DIY: BMW Performance SSK

[Kim Schwartz]

Originally Posted by gadget12345

The height is lowered. (N54)

Could you estimate by how much? Thanks.

[gadget12345]

Estimation's impossible - It's been to long size I got this swapped out.

Here's the best I can do for you;



I have the SKK installed with my original //M boot and knob - Just preferred it over the knob in the kit.

The cherry stick is 3/4 inch and is resting on the slightly elevated boot surround. Stick is in neutral - so I measure just under 5 inches from boot to top of knob.

Let me know if this helps OR if there's a better way of marking / measuring this for you - It's tough since the shift pattern also shifts with the SSK.

[Kim Schwartz]

Originally Posted by gadget12345

Estimation's impossible - It's been to long size I got this swapped out.

Here's the best I can do for you;

Attachment 478599

I have the SKK installed with my original //M boot and knob - Just preferred it over the knob in the kit.

The cherry stick is 3/4 inch and is resting on the slightly elevated boot surround. Stick is in neutral - so I measure just under 5 inches from boot to top of knob.

Let me know if this helps OR if there's a better way of marking / measuring this for you - It's tough since the shift pattern also shifts with the SSK.

That's great. I can easily duplicate that set up here. Much thanks.

[gadget12345]

No worries - Please post your result - I'm kinda curious now if my impression was correct.

[Bimmer-Bob]

Thanks for the pic - if I switch to the SSK I'll be using the same boot and knob, so it's nice to get a visual of the final result. It doesn't look too low IMO.

Just curious, what do you mean that "the shift pattern also shifts?"

[gadget12345]

Bob,

I found the position of neutral (and therefore all gears) was in a different relative place. Best way to explain this - when you get into a rental car and you have to 're-learn' where first vs second is.

It's not a really big deal - the pattern remains the same of course - just took a few days to adjust to how to flick the gears around.

[Kim Schwartz]

I measure 3.75" plus the .75" piece of wood which would seem to give 4.5". So this would imply that the SSK raises the total height by about .25" but shortens the throws by 20% or so. This sounds like the best of both worlds to me. I have an '08 with the sport package. Is it possible that it all ready has the SSK?

Originally Posted by gadget12345

Estimation's impossible - It's been to long size I got this swapped out.

Here's the best I can do for you;

Attachment 478599

I have the SKK installed with my original //M boot and knob - Just preferred it over the knob in the kit.

The cherry stick is 3/4 inch and is resting on the slightly elevated boot surround. Stick is in neutral - so I measure just under 5 inches from boot to top of knob.

Let me know if this helps OR if there's a better way of marking / measuring this for you - It's tough since the shift pattern also shifts with the SSK.

[Bimmer-Bob]

Has anyone installed this DIY on a 128i? Can you confirm that, if one chose to keep their stock shift knob and boot, this kit would consist of just three parts (numbers 4, 5, and 6 in this diagram: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...82&hg=25&fg=95).

That's what the instructions and RealOEM suggest pretty clearly, but it seems too easy somehow.

[jayson]

Just installed the SSK on my 128i. Man, what a pain that was. I have done suspension, exhaust, even swapped engines on vehicles, but this one had a frustration factor of 7.5.

Main issue was getting that damn plastic gearshift bearing from the OEM knob out of the selector arm. All the DIY's say use two screwdrivers, rotate 90degrees and it pops out, but this was absolutely not the case with me. At 90degree rotation, the thing would not budge. After 30min of frustration, I ended up pulling so hard that the original bearing broke in two (at which time the shifter came out). Ugh... So much for ever reusing that.

Install of the new shifter was fairly simple after that, below is a pic of the correct way that the shifter should be installed. I made sure to test this by attaching the linkage without the retaining clip installed - it would be a huge pain to have to take everything apart again if you have it backwards.

Retaining clip is best installed after attached to the linkage while the car is in reverse. That forces the lever pin to pop out more, exposing the ridge that the clip slides into.

All installed and working now, but it was a pain. If I had a 135i, would def. have a mechanic do this. Especially since you will need to drop the driveshaft.

Aftermath of the OEM shifter:


Correct angle of attack of the new SSK shifter:

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by jayson

Just installed the SSK on my 128i. Man, what a pain that was. I have done suspension, exhaust, even swapped engines on vehicles, but this one had a frustration factor of 7.5.


...All installed and working now, but it was a pain. If I had a 135i, would def. have a mechanic do this. Especially since you will need to drop the driveshaft.

And... the exhaust mid pipes!! My dealer charged me one hour's labor and I gladly paid them that!


Btw... what are your throws now? In my informal 135i survey I found the specs/throws (1st to 2nd) to be...


N54
stock = 80mm
Perf SSK = 55mm
N55 = 70mm

[Bimmer-Bob]

I had this done at the dealer a couple of weeks ago, and when I picked up the car my SA said that the techs had a real hard time with it and that it took them longer than expected. So, don't feel too bad.

[wolfe]

Originally Posted by Bimmer-Bob

Has anyone installed this DIY on a 128i? Can you confirm that, if one chose to keep their stock shift knob and boot, this kit would consist of just three parts (numbers 4, 5, and 6 in this diagram: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...82&hg=25&fg=95).

That's what the instructions and RealOEM suggest pretty clearly, but it seems too easy somehow.

I know this is an old question, but in case anyone searches for it in future, yes if you keep the stock knob and boot you only need the pieces listed above (and some grease - I used silicone grease as it's safe on plastic).

[jayson]

Originally Posted by wolfe

I know this is an old question, but in case anyone searches for it in future, yes if you keep the stock knob and boot you only need the pieces listed above (and some grease - I used silicone grease as it's safe on plastic).

Not a bad mod for around $100 for just those parts. I paid $225 shipped and got the boot and knob though. If I had M-sport boot / knob, would have just gotten the shifter and associated parts.