Posted by Mike W. on January 29, 2008 at 20:01:29 from 207.200.116.196
In Reply to: Short Shifters ...What are your thoughts? posted by Eddie in TO on January 29, 2008 at 06:51:47:
Without knowing which is better, there are some basic physics at work here. If it has a shorter throw, it's going to be notcher and stiffer and harder to push around. It's real simple, less leverage. Regarding the comment about the shifter support studs that sometimes come out of the tranny, with a short shift kit you have less leverage on the lever, not more.
Regarding E28 parts, you would need all the E28 parts and then might have to adapt things a bit. The shifter support and shift rod are a different length than on E12's, I want to think about 3/4", but I'd have to look it up to be sure. Plus E12 5 speeds seemed to have used a unique stud diameter on the shift rod, it is 10.5MM, and the rest that I've run across are all 10MM. Not an insurmountable obstacle, but a definite complication.
If I was going to do it, and I might, I'd use one of the later shift levers from a Z3/Z4. Stock E12's have about a 10:1 leverage ratio, Z3/Z4 range from just over 3 to just over 5:1. I've heard some say you have to bend them, to get it in the same front/rear neutral position, and others say it's not exactly the same, but no need, so I don't know. You would have to ream out the bottom bushing to 10.5MM, but that's not that big a deal.
Yes I'm working on a tranny FAQ, I'm almost done, but not quite.
Oh yeah, 265's came in 82 528e's and 85 535i's. Also 81-82, and 85 6 and 7 series cars. M3's too, but they aren't in the yards I got to, LOL.
Mike