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      02-27-2020, 01:29 PM   #1
Beedub
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uuc ultimate SSK

any tried this short shift kit??? would love some feedback on fitment, feel and if any issues please expand :-)

thanks in advance guys!
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      02-29-2020, 06:17 PM   #2
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The first, second and third problem you will have is having the misfortune of having anything to do with UUC. I am sure many on here will substantiate this claim.

Is anyone still buying this junk anymore today really?

The real question is why would you even bother.

Today there are much better options to consider.

Ditching the stupid stock shifter carrier and going to a solid mount race shifter from Garagistic, RTD, CAE, BimmerWorld, AKG and probably many others I have forgotten to mention would give you a much greater advantage than any short shift kit ever could.
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      03-01-2020, 09:32 AM   #3
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I bought my coupe used with a UUC SSK installed. Short, mechanical (notchy) throws were great in spirited driving and track days, burdensome on cold mornings.

A component internal to their assembly broke somehow and I swapped back to the OEM setup while I went through the UUC replacement/warranty process. Frankly I did not miss it and would go the full CAE/Bimmerworld/etc. route only if it was a dedicated track car now.
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      03-01-2020, 09:55 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ANILE8 View Post
The first, second and third problem you will have is having the misfortune of having anything to do with UUC. I am sure many on here will substantiate this claim.

Is anyone still buying this junk anymore today really?

The real question is why would you even bother.

Today there are much better options to consider.

Ditching the stupid stock shifter carrier and going to a solid mount race shifter from Garagistic, RTD, CAE, BimmerWorld, AKG and probably many others I have forgotten to mention would give you a much greater advantage than any short shift kit ever could.
Couldn't agree more. Back in the day, there weren't that many aftermarket kits offered by smaller US based shops. All the big brand stuff was expensive or manufactured overseas. It was nice knowing you had a BMW enthusiast run company devleoping/producing stuff in the US. That plus UUC's aggressive holiday promos were pretty sweet but once they got your money, their post-sale customer service really killed a lot of their customer loyalty. Not to mention their "holier than thou" mentality is really laughable. I've bought kits installed by top notch shops (many of their staff who were former master techs at dealerships) and UUC's default assumption was installation error when in reality it was their garbage products being off-spec. I'd rather pay up for VAC, RE, AKG, etc (and even these guys aren't perfect but their miles ahead of UUC).

Beedub - if you're looking for the ultimate street kit, sorta crazy how much I spent on my old hardware on my previous car, but it really was the best shifting I ever had in all my cars over the years. Too bad it just didn't come like this from factory. But my setup consisted of:

1) Mason clutch pedal + CDV delete => no longer had to deal with letting out clutch slow for the 1st/2nd shift.

2) AutoSolutions SSK + tall "anatomic" 6 speed knob = precise short throws, never have to worry about money shifting. The anatomic knob is basically a taller version of ZHP so still weighted but tall enough to mitigate any over-notchiness.

3) Bimmerworld Group N replica motor mounts + Rogue trans bushings + AKG cups = never had to deal with hard shifts under high rpm (or popping out of gear) on track.

Or for way less you can get a CAE shifter lol. Back when I did these mods, the CAE shifter wasn't known/available and I was going for the ultimate dual duty setup.
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      03-02-2020, 10:48 PM   #5
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I have an RE Octane i'm happy with+ cdv delete and tranny fluid change+RE tranny mounts. It's not "race ready", buts fine for me.(the 1st to 2nd issue is gone)
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      03-02-2020, 11:40 PM   #6
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Just got a chassis mount RTD mini shifter wtih centering spring and I will report back.

I had AS SSK with RE trans mount and Vibra engine mount on the track a few times. Probably changed a 5+ knobs from 450g stormwerks to taller weighted OE knob..

I was never 100% satisfied at all of these changes.... they are better but just not what I was looking for.

I do recommend the stormwerks knob weighing at 450g It did have the best feel with click & clean shifting.

There is definitely slop in gear shift and it has a rubbery feel that not a short shifter can really cure.

I think, after watching this video, is the nature of the oe design.

it explain it well in the video.



I really wanted direct shift even if it might mean shifting with more effort...

I'll make a video when the RTD installed.

.
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      03-15-2020, 05:07 PM   #7
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I use my Z4MR as a daily driver and frequent track car.

I have the UUC SSK w their DSSR, a ZHP shift knob, stock motor mounts, and stock trans mounts. It's an improvement over stock shifter feel. It's still only "ok".

In the next couple of months, assuming our species does not come to a humiliating end, I will be installing an RTD shifter, Rogue Engineering transmission mounts, and Bimmerworld engine mounts. I may keep the UUC DSSR installed as it seems better made than the BMW part.

I think the weakest parts of the Z4M are the brakes and the transmission feel - and they are both still pretty good. However, for a track car I would like to get the best shift feel possible and I think an RTD shifter will be as close as I can get without having to butcher up the interior (like the CAE shifter would require).

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      11-18-2021, 05:59 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eggman51 View Post
I use my Z4MR as a daily driver and frequent track car.

I have the UUC SSK w their DSSR, a ZHP shift knob, stock motor mounts, and stock trans mounts. It's an improvement over stock shifter feel. It's still only "ok".

In the next couple of months, assuming our species does not come to a humiliating end, I will be installing an RTD shifter, Rogue Engineering transmission mounts, and Bimmerworld engine mounts. I may keep the UUC DSSR installed as it seems better made than the BMW part.

I think the weakest parts of the Z4M are the brakes and the transmission feel - and they are both still pretty good. However, for a track car I would like to get the best shift feel possible and I think an RTD shifter will be as close as I can get without having to butcher up the interior (like the CAE shifter would require).

Cheers,
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How did you get on with the rtd shifter ? I've just picked up my z4m amd looking at options for a ssk. Any pros and cons would be great 👍🏼
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      11-21-2021, 03:19 AM   #9
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I'm going to just leave the shifter alone.....

ASS never answer emails , i'm sure their product is solid but , their website isn't even complete. These guys are making solid money ( clearly selling a fair amount of shifters ) but can't be bothered to at least have a website that's complete, it doesn't need to be all fancy and 3d shapes, just complete! but i don't get a good feeling from ASS with the lack of contact and the lack of effort to market your product properly, imo that's just LAZY, numerous people have messaged me to say it creates a resonance in the car at certain revs.

UUC clearly are dogs and will not be getting my money, and a few ive spoke to just dont rate the product at all.

CAE means cutting up the sheet metal around the shifter and butchering the interior , something im not cool with at all, and also ive driven an e36 with this shifter setup and it has it pitfalls some of which are pretty large.

RTD shifter seems like a good option, BUT with the engine movement, and this mounted solidly to the chassis, i would not be surprised if this causes wear within the gearbox linkages and or possibly buckling the floor where it mounts under the extremes. Even with the solid mounts, their WILL be movement, with the solid mounting to the floor this movement has to be somewhere surely? or more importantly where is the little movement that will happen being transferred to and is that even an issue??

looks like i'm stuck with a weighted knob setup, which isnt bad at all, i just wanted that extra crisp feel!
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Last edited by Beedub; 11-21-2021 at 07:45 AM..
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      11-21-2021, 07:07 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Duncan.B View Post
How did you get on with the rtd shifter ? I've just picked up my z4m amd looking at options for a ssk. Any pros and cons would be great 👍🏼
No experience with the RTD, fitted a UUC when I first bought Z4 and upgraded a few years ago....

Just keep in mind if you consider fitting a chassis mount shifter you will need to upgrade the gearbox mounts.

I fitted an AKG chassis mounted shifter and DSSR, along with stiffer gearbox and motor mounts.
Very crisp, short shifts.
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      11-21-2021, 01:44 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Beedub View Post
I'm going to just leave the shifter alone.....

RTD shifter seems like a good option, BUT with the engine movement, and this mounted solidly to the chassis, i would not be surprised if this causes wear within the gearbox linkages and or possibly buckling the floor where it mounts under the extremes. Even with the solid mounts, their WILL be movement, with the solid mounting to the floor this movement has to be somewhere surely? or more importantly where is the little movement that will happen being transferred to and is that even an issue??

looks like i'm stuck with a weighted knob setup, which isnt bad at all, i just wanted that extra crisp feel!
Mate, take a deep breath. Believe me, for something that has been battle-tested on our platform by so many members already on here; you are WAY overthinking everything.

Anyone who has one will tell you that solid mounted shifters are the bomb, do yourself a favour. Your thank me later.

I did a thread about mine when I installed it nearly 3 years ago now HERE

Only running the OEM engine and trans mounts and never had a problem shifting.
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      11-21-2021, 02:43 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Duncan.B View Post
How did you get on with the rtd shifter ? I've just picked up my z4m amd looking at options for a ssk. Any pros and cons would be great 👍🏼
I would not install any other SSK in my car after using the RTD shifter. It is pricey, but can be installed without permanently modifying the car, and can have the shift boot installed over it to finish it nicely.

I have driven the car extensively on the road and track and the RTD is a great shifter. The CAE ones are probably a little better, but they are more expensive and require bothering up the car permanently, and I don't know if you can get the shift boot back on over the CAE.

I also did engine and transmission mounts which I would highly recommend if you are going to the trouble of installing a chassis-mounted shifter.

Good luck!
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      11-21-2021, 05:34 PM   #13
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I installed my UUC years ago. It has been working fine. I had no idea it was so poorly regarded. I've also got the Vibratechniques road motor mounts with BMW motor sport bolts.
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      11-21-2021, 07:02 PM   #14
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Really depends on what you want.. Do you want a crispy shifting and mainly street driven? Don't mind the rubbery slopiness of the OE carrier but just better?

Go with just a heavy knob (450g+, not just the ZHP at 120g+) , CDV delete, sport trans mount and engine.. you're done.

If you want crispy, short, more effort, but no BS, go for the chassis mount.

I have had UUC, AS shifters with ZHP, ACS, M5, Jaffster, Stormwerks V1, OE weighted and many combinations since I was determined to find the best shifting experience for the Z4M.

I've finally settled on a Chassis mount(RTD mini) with 500g heavy shift knob, RE trans mount (sport), Vibra sport mount as my ultimate street track combo.

Hope this helps and YMMV.
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      11-22-2021, 01:34 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ANILE8 View Post
Mate, take a deep breath. Believe me, for something that has been battle-tested on our platform by so many members already on here; you are WAY overthinking everything.

Anyone who has one will tell you that solid mounted shifters are the bomb, do yourself a favour. Your thank me later.

I did a thread about mine when I installed it nearly 3 years ago now HERE

Only running the OEM engine and trans mounts and never had a problem shifting.
im breathing just fine , ive tried the solid mount shifter.... i don't like it lol or at least the e36 CAE i drove. Not everyone WILL....
the reasons ive listed aren't over thinking, its something many of us think about when looking for new parts for our cars, absolutely nothing wrong with weighing up the pro's and cons for a modification.

the RTD does appear to be the best solution for this platform, which DSSR do you need? i cant see a z4 specific time.

quite frankly WAY too many people fit aftermarket stuff to their car and get blinded to its pit falls, if you ask questions, LOTS of questions you get answers.
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      11-22-2021, 10:17 AM   #16
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I have a UUC in my car with fresh OEM bushings everywhere (trans, engine, shifter)

It is just as floppy as the OEM shifter, except it feels more substantial. Between the ZHP knob and the full metal UUC shifter, it feels *better*. Is it how I expected it to feel? no. Disappointed still, but, I digress.

If I had to do it again, I'd try to pick up an RTD. I messaged them on their email and facebook, never got a response. Bummer.
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      11-22-2021, 12:15 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1messedupZ4M View Post
I have a UUC in my car with fresh OEM bushings everywhere (trans, engine, shifter)

It is just as floppy as the OEM shifter, except it feels more substantial. Between the ZHP knob and the full metal UUC shifter, it feels *better*. Is it how I expected it to feel? no. Disappointed still, but, I digress.

If I had to do it again, I'd try to pick up an RTD. I messaged them on their email and facebook, never got a response. Bummer.
You can also contact PSDesign.. They're the same thing.

HTH
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      11-26-2021, 04:33 PM   #18
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Okay, dumb question here but almost every shift lever that is mentioned in this thread is 3" to 8" taller than the stock shift lever, how can these possibly be called SSK?
Is there a shorter throw on the south side of the pivot ball?
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      11-26-2021, 04:59 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by grannyknot View Post
Okay, dumb question here but almost every shift lever that is mentioned in this thread is 3" to 8" taller than the stock shift lever, how can these possibly be called SSK?
Is there a shorter throw on the south side of the pivot ball?
Yes. Actually, a longer throw on the underside which means more movement with less movement topside.
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      11-26-2021, 08:20 PM   #20
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Yes. Actually, a longer throw on the underside which means more movement with less movement topside.
Got it, now I see it. Thanks
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      11-28-2021, 10:09 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Beedub View Post
ASS never answer emails , i'm sure their product is solid but , their website isn't even complete. These guys are making solid money ( clearly selling a fair amount of shifters ) but can't be bothered to at least have a website that's complete, it doesn't need to be all fancy and 3d shapes, just complete! but i don't get a good feeling from ASS with the lack of contact and the lack of effort to market your product properly, imo that's just LAZY, numerous people have messaged me to say it creates a resonance in the car at certain revs.
As far as I can tell Auto Solutions is not a them it's a he. I think his interest in building SSK kits comes and goes, or he gets busy with something other than SSK's. I agree the website is a total shambles! But I still love my SSK from him.

I wasn't aware of UUC having a bad rep. The one I bought from a forum member seemed like a decent enough piece; I just decided that if I was going to that much trouble I wanted the Auto Solutions kit instead.
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