E34 OEM Short Shift Options?

[hakwuzhere]

Ok, so I went through just about every thread that came up on a E34 Shift search. The one question Ive seen asked a few times, but never answered is if you have a Z3 or Z8 OEM shifter in the E34. Do you need to bend the shift arm to make it fit?....

Also, is the Z3 1.9 the best shifter to use?...

Thanks! :)

[hakwuzhere]

Is this kit OEM from www.understeer.com ?....

5/6/7 Series and E30 M3 Short Shift Kit - $75
Shortens shift throw by 37% on the following models:
E12 - 528/530 (up to '81)
E28 - 528e/535i/M5 ('81-'87)
E32 - 735i ('88-'92)
E34 - 525i/535i/M5 3.6L ('88-'95)
E39 - 525i/540i - '96+
E39 - 528i/530i - '96+ (+$10)
E24 - 630Csi/633Csi/635CSi/M6 ('76-'89)
E30 - M3 ('86-'90)
In Stock - ships within 48 hours

http://www.understeer.com/images/store/e46ssk.jpg

http://www.understeer.com/onlinestore-shifters.shtml

[M20Turbo]

UUC makes a great SS, the EVO3.
https://secure9.nexternal.com/shared/StoreFront/default.asp?CS=uuc&BusType=BtoC&Count1=413860499&Count2=331000924&ProductID=61&Target=products%2Easp

[we_call_him_doher]

Sorry if this seems to be a dumb question, but the EVO 3 says it comes with "carrier bushings", and after reading numerous other posts on the short shifter topic, it seems to be the consensus that, when replacing the shifter you should also replace the bushings. Does the EVO 3 come with the bushings? If not, how can I find which bushings I need, and where do I buy them?

Thanks

[hakwuzhere]

Well, the $75 option for an OEM shifter, or $355 for the Evo3... Im sure its better, but is it $250 better?

[Jeff N.]

Z8. $75 seems a bit high but not unreasonable for the kit as kit comes with the cup and a few other misc parts.

I think you'd save money if you just purchased all the necessary parts directly from BMA. The picture below helps; be sure to also get the circled parts.

If you're going to it, be sure to rebuild the entire assembly.

http://home.comcast.net/~jsnord/pics/shift_linkage_update.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~jsnord/pics/sl6.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~jsnord/pics/sl3.JPG

[hakwuzhere]

Jeff, that $75 kit is listed as an E30 M3 shift kit..... would that be shorter than the Z8? I dont think swapping the shifter is something that I will install, Ill have my mechanic do it.

[M20Turbo]

Remember you get what you pay for. I know $325 seems like alot of $, but you won't have to mess with it again. Good luck!

http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/html_product/bmw_shifters/shifter_nav.htm

[we_call_him_doher]

Did you guys get the DSSR? $100 on top of the $325 seems a bit much but if it helps....

[mholbrook]

For what it's worth, I used the $75 shift kit and it was wonderful. BMA now sells a shift kit for the same price and is probably the same stuff. One thing for sure, BMA will only sell you stuff that works. The pieces are all OEM BMW just from different cars. Nice pictures and write up.

[Ted K]

I tried one of those $75 SSK from E-bay. It came with all the parts you have shown. Here is a picture of the new and the stock. It was one of the worst things I did to me 90 535. It shifted so hard it was no fun to drive. Only lasted till the UUC evo 3 arrived! If you want it you can have it for free. You do get what you pay for. The UUC is one of the best choices. My wife said it makes the car more fun to drive. But she still prefers her MB.

[Jeff N.]

Do know that I have a z8 shift lever and it's nice balance between too short and too long.

If you get a really short lever, expect your shifting force to increase. Martin had a Z3 lever I think and it was definately too short. Funny...he seems to have changed it to a z8 lever.

Ask your mechanic if he plans to pull the driveline or just do it from the top. (Not 100% sure you can do it without pulling the driveline). If he's going to pull the line, you really really want to replace all the other parts at the same time. The bushing on the bitchclip (forward mount point of the shift arm; referred to as the bitch clip because that's what it is to unclip it) wears and adds a lot of slop to the linkage. Do 'em all. With the new lever. A Z8 lever. You'll like it.

[Anthony (M5 in Calgary)]

Did you guys get the DSSR? $100 on top of the $325 seems a bit much but if it helps....

I went full boat on mine. EVO + DSSR + Delrin front bushing and all other parts new OE. Shifts like a frikin' dream. Probably could have done the Z8 style but I had a few extra bones lying around at the time. Here's a shot of the EVO + DSSR after the bozos shipped me the incorrect DSSR. I got the right one but never took a pic:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/interalian/M5%20repair%202005/111-1185_IMG.jpg