Another vote for the Z3 1.9 rod. Combined with rebuilt linkage & bushings, and a ZHP knob, it's heaven for me. Works pretty good at the track too.

[lifeiskaos]

So now it is solid mounted to the chassis? Sounds like a great idea. Kinda like the DTM shifter but a cheaper solution.

All it needs is a double sheer selector arm.

I wonder if someone can sell me the metal shifter, as we never got them here.

Exactly. It's a lot cheaper than the DTM replica that AKG sells! ~$375

Mine was $3 from a scrap yard. I'd be happy to get you one.