CAE Ultra Shifter

[GuidoK]

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

but it's the adjustments for the other gears with a spring return to 3-4 home position that really makes the CAE so nice.

I think for this function to work best is to have stiffer engine and gearbox mounts (like you already have).

The normal shift joint (ball joint) sits in a subbeam (shifting arm) connected between gearbox and chassis. That means that the oem shifter moves accordingly to engine/gearbox movement to keep the shift rod inline with the proper gear selections. This is also one of the reasons the OEM shift lever has so much slob. The rear bushing of the shift arm is a very soft bushing, probably for comfort/NVH. The movement in that bushing+movement/play in the ball joint is basically the total slob of the oem shift system. (upgrading that bushing is a simple/cheap way to reduce that slob partly)

By relating the shifter position to the chassis and not to the engine/gearbox (like the cae shifter), its best to minimize the gearbox movement.
I dont have irl experience with this problem but I could imagine when under high G's the engine could move so much with OEM mounts that it could get out of line for 3/4 shifting (so that the gearbox isnt aligned anymore with the 3/4 preset).
The oem mounts are very soft, especially the gearbox oem mounts (you can squeeze them with your fingers).

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by GuidoK

I think for this function to work best is to have stiffer engine and gearbox mounts (like you already have).

The normal shift joint (ball joint) sits in a subbeam (shifting arm) connected between gearbox and chassis. That means that the oem shifter moves accordingly to engine/gearbox movement to keep the shift rod inline with the proper gear selections. This is also one of the reasons the OEM shift lever has so much slob. The rear bushing of the shift arm is a very soft bushing, probably for comfort/NVH. The movement in that bushing+movement/play in the ball joint is basically the total slob of the oem shift system. (upgrading that bushing is a simple/cheap way to reduce that slob partly)

By relating the shifter position to the chassis and not to the engine/gearbox (like the cae shifter), its best to minimize the gearbox movement.
I dont have irl experience with this problem but I could imagine when under high G's the engine could move so much with OEM mounts that it could get out of line for 3/4 shifting (so that the gearbox isnt aligned anymore with the 3/4 preset).
The oem mounts are very soft, especially the gearbox oem mounts (you can squeeze them with your fingers).

What you mention makes sense & Something that I definitely thought about.

Reading on the CAE site they claim
" • Problem-free shifting of gears under stress or in curves. "
which i thought to be a strange statement to make.

....when the say stress, maybe they're referring to the driver not the car.

[AriuSen]

Your ID should be theZ4einstein

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by AriuSen

Your ID should be theZ4einstein

LOL.... thanks, but not even close.

[Westersund]

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

Yes, BMW has a spring for reverse, but its not an actual lockout stop.

I could live without the lockout stop, but it's the adjustments for the other gears with a spring return to 3-4 home position that really makes the CAE so nice.

Unlike BMW gear boxes? Nontheless, nice shifter!

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by Westersund

Unlike BMW gear boxes? Nontheless, nice shifter!

Thanks..... Yes, I should have clarified, there are two spring returns in the tranny.
But they are sloppy and vague.
The CAE spring makes it a more precise 'home' position.

If you look at the pic from the underside you can see it's a single spring and how it is double anchored with a centering pin.
You get immediate feedback leaving or returning to 'home'

[Vanne]

Finally got some time to read through your install notes. And yes you are spot on, I'll be adding this to my list of "must do"

Very well executed Ian, top job.

[FD3S]

Great job, very professional installation and post!

[ANILE8]

If using the OE shift rod can you install everything from above or do you still have to drop the exhaust system and driveshaft?

Why did you have to use the AKG DTM Selector Rod?

Do you have to mount the CAE shifter backwards? It looks like crfine88 installed his in the normal forward direction.

Anyone know how the CAE compares to the AKG Stage II shifter?

Can you say if the 1 - 2 shift is noticeably faster?

Defiantly a mod I want to do depending of the difficulty scale and time required to install.

Have only two forum member done the install here?

[Vanne]

I installed something similar, but without the reverse lock out. Its one of the 2 mods i love the most in my car. You cannot use the OEM selector rod, you need a DSSR, or this won't work. and yes you have to drop the shaft and exhaust to fit it. i can only speak for myself, but its a completely different world to the oem shifter and shift behaviour. I am sure Ian will say similar.

Hey man, your an Aussie, you have PM incoming.

[ANILE8]

Hi inTgr8r, just waiting to pull the trigger and order this CAE shifter as I have found one at a amazing price but wanted to ask if you have any pics of the shift boot installed? This is the only thing that is holding me back.

Didn't want to leave it off as mine is still a street car and I like to keep the look factory clean. CAE make about 15 different shifters for VW and trim panels for Porsche owners but only one shifter and no trim panels BMW? Come on CAE, obviously we are not your target market.

[inTgr8r]

I haven't finished the boot off yet.
Still looks like this.

I plan to trim it with an inverted boot with the CAE exposed.






.

[ga41]

How did you end up trimming this?

[inTgr8r]

I didn't, but the plan was to buy a used boot and cut it so that it fit around the base.

[StickMon]

That thing is so damn cool looking that you have to make the inside of the boot very low around the base.
I haven't been to a fabric store in a long time, but maybe they would have a 6"x8" piece of nice leather cheap and easy?

[jns_e85]

Looks like there is a model specific option for our cars now!

http://www.hardmotorsport.com/cae-ultra-shifter-bmw-z4/

Now to find an extra $1,200 and a good enough reason to justify the purchase to the misses....

[Michael9218]

Several less expensive products are now available:
https://www.psdesignsglobal.com/brands/rtd-shifters/
https://www.irp.lt/
https://store.vacmotorsports.com/sam...ons-p2997.aspx

[Azeka1]

These units are certainly nice and the stronger centering-spring is helpful. But considering the cost of even one of the alternatives, I honestly don't see the ROI compared to a proven Bimmerworld Solid Mount setup. No interior mods needed either.

https://www.bimmerworld.com/SpecE46/...waAqEDEALw_wcB

[Vanne]

Azeka1, those are solid shifters, not ultra shifters. That's the difference. The ultra shifters have the pivot point up much higher so much less throw is required.

[ANILE8]

Why is it a persistent problem with DSSR fitment for our vehicles?

From what I have seen both the UUC and AKG DSSR's need modification (bending) to fit. If this was not mentioned at the time of purchase, I would have returned them.

What is strange is that CAE are now offering a DSSR for our vehicles but from what I can see from their website on the Z4 shifter page they are recommending their XXL DSSR version but they look to be straight design and without any bend I do not know how they will clear our guibo.

What do you guys think about this?

https://cae-racing.de/CAE-Ultra-Shifter_2577

https://cae-racing.de/Shift-Rod-XXL

[Michael9218]

My thoughts on the adjustable DSSR is that it looks like a sub optimal solution. I think a two part rod with a clamp is not going to be precise and is a problem waiting to happen.

As for clearance over the Guibo, good question...how does this one clear it?

[Vanne]

I got my DSSR done completely custom. One solid piece. Might have a pic if it somewhere, agreed with Mick, that looks like a problem waiting to happen.