Author Topic: Short Shift Kit. (Read 5479 times)

D. Clay · « **on:** January 05, 2007, 11:11:03 PM »

Have been boning up on SSK's. . What is a good setup using OEM parts. I thinking about a Z3 1.9 or maybe a 3.0 lever. Any body have one of these? How do you like it? Do you need to bend the selector rod to install a Z3 lever on a 1991 318is?

jpod999 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 06, 2007, 01:21:49 AM »

Why do you need a short shifter? I can shift pretty damn fast on my stock length. It might be a fairly long throw, but you can do it quickly if you get smooth.

D. Clay · « **Reply #2 on:** January 06, 2007, 11:35:53 AM »

Last car I had with manual transmission was a Honda Civic. The steering was 2.75 turns lock to lock and the shifter was "snicky". The E30 feels really sloppy in comparison - in both instances. I've already changed the rack to an E36 for quicker steering. I don't really "need" a short shifter but I certainly want one.

kowalski · « **Reply #3 on:** January 06, 2007, 01:37:06 PM »

i have 25111434148, which is the middle one up there. trust me, you don't want it any shorter then that otherwise it will look stupid. Mine looks like it belongs, and its really tight. I have almost no play i the shifter lever, its short, and it feels great. its a little notchy i guess, but its by no meas uncomfortable to shift.

johna · « **Reply #4 on:** January 06, 2007, 10:42:57 PM »

A few pictures and other choices of gear levers here: http://www.motortraders.net.au/groups/group.asp?group=1&menu=1&article=6

jajou318 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 07, 2007, 12:52:22 AM »

I believe mine is the one in the middle as well, I could snap some pics for you if you'd like to see how it looks in the cockpit.

As for me I didn't have to bend the selector rod at all. I think that may be more of an m20 thing, not 100% sure though.

The 'throw' was dramatically decreased and feels great and under $100!

kowalski · « **Reply #6 on:** January 07, 2007, 03:47:04 AM »

Quote from: jajou318;17011

I believe mine is the one in the middle as well, I could snap some pics for you if you'd like to see how it looks in the cockpit.

As for me I didn't have to bend the selector rod at all. I think that may be more of an m20 thing, not 100% sure though.

The 'throw' was dramatically decreased and feels great and under $100!

+1 over and over again.
the selector rod bending is an m20 only thing, and only on some m20's.

AL GReeNeRy · « **Reply #7 on:** January 07, 2007, 10:18:37 AM »

i got the z4 3.0 lever and all i changed was the nylon cup. the throw was so short, it was unbelievable! the 3.0 however, is extremely notchy.. after a couple months it went away and i can shift amoothly and perfectly almost everytime. the only time i ever misshift is if im holding something in my shifting hand like a drink or cell phone.. i also have a brand new stock shift knob from the dealer and ive found it to be too soft. it flexes when i try to shift too quick. itll soon be replaced by a uuc knob, most likely a rk magnum..

D. Clay · « **Reply #8 on:** January 07, 2007, 01:52:15 PM »

Cars are like computers. You primarily interact with them with a mouse and keyboard and get feedback from the monitor. You mainly interact with a car through the steering wheel, shift lever, brake and accelerator pedals. Feedback involves more, the main difference being seat of the pants and the feel of g-forces. I hadn't thought a lot about this before but the feel of the steering wheel and shift lever/knob are major. I always thought they were a waste of money and for the snobbys and snottys (no driving bitches). Long story short, I have come to realize why people pay money for steering wheels and shift knobs. I think I'll put a neat-o knob on that SSK.

kwblah · « **Reply #9 on:** March 11, 2007, 08:42:41 PM »

so let me get this right, when installing the z3 1.9 shifter (middle one), ABSOLUTELY NO RODS have to be bent? ive been looking on bf's and some say the selector rod has to be bent on the m20s but not the m42s, but some say otherwise.

Tonyb · « **Reply #10 on:** March 11, 2007, 09:14:05 PM »

Your only changing the shifter, not the linkage. If you buy a kit with the rods you might have to bend it for clearance. (a waste of money, just buy the shifter.)

teh Phil · « **Reply #11 on:** March 12, 2007, 05:07:51 PM »

I just put in the UUC Evo 3 a week ago, and I can honestly say it is the best money I have spent on a car. Period. The throw is amazing, it's nice and notchy, and feels much more precise. I ordered a DSSR too (technically two, long story :rolleyes: ) but it was about 3 inches too short....So don't bother ordering one, they don't make them for the 318is (Thanks for letting me know that BEFORE I ordered, UUC....).

Evo 3, seriously.

Jimmy Lewis · « **Reply #12 on:** March 12, 2007, 08:06:24 PM »

Do you guys completely bleed the clutch and run a long clutch stop because my clutch stop allows me to make pretty precise shifts with what is probably a pretty sloppy worn out stocker. Because the only other manual car I have driven is my dads 01' Mustang, it is hard to imagine a throw shorter than what it is now. I may look into a X5 shifter, as I am 6'4 and love the stock height of the shiter, anything lower would be uncomfortable and look out of place in my opinion. Good deal and thanks for the info guys!

Nick_318is · « **Reply #13 on:** March 12, 2007, 10:30:30 PM »

I have the z3 1.9 lever and love it, it made a nice shorter throw and broke in nicely and is very smooth I didn't have to bend anything, just put in a new cup. I did have to sand the bushing on the new rod in order to get the selector rod back on securly.

BMA has a package deal with this give you all the things you need, i think it was $75, the best cheap mod I have done.

bmwpower · « **Reply #14 on:** February 17, 2008, 09:08:34 AM »

Quote from: Nick_318is;21157

I have the z3 1.9 lever and love it, it made a nice shorter throw and broke in nicely and is very smooth I didn't have to bend anything, just put in a new cup. I did have to sand the bushing on the new rod in order to get the selector rod back on securly.

BMA has a package deal with this give you all the things you need, i think it was $75, the best cheap mod I have done.

I'm assuming you are referring to the same problem I am having.

It appears that the Z3 selector rod and the M42 318i selector rod are DIFFERENT. Not sure of the differences, but since the bushing at the end of the shifter is wider/thicker, you may require a Z3 selector rod which I'm thinking has a longer end piece to slip through the shifter bushing. This would allow you to use the washers. Right now, I just have the clip on, which works, but I'm thinking it's not good for the long run.

Others who have switched to a Z3 1.9 lever, what did you do?

(1) Get a new Z3 selector rod

(2) Sand down the bushing on the shifter

(3) Just use the clip without washers