So my OE shift knob was shot so i purchased a Jaffster Shift know from bimmerworld on the chance that it might work. It fits, its not perfect a bit snug but with the set screws it isn't going anywhere. It is about 4" taller than stock. The shifter is closer to the steering wheel and the throws longer but with less effort. I installed a Helix short shifter. The throws are now crisp and shorter than stock. With the taller knob i noticed the additional play side to side from the plastic brushing wear. After much trial and error i pick up a bronze brushing and modified it to fit where the old one was. Brushing specs (9/16 OD, 5/16 ID, 3/4" long flanged sleve bearing from mcmaster) OD is ~14mm (i had to sand about 0.15mm off the radius) ID was drilled with a 9.8mm bit, with the run-out on the old drill press i would guess the ID is 9.85mm. (need to dull the bit per how to drill brass without drill grabbing? to prevent grabbing, something i did not know but works well) 12mm from the end to the back of the flange. I drilled and tapped for an M3 in the brushing and a 1/8' hole in the shift lefter for a 4mm long set screw. (you can use any screw you wish it is what we had at work) After all that the side to side play is limited to the flex in the shifter box and there is in fact shifting nirvana. The shifts are short but not too short, precise with close to stock effort, and the knob is closer to the steering wheel. It may not be trendy but dang are the shift nice. -Jonathan
Sorry i did not specify, up top just under the shift boot on the passenger side of the lever. -Jonathan
you could try doing something similar to the linkage on the tranny or even eliminate the stock shift cables because they are rubber insulated.
i can take a look at it when i do a clutch in the spring but i dont sense any issues on the transmission side currently at about 65k mi. any further upgrades for me would require making a new shift box or significant disassembly of the drivetrain. I have upgraded nearly all of my motor mounts and that in its self changed shifter feel for the positive. i highly recommend them if you dont mind the extra NVH. -Jonathan
Collin i have the TSW/WMW passenger mount it works well and i dont have to worry about it failing. wow, the cae is over kill for a dd but still awesome! :ihih: i kind of want one -Jonathan