[x622]

What alternatives are there for the G87 in terms of short shift kits? I have the RE kit but I want to pull it out and replace it with something else.

I didn't see that UUC or anyone else had them, and the other variants I've seen are the same style - a weld on cup with a metal/delrin ball and rod.

https://cae-racing.de/CAE-Ultra-Shifter_4691
Has anyone ran one of these?

[Geighty7]

Originally Posted by x622

What alternatives are there for the G87 in terms of short shift kits? I have the RE kit but I want to pull it out and replace it with something else.

I didn't see that UUC or anyone else had them, and the other variants I've seen are the same style - a weld on cup with a metal/delrin ball and rod.

https://cae-racing.de/CAE-Ultra-Shifter_4691
Has anyone ran one of these?

May I ask why you’re pulling the RE? I was looking into it for mine actually.

[x622]

Originally Posted by Geighty7

May I ask why you’re pulling the RE? I was looking into it for mine actually.

It is the notchiest shifter I have ever laid hands on. I tried using my trigger gauge (up to 12lbs) to get an idea of how much force this takes to "break" to slide into gear and it was more than that. I actually ordered a larger force gauge just so I could record how much pressure it takes to shift into 3rd and 4th gear, and will go test it on a stock car as well for comparison. Never in my life on any car, in any platform have I ever felt a shifter this bad. We've taken it apart several times to check for binding, watched the path of the rod to ensure no binding, etc but man this thing just is not great.

I emailed RE about what I could do about the notchiness and their response was

With any SSK, if you reduce the throw you will increase the effort. Reduce the throw by 30%, effort goes up by 30%. No way around it…unless you increase the lever length (changing the leverage), but effort at the same relative height will still be increased.

Sure, maybe. I have an incredibly short shifter on the s2000, but somehow it doesn't feel like a bag of garbage. You don't have to hunt for the gate, and you don't have to apply all your force into shoving it into gear.

[Geighty7]

Originally Posted by x622

Sure, maybe. I have an incredibly short shifter on the s2000, but somehow it doesn't feel like a bag of garbage. You don't have to hunt for the gate, and you don't have to apply all your force into shoving it into gear.

Geez. Well your feedback is greatly appreciated. I have not personally tried it yet, but that doesn’t seem like the experience I am looking for.

With you in finding alternatives. I believe Click_ID has some knowledge on another solution he was informing about in another thread I was apart of. I do not recall the thread but I can try and find.

[Sleeper]

Gross. I'm waiting on IND to send out my RE shifter kit and rear bushing mount order - I'll install it and see if my impressions for shift effort match. Either you got a bad unit, or mine will suck too. TBC.

[sebaflex]

I believe Autosolutions offers a SSK but you have to contact them directly as they don't seem to have an online store.

[tom @ eas]

We sell/install the CAE Ultra kits mostly on track cars. I wouldn't necessarily call the CAE a street friendly shifter. Allthough they have a Street version for E36/E46 BMW models (not G8X yet).

Autosolutions sets the bar for street shifters, they've been in the business a very long time and they do what they do well.

[x622]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

We sell/install the CAE Ultra kits mostly on track cars. I wouldn't necessarily call the CAE a street friendly shifter. Allthough they have a Street version for E36/E46 BMW models (not G8X yet).

Autosolutions sets the bar for street shifters, they've been in the business a very long time and they do what they do well.

I was actually going to email you guys about the CAE shifter because the CAE website's contact form doesn't seem to work. What makes it not street friendly? I've driven a CAE on a E92 and it was fine for the street. Sure it was short, but it went into each gear easily and with authority. You didn't have to absolutely manhandle the damn thing to make sure it was in gear.

I'm going to my shop tonight with a new forcemeter I got to record what the pull is on this thing, and I have a stock M2 that I'm going to do the same test on tomorrow for comparisons sake. The world needs more data and less marketing BS.

[sebaflex]

Saw this today. Maybe worth checking out with them
(~8:50)

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by x622

I was actually going to email you guys about the CAE shifter because the CAE website's contact form doesn't seem to work. What makes it not street friendly? I've driven a CAE on a E92 and it was fine for the street. Sure it was short, but it went into each gear easily and with authority. You didn't have to absolutely manhandle the damn thing to make sure it was in gear.

I'm going to my shop tonight with a new forcemeter I got to record what the pull is on this thing, and I have a stock M2 that I'm going to do the same test on tomorrow for comparisons sake. The world needs more data and less marketing BS.

If you go back and read some of my posts over the years, you'll know I'm not one to spread marketing BS.

When the term "short shifter" is thrown around, usually the shifter remaining the same length or shorter. Cheap shifters are stock shifters just cut short for shorter throws, whole good shifters change the fulcrum point, bushings and construction (among other things). CAE is a whole different category in what is known as a Gate Shifter. I'm really generalizing here for the sake of keeping things short.

The CAE throw is short but not the overall shifter rod length. It's tall and positioned near the steering wheel as this is what you want in a racing environment for quick and easy access for grabbing the shifter in between shifts. Depending on how tall you are, you might even see it peeking out your window when walking up to your car. The tight shift pattern be difficult for some to know what gear during upshifting/downshifting. The reverse lockout can be a pain for a street car, but all these things are useful for a race car. Hand the keys to a valet if you're at a fancy restaurant - more than likely, he's going to be confused.

The center console plastics have to be trimmed for clearance of the shifter assembly. This isn't seen once the everything is put back together, but it's still something that needs to be done. You'll also get some NVH, which is to be expected with race parts as there's not a single rubber bushing in the entire assembly. NVH in a racecar? Please.

Don't get me wrong, the CAE is an absolute engineering marvel. The materials used, the shifts are tight, clean and crisp and these things are fantastic on the track. Although they might be a bit silly if you take the wife out to a fancy dinner or happen to be driving business clients around, they may raise an eyebrow or two if they don't fully understand race shifters - this is only if we're questioning style. CAE is purely function over form.

I've been ordering/installing kits from Autosolutions since E36 M3s were still coming off the assembly line. In fact, it's amazing Autosolutions is still doing this today. You won't see anyone selling them since there so many variables - it's nearly impossible for a tuner like us to keep every configuration in stock, so we kindly refer them to Autosolutions directly and know they'll be taken care of. We don't make any money from referrals, but I know happy customers will come back to buy more because they were given solid advice - even on parts we don't sell.

One single answer isn't for everyone. If you're good with race parts on a street car and none of these things apply, let me know and I'll get you the CAE Ultra. It won't let you down, and you'll now know in advance you have choices and what to expect without any surprises.

[x622]

I'm fully onboard and I have a gate shifter on my S2000 as well. DM'ed. As long as I can make my latheworks piston fit, I'm in business.

I care about precision and being able to find gears quickly and efficiently. I have missed gears multiple times already, and it's not conducive to cutting laps because I'm so focused on making sure the damn thing went in gear.

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by x622

I'm fully onboard and I have a gate shifter on my S2000 as well. DM'ed. As long as I can make my latheworks piston fit, I'm in business.

I care about precision and being able to find gears quickly and efficiently. I have missed gears multiple times already, and it's not conducive to cutting laps because I'm so focused on making sure the damn thing went in gear.

No problem, you have PM.