Upgraded 6MT Shifter

[bmwm3s65]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

It's like $400 if I remember correctly

There is no DIY. Unlike in the E46M, in the E9X this is quite straight forward.
You do not need to remove any portion of the exhaust
In the cabin, remove the knob, the boot and the fat piece of foam padding.
In the bottom of the car, remove the trans shield

im trying to install this now. Do you bend the heat shield up? will that grant enough room to access the circa clip and pin on the shift selector rod joint

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by glacket

im trying to install this now. Do you bend the heat shield up? will that grant enough room to access the circa clip and pin on the shift selector rod joint

I don't recall bending any heatshields. It's been years since I did this, it's hard to remember

[amrazM]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

I don't recall bending any heatshields. It's been years since I did this, it's hard to remember

The heat shield of the driveshaft definitely should not have to be deformed in any way.

[bmwm3s65]

Originally Posted by amrazM

The heat shield of the driveshaft definitely should not have to be deformed in any way.

I did, but i didnt have to bend it to access the parts, however i had to drop the transmission cross member. that gave me access to everything i needed. It took me a long time because i am really slow but it was worth it. It feels like i am reloading a rifle everytime i shift. One thing i noticed was the shifter got tighter after i screwed in the hex screws on the sides securing it to the carrier. I asked Ronald about it and he said eve though i had the washers installed, I may have overtightened the screws and deformed the aluminum cup in the shifter a bit. I snugged those screws and it got a little tighter and i put the rest back together. Has anyone else noticed that during the install?

[714gt3cup]

I wanted to share this because I have seen a lot of conflicting pictures on how the AutoSolutions shifter should be installed . This is from Ronald at AutoSolutions . I did my installation yesterday (pain in the ass!) and all the info I could find was wrong or was not complete so this helped a lot in regards to how the shifter should be placed in the car and direction of shifter and shift rod . I’ve seen 4 posts where the shifter itself was backwards in the car and people complaining the shifter is not centered after install . Hope this helps somebody

[Hagasan41]

Originally Posted by 714gt3cup

I wanted to share this because I have seen a lot of conflicting pictures on how the AutoSolutions shifter should be installed . This is from Ronald at AutoSolutions . I did my installation yesterday (pain in the ass!) and all the info I could find was wrong or was not complete so this helped a lot in regards to how the shifter should be placed in the car and direction of shifter and shift rod . I’ve seen 4 posts where the shifter itself was backwards in the car and people complaining the shifter is not centered after install . Hope this helps somebody

Super helpful! This is my next upgrade for sure. So how do you like the shifter? What % reduction did you go with?

[714gt3cup]

Originally Posted by Hagasan41

Super helpful! This is my next upgrade for sure. So how do you like the shifter? What % reduction did you go with?

The shifter is great , very tight and precise shifting . I went with 30% reduction .

[ghostpoo]

Recently got the Auto Solutions shifter installed and I noticed when increasing RPMs (past 4k) the shifter starts to vibrate (moreso than normal) and make an audible rattle as the RPMs get higher. Anyone experience this as well or is this an install issue?

[///MisterE]

Originally Posted by ghostpoo

Recently got the Auto Solutions shifter installed and I noticed when increasing RPMs (past 4k) the shifter starts to vibrate (moreso than normal) and make an audible rattle as the RPMs get higher. Anyone experience this as well or is this an install issue?

I have this as well. From what I understand its a biproduct of the more direct/precise connection. I'll also say that over time I feel like the sound has gone down substantially (or I've just gotten very very used to it) - I've had it installed since October. Even still, I feel like with that being a cost to pay for this install, its totally worth it. I'm amazed every day how precise and fluid the shifter feels.

[andrewmega]

If you guys removed the transmission support, try getting your transmission on a jack when you put the support back in place. I had some rattling issues that increased in pace with RPM (particularly 5k+). After re-securing the support to the body with the transmission slightly lifted, then tightening the transmission to the support, I haven't really had the issue.

[MisterClutch888]

anyone went with a "raised" AutoSolutions SSK in height? I wonder if anyone had raised theirs like 30mm+?

[pbonsalb]

Using a taller knob?

[MisterClutch888]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

Using a taller knob?

Actually looking for a lot taller, but 30mm is just a reference for the AS kit. Seems like everyone is only raising 6mm to 13mm.

[pbonsalb]

I used a Delrin knob on the UUC EVO3 shifter in my E36M3 that added several inches. I am changing to a CAE Street Shifter that is taller than stock but several inches shorter than their race shifter.

Still stock on my E90 M3 but thinking about an Auto Solutions. Don’t feel the need for an extra tall shifter in that car. It’s my cruiser.

[MPower7]

How does this kit compare to CAE or RTD. I want a really tall race shifter for the track, is it chassis mounted?

[Smonkgood]

Does autosolutions still exist?

[derbo]

Originally Posted by MPower7

How does this kit compare to CAE or RTD. I want a really tall race shifter for the track, is it chassis mounted?

It won't be any better and direct as chassis mounted shifters but I think it is the best traditional shifter in a street car.

Originally Posted by Smonkgood

Does autosolutions still exist?

Yup. He is still backlogged from his move last fall. There was a bunch of stags during his transition to his new shop and caused some delays.

I just installed my wife's E30 SSK from him.

[Hein Jockins]

Originally Posted by Smonkgood

Does autosolutions still exist?

Yep definitely still around. Website could use some work, but he makes everything himself and is made to order. Been waiting on mine for about a month, but my throw reduction wasn't as much as others so I went into a less prioritized batch.

[e90335e36m3]

My Autosolutions shifter shipped this week. Took a while but I kind of forgot about it somewhere along the way and Ron was transparent that it would take long.

[Vuu]

Originally Posted by Smonkgood

Does autosolutions still exist?

Yup, Ronald just has a really old site.

You can reach out to him via phone or email. Super responsive and nice guy.

[CamasM3e93]

I've got a different short shifter kit, UUC or something like that. The prior owner put it on. Perhaps the mechanism has other issues but the shifting is beyond notchy - more like junky and it significantly impacts my straight line acceleration from stop. I had a chance to eval Shrike360 Autosolutions install and agree it is a significant step up. I have one on order and should see it sometime in August. I emailed Ron, we had an exchange and I answered 10 of his questions about what I was looking for, mods, how much NVH I'm willing to live with, etc and we put together an order based on that. Already have my ZHP knob and hope to get everything installed in September.

[derbo]

Originally Posted by CamasM3e93

I've got a different short shifter kit, UUC or something like that. The prior owner put it on. Perhaps the mechanism has other issues but the shifting is beyond notchy - more like junky and it significantly impacts my straight line acceleration from stop. I had a chance to eval Shrike360 Autosolutions install and agree it is a significant step up. I have one on order and should see it sometime in August. I emailed Ron, we had an exchange and I answered 10 of his questions about what I was looking for, mods, how much NVH I'm willing to live with, etc and we put together an order based on that. Already have my ZHP knob and hope to get everything installed in September.

I ended up with a 22.5% reduction, and a 13mm height increase to offset the ZHP shorter knob vs the Stock M3 shifter. My ZHP knob sits at stock m3 knob height, while feeling amazing.

He is a 63 year old guy running a 1man band (minus Nicole doing some minor paperwork). I don't see him doing this much longer and it will be sad to see him go into retirement since no one will fill his shoes.