Short Shifter

[das boots]

Over the weekend, I was able to drive a E46 Sports Package. It came with a 5 Spd. What was different was when I was shifting, the short shifter was notchy....if that is a term. It was similar to the shifting to my E30 M3 which has a UUC Evo 3 SS. I could hear the mechanical shifting. The throw was shorter than our ZHP. The owner does not know what kind of SS it has since it was already installed when he purchased the car. But he will find out soon when he will do his clutch job.

I know we already have a SS on the ZHP. But they are not notchy that I cannot feel the mechanical shifting...only slightly. Is there any excellent SS in the market for the E46 6 spd? Or any of you guys have replaced your SS? Thanks.

[zj96sc]

I run the UUC Evo 3 with DSSR. Extremely happy with the feel and quality, but it does get "notchy." Just physics - the more selector rod below the pivot, the more effort it will take.

[das boots]

Thanks.

Edit: And I probably missed their sale over the Memorial weekend....

[webster]

+1 on the UUC kit w/ DSSR. have had mine for about 2.5k miles and it's now broken in nicely. love the feel over stock.

[das boots]

Did you guys order the shifter and the selector rod as a set?

[webster]

Did you guys order the shifter and the selector rod as a set?

yep

[das boots]

You did retain the OE shifting arm and used a OE shift lever bearing? And what else did you guys purchase to make this work?

[webster]

only parts swapped were what came with the kit. all others are original.

[das boots]

What does the kit entail? I went to their website. All are on individual parts.


Edit: Never mind...I think I found it....

[webster]

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-36-uuc-evo3-competition-short-shift-kit-e46-330i-6-spd.aspx

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-36-uuc-evo3-competition-short-shift-kit-e46-330i-6-spd.aspx

:)

[bimmeryota]

+2 on the uuc, I've had mine for well over 60k with no issues at all.

[Rovert]

My friend got this for his '01 M3 for $60:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1iX-jo4u_M

[das boots]

Ouch! After further evaluation....read looking at my empty wallet, I may have to forego this UUC SS adventure. I was in conondrum between a want and a need. Especially when the price was beyond my limit and there are other expenses that are laying in wait. Maybe in the future when funds are more readily available. Thanks to all for your input. :thumbsup

[ryankokesh]

For what it's worth, I have the BMW Performance short shift kit and it's been great. Now, take that with a grain of salt, as I've never driven a zhp without it. (read: I've never driven another zhp)

[Au2bahn]

I have the BMW performance ssk with dssr. Its 25% shorter than stock zhp shifter and with the dssr, it shifts perfectly. No slop and very notchy.

Sent from my DROID RAZR

[HokieZHP]

So the dssr can be used with any shifter? Might look into getting one them because my shifter has more movement in it than I would like and I like tighter shifts


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[Au2bahn]

So the dssr can be used with any shifter? Might look into getting one them because my shifter has more movement in it than I would like and I like tighter shifts


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Thats correct Chris. You can use a dssr for any shifter. Its basically weighted and as its called double shear, meaning its connected to the transmission rod on both sides for less or no "slack"


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[Sockethead]

I have the UUC SSK and DSSR in the ZHP and Kristen has the BMW performance shifter in her 135. Not exactly an apples to apples comparison but the UUC feels much better to both of us than the BMW SSK. if you like precision shifts, the UUC is the way to go. We'll eventually swap out the BMW SSK for a UUC

[das boots]

Can you provide a website or from RealOEM the Performance SSK? I would like to compare the prices with the UUC. But would still get the DSSR of UUC. Maybe I might re-open my case depending on the final price.

[webster]

Can you provide a website or from RealOEM the Performance SSK? I would like to compare the prices with the UUC. But would still get the DSSR of UUC. Maybe I might re-open my case depending on the final price.

~$200 after shipping @ modbargains: http://www.modbargains.com/BMW-Performance-Short-Shift-Kits.htm

[wsmeyer]

I bought the BMW Performance back when they were blowing them out at $75. At that price it was worth it just for the shift knob and the boot. I didn't even install the lever as I thought it was the same as the OEM ZHP unit. A few months later I ran across a picture comparing the two and realized that the BMW Performance lever is slightly longer below the ball and of course has that distinctive S bend. Installation was a piece of cake and I never got under the car. I used a little bit of good old double sided tape to hold the new clip into a 1/2" open end wrench and pushed it on from the top while holding the lever over to the reverse side.

Since then I've moved on the the UUC as I never really like the BMW Performance. I wish I had taken pics of all the OEM and BMWP but I never thought about it as I thought they were essentially the same. The BMWP does provide an ever-so-slightly shorter throw, but it sits farther forward in the arc. If you were to look at both from the drivers side, in neutral the OEM would sit at about 1 o'clock, the BMWP would sit straight up at 12. This means that even though the length above the ball is the same the knob actually sits higher in neutral, and farther forward in all the gears. It particularly bothered me in 5th, and just never looked right as it was noticeably taller just sitting in neutral.

I finally bit the bullet and bought the UUC and DSSR. That thing is a work of art and the price is indicative of the quality of parts and workmanship. Installation was a royal PITA. My 2006 convertible might be slightly different and cause problems but it is physically impossible to put the carrier back in with the new cup already in place as shown in the instructions and I wasted several hours getting that out and back in when I ended up having to put the cup in from the top anyway. After finally get it installed I was very happy with the throw and the feel. For me the perfect combo ended up being the UUC and the OEM knob.

William.

[das boots]

I would like some inquiries after your install and conversion. I noticed that the Mod Bargain's PSS Kit, does not come with the shifting arm even though a photo of the shifting arm and a metallic shift lever bearing with the whole set. However, the final kit does not include the arm and a plastic lever bearing.

Is there a different shifting arm for the Performance kit or is the OEM arm used? How about the plastic shift lever bearing, is there a substitute for the plastic to the metallic bearing?

Are there specific P/Ns for the Performance kit if I do not intend to get the kit from Mod Bargains?

[wsmeyer]

The picture in post 47 shows the OEM and BMWP SSK arms side by side:

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?3096-ZHP-ESS-TS2-Project-%28PICS%29/page5

The plastic bushing at the end of the arm is not removable but it is made of very hard plastic and mine didn't show any deformation even after ~ 35k miles

William.

[das boots]

Hopefullu Au2bahn would be able to chime in on the issues if he used the same shifting arm and shift lever bearing.......I will PM him to look at this thread.

[wsmeyer]

My bad, I was mixing up the terms 'shift lever' and 'shift arm'. There is only one part number for a shift arm regardless of the lever used and none of the BMW kits I've ever seen come with the arm.

William.

[Au2bahn]

Hopefullu Au2bahn would be able to chime in on the issues if he used the same shifting arm and shift lever bearing.......I will PM him to look at this thread.

Im not sure what you mean by shifting arm. Did you mean the shifter itself? What I have is the ssk with the curve. This is the ssk thats shorter than the oem zhp shifter. Look in my project thread and if you're able to point out what you mean I will be able to assist further.

Wsmeyer is correct. The plastic piece is pressed in from the factory and not removable.


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[das boots]

Okay. One Shifting Arm. Do the regular and Performance use the same plastic shift bearing? I'm trying to narrow down what parts that are interchangeable. This way, the price would be more reachable and within budget. But would still require the UUC DSSR.

The shifting arm is the cradle in which the 'S' shifter itself sits on.

[wsmeyer]

Here's a pic of the assembly:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=BW53&mospid=47707&btnr=25_0413&hg=25&fg=05

Part #9 - the selector rod I was calling the 'shift arm' and there is only one part number for OEM or BMWP

Part #6 - the shift lever is slightly different between ZHP OEM and BMWP as I tried to describe above

Part #7 - bearing, shift lever. I still have my OEM and the one that came from the BMWP kit and they are identical.

William.

[Au2bahn]

Okay. One Shifting Arm. Do the regular and Performance use the same plastic shift bearing? I'm trying to narrow down what parts that are interchangeable. This way, the price would be more reachable and within budget. But would still require the UUC DSSR.

The shifting arm is the cradle in which the 'S' shifter itself sits on.

Now I got you. Yes I replaced that plastic shift bearing on the arm itself and relubed it. That piece is the exact same as the oem piece and performance. Hope this helps.

I thought it was the plastic piece on the shifter itself .

Sent from my DROID RAZR

[das boots]

Here's a pic of the assembly:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=BW53&mospid=47707&btnr=25_0413&hg=25&fg=05

Part #9 - the selector rod I was calling the 'shift arm' and there is only one part number for OEM or BMWP

Part #6 - the shift arm is slightly different between ZHP OEM and BMWP as I tried to describe above

Part #7 - bearing, shift lever. I still have my OEM and the one that came from the BMWP kit and they are identical.

William.

I was more pointing to Part #1 as the Shifting Arm (Craddle) for the 'S' Shifter.


Now I got you. Yes I replaced that plastic shift bearing on the arm itself and relubed it. That piece is the exact same as the oem piece and performance. Hope this helps.

I thought it was the plastic piece on the shifter itself .

Sent from my DROID RAZR

Got it. In reality, all I need is the Performance 'S' Shifter, a new bearing and the UUC DSSR. Then the expense would be more manageable.

Would there be anything that would require replacement due to wear while I'm going to be down there?

[wsmeyer]

Heck If all you want is the Performance shift lever with S bend you can have mine. I have no intentions of taking my UUC out. Just PM me your address

William.


---
I am here: http://tapatalk.com/map.php?os5gjk

[das boots]

PMed you.

[Au2bahn]

No thats all you need. The only thing I can advice is, make sure you test fit to ensure what direction it goes before bolting down.

Exhausts and tranny mounts has to come down for more clearance


I was more pointing to Part #1 as the Shifting Arm (Craddle) for the 'S' Shifter.



Got it. In reality, all I need is the Performance 'S' Shifter, a new bearing and the UUC DSSR. Then the expense would be more manageable.

Would there be anything that would require replacement due to wear while I'm going to be down there?

[Johal E32]

imo, get the autosolutions ssk kit.

My cousin has it on his E46 M3 and it's beautiful. I'd say better than the UUC, I'd only consider the bmw perofrmance skk over it for the sake of oem parts..

[das boots]

I have good results with UUC Evo on my E30 M3. Tried and true.

[Sockethead]

I finally bit the bullet and bought the UUC and DSSR. That thing is a work of art and the price is indicative of the quality of parts and workmanship. Installation was a royal PITA. My 2006 convertible might be slightly different and cause problems but it is physically impossible to put the carrier back in with the new cup already in place as shown in the instructions and I wasted several hours getting that out and back in when I ended up having to put the cup in from the top anyway. After finally get it installed I was very happy with the throw and the feel. For me the perfect combo ended up being the UUC and the OEM knob.

William.

Yea it took me like 6 hours to get mine installed but I had a frozen carrier pin.
BTW I was able to get the modified carrier back in. The trick is that you hve to lower the trans enough to get it in. I used a 4ft pry bar to get the trans low enough...

I agree with you that the UUC is worth every penny and the 6 hrs it took to install. I'm using the stock boot and knob too...

[das boots]

I really would go for the UUC shifter and DSSR. Unfortunately, funds are short. Have to probably settle with DSSR for now.....

[Sockethead]

I really would go for the UUC shifter and DSSR. Unfortunately, funds are short. Have to probably settle with DSSR for now.....

That's cool... it will be interesting to hear your thoughts on the DSSR alone. I don't know anyone that has done that.
BTW, the DSSR is precision machined and the tolerances are really tight. ..It can be really hard to get it aligned so the pin will fit through. It will seem like it doesn't fit but it will.
UUC has been running a lot of %15 and free shipping specials lately. You should get on their email list so you can take advantage..

[wsmeyer]

Yea it took me like 6 hours to get mine installed but I had a frozen carrier pin.
BTW I was able to get the modified carrier back in. The trick is that you hve to lower the trans enough to get it in. I used a 4ft pry bar to get the trans low enough...

I agree with you that the UUC is worth every penny and the 6 hrs it took to install. I'm using the stock boot and knob too...

My problem was getting the modified carrier back into the rubber bushing in the back. When all is said and done, my new pivot cup sits higher than the tranny tunnel. This makes it physically impossible to install as instructed as the carrier won't be parallel to the tunnel until the cup goes up into the hole, and at that point it's about 2" too far back to get into the bushing. The only possibility I didn't try was removing the bushing and putting it onto the carrier first and then pushing both in together. I believe this is unique to the convertibles as the picture in the instructions shows the cup below the tranny tunnel. The good news is that with the cup that high in the tunnel it wasn't that difficult to put it in from the top.

William.

[Sockethead]

IDK, maybe you're right that vert is slightly different. I used a piece of coat hanger to pull that rubber piece down while prying the trans lower. It was a MF bitch. I thought about doing it from the top but I had to hammer the adapter cup into my carrier and I couldn't do that while it was in place...

[webster]

all you guys' accounts of DIYing the UUC ssk kit makes me glad i shelled out and had the shop do it...lol