Lenght of throw. That's all. The precision between the three kits is identical. A shorter ratio is no more precise than a longer ratio. The shorter ratio in fact disguises excessive clearances. If the clearance in the kit is very small or inexistent, then reducing it by an additional 20% is meaningless.
Shifting effort. A 40% kit will feel harder to shift than a 30% lever and a 30% lever will feel harder to shift than a 20% lever. Shifters in BMW are class 2 levers. Thus any reduction in throw translates into an increase in effort. However more rigid parts, better alignment and synchronizer efficiency will tend to reduce this effort somewhat. Conversely, a loose part, a misalignment will increase that effort beyond the theoretical number. So in practicality a 40% reduction would yield a 30% increase in effort in a well designed linkage or a 60% increase in a poorly designed one.
A good afternoon if you are doing it by yourself on the driveway. A couple of hours if you give it to a mechanic. The kit is not technically hard to install. It is however awkward to install because the new parts fit tighter than the stock parts and the factory parts that need be removed are hard to reach. If we built the parts looser then the shifter would not feel slop free but it will be easier to install.
Because it is built by hand and because everybody wants one. We build it as fast as we can make it . In most cases the wait is 7 to 10 days . Sometimes it takes a bit longer. Occasionally it is available within a day or so.
The subassemblies are built on a CNC mill and on a swiss machine (Multi tool/dimension lathe) then the parts get a final machine operation by hand and then they are put together by hand. The clearance in each joint is carefully checked and each joint is matched for as good a fit as possible. So this kit takes time to produce. We produce it in batches of 30 and sometimes we have one or two extras on hand so we can ship it right away. Most of the time however, the batch is sold out before it is completed so a new batch must be started to fill an order. Unfortunately, this does not necessarily happens right away because we must produce other kits for other models BMWs and the appropriate machines are sometimes busy building those.
No. they are physically incompatible. But we make Ultrakits for most models. Call us at 816-5614269 or email us for more details.
Yes. It is a bit shorter about 1/2 inch lower or so. This dimension however can be customized so please call us at 816-5614269 or email us for more details.
Yes you can. In fact you can use any knob that works with the factory setup. One exception are heavy knobs which will fit but are not recommended. Over the long term these knobs can preload the synchros on accell and decell and may wear out the shift forks.
Yes there is. After install, the shifter will feel hard to shift and will have a hard time returning to neutral. Within a few miles it will center itself. The shifter will then become easier to shift with time. Typically 200 miles or so will get you about 80% of the way and the remaining 20% of break in will occurr over the next two months.
This is due to the way we fit some of the joints. A brinelling and polishing process occurs with use as the surfaces of the joint mate and become progessively smoother.
No . It is however a very mechanical kit. You will feel that some machinery is connected to the lever as you are making the shift. However, once the shift is completed you will feel no vibrations nor will you hear any noise.
Yes. This is an integrated kit. All the joints are matched and it is designed to be used as a stand alone system. The individual parts of the Ultra Kit are not the same dimension as their factory counterparts. So, for example, leaving a factory coupler connected instead of our hardened coupler will actually make the left to right pattern feel sloppy. If it is installed as one complete unit, there will be no wandering around neutral, no bounciness at the end of the shifts and the pattern will be precise and repeatable.
It is a tool that is provided to help remove the factory lever. Soak the factory plastic bushing with WD40 or equivalent for some time to break the paint bond between the bushing and the aluminium shift arm, then insert the tool as shown in the instructions to remove the factory lever from the carrier.
None. The kit includes all the parts needed to shift save for the shift knob and dust boots.
Yes you can. A lot of the features of this kit can be built to specs. Call 816-5614269 to discuss.
We do . Where it is needed and does the most good. Stainless resonance characteristics as well as its yield strenght and its hardness does not make it the best choice overall. However it is the best material to use for the pivot pins. So we use it there.
The magazine Grassroot Motorsport tested several kits a few years ago. One of the earliest Ultra kits was compared to kits from most of our competitors. Extremely positive feedback.
Customer testimony abound as well. Maybe one day we will compile it and post it on our site.
Here is the link to last year group buy and all that was said good or bad about the kit. http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=162582