Z3 Shift conversion

[matt_chase]

Has anybody atempted this as described in the artical section on the top menu bar??

I would be interesed to hear what people have to say on this?

much improvemnt? easy to do? where can i get the parts from the cheaper the better.....

Anyway it would nice to hear from u guys and gals,

cheers matt,

P.S any more conversions worth considering (cheap but effective ones)

[Ziggy]

Yup, loads of people have done it, makes a huge difference. Parts from the $tealer...

[Adammcf]

As said loads of people on here have done it. Do a search for Z3 in all sections and you'll get lots of info.
Ive got the parts to do it to mine as well for when I get the engine rebuilt.

[Widge]

Mate if you want a cheap z3 1.9 lever I will have one for sale later today, it's coming off the car I am selling, and I want to go to a 2.8 lever on the touring. PM me if you are interested.

[bigpimpin]

I've done it and it DOES make a difference. Well worth it !

[JAMZ]

Widge..you got Pm bud

[Geeman]

This is probably the best MOD to do, value for money wise... makes such a difference!

Done it twice now... Z3 1.9 AND 2.8... the next E30 I get will have the Z4 or M3 treatment!

Giles.

[eko]

Ive fitted a Z3 shifter recently too,coast less than Ԛ£25 in parts from the dealer and took about an hour to do,makes a big difference!

[JAMZ]

A question too which would also benefit the original poster...

Hows the Gearchnage though with the 1.9 shifter?

is it very knotchy or pretty smooth?

[eko]

Well mines a little notchy when cold,but going to change the gear oil to hopefully rectify this!
Ok when its warm though so i dont think the shifter is to blame.

[Widge]

It's a stiffer change when cold. Once oil has started circulating it's great, reduces the throw by about 40% and the actual lever is a little shorter than the original one which adds to the sportyness. The first time you drive it it feels lik it is only halfway in to gear when it's infact in gear, but you soon get used to it. You only realise how floppy the original gear change is once you have driven on with the short shift.

[JAMZ]

So how much are they from the stealers then..

I was told Ԛ£25 for the 1.9 shifter

[Geeman]

Yep... that's about right.

[Widge]

Ԛ£27 +vat

[Geeman]

You'll also need a new plastic bush... they're a bugger to get out and you'll probably end up destroying the old one!

[JimmyC]

if your doing it- replace everything whilst its out

Just done mine not with a z3 version, but did the hole lot- blooming expensive mind circa Ԛ£100 I think

[scotty86d]

Is there a difference between the 1.9 and 2.8 lever

[jonbuoy]

I don't know what version mine is as it's a pattern part one but it only cost Ԛ£20. It's been in for atleast 6 mths now and still feel's brilliant
It's supposed to have only a 30% throw it's deffinately more than that, feel's more like 40-50% throw

[gareth]

it's well worth replacing the knuckle joint on the gearbox end of the linkage while you're at it... though this is a bastard to do in comparison! about 1/3 of the play comes from there....

[KDS]

I just put in a Z3 1.9 lever and new bushings and am very happy with the results. Much quicker shifts due to the shorter throw. Also, I used to have to slam the shifter against the side of the console to engage reverse, now it just kinda "skicks" into gear.

I'm also thinking of putting in an adjustable clutch stop, so I spend less time engaging the clutch on each shift. Anyone else done this?

[Ziggy]

Is there a difference between the 1.9 and 2.8 lever

2.8 has an even shorter throw - I've tried both & suffice to say I've got the 2.8 in my car...

I'm also thinking of putting in an adjustable clutch stop, so I spend less time engaging the clutch on each shift. Anyone else done this?

Never done it, but I've often thought about it! In theory you just learn where the right point is & don't push the pedal any further, but I for one could certainly be better at that!

[toby]

With the very kind assistance of a couple of mates I did the conversion last weekend, along with some other gearbox bits - selector shaft oil seal, mountings and propshaft coupling.

I put the Z3 2.8 roadster shift lever on. It's great. The gear change is tougher now. Less like 'rowing a boat' now, and more like 'snapping an elderly relative's walking stick'. Although it is loosening up a bit after a few days' use. I already had a shortened M Tech gear knob so the short shift installation has complimented that nicely.

The gearchange in the car wasn't perfect and I wasn't sure if it was synchro or loose gear selector parts. After changing the lever it seems that my impression overall is that the selection is better and it's less obstructed - it used to feel like it didn't want to go into second gear without 'finding it first' but now it requires less finding and just more effort to move it in.

"But hey, if you've got shorter lever it is gonna take more effort" (said the actress to the bishop... boom boom... sorry...)

I'd recommend this conversion but it may make the effort of shifting a pain for anyone else who drives your car and isn't used to a stiff sporty gearchange. You'll notice I didn't say anything sexist like - your weak-wristed girlfiriend!

The more you modify, the more personal the car becomes. A million thanks to Adam the author of the technical article on this conversion. Without the cool pictures and explanaiton my mates would have carried on saying 'You can't do that...' for much longer than they did.

Cheers
Toby (I can go on a bit sometimes)

[stevetigger]

Is there a difference between the 1.9 and 2.8 lever

[Widge]

Hmmmmmmmm
Which one to put on the touring???

[stevetigger]

Hmmmmmmmm
Which one to put on the touring???

z4 3.0ltr is the smallest throw but its very notchy

[toby]

where did you get all those levers Steve??

[Widge]

I was thinking Z4 2.5, bit of a compromise, short throw and short lever which I quite like.

[stevetigger]

where did you get all those levers Steve??

The internet!

[toby]

Hmmmmmmmm
Which one to put on the touring???

it will be a compromise between, as steve says, a shorter throw and notchiness (is that a word?)

it would be horrible on my touring to have a shorter throw than the 2.8 lever as it would be too stiff

remember also that you have to bend the selector shaft so the longer the lever the more you are changing the angle of gear change - non standard wierdness

[toby]

I was thinking Z4 2.5, bit of a compromise, short throw and short lever which I quite like.

no mate - don't do it

the 1.9 would be a compromise
the 2.8 is as much as I feel this conversion would sustain comfortably

[Widge]

I had the 1.9 lever in my coupe and lusted after a shorter throw, notchiness doesn't bother me. I'll keep the standard one incase I ever have to sell the car. I've got a spare standard one actually so I may try modifying it.

[Taylor325i]

I've done the 1.9 mod twice now on two cars and it is 100% better than the standard throw. Just make sure you replace all the washers and clips at the same time cos they are only a few pence extra and your old ones will be worn anyway. As said above it is definately one of the best mods you can do for the money!


Taylor.

[Widge]

TBH I'm changing the gearbox in mine so I will do all the linkage bushes as well.

[KDS]

Just make sure you replace all the washers and clips at the same time.

I replaced all the washers and clips when my 1.9 was installed a month ago, but am finding the 1st to 2nd gear shifts pretty notchy. It's a bit of a drag because I have to be kinda delicate with the gear change, which of course makes for a slower shift.

Are there any other clutch or shifter adjustments that I can make?

[dark_sounds]

good stuff toby, thanks for the detail,,

me being me, i think i might give the 2.8 one a shot.. even shorter, every little helps, especially with the fact that second gear tends to end at around 58mph, just before a good 0-60 time is achieved and hence need that quick end bit.

hmm,,, just time,,, money,,, patience,, and help lol