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Now that I've got the floors and seats in my car I'm a bit concerned that the gearlever is a bit too far forward.
Can anyone out there let me know the approximate length of the aluminium gearshift rod linkage from their 3 series donor (either M20 or M50) between the centre of the front bush and the centre of the gear lever hole (see attached diagram).
I have managed to get hold of a pair of 5 series gearshift linkages but these are too long (the gearlever hits the handbrake when in 2nd gear!). Rather than cut down these down and weld I'd prefer to get hold of a 3 series part assuming its a better length.
Hi Simon,
it's not easy to measure in situ in the car (as it's above the prop shaft) but I think I have a 'spare' one in my lock-up garage. The trouble with that is that my lock-up has no permanent lighting.
If nobody else replies before the weekend, i'll pop down and measure it for you,
I'll take a look tonight for you - As my car's still up on the build stands, it should be fairly easy to get too (especially as I'm still waiting for my propshaft!)
Of course, you could always change the gearstick as a lot of us have done to reduce the throw - I know Peter has a Z3 stick, and Patrick and I have Z4 sticks. I can't remember if Robin has replaced his though.
Thanks chaps - any info would be much appreciated.
I've already removed the isolated top part of the lever (to make it shorter) and I'm happy with the 'throw', its just that its current position is too far forward.
Patrick
Do you know what the measurements are for the dimension above the pivot line compared to the dimension below it for all of the gearsticks you have shown on your photo?
I have a stick fromthe E36 and would like to know how it compares to your original E30, and to what you and the other builders have fitted?
Do the numbers shown represent ratios of above/below dimension?
Regards
Mike
I've got a desk like that. One day one of the guys I share the office with was dropping off a parcel on my desk and he remarked "It looks like you are building a car by post" - how little did he know
I'll see what I can come up with, sadly I don't have any gear sticks on my desk !
That picture originally came from E30 Zone so I've not got the measurements. However I should have at least one of those knocking about to use as a base.
From left to right please not measurements are not hugely accurate and all but the Z3 2.8 stick have a bend so only use these as estimates. measurements are in mm.
E30 325i 1988
200 - Centre of ball to top
27 - Centre of wall to centre of pivot hole
E36 316i Compact 1997
205 - Centre of ball to top
30 - Centre of wall to centre of pivot hole
E46 320Ci (6 Cyl.) 2002
210 - Centre of ball to top
30 - Centre of wall to centre of pivot hole
E46 320Ci (6 Cyl.) 2004
210 - Centre of ball to top
30 - Centre of wall to centre of pivot hole
E36 328i - 1995-8?? M52 engined car with ZF box (same as M3)
205 - Centre of ball to top
42 - Centre of wall to centre of pivot hole
Z3 1.9 - 1999?
200 - Centre of ball to top
40 - Centre of wall to centre of pivot hole
Z3 2.8 - 1999? Only stick that is straight
195 - Centre of ball to top
48 - Centre of wall to centre of pivot hole
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The linkage from image in the first post:
E30 325i box I got 245mm (while hanging under the car with a torch)
I also found this in a box:
Its from the Compact when it had the 4 cylinder engine - as these are short than 6 cylinders the linkage is longer to compensate. I get 280mm centre to centre.
Thanks Patrick, that's quite a collection you have there...!
I shortened my original E34/M20 linkage to 245mm to fit the existing hole in the transmission tunnel (which I now regret as it's slightly too far forward - D'OH!).
The unmodified linkage (from an E34/M50) I have is 330mm (funnily enough it gives the dimension on the casting "C=330" !) but this is way too long.
I've taken some more measurements this afternoon and think that the Compact linkage (280mm) will therefore be ideal.
The problem I had was that the stick was too tall and too far forward.
The solution I found was to remove the rubber insulation completely leaving me with a very short stick. I then heated it about an inch above the ball (you'll need an oxy/acetylene torch) and bent the stick back about 10°. I then had an extension made from stainless to fit over the stick to bring it back to the desired height (secured with 3 grub screws at the base). I then bought an aftermarket gearknob from DemonTweeks to fit. I'll see if I can dig out a photo.
z4 stick (2.5ltr): centre of ball joint to centre of linkage hole = approx 38mm
Aluminium shift support: from centre gearbox bush to round section end approx 350mm. I can't see any stampings on mine... But it's from a e30 2.5ltr 325i, so in theory it should be the same as Patricks.
Sorry for the late reply but there has been a slight change of plan...
I've managed to get my 330mm 'long' linkage shortened at work to 280mm. The chap that used to do the aluminium welding (that shortened my previous linkage and welded an anti-surge sump into the fuel tank) retired recently but his replacement was happy to help me out. So I'm going to try it out this weekend to see if it works ok.
Thanks again to everyone for the info on the various BMW gearshift mechs and for the kind offers of parts.
It works really good and stops the chassis ringing like a bell. Also, it doesn't seem to soak up water so the car will dry out quickly.
Driving up the road, you can't hear any noise coming through the chassis.
I bought 6 meters (it's 1 meter wide) and stuck it down with a about 2 litres of 3M glue (there is a self adhesive option as well). I've covered the whole of the interior especially around the bulkhead. The marlin carpet glued on top of that making the car really quiet and giving it a quality feel.
That looks really interesting stuff and much cheaper than any of the car accessory suppliers. Did you need all 6 metres as that seems quite a lot? Did you cover the boot floor as well?
Any reason why you chose this version over the closed cell 'LFOAM' ?
It was about this time last year that I bought the stuff.
I'm pretty sure I rang the company and they advised me.
I haven't got a lot left after 6 meters and the only places I didn't cover were the boot roof & sides. I covered the boot floor and left an overhang of about three inches all round that I glued to the sides of the boot.
The foam has a very 'heavy' feel about it and moulds nicely around curves without a lot of cutting. After gluing the marlin carpet in (which is a little bit lightweight and thin) the car has a real quality feel about it.
