SSK mystery

[325eXTATIC]

Hi everyone!
I have been drooling over doing a z4 short shift kit for quite some time, and one thing has been bugging me.

Reading one of the other forums, which I have long since forgotten, it is mentioned that e30's produced before a certain point in 1986 need a plate underneath the center console replaced in order to be able to complete the installation of the ssk.
If so, what is the plate, where can I get it, how much does it cost, and how much of a PITA is it to replace?

Thanks a heap!

Josh W.

[Red_Rocket]

I have no clue, id ask on e30tech.com, they would prob know what you are talking about....since they all own e30's

[Starmavin]

It's the ball mounting plate, around the 86ish years this plate sat closer to the drive shaft than others and I also belive the ball is smaller than others too. A short shifter installed on one of these plates would hit off the driveshaft. For others who don't know, short shifters work by moving the leverage point closer to the shift knob and further down at the linkage, decreasing the leverage and shorting the shift motion, consequently raising the shifting effort.

I think the one you'll need is found in the 90's M3. To change it, it'll be easier once you remove the drive shaft flex joint and/or remove the trans crossmember lowering it a bit. Buy new rubber mounts they all most always rotted or half dissolved by oil leaks.

[saltshaker185]

why not just buy a ssk made for your car? or do they not have those?

[325eXTATIC]

because the ssk's made for e30's cost HUNDREDS! I can get the parts for a z3 or z4 which mostly just drop right in, for about $60! eeny meeny... CHEAP WINS!

Josh W.

[saltshaker185]

http://www.bmwe30.net/cgi-bin/datacg...103&Section=11

theres an e36 m3 ssk install... dono if that would be to your interest at all...

[triggrhaapi]

bah, short shifters... lots of bad experiences wiht them. You realize that they feel numb right? Everyone I know who had one has misshifted, some blew engines, some didn't blow engines. Up to you.

[325eXTATIC]

never had a problem with them myself! I put them in my '69, '72, '74 VW Beetles, my '72 Kharmann Ghia, all 5 of my first gen RX7's, my '88 CRX, and my '90 Accord without any problems. I am not looking to powershift my clutch or engine into oblivion, I just want to tighten up the linkage and shorten the throw. As it stands now, when throwing into 5th gear, I actually have to lean forward and push. That is a LOOOONG throw, considering I am 6ft 3 with monkey arms!

I don't muscle my cars, I'm just looking to tighten up the feeling overall.

Josh W.

[Teh Prof]

I have to interject, Josh, given how old you are, you have gone through A LOT of cars. How?

[325eXTATIC]

First, I am 29, not 19! Second, that's not even the complete list! I should have mentioned the '72 Fiat Spyder, the shitty '86 Thunderbird, the '82 Toyota Corolla, the shitty '88 Chevy Beretta, and I THINK that's all (or at least MOST) of them!
Third, most of those cars are/were CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP!!! The Bugs were the most expensive by far. The RX7's were under $900 each and I would buy a new one every couple months while I was in the Army, fix it up, use all the best parts from each of them to create the best of each model, drive the ever lovin' SHIT out of them, and sell 'em. My buddy and I would spend whole weekends in the garage, just tools, cars and beer! And fourth, I used to have a REALLY good paying job prior to September 11th, so I had spare cash!!
Then there is the fact that I have moved a LOT over the years, and each time, I sell my car, move where ever the wind blows, buy a new car, and start over.
The basic story is that I GET BORED of most of the cars and get rid of them. The cars that have held my attention are the ones I have had multiples of, like the VW's and RX7's. I have to say that BMW's are definitely on that list as these are the best engineered cars I have EVER owned!!! Now I just need the cash to buy more!

Hope that answers a few questions for you!

Josh W.

[ldsbeaker]

Dude, we gotta meet sometime.

anyways. I put in the Z4 "ssk" and it works pretty well. I get a little grinding on the balancer covering the guibo (I think), but it's not enough to worry about right now. I didn't get to do all the bushings, as I didn't feel like tearing it all apart, but I'm reasonably happy. I'm in a rush right now, but I'll post later about what kind of fabrication I had to do.
I guess I would recommend it.

[egk2]

This should help you out:
http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...t=41971&page=2

I have the z4 2.5 ssk, install was straight forward and no modifications were needed, sits low in the console and shifts were dramatically reduced.
Stock:

Z4 2.5:

[325eXTATIC]

I'm betting that is the thread I have long since forgotten! I love the r3v!

THX!

Josh W.

[ldsbeaker]

yeah, it helps if you get the uber cool new knob to go with the kit. I didn't yet. FTL.

[JoeMadoo]

325eXTATIC, you're my hero, I thought I was cool cuz I had 2 bimmers...