DIY: UUC Evo3 Short Shift Kit (SSK) plus UUC Dual Shear Selector Rod (DSSR) doityourself

[zj96sc]

This DIY will serve as an 'in the family' addendum to already excellent instructions provided by UUC for installation:

UUC Installation Instructions (http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/EVO3_INSTALLS/EVO3_SHIFTER_INSTALL_USCE2.pdf)

and to the DIY done by my330i:

my330i DIY (http://www.my330i.com/mod37.php)

Big thumbs up to UUC for their pretty excellent instructions, and a major thank you to my330i for detailing everything very well.

Staring with my "effort" on the matter:

As a baseline, I snapped some shots of the stock ZHP shift lever with stock ZHP knob:

Neutral:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j234/paulkeith/cars/Silbergrau_ZHP/Evo3_plus_DSSR/IMG_0635Large.jpg

3rd:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j234/paulkeith/cars/Silbergrau_ZHP/Evo3_plus_DSSR/IMG_0636Large.jpg

4th:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j234/paulkeith/cars/Silbergrau_ZHP/Evo3_plus_DSSR/IMG_0637Large.jpg

Quick rundown on the stuff before I started snapping pics:

(as always, undertake these projects at your own risk. i'm not responsible for you doing this wrong.)

First things first, you have to lower the exhaust:

-separate the 4 bolts at the bottom of the headers (these are $22 inconel bolts with pure copper nuts so be careful. they will be bubba tight. a little PB blaster or your favorite penetrating oil ahead of time will help things out. as a reminder, WD40 is not a true "penetrating" oil like PB or liquid wrench.)

-remove the center bolt of the exhaust hanger attached to the tranny housing.

-remove the two crossmembers. careful on the aftmost one as it is holding your exhaust up.

-lower the exhaust and set it on some blocks to keep it from hanging.

Next, remove the exhaust heat shield (the real reason you have to remove the exhaust, as it blocks all access to the relevant area):

-remove the 2 frontmost bolts holding up the heatshield and let it hang. access!

Next, lower the transmission:

-place a jack under the tranny crossmember
-remove the 4 bolts to the transmission crossmember
-lower the crossmember by the jack. make sure you don't let the transmission free hang; if it comes off your jack bring the jack up until it is holding the weight.

Once you have access, you'll see this:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j234/paulkeith/cars/Silbergrau_ZHP/Evo3_plus_DSSR/IMG_0639Large.jpg

Remove that circlip with some snapring pliers. They're not necessary but make life much easier. My pair is a set of channel lock snap ring pliers - those things have earned their cost time and time again.

From the top, you have to spin the nylon pivot cup with some needlenose to release the retention tabs that hold it to the carrier. You do this with a set of needle nose pliers opened up...dig the sides in and spin.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j234/paulkeith/cars/Silbergrau_ZHP/Evo3_plus_DSSR/IMG_0643Large.jpg

Once you do that, give a yank and you get:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j234/paulkeith/cars/Silbergrau_ZHP/Evo3_plus_DSSR/IMG_0645Large.jpg

Back underneath, remove the two pins holding the carrier to the tranny. To do this, spread open the retaining feature, rotate about 90 degrees, and slide out perpendicular to the driveshaft. The pins I'm talking about are #4:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/i/f/153.png

Once these two clips are out, slide the carrier forward to remove from the rear bushing, and you get:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j234/paulkeith/cars/Silbergrau_ZHP/Evo3_plus_DSSR/IMG_0646Large.jpg

Also remove the circlip holding the front of the selector rod to the transmission selector shaft and pull it out, noting which end is "forward." I've marked mine with a zip tie.

Disassembly complete.

Quick comparo of new verus old parts:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j234/paulkeith/cars/Silbergrau_ZHP/Evo3_plus_DSSR/IMG_0647Large.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j234/paulkeith/cars/Silbergrau_ZHP/Evo3_plus_DSSR/IMG_0648Large.jpg

At this point you install the new shifter pivot (UUC calls it the ERK or 'effort reducing kit') with three small allen screws on each side. Loctite is provided, coat them up and install all 6 loosely, then tighten while alternating sides:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j234/paulkeith/cars/Silbergrau_ZHP/Evo3_plus_DSSR/IMG_0649Large.jpg

Install just like you removed the old one. Back pin in first, then locate the front two bushings onto the tranny and reinsert the new carrier pins. view from the top:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j234/paulkeith/cars/Silbergrau_ZHP/Evo3_plus_DSSR/IMG_0653Large.jpg

Attach the DSSR to the selector shaft on the tranny using the new pins, washers, and clips provided:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j234/paulkeith/cars/Silbergrau_ZHP/Evo3_plus_DSSR/IMG_0650Large.jpg

Coat the pivot cups and pivot ball with the provided grease. Drop the new shifter arm into the new ERK'ed carrier, stuff the pivot bushing, spring, collar, and circlip into the ERK. Use the snapring pliers to lock the ring in. Pull up firmly on the shift lever to ensure it seats in the ring land. You get:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j234/paulkeith/cars/Silbergrau_ZHP/Evo3_plus_DSSR/IMG_0654Large.jpg

From underneath:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j234/paulkeith/cars/Silbergrau_ZHP/Evo3_plus_DSSR/IMG_0656Large.jpg

Connect the shift lever to the DSSR, again using the pin, washers, and circlips provided:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j234/paulkeith/cars/Silbergrau_ZHP/Evo3_plus_DSSR/IMG_0658Large.jpg

Reassemble underneath:

-transmission back in place and torqued.
-heat shield back in place
-both crossmembers back in place
-exhaust + hanger back in place

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j234/paulkeith/cars/Silbergrau_ZHP/Evo3_plus_DSSR/IMG_0659Large.jpg

Up top, reinstall the rubber boot after you set the shift lever height that you want. As a heads up, make sure you maintain the proper knob orientation while tightening the height adjustment collar. I didn't do this the first time around and the knob wound up clocked about 10 degrees CCW. You have to actively hold it in the proper spot while tightening the collar.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j234/paulkeith/cars/Silbergrau_ZHP/Evo3_plus_DSSR/IMG_0661Large.jpg

Then reassemble the console, boot, knob, and you're done!

New throws:

Neutral:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j234/paulkeith/cars/Silbergrau_ZHP/Evo3_plus_DSSR/IMG_0663Large.jpg

3rd: (!!)

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j234/paulkeith/cars/Silbergrau_ZHP/Evo3_plus_DSSR/IMG_0664Large.jpg

4th: (!!!!!)

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j234/paulkeith/cars/Silbergrau_ZHP/Evo3_plus_DSSR/IMG_0665Large.jpg

Video of throw plus in gear play:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np3YXzR6PrE

Don't let my MS paint skills knock you over:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j234/paulkeith/cars/Silbergrau_ZHP/Evo3_plus_DSSR/comparison_sm.jpg

Overall an absolutely fantastic mod. I had an rogue octane in my 2nd E36 M and I loved every second of it so I had a hunch that I'd dig the results.

Throws are crazy small but still precise, you can really feel what you're doing. Effort is marginally higher but still acceptable.

I started with the knob in the "lowest" setting but have since moved it to the highest setting to somewhat decrease effort and also just raise it up a little bit.

Anyway, enjoy the pics. Any questions, holler.

[UdubBadger]

wow awesome write up.

[GT172I]

Excellent write-up. Having done this also, I'll add a few tips:

-Don't under-estimate how damn annoying it'll be to remove the exhaust flange bolts (you'll need a breaker bar for sure and PB Blaster/Liquid Wrench as mentioned above)

-When puttting the knob back on, be sure the selector is in 2nd gear otherwise you risk dislodging/ripping the shift carrier bushing (#5 in the realoem diagram above). Same goes for removal.
Ask me how I know... :shift

I agree with zj96sc, this a a fantastic mod and I'd absolutely recommend it to anybody on the fence.

[Stewbie]

Pelican Parts also has in in-depth DIY on

1) Refurbishing your shift bushings: http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/E36-Shift_Bushings/E36-Shift_Bushings.htm

2) Installing a SSK: http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/techarticles/E36-Short_Shift/E36-Short_Shift.htm

[QC_ZHP]

Pelican Parts also has in in-depth DIY on

1) Refurbishing your shift bushings: http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/E36-Shift_Bushings/E36-Shift_Bushings.htm

2) Installing a SSK: http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/techarticles/E36-Short_Shift/E36-Short_Shift.htm

Thanks for those. Something I have interest in doing. Do must people go with teflon bushings when they change out?

[ELCID86]

I'm thinking of going with the UUC Evo3 SSK. Has anyone done it without the DSSR or is that a $150 needed option?

[ELCID86]

I'm thinking of going with the UUC Evo3 SSK. Has anyone done it without the DSSR or is that a $150 needed option?

Bump. I had one reply that the DSSR alone was worth it. Other opinions? What about BMW or Active Autowerke SSKs? Worth considering?

[Avetiso]

Bump. I had one reply that the DSSR alone was worth it. Other opinions? What about BMW or Active Autowerke SSKs? Worth considering?
The BMW kit is a mild upgrade at best, but I enjoyed it.

AutoSolutions seems to be the best of the best right now.

[cakM3]

The BMW kit is a mild upgrade at best.

AutoSolutions seems to be the best of the best right now.

+1

[ELCID86]

Thanks guys. http://www.autosolutions.net

Mad Russian has a review of the AS SSK: http://m3.madrussian.net/review_as_ssk.shtml

http://www.e46fanatics.com/review/reviewdetail.php?review_id=1

http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=485693

[wsmeyer]

I have the EVO3 and DSSR. I installed both at the same time but I believe the DSSR has a greater effect on removing play as play is mostly in the front and rear joint of the connector rod with the OEM plastic bushings.

The difference in throw isn't that much between the OEM ZHP and the EVO3.

[slater]

I have the EVO3 and DSSR. I installed both at the same time but I believe the DSSR has a greater effect on removing play as play is mostly in the front and rear joint of the connector rod with the OEM plastic bushings.

The difference in throw isn't that much between the OEM ZHP and the EVO3.

that was kinda my thinking too - that the DSSR was going to make more of a difference. i'm going to do one of those and some delrin bushings at the front of the shift selector rod/fork, and i think that would do nicely. i don't want the lever any shorter, its' proximity to the steering wheel is good as-is.

peter

[UdubBadger]

I'll be doing the UUC dssr soon. I have the BMW performance ssk

[ELCID86]

I'll be doing the UUC dssr soon. I have the BMW performance ssk
Seth, I'd be interested to know how/why you made the decision on UUC and if you have driven a car with it (comparing it to your existing BMW P/SSK.

[UdubBadger]

Just getting the dssr though, keeping the BMW ssk on. I like a medium length throw personally.

UUC has always made nice parts for suspension and ssk so why not go with them?

[Vas]

Seems like a good medium to have a BMW performance shift kit and the dssr.

[ELCID86]

Seems like a good medium to have a BMW performance shift kit and the dssr.

I was just thinking that too. I guess it could wear quicker, but I don't think it's that big of a deal (especially with my old beater bimmer).

[UdubBadger]

I'm just hoping it fixes my shifter being wobbly cuz it moves freely from side to side even while in gear by about an inch or so

[ELCID86]

I just spoke to Ronald at Autosolutions.net for about 20 min. I went with his kit for $350 + $15 s/h. He has about 1 week lead time.

[wsmeyer]

Just to add to this excellent DIY from my own experience.

1. The UUC instructions have a huge mistake in them. On page 9 it has you putting the white bushing into the carrier before what they call the "pivot height adapter". WRONG, WRONG WRONG. This should be pretty obvious to the person installing but the white bushing goes INSIDE the pivot height adapter. Page 10 actually shows a picture of it correctly placed inside.

2. If you are installing the unit in a convertible you do not remove the carrier assembly. you install the pivot height adapter with the hex screws from the top with the carrier in the car. It is a royal pain to do but it is physically impossible to reinstall the carrier into a vert with the new pivot height adapter installed. using the pic in this DIY for comparison:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j234/paulkeith/cars/Silbergrau_ZHP/Evo3_plus_DSSR/IMG_0653Large.jpg

You'll notice the adapter sits level or slightly below the driveshaft tunnel in the chassis. On a vert the adapter actually sticks up about 10mm ABOVE the tunnel. I haven't investigated this fully but I'm guessing the vert's tunnel is a formed structural piece rather than just bent and thus a different shape.

[Alikessu]

Great Write up... Thanks,
i am definitely getting this done in the next 2 months, i am pretty sure if the ride is great now, it will be awesome with this Mod...
Thanks, Omar