» Site Navigation | | » Recent Threads | | | | | | 02-16-2018, 05:44 AM | #1 | Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: California Posts: 215 | Shift lever question What is this larger section on the shift lever, and can it be cut and shortened? | | | 02-17-2018, 05:14 AM | #2 | Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Long Guyland, New Yawk Posts: 9 | As far as I understand it, its weight helps making the shifting easier. Almost like if you notice stock shifter knobs are heavier than some replacement aftermarket ones. "Throwing" the weight around puts some muscle into the shifting action. When designing for the masses this is the outcome. Lighter components available in the aftermarket will require more "muscle" on the driver to achieve the same results. | | | 02-17-2018, 05:27 AM | #3 | Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: California Posts: 215 | Thats what I thought. But can it be cut and lowered? I want to remove about an inch to bring the height down. I really dont mind increased effort. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk | | | 02-17-2018, 07:16 PM | #4 | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 9,356 | The PO cut the top off. Personally I didn't care for it. If you just want it shorter, that's one thing. If you want a short throw, there are better options. __________________ ...steven BMW CCA #146825 1996 BMW 328ti • 2003 MINI Cooper S • 2016 M235i www.bmwcca.org | | | 02-17-2018, 11:17 PM | #5 | Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: California Posts: 215 | I already have a short throw. I have an M coupe lever. But it sits too high for my taste. I want the knob to be a bit lower, like 1". Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk | | | 02-18-2018, 12:20 AM | #6 | Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 179 | From what I recall, this is a bonded rubber section probably intended to reduce noise and vibration into the cabin. I suppose if you could separate the two and shorten both individually, you could bond it back together. __________________ 98 318ti MSport M52, 88 M3, 97 M3/4 | | | 02-18-2018, 12:25 AM | #7 | Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: California Posts: 215 | Okay. Ill have to get it on the bench and experiment a bit. Ill post the results if successfull or not. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk | | | 02-22-2018, 02:10 AM | #8 | Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Long Guyland, New Yawk Posts: 9 | Another option to consider is to heat near the top the narrow neck part cherry red and pull the lever back. I did this in a race car and it made a huge differance in shifting comfort. | | | 02-26-2018, 07:43 AM | #9 | Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: California Posts: 215 | After a moderate amount of work, my modification was a success!!! The shift lever is comprised of 2 sections with 3 components. Upper section ( where knob mounts), lower section ( where selector rod mounts), and a chubby rubber buffer ( purpose unkown). After reducing 1" from both stock ti lever, and M coupe lever, the reduction in throw is noticable, and i found no increase in shifting effort. If any effort was added it is negligable. If planning to perform this modification to a stock ti lever, I highly suggest purchasing an M coupe or S50 lever. Even after modification the throws are still ridiculous on the stock Ti lever. Ill create a seperate post with the complete step by step procedure. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk | | | 03-06-2018, 03:00 AM | #10 | Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Bouncing off the rev limiter in CT! Posts: 3,156 | The rubber core is to reduce vibrations felt in the hand. If you don’t care about that, you can cut and weld is however you like. Note the inner boot seals on this large diameter so if you want the hot/cold/noise to stay outside that is important. Otherwise, that doesn’t matter either. | | | 03-06-2018, 03:02 AM | #11 | Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: California Posts: 215 | I cut and inch off the rubber and honestly felt no difference Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk | | | | Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | | Posting Rules | You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off | | | |
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