Shifter Linkage Upgrades?

[Zarraya]

Hey everyone,

In reviews and discussions on the manual gearboxes that BMW fitted to the Z4 (ZF GS6-37BZ), I tend to hear comments on how it feels a bit rubbery and or plastic. I see that there are some upgraded bushings available as well as a short shift kit. Do any of you have experience or recommendations on upgrades to tighten up the feeling? I like the general throw length of the stock linkage, so don't think I want a short shift kit. Any advice would be welcome!

 

[markplant]

Weighted shift knob,
Stormwerks I fitted be a few on here
http://www.storm-motorwerks.com/interior/bmw/shift_knobs_v1/

 

[Zarraya]

I was thinking of doing the ZHP F10 illuminated knob. Those are gorgeous, but I live in a hot area and can see the metal getting really hot in the summer.

 

[DaveD]

I have this. Not cheap but absolute game changer for shift action. Genuinely like a rifle bolt! Get a bit more NVH and it does feel like you’re properly moving the cogs, so not a light action BUT in terms of engagement it’s top draw.

http://www.psdesignsglobal.com/_shop/e36---m3/psdesigns-bmw-shifter-road-300mm-height/

 

[Zarraya]

I have this. Not cheap but absolute game changer for shift action. Genuinely like a rifle bolt! Get a bit more NVH and it does feel like you’re properly moving the cogs, so not a light action BUT in terms of engagement it’s top draw.

That thing looks super nice! Might have to look into it more.

 

[SGRG]

I have this. Not cheap but absolute game changer for shift action. Genuinely like a rifle bolt! Get a bit more NVH and it does feel like you’re properly moving the cogs, so not a light action BUT in terms of engagement it’s top draw.

http://www.psdesignsglobal.com/_shop/e36---m3/psdesigns-bmw-shifter-road-300mm-height/

Any pictures you can share Dave?

 

[Ed Doe]

I also have an rtd shifter. It's great.

Worth understanding what the oe shifter mech is and what these are by comparison - you'll get an understanding of what causes the rubbery feel of the oe shifter. I'll try and dog out a link showing someone in the US nodding their shift mech (with a different sort of shirt shifter but good for seeing the mech).

EDIT:

This one's fairly good for understanding the mech, as well as the steps for disassembly;
https://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=485693

Annnnd another one;
http://www.madrussian.net/m3/diy_as_ssk.shtml

Annnnnnnnnnd another other one! :lol:

http://billswebspace.com/bmwmc.htm

Out of interest I do have a lockout version of the rfd shifter sat at home, I had hoped to fit it in lieu of my non-lockout shifter but not sure I'll ever have the time....!

 

[TomK]

I was thinking of doing the ZHP F10 illuminated knob. Those are gorgeous, but I live in a hot area and can see the metal getting really hot in the summer.

I have the F10 one, can't see the metal part being an issue myself as you don't really touch it? Think it might well be plastic anyway, I can't remember.
Like you I wasn't thrilled with the gearshift feel, replaced mine with the UUC short shift kit and have been very happy with the much more positive action and reduced throw.
http://store.uucmotorwerks.com/z4-and-mz4-2002-c838.aspx

 

[DaveD]

Out of interest I do have a lockout version of the rfd shifter sat at home, I had hoped to fit it in lieu of my non-lockout shifter but not sure I'll ever have the time....!

Just on this, don’t think you don’t need the lock out shifter on the Z4/e46 as the reverse gear spring is tough enough to avoid accidental pushing over when going forward! And you don’t need to cut the console without the lock out.

No pics to hand of the shifter on my car. Will find one but looks the same as Ed’s but black!

 

[Ed Doe]

Out of interest I do have a lockout version of the rfd shifter sat at home, I had hoped to fit it in lieu of my non-lockout shifter but not sure I'll ever have the time....!

Just on this, don’t think you don’t need the lock out shifter on the Z4/e46 as the reverse gear spring is tough enough to avoid accidental pushing over when going forward! And you don’t need to cut the console without the lock out.

No pics to hand of the shifter on my car. Will find one but looks the same as Ed’s but black!

I found a few occasions on track when I was going from 3rd to 2nd I did manage to accidentally push the lever over into the reverse slot. Trying to pull back into 2nd meant there was no risk of accidentally selecting reverse but it was still irritating.

Either way I think the lockout shifter from rtd still fits with no permanent mods (cutting) to the transmission tunnel trim...

 

[DaveD]

Interesting. I can see how that could happen…

Re the lock out shifter, I think the lock out mechanism at the bottom would foul on the door lock/hazard light switch. Might need to do a bit of tweaking to make it work I guess. If you installed it the other way it might fit though? Mine is installed with the nut facing the rear of the car but think you can install the other way round? PSD shifter looks surprisingly similar to the RTD one

 

[Ed Doe]

Interesting. I can see how that could happen…

Re the lock out shifter, I think the lock out mechanism at the bottom would foul on the door lock/hazard light switch. Might need to do a bit of tweaking to make it work I guess. If you installed it the other way it might fit though? Mine is installed with the nut facing the rear of the car but think you can install the other way round? PSD shifter looks surprisingly similar to the RTD one

Yeah - I mean I was able to get around it by slowing down my shift, but I figured I'd get the lockout shifter preventatively anyway....and that was like 2 years ago and I've still not got round to fitting it :lol:

You're probably right re the lockout mech fouling the hazard switch - mine is fitted 'back to front' too, and I believe it's quite tight as it is now with the return spring mech. Might be ok as it's below the return spring, but to be honest it wouldn't be the end of the world if I had to find a slightly different solution for that.


Yeah..... so I bought my RTD through Pete @ PS Designs. At the time he was the UK RTD Distributor, but was struggling to get responses and shipping times for orders from Maher @ RTD. I understand they were going through some growing pains at the time (moving shops etc) but yeah I think some people were waiting a while for their orders. Can't say I had an issue with either of mine but I was quite proactive in chasing.

AS a consequence of being peeved with RTD, I believe Pete ditched RTD and went to 'design his own' shifter. I'll leave it there :lol:

 

[DaveD]

So here are some photos of my knob…!

One of the things I like most, which is perhaps at odds with a typical short shift, is that the stick is quite long. It looks a bit odd but falls so well to hand in the Z4 from the steering wheel. I have also tried it with a weighted gear knob (my old stormwerks one) and whilst the weighted one does help it move across the gate with a bit more momentum, I prefer the standard one.

Quality kit

Edit: it’s in first gear in the photos by the way

 

[SGRG]

Have either of you considered coolerworx short shifter? While i was getting Karb csl box installed at Areev they mentioned they sale them. Haven't pulled the trigger as I don't know if it involves cutting etc as that is not something i am willing to do.
https://arperformance.co.uk/product/coolerworx-short-shifter-bmw-gearbox-carbon-edition-e30-e36-e46-e82-e90-e92-inc-m3-copy/

 

[Ed Doe]

Have either of you considered coolerworx short shifter? While i was getting Karb csl box installed at Areev they mentioned they sale them. Haven't pulled the trigger as I don't know if it involves cutting etc as that is not something i am willing to do.
https://arperformance.co.uk/product/coolerworx-short-shifter-bmw-gearbox-carbon-edition-e30-e36-e46-e82-e90-e92-inc-m3-copy/

I did - and in some ways I wish I'd gone that roite
But, unlike the rtd shifter, you do have to cut the plastic surround. At the time I didn't want to do that, but tbh now I'd probably just do it.

The coolerworx shifter works in an identical fashion to the rtd, in that its a chassis mounted shifter, not semi-floating yoke on bushes as with the oe mech. The difference seems to be the coolerworx one has lockout as standard. A chap on here with the username wursle I believe has an si coupe with a coolerworx fitted, he's definitely got a project thread on pistonheads, can't recall if he has one on here too.... He's your man for feedback on the shifter, I believe he's pretty positive about it.


Edit: here's his pistonheads build thread - really intersting read! https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=47&t=1875376

 

[SGRG]

Thanks for the link Ed. That is a shame about having to hack things up even if it is just the plastic surround. I don't mind the centre console so much but it looks like the whole ashtray area needs to be cleared out as well.


Looks like I will go with RTD eventually in that case. Does the RTD with lockout need cutting up to install? thanks

 

[SGRG]

So here are some photos of my knob…!

One of the things I like most, which is perhaps at odds with a typical short shift, is that the stick is quite long. It looks a bit odd but falls so well to hand in the Z4 from the steering wheel. I have also tried it with a weighted gear knob (my old stormwerks one) and whilst the weighted one does help it move across the gate with a bit more momentum, I prefer the standard one.

Quality kit

Edit: it’s in first gear in the photos by the way

Thanks for sharing the pictures Dave. Would you say this was a game changer for you?

 

[Ed Doe]

Thanks for the link Ed. That is a shame about having to hack things up even if it is just the plastic surround. I don't mind the centre console so much but it looks like the whole ashtray area needs to be cleared out as well.
Screenshot 2023-03-09 at 17.25.24.png

Looks like I will go with RTD eventually in that case. Does the RTD with lockout need cutting up to install? thanks

I would say (without having fitted the RTD locking shifter) that it wouldn't need hacking, but you might not be able to relocate the hazard switch back in as the lockout mech will clash with the back of it under the plastic trim.... Might not be a biggie for you but It might need rerouting elsewhere!

 

[DaveD]

Thanks for sharing the pictures Dave. Would you say this was a game changer for you?

Yes very much so. Just changed the feel of the car when driving - you feel more involved. In part because it’s just so mechanical in nature! Literally no slop in the system.

 

[Ed Doe]

I realise this topic is mostly dead now, but figured I'd just bung a picture up of what mine looks like from when I was fitting it - you can see how it is orientated to fit without cutting any trim, and can also hopefully see how the lockout version might just foul on the hazard switch?

Anyway, hopefully useful info for someone in the future wanting to go down this route