Report: MFactory CF Driveshaft and Autosolutions SSK

[serranot]

So, in what seems to be a pattern of mods recently, I purchased the MFactory DS and Autosolutions SSK. I had them installed by RRT in Sterling VA. Initial impressions after about an hour of driving.

Autosolutions SSK. In my opinion the best mod money can buy (the only one comparable is the OEM exhaust mod). I purchased a stock height, 15% reduction. It is like a rifle bolt (my Kimber 84M comes to mind). It is solid, tight, metallic, direct feeling. OMG it shifts so much more positively. Should have shifted like this from the factory.

MFactory CF DS. Not as noticeable. There is a certain resonance now, above a certain speed, that I never noticed. This is strange, considering I just had new engine mounts installed at the same time. The DS also helps the driveline feel, but in a different way. You do not feel the lurching or bucking when throttling. It seems that the DS is so much lighter that you don't feel the overrun or slop in the driveline when letting off the throttle. Accelerating, clutching, and decelerating is just so much smoother. Not the smiles per dollar of the SSK but everything is very, very smooth.

The resonance might be that I had my ski port open in bringing the old DS home. Now that it's closed, I will see if that makes a difference.

Goodness, if you have a manual transmission, buy the Autosolutions SSK. Now. Figure out how to get the money. It's that much better.

***Update***

So, my new engine mounts caused the Karbonius plenum to rub on the hood. Grrr! I will have to get that addressed.

On the plus side, closing the ski port made the resonance go away.

[DRLane]

So happy to hear this! Ron just shipped my SSK (20% reduction, 95A bushing upgrade) and I have the CF driveshaft sitting in the garage. Planning on installing these together.

Can I ask what they charged for labor? Thinking I'll install these myself but also have solid rear sub bushing (which I can't install myself)... Maybe if SCR in Loveland CO would throw a reasonable deal I'll have them do the bundle.

[serranot]

Originally Posted by DRLane

So happy to hear this! Ron just shipped my SSK (20% reduction, 95A bushing upgrade) and I have the CF driveshaft sitting in the garage. Planning on installing these together.

Can I ask what they charged for labor? Thinking I'll install these myself but also have solid rear sub bushing (which I can't install myself)... Maybe if SCR in Loveland CO would throw a reasonable deal I'll have them do the bundle.

$434 for the DS. $124 for the SSK.

[Not Sure]

Thx for the report. Have you done solid rear subframe bushings?

[serranot]

Originally Posted by Not Sure

Thx for the report. Have you done solid rear subframe bushings?

I have not. I'm fussy about too much NVH (I just daily drive the car) but have seen good comments about the bushings.

[amrazM]

Shifters are great but the feeling the mfactory shaft gives the car above 3500rpm is incredible

[gte869h]

Hey bro, your resonance didn’t go away just because you closed the ski port. Its still there and not good for your pinion bearing.

Check with you shop and make sure they looked at the paint markings on the pinion shaft. BMW had special bolts that had to be placed for balancing the pinion flange. That’s were your resonance is coming from, out of balance rotating assembly. TIS is available online with detailed instructions.

[serranot]

Originally Posted by gte869h

Hey bro, your resonance didn’t go away just because you closed the ski port. Its still there and not good for your pinion bearing.

Check with you shop and make sure they looked at the paint markings on the pinion shaft. BMW had special bolts that had to be placed for balancing the pinion flange. That’s were your resonance is coming from, out of balance rotating assembly. TIS is available online with detailed instructions.

Will take a look.

[serranot]

I have a white dot on the pinion flange. I presume that means I'm ok?

[Scharbag]

Originally Posted by serranot

I have a white dot on the pinion flange. I presume that means I'm ok?

Should be according to TIS. White dot requires no magical bolt or washer.

Cheers,

[gte869h]

+1

White dot means all is fine

[antonyl]

Do you find your SSK makes a lot of noise at high RPM?

[roastbeef]

serranot this is off-topic, but can we see some pics of your car? paint looks great.

[serranot]

Originally Posted by antonyl

Do you find your SSK makes a lot of noise at high RPM?

It does not seem to, but I admit I don't have much "stick time" yet, especially at high RPM. You can definitely feel the difference by resting your hand on the shifter, but I don't think that has translated to a lot of noise.

The shifter feel is very metallic, almost gated in feel. My gosh, I love it. It feels perfect to me. The 3-2 shift is just soooo much better, like it's a new transmission. That shift, to me, was always the most squishy, multi-click, imprecise shift. Now it's one positive "snick."

I know I sound like a commercial for Autosolutions. It's just that good. Or perhaps I always really hated the OEM feel. Either way, I am very happy with this piece of gear.

[gte869h]

Can’t say much about Autosolutions, but I’ve got the Rogue Engineering kit and it’s fantastic. On my E46, I had a UUC kit with DSSR. The Spec racecar is getting a CAE shifter

Pretty much any reputable SSK is leaps and bounds better than the OEM setup.

[serranot]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

serranot this is off-topic, but can we see some pics of your car? paint looks great.

Here you go.

[roastbeef]

What a 'beaut!