Is a Short Shift Worth It??

[cliffybabe]

Hi Guys

Im thinking about doing this mod to my cab is it worth while?

I've been told a Z3 shifter us my best bet

Any advice/ experence on the mod would be great

Thanks
Neil

[iDreamBeemer]

Be interesting to see what people put up... curious myself.

Have you seen this? Lots of info. People seem to think its good but I'm sure someone with 1st hand experience will be on shortly!

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

[cliffybabe]

hadnt seen the tech article, cheers for that

I here mixed vews hopefuly the zoner can help

[DRIFTBOY]

Yep, I fitted a Z3 1.9 gear lever to my 335. It's a great, cheap and easy mod. I thoroughly recommend it! The only downside is there is less movement sideways between the gears so incorrect gear selection is easier, but it's a small price to pay!

[GDBN]

Cliffybabe ... we think the same things!!
I bought mine a while ago (Z3 1.9) but there was no clearance above the vibration damper. At the time I didn't have the time to bend the connector rod so I put it all back the way it was.
BrianMooooore says you can get away with removing the damper instead.
Just have to find out if that is an easy job.

G

[Ziggy]

Fcuk yeah - do it! 2.8's the way forward though (& yes, I have compared both back to back). I had to drive my bro's tourer on the standard shifter the other day... felt like I was going rowing!


GDBN;
I had to take my vib damper off too - can't remember how it worked, it was just really easy while we were under there! Good chance to check / change your rubber prop coupling too.

Make sure you do the bushes as well as the lever - makes a big difference

I'm running out of 'zone mods' to do!

[GermanGorilla]

Hi,

There are far better SSK available than using the Z3
one, but it's purely down to price.

The UUC series III SSK with DSSR rail is about as good as
it gets for a BMW, but it will cost around 400.00 just for the parts.

Rouge Engineering also do a nice kit around 300.00 from
CA-Automotive in the UK.

All the Z3 shift does is shorten the throw between gearchanges
by around 20-30%, and its good value for money.

But do not confuse this with a proper metal cartridge bearing
or Derlin Bearing SSK with a balanced throw etc that is
correctly weighted.

When bending the connecting rod from the gearstick to the
gearbox linkage, upwards to clear, be careful that
its done without twist, as any twist will alter the ease
upon which any diagonal gearchanges are made
across the gearbox when changing gear.

Make sure you get all the washers back in correctly as well !!

Hope this helps,

Regards,

The Gorilla.

[GDBN]

Hi,
Was there no difference at all when removing the damper?
And does it not "protect" the rubber part under it ?

Looks like just 3 bolts ... hope it's as easy as that !!

G

[stuartgallafant]

it will be on your car neil! when i drove it the other day, i felt like i was stirring a witches cauldron!!!

the throw from 1st to 2nd is so long, you nearly end up with your elbow on the back seat!!

[MikeeMiracle]

I had to drive my bro's tourer on the standard shifter the other day... felt like I was going rowing!

ROTFL.........I came from a Civic Type-R box so I knwo what you mean.....seems a bit too long for comfort and it's really hampering my ability to shift gears quickly.

I have tried a short shift and it makes a huge difference, well worth it IMO.

[cliffybabe]

Cheers guy's

Il be asking stu to give me a hand with this one after all he did say i need it

Im gonna go for the z3 2.8 verison and ill let u know how i go.

[Simon13]

i'd go 1.9 lever the 2.8 is too extreme in my opinion

1.9 is just right

[Incitatus]

I've had the 2.8 fitted to mine for a few months now, you soon become used to it. The standard shift on my friend's car seems massive now!

[stuartgallafant]

whats the difference in throw reduction between the 1.9 and the 2.8?

[gazm3]

I was quite impressed with the one in my touring.

[cliffybabe]

ok so which one now the 1.9 or 2.8

[Ziggy]

2.8 feels notchy for the first minute or so, then it feels just right. 1.9 feels sloppy if you're used to the 2.8...
I fitted mine at E30Adam's place (he'd done it before on his car with the 1.9 lever!), so we both had a try of each afterwards & he was gonna upgrade his...

There's also various z4 options if you really want to confuse yourself!

[cliffybabe]

Ziggy, pls dont confuse me its so easy to do

[bottlecapE30]

i like confustion it makes me feel dumb.
and as they say ignorance is bliss

[GDBN]

Can anyone shed some light onto removing the vibration damper?

G

[cliffybabe]

i like confustion it makes me feel dumb.
and as they say ignorance is bliss

GDBN, have u seen the tech artical in the forum this is a really good write up

[GDBN]

Yep ... but I think it would be better to remove the damper rather than bending the rod.
Doesn't look as if it is a 5 min job to remove the damper.

G

[cliffybabe]

Yep ... but I think it would be better to remove the damper rather than bending the rod.
Doesn't look as if it is a 5 min job to remove the damper.

G

Ziggy can u drop in mate with ur views

[Ziggy]

Depends if you're renewing all the bushes & therefore dropping the prop, exhaust etc... If that's all off, the damper just unbolts. & I didn't notice any difference on mine (& the coupling's still fine too - was totally fcuked then though!). I think some cars came without the damper anyway?

HTH

[hammoj28]

I drove baddaves tourer with a shortshift and what a difference! Would take quite a while to get used to it but it was ace! I dont know wether it was a z3 or a proper b&m shortshift but it made the gears extremely close! Hardly andy movement was needed at all. If i could afford it i would get one.

[appletree]

this all sounds good apart from some one who said it makes the shift tighter left to right making it easyier to get the wrong gear?

anyone else found this??

[Ziggy]

this all sounds good apart from some one who said it makes the shift tighter left to right making it easyier to get the wrong gear?

anyone else found this??

In a word, no. Takes literally a minute to get used to it, then you'd hate to go back.

[cliffybabe]

I gonna do this mod now at the top of my list, stu is gonna check the price for me tomorrow, cheers guys

[Ziggy]

I gonna do this mod now at the top of my list, stu is gonna check the price for me tomorrow, cheers guys

Do it! Waaaay more important than the maplight mirror - save that for when you're running out of new toys like I did!

[cliffybabe]

Do it! Waaaay more important than the maplight mirror - save that for when you're running out of new toys like I did!

Ive sopurced a map mirror Eun is gonna send it out to me, but ill put that aside untilt he shifter is sorted

[csl]

I have just fitted a z3 lever assy and can confirm it's absolutely marvellous I'm not usually one for mods, but this is worth it's weight in gold.

[BIGJO]

What's the main difference between the 1.9 & 2.8 shifter? It's for my Sport & need to know which one is better, overall.

Jo.

[gazm3]

My touring has z3.
Reverse and first seem very close.

I like it the wife doesn't.

[julianm40]

Im definatley gonna look into doing this when I get my new car. Couple of things though, do you buy the parts from a BMW dealer or somewhere like GSF? Also whats the actual parts called and how much do they cost ie for the 2.8?

Cheers

[BIGJO]

What's the main difference between the 1.9 & 2.8 shifter? It's for my Sport & need to know which one is better, overall.

Jo.