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Z3 Short shift conversion for e30 318is

Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2005 11:51 am
by brendo
has anyone tried this conversion?? How long did it take to do? How does it change the feel and performance of the car, is really such an easy conversion? whats you advice on this? cheers.

For those of you who dont know wot im talkin about read here:

http://www.e30zone.co.uk/modules.php?na ... echnz3.htm

Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2005 11:54 am
by Widge
It's great!
It's really easy to do, 2 hours I recon.
It totally changes the gear shift much shorter, brilliant mod.
Do it.

Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2005 11:58 am
by Geeman
More like half an hour... if you know what you're doing. More fiddly than anything... but WELL WORTH the little bit of effort... I've done it on a 318is and 2 M20 E30's... brilliant mod.

Z3 1.9 lever is a good all-rounder

Z3 2.8 lever is even shorter, though not to everyone's taste

Z3M lever is like driving a go-cart. Brilliant!

Hope this helps...

Giles

Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2005 12:10 pm
by brendo
so say i go for the Z3M gear leveer, does it just give me a shorter shift, which results in quicker gear changes and so quicker times through the gears? how much cud i pick a new Z3M lever for? and does any one know the part number, which lever would be best to chose for quickest changing? cheers-brendan

Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2005 12:17 pm
by Widge
I only said 2 hours cos it can take a while if you have to jack the car up and "ajust" the selector rod.
Think I'm going to go for the Z3M lever next, does it need the selector rod ajusting even more? And does it sit in the centre of the gear gate in neutral?
As for the 1.9 Z3 one I have got on now, compared to a new car it requires a bit of force to change gear, but this is to be expected, as if you shorten the leverage you need a larger force to do the same work.

Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2005 12:36 pm
by Theo
Oh dear this is another mod on my list after these glowing references.....

Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2005 12:59 pm
by brendo
geeman what is the Z3M like for changin gear? does it require much extra force? and wot kina money is it? cheers

Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2005 5:55 pm
by brendo
bump!

Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2005 8:47 pm
by hoshy
The 2.8 can be a little too stiff to put in to gear for day to day driving but it feels nice having such a short throw when you're really ragging it. Though my left bicep is now slightly bigger than my right :oops:

Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2005 8:49 pm
by tylerma
hoshy wrote:Though my left bicep is now slightly bigger than my right :oops:
but is that from the short shift 8O

Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2005 9:08 pm
by hoshy
I ain't gonna go there dude :)

Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2005 10:49 pm
by DazzyA
just got the 1.9 fitted today and oh man, the difference is frightening, I did have a sloppy box :eek: before but now she is real tight and short. :thumb: :cheers: :drive:

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2005 12:42 am
by Widge
hoshy wrote:The 2.8 can be a little too stiff to put in to gear for day to day driving but it feels nice having such a short throw when you're really ragging it. Though my left bicep is now slightly bigger than my right :oops:

Cut the belt on the power steering pump, and they will balance out. Trust MEEEE :D

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2005 10:45 am
by brendo
so would i be best to just buy a new Z3 1.9 lever from a bmw dealer? what all parts do i need? and what sorta money for a brand new one? cheers for the help guys

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2005 10:49 am
by Geeman
I think you can get it all for under Ԛ£30... something like Ԛ£27 or there abouts.

Giles

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2005 10:54 am
by brendo
looks like its gona be a real cheap and cheerful upgrade then!

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2005 10:55 am
by Geeman
You'll need the lever, the plastic bush it sits in, then maybe new circlips and washers...

Check through the Zone for the article that lists the parts you'll need.

Giles.

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2005 10:57 am
by Widge
Tell you what Brendo, I've got a 1.9 one on my car and want to got to a 2.8 or Z3M, so If I go and buy one and fit it this weekend do you want to buy my old one? Cheapo obviously, only been on the car for 9 months.

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2005 11:01 am
by Geeman
He'll also need to get the plastic bush too... so buy two of everything (except the lever of course) and then let him have the 'whole kit'...

Then there's no confusion for the poor chap. :wink:

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2005 11:48 am
by Widge
I put a new plastic bush in like 9 months ago, do you really think I'll need another one?

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2005 11:52 am
by Geeman
You try getting it out without damaging it... winkeye

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2005 12:00 pm
by Widge
Managed it last time, I have a knack of being able to do fiddly stuff.

Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 12:30 pm
by brendo
aye widge i mite be interested in ur gear lever, pm me a price and ill c sure, cheers