[longodj]

Hey Everyone,
So I'm becoming a bit of a guinea pig for xi parts I suppose I went in for installation of a UUC Swaybarbarian rear sway bar and the UUC Evo3 SSK for my 335xi yesterday. The sway bar fits fine (or at least it should...they're starting that now although UUC assured me that it would). However, when orienting the SSK forward apparently, you can't shift into gear. Orienting the SSK backward pops the shift boot off every time you shift into fifth. The shop (Eksten Autoworks, a very reputable performance shop in Rochester) assured me that they tried every which way (I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE HOURS !) and called UUC with no good news.

Just to recap.

THE UUC EVO3 SHORT SHIFT KIT DOES NOT FIT THE 335XI.

I just wanted to make that clear as it seems this board never has a "Yes, this part fits this model" or "No, you're wasting your time and money."

Thanks,
Dave

[longodj]

UPDATE:
As you all know I'm working hard to get us XI guys a front sway bar (http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138579) and I just got off the phone with UUC (in regards to the sways) with some new info pertaining to the shift kit. It turns out they are in fact working on one already. Apparently the issue is one of access. The transfer case gets in the way so as it stands now you need to remove the transfer case to install the shift kit which is an extremely expensive bit of labor (I KNOW I'M PAYING IT AND MINE ISN'T EVEN GETTING INSTALLED!!!). So, they are working on a model that gets installed from the top. They have a prototype that you apparently need small hands and a good bit of pressure to install which they sent to a customer with large hands and not enough pressure.... SO, they are locating that prototype and selling it to me upon my return of the i SSK and I will be test fitting that in early July (AND PAYING FOR LABOR AGAIN!).

TO BE CLEAR: UUC is working on a Short Shift Kit for the 335xi. There is a prototype which I will test fit in early July.

Hope that helps someone.

Thanks,
Dave

[fucema]

I for one appreciate your posts regarding test fitting these parts. I have an XI too as you know, and I'm interested in many of the same types of upgrades you are getting. Thanks Longo!

BTW, the UUC SSK for the XI sounds like it's going to be difficult to install...

[longodj]

Originally Posted by fucema

I for one appreciate your posts regarding test fitting these parts. I have an XI too as you know, and I'm interested in many of the same types of upgrades you are getting. Thanks Longo!

Hey no problem. I for one can't stand the fact that this info isn't in one easy to access place, so just figured I'd help out

Originally Posted by fucema

BTW, the UUC SSK for the XI sounds like it's going to be difficult to install...

Oh lol, sorry I was a bit excited when writing that. Their prototype is meant to be installed from the top so that the transfer case doesn't have to be dropped. Apparently it'll only be hard because of some tight spaces. Rest assured they are trying to make it easy to install

[TurboFan]

I've done a couple SSK's on the 335xi. The damn x-drive transfer case is right in the way, but if you or a friend have skinny, nimble fingers, it can be done with the BMW SSK for the 330. It pushes the lever a bit forward, but I can get it installed in about an hour. We tried another SSK (I don't think it was the UUC), we had issues with the bushing attaching to the selector shaft. Kinda a pisser.

If you must have an SSK, the OEM one works, but frankly, I'm not happy with the way the tranny handles the SSK. Maybe I need to do the CDV delete, but under load, the tranny just doesn't handle the faster shift of the SSK well. It tends to grind - like the syncros can't catch up.

[longodj]

Originally Posted by TurboFan

I've done a couple SSK's on the 335xi. The damn x-drive transfer case is right in the way, but if you or a friend have skinny, nimble fingers, it can be done with the BMW SSK for the 330. It pushes the lever a bit forward, but I can get it installed in about an hour. We tried another SSK (I don't think it was the UUC), we had issues with the bushing attaching to the selector shaft. Kinda a pisser.

If you must have an SSK, the OEM one works, but frankly, I'm not happy with the way the tranny handles the SSK. Maybe I need to do the CDV delete, but under load, the tranny just doesn't handle the faster shift of the SSK well. It tends to grind - like the syncros can't catch up.

I just did the CDV mod and it is fantastic. Everything just sort of feels like it's supposed to. It doesn't feel like a trainer car anymore No more jerking in between gears, immediate catch, etc. Definitely do it

[Winston Wolf]

Why would you not just get the BMW SSK? It installs from the top in about 15 minutes, and fits/works perfect. Cost from Tisher-65 bucks.

[TurboFan]

Originally Posted by Winston Wolf

Why would you not just get the BMW SSK? It installs from the top in about 15 minutes, and fits/works perfect. Cost from Tisher-65 bucks.

It sits way far forward relative to the driving position. In 3rd gear, the stick is almost into the dashboard. I have long arms, it doesn't bother me, but it could be a problem for many.

[longodj]

Originally Posted by TurboFan

It sits way far forward relative to the driving position. In 3rd gear, the stick is almost into the dashboard. I have long arms, it doesn't bother me, but it could be a problem for many.

exactly, I'd rather have an SSK that ONLY shortens the throw...and doesn't move the shifter into the dash. An SSK isn't exactly important to me so I'm happy to wait another month to get one that sits properly.

[Winston Wolf]

Originally Posted by TurboFan

It sits way far forward relative to the driving position. In 3rd gear, the stick is almost into the dashboard. I have long arms, it doesn't bother me, but it could be a problem for many.

Well, I don't exactly have 6ft arms. Unless you put it in wrong, it does not move the stick into the dash. I know that for a fact, as I use it every day....

[longodj]

Originally Posted by Winston Wolf

Well, I don't exactly have 6ft arms. Unless you put it in wrong, it does not move the stick into the dash. I know that for a fact, as I use it every day....

There have been many cases of members of this forum installing the BMW Performance SSK on the 335i/xi and it sitting far forward. Regardless, the fact is that the BMW SSK wasn't meant for the 335. The UUC SSK is, and the new one is designed specifically for the xi. So yea...

[kwakr738]

Thanks for the post. I will wait patiently.

[TurboFan]

Originally Posted by Winston Wolf

Well, I don't exactly have 6ft arms. Unless you put it in wrong, it does not move the stick into the dash. I know that for a fact, as I use it every day....

I use it every day as well. If you look at the stock shift lever, there is an offset that moves the knob back toward the driver. That offset is not in the BMW SSK (which as was pointed out was not inteded for the 335), so in 3rd gear, the shifter is positioned very close to the dash / HVAC controls.

If you put it in backward, it's just all messed up.

[Dubbedoutbimmer]

I just skipped to the end of all this to tell all of you I have the BMW performance short shift kit in my car and it works great and I installed it from the interior of the car in under a hour start to finish!! check out the DIY for 335 xi short shift kit very very simple and it comes with the suede boot and weighted knob

[kwakr738]

Originally Posted by longodj

There have been many cases of members of this forum installing the BMW Performance SSK on the 335i/xi and it sitting far forward. Regardless, the fact is that the BMW SSK wasn't meant for the 335. The UUC SSK is, and the new one is designed specifically for the xi. So yea...

Did UUC get back to you yet?

[longodj]

Yea I'm workin on it. I tried the install yesterday and it was actually pretty easy from the top. However, I dropped a damn bushing into the depths of my car and I need to get it fixed on Tuesday. As of now (even with it installed REALLY wrong) it feels less vague. I'll get back to you next week.

[kwakr738]

Sorry to hear that bro. BTW thanks for doing this. Your sacrifice will benefit many.

[longodj]

OK, so unfortunately this prototype was a no go. They were trying to do without a pivot relocator so the shifter sat slightly too low and rubbed up against...whatever is underneath, I guess the transfer case? So, they are sending me a new kit with the pivot relocator which will either require quite a bit of dexterity or some pretty lengthy labor dropping what needs to be dropped. I'll report back. I'm sending the prototype back to them so I'm sure they will work something out. If they simply shorten the bottom of the shifter it would work fine it would just mess with the geometry a bit.

[kwakr738]

Thanks for the update.

[longodj]

my pleasure

[BavarianBullet]

Talk about taking one for the team longodj...ouch! Seriously! Paying for labor just to prove a mod WONT work is not cool.

Do you or anyone have any pictures, from the underside or wherever the transfer case is most obviously in the way?

I'm seriously wanting to change the shifter on my 335xi as my shifting style (umm, HARD) when I'm trying push the car tends to make the shift knob come off on a good 2nd gear pull.

It's a CDV in a different form for me! Argh!

Good luck on your hunt for a new/better replacement shifter!

[BavarianBullet]

Check out http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=106829 before attempting 335xi shifter install. The info that you're kinda screwed trying it from the bottom but can work some magic from the top to do it is helpful.