short shift

Well I have gone the whole hog and installed one of the Geoff Steel Racing rose jointed levers, while it's a bit noisy above 4000rpm (there's no rubber or plastic in it at all) the change is fab, you just bang it in. The lever is longer too which I think helps a lot, more leverage make sit easier to change. Hot/cold doesn't make any difference. Prior to this I had one of the sort of home grown ones with bits and pieces from other linkages, was ok but more notchy and less noisy. So it comes down to what you want, great changes or silent running........

I changed from ATF to Redline MTL in my E36 Evo - although there wasnt any noticeable change in notchiness (perhaps a bit better), i found gearchange was more precise and I could be quicker letting the foot off the clutch to engage the gear fully. This is probably down to the fact that ATF doesnt have the friction required for the syncro to work effectively whearas MTL does.

Also heard good things about Royal Purple oils.

 

 

I occasionally miss a gear on downchanges when it baulks. (track use) Never used to happen with standard linkage.

I know the US gearboxes are not CR, but was interested to see that if you look at gearboxes on RealOEM, the US box has a metal tag attatched that says ATF only.

Why that `box and not the European one?

I have tried both redline MT90(75/90) and MTL (SAE5/30). Not surprisingly I found that the 'box was quieter (layshaft rattle) on MT90 but the early moring shifts were a little stiff. The MTL is noisier but shifts great in the mornings. No big surprises there then

I believe the later 'boxes were designed with the lighter oil (ATF) in mind.

Steve

rr_ww wrote: Fitted about 18 months ago. Seems Ok. As for Gearbox Oil Im currently using (Munich Legend recommended) EP80, but if Im honest early morning starts are terrible. I have to go into 2nd before I can get 1st. As above once its warm its fine. I know the Yanks talk about Redline 75/90 with a proviso about using it in extreme temperatures. Also be aware the Dog leg wasnt used in the US. Link S14.net Rather irritatingly every time I ask "Oilman" about gearbox oils he doesnt respond. Shame as I buy my Motul engine oil from them and they do a good service. If hes reading this I want to know what the differences are between different weights. And what the API numbers represent. Personally Im looking to change it to a 75-90 see whether thats any better. Mobil SHC seems to be hard to find in the UK. And it appers to be "SAE 140, 80w-140 or 75w-140" Which seems a bit thick. Heres a thread by Simon on oils generally. Link Here

How's about ATF?

Fitted about 18 months ago. Seems Ok. As for Gearbox Oil Im currently using (Munich Legend recommended) EP80, but if Im honest early morning starts are terrible. I have to go into 2nd before I can get 1st. As above once its warm its fine.

I know the Yanks talk about Redline 75/90 with a proviso about using it in extreme temperatures. Also be aware the Dog leg wasnt used in the US.

Link S14.net

Rather irritatingly every time I ask "Oilman" about gearbox oils he doesnt respond. Shame as I buy my Motul engine oil from them and they do a good service. If hes reading this I want to know what the differences are between different weights. And what the API numbers represent.

Personally Im looking to change it to a 75-90 see whether thats any better. Mobil SHC seems to be hard to find in the UK. And it appers to be "SAE 140, 80w-140 or 75w-140" Which seems a bit thick.

Heres a thread by Simon on oils generally. Link Here

Edited by rr_ww

Mallorcaman wrote: A bit too notchy and harder to change gear. I am thinking of taking it off again but might try ATF in the `box first.

Odd, i find the Z3 lever perfect without any
notchiness at all, maybe a bit when cold but thats it.

What oil do you use?

I fitted an AC Schnitzer one when I bought the car and it is sweet and not notchy

 

Martin

is the z3 shifter the right way to go, how is it with the dog leg box