Wanted: short shift how-to...

[Jeroen]

Peoples,

Anyone who can make a nice write up on a short shift install? I made a little start below but I need a check on parts needed, different possibilities for how short to go, and above all how to install? I keep getting questions about this. There's enough on this subject for E30's but it would be better to have something customized for the E21 of course!

Shifter itself: most common is the affordable and ready off the shelf Z3 1.8 conversion. Alternatives? Cheap and simple solutions?
Supposed to be a straight swap, but keep in mind that your current gearknob which is 99% sure of the screw on type, needs to be replaced by the later click on type. Availability of the old school round sticks is getting worse by the day though.

Pre install checks: check for leaks at the rear of the gearbox, otherwise you may want to combine the job with replacing the oil seals.

Parts required:
Also see BMWFans page.


7 Stop buffer 25 11 1 204 422 (1x)
8 Spacer 25 11 1 220 199 (2x)
9 Circlip 25 11 7 571 899 (1x, E30 part since E21 version is NLA)
10 O-ring 25 11 1 221 243 (2x)
11 Plastic washer 25 11 1 220 439 (2x)
12 Circlip 07 11 9 902 293 (1x, E30 part since E21 version is NLA)
13 Tension bush 25 11 1 203 682 (1)
14 Plastic washer 25 11 1 434 194 (1x, the sponge that can be a real pita to install)
15 Dowel pin 23 41 1 466 134 (1x)
16 Gearshift rod joint 25 11 7 503 525 (1x)

Missing: the plastic rings that go around the ball of the stick. Believe you have 2 different ones, upper and lower?

[323baur]

Didn't Wondermike this some centuries ago?

[Reck]

Waiting with anticipation! Great idea!

[gerrit323]

Yes Wondermike has done this conversion .. So I think he can help out on this one

[Peter V.]

Indeed he had the Z3 shifter. Also in his topic i believe.....

[323baur]

As always... He so slow.
He mr 315...read an react!

[uwbuurman]

He won't react since we don't have a 02 Touring...

[drjim]

I had a z3 shifter but I couldn't work out how to get the plastic ring things into position. Might have to look for it in my box of bits at the workshop and see if I can figure it out. Baur gearshift feels like stirring custard. (obviously it is up for sale but it might not sell, etc etc!)

[arshad76]

I remember Jimmy Alpina did a pretty decent guide on this, but I couldn't find it in search - maybe he removed the images. I could have bought into the sales patter, but I don't trust the plastic ball construction of the BMW unit. Through experience, I didn't really feel any discernible difference with a Z3 shifter on my E21 and it did get notchy over time. Read more here...http://store.uucmotorwerks.com/articles ... RISONS.htm and here...http://store.uucmotorwerks.com/articles/plastic.htm

[AndyBaur]

The Z3 lever didn't fit my 1983 320/6 5-speed due to the cups issue. See my post on fitting the roll pin. It may fit on earlier pre facelift or 4 cylinder models. The problem is the E21 gearshift housing is very different to the E30's. It may be possible to make the E30 version fit the E21 or it may be possible the machine the E30/Z3 cups down to fit the E21 housing.

The plastic ball on the Z3 lever shouldn't be an issue for tens of '000s of miles but it will wear eventually. Worry about it in 20 years time.

One reasonably cheap(ish) option is a shorter gear knob such as those from Storm Motorwerks. There's the E30 M3 inspired
V2 model and the slightly contemporary V4 model.

There may be other short knobs (!) available at lower cost.

[steve5134]

Can I ask if there are any alternatives to the Z3 item?
Anything that anyone has had any experience with...