Shift Lever Replacement

[FernandoBunster]

Is there a way to replace the shift lever from inside the car? I'm trying to find a way without removing the exhaust and drive shaft.

Thanks

[tschultz]

You can generally reach around the exhaust and driveshaft to do it, yes.

Do you have the parts in hand? Set some time aside and it's as simple as getting the slip off the lever and then the link shaft sliding out. Once you are at that point, you remove the knob, shift boot and then twist the plastic bushing and pull the tangs and lift it out.

[dcains]

Is that true for both the sheet metal shifter and cast aluminum shifter cars? I've got the former, and wanted to try one of the shorter Z3 shift levers.

[Bert Poliakoff]

I have the sheet metal shifter platform. When I modified my lever to have a shorter throw, IIRC, it should only take disconnecting the linkage on the bottom of the shifter to the trans and then moving carpet and foam etc back a bit so the snap ring that holds the ball on the lever into the socket. It should pull right out at that point

[dcains]

Thanks, Bert.

[tschultz]

I have the sheet metal shifter platform. When I modified my lever to have a shorter throw, IIRC, it should only take disconnecting the linkage on the bottom of the shifter to the trans and then moving carpet and foam etc back a bit so the snap ring that holds the ball on the lever into the socket. It should pull right out at that point

Good point. I have done this in an early sheet metal car as well-- it just requires the snap ring pliers.

[dcains]

Did you use the Z4/3.0 shift lever, or something else?

[ytr1903]

When I did my manual conversion a few months ago, I got done and was not satisfied with the throw of the standard shifter. I bought the z4/3.0 shift lever and installed it without removing the exhaust. It was a quick job with a snap ring pliers. I have never looked back. It was a modification worthy of the time and effort. (The shift assembly was the sheet metal type)

Tom

[dm635]

Just a few months ago I swapped out my short shifter to go back to a normal shifter. Glad I did it as shifts are so much smoother. I have a 265 trans with the sheet metal shift plate. Was able to do it without doing anything to the exhaust or drive shaft. It will be tight getting your hands up there, but it can be done. After unhooking the shift rod the shifter does lift right out after undoing the clip holding the shifter ball in place.

From what I understand is since the E30 M3 uses the same 265/6 trans you can get an adapter that allows you to convert over to the aluminum style shift assy replacing the sheet metal plate.

[dcains]

Good to hear the other side of,the story. Which short shift lever did you have?

[tschultz]

Good to hear the other side of,the story. Which short shift lever did you have?

Sure. In my E28 535i, I replaced the shifter parts but kept the stock lever. I like the ease of shifting for cold days and such.

I tried the Z3 1.9 in my turbo 633 (e28 based sheet metal console, g265 overdrive) but wasn't happy with the height (it sat too low for my tastes), nor the force required to shift on a cold transmission.

I went with E39 M5 shift lever for the same price. It sits at stock height (or very close) and strikes a balance for what I was looking for. The only thing I had to do was bent the lever every so slightly so it matched the angle of the stock lever. In place I am very happy. Of course everybody has their own preferences.

[dcains]

Thanks. I may buy a few and play around with them a bit. Too bad no one makes something like,this adjustable shifter I have in my 350Z:

http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/20-1062y

[dm635]

I'm not sure what short shifter I have. It looks completely stock to the factory shifter. It's just shorter. But the 2 halves look the same. I'll have to go dig it up to tell which half is shorter. I'm thinking it's the upper aluminum half.

The 1st to 2nd shift was the stiffest. Every time I drove a normal shifter car it always felt better even though the throw is longer. Just slides into gear. Only took 6 yrs to get around to it.

[dcains]

For any who may have not seen this comparison: