N55 Short Shifter's

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by alex_d_22

I work for TWM Performance, we specialize in short shifters. At first we thought that the OEM shifter from an N54 would actually be a short shifter in the N55 due to the different dimensions below the pivot point. When we swapped out the shifters, the stock N54 shifter was indeed a "shorter shifter" in the N55, but the bends are different, so the shifter was in a really awkward position.

As a result, N54 aftermarket short shifters would fit in the N55s, BUT since the short shifters will have the same bends as OEM, it will be in a very awkward position...

^^Ok, thanks for that info. SO... for an N55 135i or a 1M what kind of a SS would you recommend ?

[alex_d_22]

We have not had the opportunity to have a 1M in the shop, and the N55 we had was only for one day so our tests were very limited. I know that all three of these cars have a different shifter, so they are not interchangeable... I think the only real advise I can give is the buy a short shifter that was designed for that specific model.

BMW is being very weird with their shifters. For the 3-series for example, the X-drive will have a different shifter than the base models. I do not understand why at the very least, the N54 and the N55 cant have the same shifter, but BMW thought otherwise...lol

[NORAGRETS]

Originally Posted by alex_d_22

We have not had the opportunity to have a 1M in the shop, and the N55 we had was only for one day so our tests were very limited. I know that all three of these cars have a different shifter, so they are not interchangeable... I think the only real advise I can give is the buy a short shifter that was designed for that specific model.

BMW is being very weird with their shifters. For the 3-series for example, the X-drive will have a different shifter than the base models. I do not understand why at the very least, the N54 and the N55 cant have the same shifter, but BMW thought otherwise...lol

My guess is new model years have interchanging parts trough different BMW models throughout the line...

Where are you located if you need a shifter guinea pig?

[tracer bullet]

Couple shots from the backseat, couple in 1st and 6th gears, couple from the side.

I measure 2 and 3/8" of travel, which is 60mm.

It's got the alcantara boot, it had the SSK knob before I sold it, and it has a throw in between Dackel's numbers posted above. BUT... I have a different shift knob on it, and if that knob is taller, maybe it was more like 55mm before I changed it? I measured the movement of the top center of the knob.

If my knob is a little taller than the original that came with the kit, it would appear I have an N54 shifter on my N55. And if I do, it is without any freaky orientation that everyone seems to worry about.

Guess the question is - is my current knob taller than the one that came with the kit?

[NORAGRETS]

is there any difference on a car with/without an M sport package in regards to shifters?

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Twhill19

is there any difference on a car with/without an M sport package in regards to shifters?

No. The only difference would be the shift knob. The throws are the same.

[tracer bullet]

If anyone wants to measure the throw of a stock N55, or an N54 either stock or with an SSK, let me know. Maybe we can figure out a way to really compare - base of the knob, or just pull the knob off and measure the top of the stick itself or something.

I trust what alex_d_22 says, since it's based on experience. But then again... what I have seems to make things look fine.

Maybe the question is - what do I have?

[t02t]

Sorry for the delay - here are some pics

Neutral - no weird angles or anything





2nd



4th


from the midpoint of 2nd to midpoint of 4th is 7cm
- I realized this is the same as what Dack have for N55 stock, how did you do the measuring? I know for certain this shifter right now is way shorter

[alex_d_22]

Originally Posted by tracer bullet

If anyone wants to measure the throw of a stock N55, or an N54 either stock or with an SSK, let me know. Maybe we can figure out a way to really compare - base of the knob, or just pull the knob off and measure the top of the stick itself or something.

I trust what alex_d_22 says, since it's based on experience. But then again... what I have seems to make things look fine.

Maybe the question is - what do I have?

The N55 that I drove with the N54 shifter, the shifts were too much forward... 2,4,and 6th were almost at the neutral position, and 1,3,5th were too much forward towards the dash...

[alex_d_22]

Here you can see the stock N54 shifter:
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=389480

And here you can see the stock N55 shifter:
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=763026

You can see that the bend on the N55 is MUCH more aggressive than on the N54 shifter.
Also, the N54 shifter length is longer after the pivot point VS the N55 shifter, this is what "would make it a shorter shifter" in the N55, but the bends will make it feel different... Its probably something that one could get used to, but certainly not me.

[IancoleTX]

to2t..interesting..

[NORAGRETS]

center console looks like it could use a little scrub down my friend haha

[tracer bullet]

Just noticed this in relation to the throw measurments: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showp...5&postcount=20

I'll have a go at checking my throws at that same point (top of the boot). Previously did it at the top of the shift knob.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by tracer bullet

Just noticed this in relation to the throw measurments: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showp...5&postcount=20

I'll have a go at checking my throws at that same point (top of the boot). Previously did it at the top of the shift knob.

Yup, I'd be curious as to what your measures at. Here is what I found out....


Shifter throws...

N55 stock = 70 mm's
N54 stock = 80 mm's
N54 w/Perf SSK = 55 mm's

[t02t]

Remeasured it with Dackelone's standard,

N55 w/ e90 shift rod = 40 mm's (or a bit less)

[NORAGRETS]

Originally Posted by t02t

Remeasured it with Dackelone's standard,

N55 w/ e90 shift rod = 40 mm's (or a bit less)

damn, so about 15 mm shorter than the perf shifter...interesting

[tracer bullet]

Remeasured mine, same method (tape measure pushed up towards center stack, straight edge at the shifter, measure locations in 2nd and 4th gear (hands off when in those positions), and repeat a few times to be sure), this time at the base of the shift knob / top of the boot.

Came up with 1-11/16", which is 43mm. Pretty close to what t02t mentioned above.

If I get bored sometime I'll pull things apart and see if there's a part number on the shifter stick itself.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by t02t

Remeasured it with Dackelone's standard,

N55 w/ e90 shift rod = 40 mm's (or a bit less)

So which e90 shift lever arm did you guys use? Do you have a part number?

[t02t]

25110434219 shifter for e90 328i 63$
25111469397 shifter bushing - 12$
25111220379 clip (don't really need it unless you loose your original one) - 1$

this is what i have

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by t02t

25110434219 shifter for e90 328i 63$
25111469397 shifter bushing - 12$
25111220379 clip (don't really need it unless you loose your original one) - 1$

this is what i have

^^Thanks for posting those part numbers. I am sure it will help the community.

So this part is not just an e90 shift lever(#25110434219), but the e90 Performance shift lever! You always want to replace that shifter bushing and also have some extra c-clip(s) on hand when you do this job.


Dack

[b1aze]

Originally Posted by t02t

25110434219 shifter for e90 328i 63$
25111469397 shifter bushing - 12$
25111220379 clip (don't really need it unless you loose your original one) - 1$

this is what i have

But this is installed in an N55 and not an N54 135i, correct? This will not work with an N54 6mt?

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by b1aze

But this is installed in an N55 and not an N54 135i, correct? This will not work with an N54 6mt?

Well... we won't know until someone tries it out!


I think for an N54, it would better to go with the Perf SSK or even just the Perf shift lever (#25110434217) if you wanted to do it on the cheap. I don't see why that would not work. Although I have not seen any try one using just the N54 Perf shift lever. But I suspect it would account for 85% of the short shifter feel.

The Perf SSK can be order at a complete kit or as individual shifter parts. When you order it one by one... you save a few bucks. ~$30.

I went and ordered each part individually and saved a few bucks. I did not want the alcantera boot or that short stubby shift knob.


http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...80&hg=25&fg=95