Short shifters

[Jonny_71]

Nick

I've got a Z3 1.9 shifter going spare, never been fitted. Fancy doing a swap for that digital clock you have knocking around?

Jonny

[NIX]

Hi mate,

Has it got all the other bits with it that need to be fitted also? rings, clips, shims etc?

[Jonny_71]

It's just the lever. The other bits can be had from the main stealers for under a fiver if you really need them. Depends how worn out the old bits are I guess.

[NIX]

Ok mate. Well I didn't end up ordering the shifter from the stealers today whilst ordering the other stuff anyways. But I think I probably could do with the other bits because my shifter seems quite loose. I'm away from Friday afternoon for most of the wkend I think so I'll let you know as soon as I can about the shifter and the digi clock. Were you thinkin a straight swap?

[ballin]

Can I do this mod to mine? It's using an e36 M3 box thats the only problem?

At the moment reverse hits the console and sometimes jumps out, need slightly less throw!

[appletree]

I ve jst fitted a Z3 2.8 shifrer to my IS and i did not have to bend any thing. it got to be 5mm clear all round easly, i now its close but a miss is a miss.

IMO the 2.8 is a bit to notchy for general use so av ordered the 1.9 one and will kee pthe 2.8 just in case i decide to take it on the track

[diamondblacke28]

my be only the 325i that you have to bend the rod.

but it realy easy and work fine with a slight bend in it.

you could easly bend it back again in the future if you wanted.

[appletree]

Looking at the tech artical it looks like the 325 rod is almost if not completly straight, where as the on on my IS is more of a hooked "j" shape so that i hooks over and clears every thing done there!

Could you use an IS on on a 325? i know it was mentioned that the lengths might be different but i supose it depends on by how much

[garyp_E30_325i]

Can I do this mod to mine? It's using an e36 M3 box thats the only problem?

At the moment reverse hits the console and sometimes jumps out, need slightly less throw!

The Z3 1.9 lever has about the same throw as an E36 M3 lever (assuming you are using the E36 M3 lever with the gearbox...), so if you want to shorten the shift you have to go for something else. Otherwise the process is the same.

For example the Z3M lever is 35% shorter than the E36 M3 lever, the part number is:
25 11 2 228 384

The other bits (if required) are:
Circlip - 25.11.1.220.379 x1
Shims - 25.11.1.220.439 x2
g/lever bush - 25.11.1.220.600 x1

[CraigG]

i want to lower where the gearknob sits, aswell as shortening the throw, is the Z4 shifters direct fits aswell?

[garyp_E30_325i]

i want to lower where the gearknob sits, aswell as shortening the throw, is the Z4 shifters direct fits aswell?

Yeah, they're all direct fit for each other except if the lever you choose is much longer below the ball / pivot then you may need to bend it to fit.

[ballin]

Gary - cheers mate, will probably go and get exactly what you suggested

[garyp_E30_325i]

Hi Ballin, remember there's a tech article on the zone for this:
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... echnz3.htm
Although I have to say that I neither removed nor bent the selector rod, there was sufficient clearance without the need to do so (I have a Z3 1.9 lever).

I actually used a different guide which I found on a US forum. They recommend bending the gear lever slightly to get clearance.

If you are planning to change to a Z3/4M lever you will probably have to bend one or the other or both, though depending how you do it you could change the position of the gear lever/knob inside the car - give it some thought before you bend anything (I like to physically see the job before deciding, maybe position the lever to see how it looks / fits, get someone to change gear whilst you watch how it moves).

Whatever you do let us know how you get on and how it feels (if it's not too bad/heavy/clunky I may yet change to a M lever myself).

[toby]

there is also this
http://www.shortshifter.com/pdfs/UUC_Se ... ctions.PDF

from the links pages
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... link&cid=8

and it gives a good idea on bending linkage altough we used a hammer on my 2.8 Z3 shift conversion.
2.8 is quite notchy - but I like it. The shorter the throw the more it shows up any gearbox change stickiness in the synchro.

[StuBeeDoo]

I just got mine today.
For anyone who wants to know, BMW retail price, inc. VAT is Ԛ£27.50. That's for the Z3 1.9 lever, the bearing, 2 bushes and the clip in the bottom of the lever, the 2 bushes, the shim and the circlip for the gearbox end of the link rod.
Obviously, if you can screw any discount out of the $tealer, it'll be cheaper.

[daimlerman]

I fitted the alloy block thingy that I found on ebay,it came from the USA and cost around Ԛ£25,fits in the linkage at the point where you split it to remove the box.It works fine but er indoors does not want one on the Touring,some crap about it being her car,not mine!!

[StuBeeDoo]

I've now got my Z3 1.9 lever fitted. It's heavier and more "notchy", but some of this may be down to the fact that the bushes in the linkage were all shot, so I replaced them too.
I'm glad I didn't go for the 2.8 vesrion, because I've got left wrist issues.
Do it, you won't regret it. Ԛ£20whatever well spent.

[pnd]

Just fitted a b+m one to a friends car its ok but not really better than the z3. these short shifters are an acquired taste can make the gearbox stiff, I wont be fitting one to my refined minter because I just feel it will take that smoothness away from the car.

[drewjak]

just fitted mine tonight (z3 1.9) cost Ԛ£19.83 + vat, 15 mins to fit, feels nice when changing now especially at speed, doubled clutch on first change didnt think it had gone in
but an excellent cheep mod.

[StuBeeDoo]

I fitted the alloy block thingy that I found on ebay,it came from the USA and cost around Ԛ£25,fits in the linkage at the point where you split it to remove the box.

Can you post a link please??

[daimlerman]

Sorry,thats too technical for an old man,suppliers address is,...Cartoka,Acbert,1160 Yew Ave.,Blaine,NA,(zip) 98230....