Lighted ZHP Installed! DIY

Mr.Metak2you · 02-25-2009, 02:30 PM

Well I know this has been posted before but there is more than one way to skin a cat and thought it might be helpfull to some. Here is my way. First, I really had trouble deciding if I wanted to keep the stock shifter/boot intact. So I installed a ZHP knob(unlit) and drove around for a week. I quickly realized that I would never want the stock knob in that car again. It was so much better. Less rubbery, shorter and of course weighted. Quite franlkly, I would rather drive with the ZHP unlit but I wanted it to look as close to stock as possible.

I then cut the boot off and proceeded to butcher the stock shift knob in order to extract the LED wiring/housing. (Pic1 & 2) For the ZHP knob, it is really useful to have a drill press and a vise to be able to remove the plastic (Pic3) without damaging the leather (I learned the hard way) and to free up enough space to house the LED board (which is wafer thin and has 6 tiny but bright LED's).

To avoide light leaks, I used the black stock LED housing and cut with my Dremel, just the top "ring" off so that the shift pattern emblem would sit flat and level. (Pic4)

A smaller hole is drilled the legnth of the shift knob to allow the wiring to pass through from the LED board. To feed the wire through you need to remove the plug with a small flat srewdriver (NO CUTTING is neccesarry). After you feed the wires through, you just push the wires back into the plug.

The last step is to glue everything in place, starting with the LED board, then the "ring", and finally the original lighted emblem, using the glue sparingly. (Pic5) I used Loctite cunstruction glue, very strong and instant grab. Just like everyone else who has done this, I ziptide the boot into place from the inside and plugged the knob in. This setup is stock setup clean, plug and play and the new shift knob is awsome! I include a few finished pics. Enjoy.
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elm3 · 02-25-2009, 03:19 PM

Awesome DIY, I will be doing this once my baby arrive.... Thank you for doing this. I was contemplating on trying to find out how to do this....

Mr.Metak2you · 02-25-2009, 04:43 PM

Here is a comparison of the stock vs ZHP. Also if you look back at the first picture, you will see how the stock shifter is totally hollow.
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rd4LLe92m3 · 02-25-2009, 05:06 PM

That's sweet I wish I could do that to my Bmw performance knob

Mr.Metak2you · 02-25-2009, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rd4LLe92m3

That's sweet I wish I could do that to my Bmw performance knob

It's really not so bad. A bit tedious but if you take your time, you can do this whole conversion with zero additional cost(other than the ZHP itself). I am all about recycling, so you end up re-using the old boot and all the electronics in the new one.

alpineweissM3 · 02-25-2009, 08:04 PM

Now that's a mod that I like!

Great job.

wheelman · 02-25-2009, 08:52 PM

Very impressive. Thanks for the DIY.

Nate@IND · 02-25-2009, 09:20 PM

Nice work! The ZHP is one of the best shift knobs.

Jack28 · 02-26-2009, 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate@IND

Nice work! The ZHP is one of the best shift knobs.

For Sure!!!!

Looks Great!

endofanera7 · 02-26-2009, 03:42 AM

WOW! Impressive... I might look into doing this mod together with the SSK.

Thanks for sharing..

badfish · 02-26-2009, 03:43 AM

Great mod. I just would feel guilty tearing apart the original knob... Thanks for the info!

MMMorish · 02-26-2009, 06:43 AM

Mod looks good. But you could have also tried the UUC SSK that allows you to lower the shifter height as well as shorten the throws.

Good work!

Big Windy · 02-26-2009, 07:14 AM

cool mod and great DIY. thanks!

Straz M3 · 02-26-2009, 01:09 PM

Can I send you my knob?

tightie · 02-26-2009, 03:20 PM

I'm debating on ditching my BMW performance knob for this..

montreal red · 02-26-2009, 08:47 PM

wow nice mod!

Fentanyl · 02-27-2009, 02:26 AM

Nice Mod, But where do you guys think the cheapest place to get a ZHP knob is?

Mr.Metak2you · 02-27-2009, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by endofanera7

WOW! Impressive... I might look into doing this mod together with the SSK.
Thanks for sharing..

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMMorish

Mod looks good. But you could have also tried the UUC SSK that allows you to lower the shifter height as well as shorten the throws.
Good work!

That's the plan, though I am leaning towards a ROGUE ssk.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tightie

I'm debating on ditching my BMW performance knob for this..

Quote:

Originally Posted by badfish

Great mod. I just would feel guilty tearing apart the original knob... Thanks for the info!

Just do what I did, test drive the ZHP to see if you even like it before you tear apart the stock one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by montreal red

wow nice mod!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Windy

cool mod and great DIY. thanks!

Thanks for the the great feedback!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fentanyl

Nice Mod, But where do you guys think the cheapest place to get a ZHP knob is?

I would say Tischer for sure!
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...catalogid=4462

KANdaddy · 02-27-2009, 11:50 AM

Did you use the shift pattern emblem from the ZHP knob or the M3 one?

Mr.Metak2you · 02-27-2009, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KANdaddy

Did you use the shift pattern emblem from the ZHP knob or the M3 one?

Definately the original M3 one. So you have to carefully remove the original one and not scratch it.

KANdaddy · 02-27-2009, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///Metak

Definately the original M3 one. So you have to carefully remove the original one and not scratch it.

damn...ok. thanks.

Mr.Metak2you · 03-01-2009, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KANdaddy

damn...ok. thanks.

PM me if you have any questions or need help.

02-25-2009, 02:30 PM	#1
Mr.Metak2you Brigadier General Drives: LEXUS LS(DailyDriver) Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Astral Projecting: ∞ 23.516 -122 02.625 0242.101 ĕv'rē-hwâr' Posts: 4,415 iTrader: (11) Garage List 2013 BMW M3 [0.00] 2011 1M Coupe (Sold) [4.30] 2008 E90 M3 (Sold) [4.30] 2007 Z4 Mcpe (Sold) [5.00] 2005 BMW M3 (Sold) [5.00]	Lighted ZHP Installed! DIY Well I know this has been posted before but there is more than one way to skin a cat and thought it might be helpfull to some. Here is my way. First, I really had trouble deciding if I wanted to keep the stock shifter/boot intact. So I installed a ZHP knob(unlit) and drove around for a week. I quickly realized that I would never want the stock knob in that car again. It was so much better. Less rubbery, shorter and of course weighted. Quite franlkly, I would rather drive with the ZHP unlit but I wanted it to look as close to stock as possible. I then cut the boot off and proceeded to butcher the stock shift knob in order to extract the LED wiring/housing. (Pic1 & 2) For the ZHP knob, it is really useful to have a drill press and a vise to be able to remove the plastic (Pic3) without damaging the leather (I learned the hard way) and to free up enough space to house the LED board (which is wafer thin and has 6 tiny but bright LED's). To avoide light leaks, I used the black stock LED housing and cut with my Dremel, just the top "ring" off so that the shift pattern emblem would sit flat and level. (Pic4) A smaller hole is drilled the legnth of the shift knob to allow the wiring to pass through from the LED board. To feed the wire through you need to remove the plug with a small flat srewdriver (NO CUTTING is neccesarry). After you feed the wires through, you just push the wires back into the plug. The last step is to glue everything in place, starting with the LED board, then the "ring", and finally the original lighted emblem, using the glue sparingly. (Pic5) I used Loctite cunstruction glue, very strong and instant grab. Just like everyone else who has done this, I ziptide the boot into place from the inside and plugged the knob in. This setup is stock setup clean, plug and play and the new shift knob is awsome! I include a few finished pics. Enjoy. __________________
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02-25-2009, 03:19 PM	#2
elm3 M3 Lover Drives: 2009 e92 M3 Interlagos Blue Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Canton, GA. Posts: 1,711 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 E92 M3 [5.00] 2002 Nissan Xterra ... [0.50] 2004 Yamaha R1 [0.00]	Awesome DIY, I will be doing this once my baby arrive.... Thank you for doing this. I was contemplating on trying to find out how to do this.... __________________ '09 E92 ///M3 Interlagos Blue, 6MT, Silver Novillo Leather, CF Trim, Premium Package, Technology Package, Cold Weather Package, Premium Sound, 19" Wheels, Moonroof-Toy//'02 Nissan Xterra- Daily Driver/ '04 Yamaha R1- Toy/'06Yamaha Raptor 350- Toy

02-25-2009, 04:43 PM	#3
Mr.Metak2you Brigadier General Drives: LEXUS LS(DailyDriver) Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Astral Projecting: ∞ 23.516 -122 02.625 0242.101 ĕv'rē-hwâr' Posts: 4,415 iTrader: (11) Garage List 2013 BMW M3 [0.00] 2011 1M Coupe (Sold) [4.30] 2008 E90 M3 (Sold) [4.30] 2007 Z4 Mcpe (Sold) [5.00] 2005 BMW M3 (Sold) [5.00]	Here is a comparison of the stock vs ZHP. Also if you look back at the first picture, you will see how the stock shifter is totally hollow. __________________

02-25-2009, 05:06 PM	#4
rd4LLe92m3 Private First Class Drives: 08 JetBlack e92 M3 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Philly Posts: 122 iTrader: (3)	That's sweet I wish I could do that to my Bmw performance knob __________________ 08 E92 M3/RE pulley/MS filter/EI x-pipe and HFC/GTS3 Front Bumper

02-25-2009, 09:20 PM	#8
Nate@IND BimmerPost Supporting Vendor Drives: BMW Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 8,858 iTrader: (16)	Nice work! The ZHP is one of the best shift knobs. __________________ IND DISTRIBUTION \| 866.963.4520 \| IND STYLE \| EISENMANN BLOG

02-25-2009, 08:04 PM	#6
alpineweissM3 I love my beautiful wife! Drives: e90 ///M Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 631 iTrader: (0)	Now that's a mod that I like! Great job.

02-25-2009, 08:52 PM	#7
wheelman Private First Class Drives: '09 E90 M3 MT Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 114 iTrader: (1)	Very impressive. Thanks for the DIY.

02-26-2009, 03:42 AM	#10
endofanera7 Major General Drives: 08 JB E92 M3 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 5,058 iTrader: (12) Garage List 2008 E92 M3 [5.00]	WOW! Impressive... I might look into doing this mod together with the SSK. Thanks for sharing..

02-26-2009, 03:43 AM	#11
badfish Major Drives: E92 AW M3 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,037 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 M3 [0.00]	Great mod. I just would feel guilty tearing apart the original knob... Thanks for the info! __________________

02-26-2009, 06:43 AM	#12
MMMorish Just call me J.J. McClure Drives: E92 M3 & C4 Corvette Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 2,838 iTrader: (5)	Mod looks good. But you could have also tried the UUC SSK that allows you to lower the shifter height as well as shorten the throws. Good work! __________________ MODS: Meisterschaft GT Racing Exhaust / BMC Air Filter / UUC SSK & DSSR (Modded)/ RPI Scoops / Passport SRX Hardwired / Custom Wrap 3M Clearbra / 20% Tint / 50% Windshield Tint / Key Hole Delete / Matted Out Accessories / VRS Type II Diffuser / Smoked Reflectors / Euphoria 6K LED Interior Lights / Rear Fog Light Mod / 6000K HID's / 6500K LUX H8 Angel Eyes / RDash License Plate LED Kit / LED Xenon Reverse Lights "M3 drivers have no friends"

02-26-2009, 07:14 AM	#13
Big Windy Major General Drives: audi s4 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: seatac, wa Posts: 5,124 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 E92 M3 [4.50] 2000 Saleen S281 Su ... [0.00]	cool mod and great DIY. thanks! __________________

02-26-2009, 01:09 PM	#14
Straz M3 Never Lose Drives: 2011.75 E92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Windy City Posts: 1,148 iTrader: (2)	Can I send you my knob? __________________ '11 Melbourne Red Metallic / Black/Fox/Fox 6MT E92 ///M3 ZCP \| Convenience Package \| Premium Package 2 \| Heated Seats \| Enhanced Premium Sound l BMW Apps

02-26-2009, 03:20 PM	#15
tightie JOSH SHOKRI. Drives: 2013 E92 Coupe. Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: los angeles, california. Posts: 4,907 iTrader: (7) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [3.95]	I'm debating on ditching my BMW performance knob for this.. __________________ Speed District >> Past: 08 6MT E92 Matte Blue Gintani Supercharged - Present: 13 DCT E92 California Members Speed District M3 Track Days: September 29, 2012 @ Buttonwillow Raceway

02-26-2009, 08:47 PM	#16
montreal red chris Drives: Green Frog Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Montreal Posts: 12,093 iTrader: (31)	wow nice mod! __________________ 997.1 GT3RS 2009 WRX STI e92 M3 (gone)

02-27-2009, 02:26 AM	#17
Fentanyl ///Mazing Drives: E90 AW M3 6MT Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 100 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 E90 M3 [0.00]	Nice Mod, But where do you guys think the cheapest place to get a ZHP knob is? __________________

02-27-2009, 11:50 AM	#19
KANdaddy Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 2012 SaphBlk X6 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Cali Posts: 1,616 iTrader: (2)	Did you use the shift pattern emblem from the ZHP knob or the M3 one?

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