Re: Let's compare selector rod pin deltas with and without the ERK

[Sue Kraft <suzym3@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

For whatever this is worth, the AC Schnitzer short shifter also raises the height of
the shift lever.  I don't know how much higher it is than stock, but it is
noticeable.  It only took me a few days to get used to it, and when I drove an M3 the
other day with one of those sloppy (yuk) factory shifters, it seemed too low. Maybe
if the shift knob was up by the rear view mirror, that might take some getting use
to, but such a small increase in height (at least for me) really wasn't a problem.

As for all the rest of the stuff I keep reading about short shifters, all it does is
confuse me and make me glad I bought the ACS.  Of course, the downside of the ACS is
that even if you have a sister who lives in Germany and can get you a good deal on
one, it still costs twice as much as the rest of them.

Suzy

> Date: Thu, 26 Nov 1998 05:44:28 EST
> From: RonStygar@domain.elided
> Subject: Lets compare selector rod pin deltas with & without the ERK, on my '97ti
>
>   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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