Short Shift Kit SSK alternative using Stock N54 Lever

[andrey_gta]

So in my pursuit to modify the shifter to be more enjoyable while still preserving all that is good about the 128i/328i stock feel I had to go a different path than a e8x 128i/e9x 328i SSK.

This obsession began with sitting in the summer of 2012 in a 128i with the OEM 128i 328i SSK we all know and noticing that is is very short and in my opinion so short that it defeats the purpose of a manual car that will not be raced/tracked often to really benefit from super short shifts.

I started to do research on the the levers available and made some discoveries:
-128i/328i SSK lever is longer above ball joint than stock stick
-130i/330i lever is even shorter throw than 128i long causes issues. Their OEM lever is our SSK lever
-e60 lever is wrong shape and will sit funny as one person e90post found out
-BMS kit didnt exist, but its UUC clone, was too risky in length for my goal
-B&M ssk has problems with shift knob staying in place
-RE SSK for 328i is most expensive & high quality SSK and never fitted to a 128i, only one 328i has it
- X5 X3 n52 manual stick is way too long above the ball joint for my goal

I have even made a rudimentary comparison via photoshop (I will dig up this pic later). This pic showed me the length above the ball joint and the length below the ball joint @ transmission selector linkage.
This is where I noticed that I needed a stick that had a length below the ball joint of in between 128i OEM and 128i SSK. The e60 stick came close, but it needed refinement in its shape.

This is where I looked at e8x 135i/e9x 335iside of things.
- n55 OEM stock stick looks like our OEM below the ball joint- they can use our SSK or n54 stock stick to get SSK results
- n54 OEM stock stick looks perfect mid point & shape. Its even shorter than 128i ssk above ball joint by like 1cm, it is shorter than 128i OEM stick by 5mm
- F3x f2x stick are way too different

N54 oem stick p/n - 25117581806
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...42&hg=25&fg=05

The goal is to create a feel that is almost OEM but shorter just enough to be very enjoyable.

The result is 95% of what my goal is with one minor issue that can be fixed easily.

Lets look at the Before: N-1-2-3-4-5-6-R









Difference in sticks - 128i is the dirty/ black with white bushing attached


I used White Lithium grease spray on direct contact areas and water sealed it with a marine style white grease on top to prevent dust & dirt from scratching the plastic areas

The AFTER 135i n54 Stick as SSK result: N-1-2-3-4-5-6-R









What you should notice is that the stick is shorter and sits closer to the console. The old 128i neutral is almost where gears 2,4,6 are now.

The feeling is great even with how it sits as is. I hardly notice the slightly forward position. I went from a 75mm thro to a 60mm throw, a 10mm longer throw than 128i SSK and saved 15mm distance over OEM. What is comforting is that I have seen here KGolf's 128i SSK pics with the ZHP knob and I must say the 128i SSK sits centered and looks very similar to my creation when in gears 1,3,5. I guess if i was to use 128i SSK knob, the result will be more centered



To be perfect, and why I didn't post this article till now can be achieved if the lever is bent back so that 2,4,6 are closer to the rear of the car by about 10mm. Maybe a bend of 10 degrees will achieve this.
The fix for where the lever rests can be achieved with this bending technique:
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showp...&postcount=139

[andrey_gta]

SSK install mini guide

Tools I used:
Pliers to move the Original and new white bushing to release or lock ( be careful it scratches easily) - notice white lithium grease spray/foam on new ball

Custom hook to hold Lever selector arm in place and catch it if it slips

See how much room you have - need small hands


This step took me almost an HOUR- very hard with greasy hands/parts
Pushing the clip into place is done with a flat head screw driver, be sure to run a THREAD/wire through it so that if it falls you can get it back.


Top view of the SSK action: N-1-2-3-4-5-6-R









If I ever update the bending, I will post it here.

[Dackelone]

I would also say you should also change your trans fluid if you care about shifter feel and wear and tear on your trans.


Performance short shifter... (see my post #20)...
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...dealer+zentrum


DIY: manual transmission and diff fluid change
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...erformance+SSK





6MT

N54 = 80mm throws
N54 w/Perf SSK = 55mm throws
N55 = 70mm throws (& 1M, since they share the same trans)


I think these photos might help some to understand how a SSK works, by moving the fulcrum point(ball)...







Also... this thread might be of interest...

BMWP Short Shift
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...=879129&page=6

[andrey_gta]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

6MT

N54 = 80mm throws
N54 w/Perf SSK = 55mm throws
N55 = 70mm throws (& 1M, since they share the same trans)

128i stock is about 75mm
128i with my SSK is 60mm

Attachment 1110697

That is my Photoshop Image of the levers. Thanks for finding it

[lastMleft]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

I would also say you should also change your trans fluid if you care about shifter feel and wear and tear on your trans.


Performance short shifter... (see my post #20)...
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...dealer+zentrum


DIY: manual transmission and diff fluid change
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...erformance+SSK




6MT

N54 = 80mm throws
N54 w/Perf SSK = 55mm throws
N55 = 70mm throws (& 1M, since they share the same trans)


I think these photos might help some to understand how a SSK works, by moving the fulcrum point(ball)...

Attachment 1110696

Attachment 1110697



Also... this thread might be of interest...

BMWP Short Shift
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...=879129&page=6

We're can we find the N 54 SSK? Thanks......

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by andrey_gta

What is comforting is that I have seen here KGolf's 128i SSK pics with the ZHP knob and I must say the 128i SSK sits centered and looks very similar to my creation when in gears 1,3,5. I guess if i was to use 128i SSK knob, the result will be more centered

Here are pictures to back up the claim. Just for reference, on my BMW Performance SSK lever I had to bend just a bit to sit neutral like OE.

Disclaimer: I literally just ran outside and tried to take the same angle pictures as yours for a good comparison. OE M Sport Knob

Pictures N-1-2-3-4-5-6-R

[andrey_gta]

Originally Posted by Rukuss

We're can we find the N 54 SSK? Thanks......

That is the $300 kit from BMW for 135i until 2010/2011. Dack should have a part number is his thread that he linked to. Or you can search his Started threads from 2010ish.

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

Here are pictures to back up the claim. Just for reference, on my BMW Performance SSK lever I had to bend just a bit to sit neutral like OE.

Disclaimer: I literally just ran outside and tried to take the same angle pictures as yours for a good comparison. OE M Sport Knob

Wow that is close
So your semi-bent 128i SSK has 2,4,6 is simmilar to my level
But your 1,3,5 is further away from the console than mine.
I'd say mine is about 8mm longer than to your throw (measured from Dack's standard bottom of shift knob)

For me to bend n54 lever to the same center as you, it would be ever so slightly longer than yours.

In any case I recommend anyone to reach out to your local SSK installed 1 or 3 series owner to get a feel for the short 50-60mm throws and make a personal decision. That is how I decided on my path.


PS @Kgolf31 what is the phone mount you are using?
Did you chop off the entire Cup holder or have you done what I did and made one of the sides a support stand for the phone holder?

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by andrey_gta

That is the $300 kit from BMW for 135i until 2010/2011. Dack should have a part number is his thread that he linked to. Or you can search his Started threads from 2010ish.



Wow that is close
So your semi-bent 128i SSK has 2,4,6 is simmilar to my level
But your 1,3,5 is further away from the console than mine.
I'd say mine is about 8mm longer than to your throw (measured from Dack's standard bottom of shift knob)

For me to bend n54 lever to the same center as you, it would be ever so slightly longer than yours.

In any case I recommend anyone to reach out to your local SSK installed 1 or 3 series owner to get a feel for the short 50-60mm throws and make a personal decision. That is how I decided on my path.


PS @Kgolf31 what is the phone mount you are using?
Did you chop off the entire Cup holder or have you done what I did and made one of the sides a support stand for the phone holder?

I should add that the knob is bent left/right in relation to the car...not forward/rear. It initially sat a bit more right than what I liked...took it off and bent it over.

Personally, the BMW Performance SSK is a bit overkill for DDing, I'll completely agree to that. I thought my OE Z4M was short until this was installed, and the 128 SSK makes the Z4M feel like a train handbrake.


The phone mount is actually a tablet mount. It holds my Nexus 7 tablet I use to run data for autocross via Solostorm (http://www.petreldata.com/). I can actually remove it now for winter since I'm done for autox this year

The mount is a ProClip Mount. They have one that can attach to the vent or to the side of the console.

http://www.proclipusa.com/dashboard-...7-88/2012.cmsv

Then you can choose your custom Phone/Tablet mount to attach to your mount (via screws). I needed something to hold a tablet while autocrossing and it held up perfectly.

I never had a cup holder there.

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

Personally, the BMW Performance SSK is a bit overkill for DDing, I'll completely agree to that. I thought my OE Z4M was short until this was installed, and the 128 SSK makes the Z4M feel like a train handbrake

I quite like the Performance SSK, though the boot and knob only lasted a trip around the block. E46 tranny mounts only made it getter, snick, snick.

[andrey_gta]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

E46 tranny mounts only made it getter, snick, snick.

They sure do increase the accuracy of shifts. The mod makes the shifter better to use

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

only made it getter

Better. Wish I could blame autocorrect.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Rukuss

We're can we find the N 54 SSK? Thanks......

The performance SSK is for N54's...

the entire kit is" p/n 25110444657

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...=25&fg=95&hl=1


But, if you order each part by itself, you will save a few bucks. Don't know why bmw did this. lol besides... I did not want the alcantera shifter boot or stubby shift knob.

IF your 135i is an N55, just order parts: #4, #5 and #6.

BMW has stopped producing these parts, so you will have to find a dealer who still has them in stock.

good luck,
Dackel


PS: this pdf migh help with the install...

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

I quite like the Performance SSK, though the boot and knob only lasted a trip around the block. E46 tranny mounts only made it getter, snick, snick.

I never bought the knob and boot. You can get the lever for like $80.

Anyways, I'm planning on upgrading to E9x M Tranny Mounts or RE Mounts

[631twentyeighteye]

I'm a big fan of my perf. SSK. Yes its quite short and totally unnecessary for DDing but it makes it quite fun. I matched it with the stock leather boot and a e46 ZCP shift knob.

I also had my Rogue engineering bushings installed. SSK+tranny bushings+ ZCP knob= perfect shifter. The Rogue bushings really just make each gear change feel much more solid and direct, no more guessing.

[andrey_gta]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

Anyways, I'm planning on upgrading to E9x M Tranny Mounts or RE Mounts

Is M3 e9x parts even possible?

Also, I hear Billet aluminum tranny mounts and hard motor moutns do not cause alot of noise for n54 in e9x spec.
Its odd but apparently true for the PTF branded kit http://www.protuningfreaks.com/

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by andrey_gta

Is M3 e9x parts even possible?

Also, I hear Billet aluminum tranny mounts and hard motor moutns do not cause alot of noise for n54 in e9x spec.
Its odd but apparently true for the PTF branded kit http://www.protuningfreaks.com/

I thought it was a direct swap like Subframe bushings.

Anyways, I need bushings that have the same amount of material (of rubber and metal) to maintain SCCA Class

[andrey_gta]

e46 / 335iS mounts are the same shape as ours. I think Vibra technics makes an e46 mount..
Also check out Vorshlag 80A or 95A http://www.vorshlag.com/product_info...roducts_id=195

e9x M3 mounts i belive are different Shape & diameter and may not fit the pocket on the mounting arm to body, even if they have the dimples inthe right places

[TheSt|G]

Might as well top this whole project off with the F10 M5 knob as well. Nice leather and proper light up:

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=840725


In my 1er:




Light up:

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by andrey_gta

e46 / 335iS mounts are the same shape as ours. I think Vibra technics makes an e46 mount..
Also check out Vorshlag 80A or 95A http://www.vorshlag.com/product_info...roducts_id=195

e9x M3 mounts i belive are different Shape & diameter and may not fit the pocket on the mounting arm to body, even if they have the dimples inthe right places

Vorshlag's are nice but appears to have more metal than OEM. The rule is a PITA to comply with but gotta find something that is stiffer. Might just be RE Mounts

[andrey_gta]

Voshlag claims their mount are SCCA compliant

But overall the RE would be more street friendly

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by andrey_gta

Voshlag claims their mount are SCCA compliant

But overall the RE would be more street friendly

Good call, I didn't read:

Class legal for SpecE36, SCCA Street Prepared and Street Touring (metal content not increased)

I'll probably grab Orange for the tranny mounts and red for the engine mounts. The car is going to slowly see less DDing after this winter and transform to a track/autox car next year so I could care less with some more NVH. As long as I don't get 2nd gear denial, like I did this year

[andrey_gta]

If you do get 80a lets us know. They look like a possible serious upgrade. The 95a was reviewed to be more harsh on e36 daily.

I don't think Vorshlag makes a n52 n54 n55 engine mount yet . Black Forrest the BMW tuner is making one in poly. Maybe email both to signal demand. Also Akg has derlin engine mounts


What caused 2nd gear denial ?