[DarthFader]

Originally Posted by flybigjet

What made you go with 70A instead of 80A+?

That's the one thing I'm still vacillating over.

The 80A+ have no increase NVH. The noise some people are experiencing is with the stock shift knob resonating - mostly cause it's plastic and fits a hair looser on the shifter - Ron's shifter is slightly smaller in diameter than stock.

I would just order the 80A+ and call it a day. Super happy and NO additional noise once I ditched the stock knob. Even with the stock knob it was fine, I'm just super picky and have sensitive hearing.

[flybigjet]

Originally Posted by DarthFader

The 80A+ have no increase NVH. The noise some people are experiencing is with the stock shift knob resonating - mostly cause it's plastic and fits a hair looser on the shifter - Ron's shifter is slightly smaller in diameter than stock.

I would just order the 80A+ and call it a day. Super happy and NO additional noise once I ditched the stock knob. Even with the stock knob it was fine, I'm just super picky and have sensitive hearing.

I'm planning on sticking with the stock knob-- hence the vacillation.

[DarthFader]

Originally Posted by flybigjet

I'm planning on sticking with the stock knob-- hence the vacillation.

I guess my point is that the stock knob might make noise on the 70A bushings as well due to not fitting perfectly on the shifter.

However, I can get the stock knob to not resonate by adding a little tape around the shifter before putting the knob on. The tape helps the shift knob fit tighter since Ron's shifter is slightly smaller in diameter vs stock.

Ultimately I ended up going with the heavier shifter because I liked the feel.

For comparison, when I drive my car vs my friend's, which is stock, there is zero NVH difference.

Hope this helps.

[flybigjet]

Originally Posted by DarthFader

I guess my point is that the stock knob might make noise on the 70A bushings as well due to not fitting perfectly on the shifter.

However, I can get the stock knob to not resonate by adding a little tape around the shifter before putting the knob on. The tape helps the shift knob fit tighter since Ron's shifter is slightly smaller in diameter vs stock.

Ultimately I ended up going with the heavier shifter because I liked the feel.

For comparison, when I drive my car vs my friend's, which is stock, there is zero NVH difference.

Hope this helps.

It does. Much appreciated. I was wondering if I could shim the knob, so that answers that.

Thanks again.

R.

[mzcp]

Originally Posted by DarthFader

I guess my point is that the stock knob might make noise on the 70A bushings as well due to not fitting perfectly on the shifter.

However, I can get the stock knob to not resonate by adding a little tape around the shifter before putting the knob on. The tape helps the shift knob fit tighter since Ron's shifter is slightly smaller in diameter vs stock.

Ultimately I ended up going with the heavier shifter because I liked the feel.

For comparison, when I drive my car vs my friend's, which is stock, there is zero NVH difference.

Hope this helps.

May I ask which shifter did you choose?
What kind of tape did you use to wrap the shifter?
Thank you

[chris719]

Any concern with the shifter coming off if the diameter is smaller?

[DarthFader]

Originally Posted by mzcp

May I ask which shifter did you choose?
What kind of tape did you use to wrap the shifter?
Thank you

I went with the Raceseng Contour. It's shaped close to stock and isn't too heavy. Feels great paired with the SSK. My friend has the Raceseng Slammer and that feels great too, just slightly heavier. The Raceseng shift knobs are high quality and look great.

When I had the stock knob on, I used a small piece of racket tape on the shifter (I chose racket tape only cause it's the first thing I found). I didn't even go all the way around or the shift knob won't fit. Will take some experimenting. It did get rid of the tiny noise I was getting.

[DarthFader]

Originally Posted by chris719

Any concern with the shifter coming off if the diameter is smaller?

I don't think so. It didn't feel like it would come off while shifting.

I think the stock knob also relies on the the little alignment notch on the top of the shifter to hold it.

[SEAT TIME RULES]

There are several people who have added a Raceseng knob to complete the AS SSK. I have a Blue Ashiko Knob F/S ($125) I switched to a different style.

Its the translucent model looks and feels great. I use the same knob in my RF MX-5.

Highly recommended..

HAZMAT

[mzcp]

Originally Posted by DarthFader

I went with the Raceseng Contour. It's shaped close to stock and isn't too heavy. Feels great paired with the SSK. My friend has the Raceseng Slammer and that feels great too, just slightly heavier. The Raceseng shift knobs are high quality and look great.

When I had the stock knob on, I used a small piece of racket tape on the shifter (I chose racket tape only cause it's the first thing I found). I didn't even go all the way around or the shift knob won't fit. Will take some experimenting. It did get rid of the tiny noise I was getting.

Ok got it thanks

[mzcp]

Originally Posted by doughboy

Well Autosolutions SSK fitted today and boy what a difference, it is absolutely rock solid, no give at all. In gear it might as well be welded on it is so solid and slack free.

Real clickety clack rifle action feel between shift's. I need to recalibrate my shift action to cope with the extra spring force pushing back against you, I was getting the hang of it after an hour today.

It is a little harder to move obviously, but in a mechanical way not in a sticky / friction way and you need to be precise with your movement, but I love it. Nice bit of extra vibration to the hand which adds to the feel. I'm sure as with anything it will loosen up with time.

Centering in Neutral is great, strong crisp pull to the 3-4 centre point.

I went for 20% reduction which is the lower amount Ronald suggested. And 10mm shorter, but I don't even notice that to be honest. Plus the poly bushes.

It's a man's shifter now, at risk of being sexist, my wife will hate it...

Altogether very happy with it

This above pretty much sums up how I feel about the SSK. Precise and solid shifting. You feel the extra vibration to the hand and the rev-match in a good way. I most definitely recommend this mod

[Montaver]

Just had mine installed, 20pc throw, stock height, 70a bushings. No additional NVH I could detect on my 40 minute drive back. Very crisp, tight throws. I liked the stock shift action but this is definitely a huge upgrade.

Middle setting on the UCP, has a nice weight to it now. The clutch delay valve is certainly more obvious as shifting very slowly takes more effort to control the clutch but I'm sure I will get used to it.

[BruceM]

[QUOTE=The clutch delay valve is certainly more obvious as shifting very slowly takes more effort to control the clutch but I'm sure I will get used to it.[/QUOTE]

I may have missed this, but you don't want to remove the CDV?

[Montaver]

Originally Posted by BruceM

I may have missed this, but you don't want to remove the CDV?

I find it really only impacts 1-2 shifts, maybe a little on the 2-3. Hasn't bothered me enough to change it. I'll see how I feel about the new setup after a few thousand miles and some track days.

[TheHaze]

Wrapped up my installation a couple weeks ago. I went with 20% throw reduction and 80a+ bushings. I went ahead and threw on the E series slave cylinder without CDV while I had everything apart, too. There's definitely more effort getting into each gear, but it doesn't bother me. Throws feel much shorter and everything is tighter and more direct. I feel like my 1-2 shifts are smoother now as well since the clutch seems to behave more normally. Overall I'm very happy with the upgrades.

[Montaver]

I have noticed a small amount of left to right play in the shifter regardless of neutral or in gear, almost a looseness before it feels solid. A couple of mm left to right if that makes sense. Apart from that feels very solid. Anyone else noticed this? I'm thinking it's play further down the gearbox as they actual shift action is so precise.

[TheHaze]

Originally Posted by Montaver

I have noticed a small amount of left to right play in the shifter regardless of neutral or in gear, almost a looseness before it feels solid. A couple of mm left to right if that makes sense. Apart from that feels very solid. Anyone else noticed this? I'm thinking it's play further down the gearbox as they actual shift action is so precise.

I haven't experienced this in my car. My shifter is rock solid.

[243Racing]

I just want to follow up - I had the opportunity to drive the AutoSolutions shifter both on the street and in the track.

It’s an absolute revelation.

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by Montaver

I have noticed a small amount of left to right play in the shifter regardless of neutral or in gear, almost a looseness before it feels solid. A couple of mm left to right if that makes sense. Apart from that feels very solid. Anyone else noticed this? I'm thinking it's play further down the gearbox as they actual shift action is so precise.

Yea mine has the same, it's pretty impossible not to have some tiny play in a linkage with this many plain connections and pivots plus the leverage length of the shifter.

1 to 2 mm at the shift knob is negligible and like you say then its solid.


But it still really tight compared to stock with about an inch of rubbery wobble either way

[m20e3087]

Just posted my raceseng knob in the classifieds if anyone is interested.

[m20e3087]

Originally Posted by Montaver

I have noticed a small amount of left to right play in the shifter regardless of neutral or in gear, almost a looseness before it feels solid. A couple of mm left to right if that makes sense. Apart from that feels very solid. Anyone else noticed this? I'm thinking it's play further down the gearbox as they actual shift action is so precise.

I have the same play as well, was told it's normal. Once you go SSK, you ignore all the faults because how solid it feels rowing through the gears. Also mine makes humming noise as well time to time.

[Montaver]

Originally Posted by doughboy

Yea mine has the same, it's pretty impossible not to have some tiny play in a linkage with this many plain connections and pivots plus the leverage length of the shifter.

1 to 2 mm at the shift knob is negligible and like you say then its solid.


But it still really tight compared to stock with about an inch of rubbery wobble either way

Yeh I'd say mine is probably 3mm at the gear knob but hard to say, you don't feel it shifting at all. Only left to right, forward and back is rock solid. I didn't even notice it at first. Feels like something further down the gear linkage as the shift action itself is rock solid. I asked Ron he said it didn't sound abnormal, just quirk of BMW boxes I guess.