Short Shift Kit for 520

[deadpheasant]

Hi Everyone,

Does anyone know if short shift kits are availabe for an E34 520i (1992). There's loads of play in my stock gear selector and want to replace it. Just wondered if it's better to replace with a new BMW unit or just replace with a short shift kit (if they're available). Seen them advertised for the M5 but not for the lowly 520!

Cheers

Neil

[Jon K]

Well its a 92 so its an M50B20, I'd guess that any 525i short shifter would fit too

A lot of people use like Z3 shifters and schitt.

[hatched91]

i have a 535i with a short shift kit. it's great i love it. if i had to guess i'd say it's about a 50% throw reduction. a lot harder to shift, but it's worth it.

[shanek]

I installed a shifter from a Z8. Pretty much any BMW shifter will work. Check this link.
http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e36/drivetrain/e36_replace_a_shift_lever.html

[emw525E34]

How is the throw and shifting effort for Z8 shifter you got ?. I have been considering this for some time. Concerned about the nocky feel and the greater effort. I guess using a shorter shift knob (aftermarket) and adding a 1 pound weight to the lower shift linkage help. Thats what I got. I have also wondered about the slight tilt if you don't bent the shifter level like Ron S suggested.

[zman-95-540i]

I just installed the short shift kit from understeer.com. It is harder to shift but I like it. I'm not sure if the UUC kit would be much better but it was almost $250 more.

[shanek]

The Z8 shifter has the same bend as the stock shifter. The only difference is that it is shorter. It feels great, it isn't notchy at all and doesn't take any extra effort to shift. I read here that the Z3 shifter was a bit too notchy so I went with the Z8. For the price it was very worth it. BMA sells a kit thats put together with OEM parts for around $75, but I'm not sure which shifter they use. If I was in the US I would have just gone with that.

[angrypancake]

you can go with a SSK or a z4/z8 ssk, and you can talk to Rob Levinson at UUC. google them, UUC Motorworks. Located in dirty jerzeeeeeeeeeeee, 908 area code represent.

[shuriken]

Hartge, AC Schnitzer they all do short shifters. If play is too much check the small nylon washers for play too.