Lets compare selector rod pin deltas with & without the ERK, on my '97ti

[RonStygar@xxxxxxx]

  Keeping the selector rod pins in line vertically with the selector rod joint
appears to be the criteria when short shifting your car.  I made up the
following chart to show the selector rod pin relationship in my 318ti, without
and with the ERK for several shift levers.  On my stock ti, the front selector
rod pin is ~5/8" lower than the rear one.  So stock, the selector rod pins are
~5/8" (.625") out of line.  The + and - in the chart is the relative position
of the rear pin to the front pin with plus being higher.  From the chart, you
will see why the ERK is only recommended when installing the Z3-M shift lever
in your ti.  With the ti, the ERK is the way to go if you do not want to bend
your selector rod.  Bending the selector rod does not change the selector rod
pin relationship.  On a '97 ti, without the ERK, you are bending the selector
rod for clearance with the drive shaft vibration dampener.  The disadvantage
of the ERK with the Z3-M shift lever is the obvious $100.00 cost and the fact
that it raises the shift lever ~one inch compared to non-ERK.  The selector
rod pin relationship also comes out closer in line without the ERK than with
it.  You decide which way you want to go when using the M-Z3 shift lever in
your ti.  I installed the shift lever from my 328 in my '97ti.   The selector
rod pin delta with this lever is .054".  If you like the toggle effect of the
Z3-M shift lever, I think that the Z3-2.8 shift lever (from the chart) is a
better way to go.  Again, that is your decision.
  The picture at: http://www.eskimo.com/~dalus/bmw/images/shiftgc.gif
shows the five shift levers. 
  We will be re-short shifting Scott Rohr's ti this Saturday, starting at
noon.  If anyone in the area wants to see what's involved here, you are
invited.  I will be checking the horizontal off axis relationship for
comparison reasons.  There is nothing you can do about the horizontal off axis
force.  Joseph Koral is also coming down with his Garrett chipped ti.

          Selector Rod Pin Relationship ('97 318ti)

 Shift lever   Inc. Lever Length  non-ERK Delta  ERK Delta

  Stock 978            0"           + .625"      + 1.625"
        148         .404"           + .221"      + 1.221"
     M3/328         .571"           + .054"      + 1.054"
     Z3-2.8         .766"           - .141"      +  .859"
   * Z3-M          1.096"           - .471"      +  .529"

 RonStygar@domain.elided  FLY BMW  Marlborough, CT
  http://www.eskimo.com/~dalus/bmw/bmw_ronstygar.html

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