SSK's

Does anyone here have an SSK for their ZHP? I've been looking into getting one for my car and it seems I have run into some trouble.

Our cars seem to need the bend in the lower part of the shaft (hence why the 545i shifter won't work for us)

Some threads I've ran into, has people saying that the BMW Performance shifter and the ZHP shifters are the same thing.. but I've also seen some people saying that the BMW Performance shifter & the 330d shifter were the same. I think I'm believing the latter.

Now I've spoken briefly with Terra on this and he told me to go after the BMW Performance one, because it's the same as the 330d shifter. He said that he got the 330d shifter for his M3 (which is a popular upgrade among e46 M3 owners) because the BMW Performance and the 330d shifters share the same P/N (for the M3)

Here's the thread I've skimmed for your reading pleasure:
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=763236

Some (probably useless) knowledge I've found in that thread is that for the E46 M3 guys, Dinan took a 5er shifter and painted it black and slapped their sticker on it and sold it as a SSK, of course for more than the OE shifter. Perhaps $100 black paint? Tricky tricky.

The BMW Performance shifter and the ZHP shifter are NOT the same. I have the BMW SSK and there is a difference.

Is it worth it? I didn't know you had that


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I got it from ECS when it was $99 for the shift kit, BMW performance shift knob and a new boot. I just sold the knob for $75 and got a new boot so it was worth it haha

I bought it a week after I bought the car and was the first mod I did.

It definitely did shorten the throw, not dramatically but I did notice a difference. I'm happy with it. I'd like to step up to the UUC kit with DSSR later when I have more free cash for it.

The BMW SSK is different and has a bend to the shifter unlike the ZHP Factory lever. The 330d lever looks similar to the performance shift lever.


PLEASE DO NOT get a 5 series shift lever as it is longer throw than a zhp lever. It is shorter than a non zhp car however but for our cars it's useless.


I am currently using a Z3M shift lever that is fairly short and under $100 for all the parts from the dealership.

Derek,

I have heard that the Z3M shifter provides a shorter throw but for me the 330d shifter (BMW Performance) is good enough :)

Charlie,

Are you using a 330d shifter on the zhp or the m3? The m3 stock lever is soooo long compared to zhp. I wonder how much of a difference the zhp vs the 330d is. Im sure it will be noticeable and it's that's enough of a reason to get it. I personally would recommend everyone with higher mileage to get a shifter refresh. 330d, performance, or z3m :)


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Derek,

I'm using the 330d shifter in my ///M. I liked it so much I got a new set to put in my ZHP. I now need some time to get it installed.

I can tell you from having both cars (///M3 w/ 330d shifter, and ZHP w/ OEM shifter) there will be a noticeable difference. For some the 330d shifter isn't perfect enough to use because it is slightly off-center but feels great. As for myself, its about how the shifter feels when you are driving...feels just right! :thumbsup

i have the uuc + dssr, love it. definitely extra $$$ but compared to stock it's night/day

The Z3M/Z4M knob is short. Add a ZHP knob and it's perfect...imo

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Charlie, Will the 330d shifter fit in the zhp? If it's the same as the BMW perf one, except the small bend (which seems to be the deciding factor if shifters for or don't fit in our zhp's).. Why not just get the Performance once because it's guaranteed to fit?

Anywho, today is my day off from work, but I texted a friend to get me prices.. My price for the Performance shifter and the clip was about $48. Then free shipping of course too. I'll take it.


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Do you plan to DIY this? Seems to be quite the involved install

I'm thinking he will have his shop do the work.

So what's the best rod for the five speed trans?

Horney...via TT.

Seems like a pretty straight forward install.. only seems to take an hour or so of your time. I have a couple buddies who went to auto-school, so I'll probably have them help me

Am I incorrect in remembering seeing a thread that you have to drop a section of the exhaust and move the driveshaft?

Some people loosen the tranny mounts and drop it to get to the clip.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hornung418

So what's the best rod for the five speed trans?

Horney...via TT.

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ZHP lever or bmw SSK or 330d.

I know the Z3M lever hits the driveshaft on a 5spd. (I tried on a coworkers car)

330d it is then! That will be my next purchase after my Engine/Trans Mount upgrade.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HokieZHP

Some people loosen the tranny mounts and drop it to get to the clip.


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Does not sound fun

Yeah I had my mechanic put mine in since he has a lift.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Crestwood1001

Does not sound fun

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Not called the "Bitch Clip" for any other reason :rofl

Horney...via TT.

My exhaust was dropped when I did it. The rear transmission mounts are very easy to drop anyways.

One more note is the z3m lever needs I be filed down on the sides till the plastic is flush with the metal. A little sandpaper will get it done in about 10minutes max.


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I've read that this can be done 100% through the top... Right?


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I have BMW Performance SSK. Put the car up on stands. No dropping exhaust needed, just some patience.

I heard you can reach from the top didnt go that route.

The exhaust doesn't need to be off to do it. I happened to have it off when I did since I was installing a clutch too.

Sorry for that.


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Derbo, how much shorter is the Z3M shifter compared to the stock ZHP shifter? I'm wondering if I could just do Z3M + DSSR instead of the UUC shifter and DSSR

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nike001

I've read that this can be done 100% through the top... Right?

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Did mine completely from the top. just took a bit of patience.

William.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nike001

Charlie, Will the 330d shifter fit in the zhp? If it's the same as the BMW perf one, except the small bend (which seems to be the deciding factor if shifters for or don't fit in our zhp's).. Why not just get the Performance once because it's guaranteed to fit?

Anywho, today is my day off from work, but I texted a friend to get me prices.. My price for the Performance shifter and the clip was about $48. Then free shipping of course too. I'll take it.


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Just to clear some things up here....

The BMW Performance SSK shifter is the same exact shifter as the euro 330d shifter. Part numbers are the same...
I verified this at my dealership.

I plan to install this on Saturday. I will take pics of the install and post them. There are DIYs out there...most notably MadRussian... he has a really good DIY :)

Here's an example :thumbsup
http://m3.madrussian.net/diy_uuc_ssk.shtml

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cakM3

The BMW Performance SSK shifter is the same exact shifter as the euro 330d shifter. Part numbers are the same...
I verified this at my dealership.

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See, I was under the impression that they carry the same P/N for only the M3. And they're different for the 330.

Check out this post:

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showt...597#post191597

That euro one pictured is not the same as the ZHP stock or the BMW Performance SSK one.

William.

Oh, and the BMW Performance SSK kit pictured is the one with the leather knob and the same arm as a ZHP. There is another BMW Performance kit that comes with an aluminum/alcantara knob that come with a lever with an S curve.

William.

This is the one that comes in the BMW Performance SSK kit with the aluminum / Alcantara knob:

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showt...585#post191585

We really should organize all the info on SSK's into one thread.

William.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wsmeyer

Check out this post:

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showt...597#post191597

That euro one pictured is not the same as the ZHP stock or the BMW Performance SSK one.

William.

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Here. Check this out.

This pic here is for the sale of the "BMW Performance Shift Lever" for the e46 M3 (check above the picture) but if you check the P/N, it's the same as the 330d. Also, notice the lack of the bend by the pivot ball.
http://c1552172.r72.cf0.rackcdn.com/68841_x600.jpg
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-M3-...ter/ES1895170/

VS the the "BMW Performance Shift Lever (But for the 330i)
http://c1552172.r72.cf0.rackcdn.com/181529_x600.jpg
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330...ter/ES2215288/


A said "BMW Performance Shift Lever" is NAMED the same for all cars, but for the M3 VS the 330.. they are completely different. For the M3, BMW just takes a 330d shift lever and labels it as the BMW Performance one. But for the 330, a completely new/different lever is used.

Just because the M3 guys figured this out, doesn't mean that the BMW Performance lever is just the 330d lever across all applications.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nike001

Here. Check this out.

This pic here is for the sale of the "BMW Performance Shift Lever" for the e46 M3 (check above the picture) but if you check the P/N, it's the same as the 330d. Also, notice the lack of the bend by the pivot ball.
http://c1552172.r72.cf0.rackcdn.com/68841_x600.jpg
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-M3-...ter/ES1895170/

A said "BMW Performance Shift Lever" is NAMED the same for all cars, but for the M3 VS the 330.. they are completely different. For the M3, BMW just takes a 330d shift lever and labels it as the BMW Performance one. But for the 330, a completely new/different lever is used.

Just because the M3 guys figured this out, doesn't mean that the BMW Performance lever is just the 330d lever across all applications.

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That one you have pictured above as the BMW Performance Shift Lever for the e46 M3 looks different than the one in derbo's post that he says is the euro 330d lever: http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showt...597#post191597

William.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wsmeyer

That one you have pictured above as the BMW Performance Shift Lever for the e46 M3 looks different than the one in derbo's post that he says is the euro 330d lever: http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showt...597#post191597

William.

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I think it's the same, I think the camera angle is screwing it up

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nike001

I think it's the same, I think the camera angle is screwing it up

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Certainly possible but it looks more bent to me

Installed the Performance SSK 'S' Curve (Thanks Will) with UUC DSSR two weeks ago by Vince T. He had to do the change from the bottom. Removing the exhaust and place the drive line out of the way. The UUC DSSR has a few kinks. Two of the plastic bushings provided cannot be used on one of the locking pins for the circlip to lock in. The pin is possibly 2mm short for the circlip channel.

If 3rd gear is close to the center console, you should see 5th gear. It is really, really close almost hitting the console. I'm just glad I do not stay too long on 5th.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by das boots

Installed the Performance SSK 'S' Curve (Thanks Will) with UUC DSSR two weeks ago by Vince T. He had to do the change from the bottom. Removing the exhaust and place the drive line out of the way. The UUC DSSR has a few kinks. Two of the plastic bushings provided cannot be used on one of the locking pins for the circlip to lock in. The pin is possibly 2mm short for the circlip channel.

If 3rd gear is close to the center console, you should see 5th gear. It is really, really close almost hitting the console. I'm just glad I do not stay too long on 5th.

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Your welcome. The knob sitting farther forward was my complaint too and why I ended up buying the UUC. Not sure why you had trouble with the DSSR pins and bushings. Mine came assembled with the pins and clips on the DSSR so it wouldn't be possible for them to not notice a problem before sending it out.

William.

No worries. It's in there. I'll settle for this 'S' Curve for now. It does the job......Until I get enough funds in the future for a full replacement.