DIY: Stay Genuine And Enjoy Shorter Shifts.

As requested.
The distance from 3rd to 4th is 11cm which equals to 4.4" without the knob, as your knob may or may not be the same.

This is to show that the shifter is not angled in any way.


Here is a video with my Weighted knob (my ZHP knob comes tomorrow and I'll make another video)



And here is a video without the knob to show the play (movement in gear), its about 1/4" and its not really play but rather just movement.\

Bravo on a fantastic write-up and detailed pics and videos. Your solution is awesome and I seriously would have considered this had I not already purchased a ssk/dssr from UUC.

Free bump for a fanatic.....

Subscribing for a future mod. I'm all about an $80 SSK.

requested by op

+1 man. thank you so much for all your help. this is definitly on the list of mods. fack spending 300 bucks, if i can get msot of the performance benifit for 80.

so i went and measure my distance from 3-4th and it came out to about 14 cm w/o the knob. also the side to side play was about 3cm while in gear.

Neil,

It doesnt not shorten it a lot, but its the knob that makes it look retarded. I remember when i went from stock knob to zhp, and was like WTF. cause the shifter shrank considerably.

I'm with Neil. This will work for 5 speeds, just like the OEM Z3/Z4 shifter's only application is a 5-speed.

There is not a one size fits all shift lever for all BMW's. 5 speeds, 6 speeds, and XI's all use different carriers, selector rods, and shift levers. In fact, not even all 5 speed components are interchangeable. A stock 323i shift lever will not sit properly to the point where you can not put the shifter trim on with a 330i carrier and selector rod, and I know this from first hand experience.

Originally Posted by mvrk10256

It doesnt not shorten it a lot, but its the knob that makes it look retarded. I remember when i went from stock knob to zhp, and was like WTF. cause the shifter shrank considerably.

+1. Also, it is not all about the actual reduced length of the upper shift lever, it is about the reducing the degree of angle the lever has to travel. Notice how the length below the pivot ball is extended? This reduces the linear throw length of the lever as well.

Originally Posted by JSanders

I'm with Neil. This will work for 5 speeds, just like the OEM Z3/Z4 shifter's only application is a 5-speed.

There is not a one size fits all shift lever for all BMW's. 5 speeds, 6 speeds, and XI's all use different carriers, selector rods, and shift levers. In fact, not even all 5 speed components are interchangeable. A stock 323i shift lever will not sit properly to the point where you can not put the shifter trim on with a 330i carrier and selector rod, and I know this from first hand experience.

Originally Posted by JSanders

+1. Also, it is not all about the actual reduced length of the upper shift lever, it is about the reducing the degree of angle the lever has to travel. Notice how the length below the pivot ball is extended? This reduces the linear throw length of the lever as well.

i must admit the OP's vids make me want to do this. so its in the plan.

requested by op

requested by op

VERY INTERESTING INFO THAT YOU PROBABLY DIDNT KNOW UNTIL NOW.

Dinan SSK for E46 M3 is a 545i shifter painted black.

Here is a thread where it shows they were caught.
http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=179545

And here is a link to an E46 M3 owner who has that Dinan (545i shifter in his car) Please read post #7 --->>> http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showt...ighlight=dinan

Just something to think about.

Gentlemen, why do you even argue? The DIY is great and seems pretty cool to me. This is my project for the next week.... Thanks Blocked Out!

Originally Posted by ultraviolet_m

Gentlemen, why do you even argue? The DIY is great and seems pretty cool to me. This is my project for the next week.... Thanks Blocked Out!

I'm glad it inspired you.

in.

requested by op

It's funny, even understeerdotcom says the short shifters cannot be used in Xi models.

edit: What's even funnier is that all these pictures are of a 5-series.. This is E46fanatics.

i think that i may be possible to swap this into a 6 speed. but the Xi is unlikely. however the only real way to find out is to try? anybody w/ an xi feel like risking 80 bucks?

I dont know about Dinan rebending anything, the resemblance is uncanny, i feel like they simply lower the shifter a few mm and sell it for 100 bucks more. Also remember that this shifter for instance will not be as good a replacement as the complete kit from active autosolutions. nothing is as in depth and perfect as that kit. but for a considerably cheaper and quicker install. that gives you maybe 70% of the benifit, I would say this is a worthwhile mod.