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Articles written about this item |
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Product Reviews |
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Wynn Runjiraviriyapinyo - 05/25/2008 
Following is a brief summary before the full write-up (which will be posted on tUNINGwERKS). First, I'll comment on the install, then I'll comment on the shift shorter itself. Install was performed on a '00 323ci. Info on the SS from Rogue Engineering can be found here.
INSTALL:
Install time according to RE: 30-90 minutes
Actual install time: 3 hours
Although the procedure is very straight-forward, I felt that RE could have provided better instructions with the unit. Not a big deal - easily remedied. I had a question about the install and e-mailed Rogue. Someone got back to me within a day (on Sunday, to boot!).
There are two sticky areas that I ran into, and I assume others will as well. First, while under the car, removing the nylon pivot is difficult because the drive shaft is in the way. Spent a good hour here trying to get it off. Second, removing the rod-bushing clip that keeps the shift carrier in place, was very difficult. There's not a lot of room to work with so it was hard to get enough leverage on anything in order to pry up the clip. All of this will become clear once I get photos up. E46fanatics has a nice write-up on an Auto Solutions install, which was helpful.
Aside from those two issues, everything else was a snap. Gotta love the feeling after a self-install.
IMPRESSIONS:
I love this mod and I wish I would have done it sooner. Before I did the upgrade, I thought all I would get is a reduced throw, but instead, it's a different driving experience altogether. Shifts are short and crisp. And although shifting is slightly notchier, I don't mind it in the least. I just spent 20 minutes driving the car and had the same 'just-got-my-car-SAG' on my face the whole time. There should be an option for this at the dealer.
Ben: thanks again. Although it's too early to make a definitive conclusion, I believe you have a fine product on your hands. I look forward to doing business with you again. I feel comfortable sending friends your way.
I'd be happy to answer any questions.... but after I go out for another drive! |
Eddie Choi - 05/25/2008
Well, I have had the RE SSK in my car for about two weeks now. During that time, I have been able to scrutinize my shifter and observe many differences of the such.
First, lets start with the install. The shifter was personally installed by the Ben Liaw himself, and it took him a mere 15 minutes to do so. Thanks again Ben.
**Initial Impressions**
When I first put the car in reverse, I could have sworn I was in 1st gear. That long throw from neutral center over all the way then up to R was gone. :eek: Then, I drove back to RogueFest and decided to have some fun with shifting. My first impression was a bit of a shock as shifting had become so much shorter. It almost felt wrong, as if I was not fully engaged in the gear.
Normally when I shifted with the stock shifter, the throws were just that: a shift employed the services of almost every muscle on the right side of my body. A very tedious task to say the least. But I was a bit disappointed when after the kit was put in, I still was moving my whole arm to shift. Why that was, I will say later.
So, after Rogue Fest, I had a nice 6 hour drive back to Pittsburgh, where I had plenty of time to test those 3rd 4th and 5th gear shifts. You manual people know how cumbersome that shift to 5th gear is. It is as if you are lunging to the glove compartment to get into gear. The throw from 3rd to 4th is a easy shift, but quite long. But with the SSK in and working, the throws became far more enjoyable.
I have been talking about upshifting, but what about downshifting? Well, downshifting happens a lot quicker as well. Before I said that the new throws were not wrist flicks, and this is the reason why. I had become so accustomed to shifting with so much effort that I never tried to simply flick my wrist to shift. It was out of habit that I was still using my body to shift even with the kit in. I then experimented tried just flicking my wrist to shift, and what do you know, it worked ;).
If you are one of those people that slam the clutch pedal all the way down when you shift, be ready to have to wait for the RPMs to fall to catch up with your shift. A clutch stop would compliment the SSK immensely.
So back in Pittsburgh, I drive in the city and around town, shifting often. The short throw becomes something you get used to, and almost now a short throw. That's a good thing. So I almost forgot that I had a SSK kit in until I drove my friend's E46 with stock setup. Boy what a difference.
Something else. At first, it almost felt like I needed just a tiny bit more effort to get the shifter into gear, but if you are shifting with just a flick of your wrist, the shift is easy and quite smooth. It is not as smooth as stock, but pretty close, and a lot smoother than another kit that I had driven with.
Overall, I am extremely happy with the RE kit, it's well worth it.
This being the first product that I have put on from RE, and having spoken to Mark and Ben personally regarding their products, I can say this. Often times, we strive to get certain mods for our car that are a bit too extreme for our daily driving habits. Huge 15 inch brakes and race shifters are a bit excessive for our cars, no matter how hard it is for us to admit it. The kit is definitely civil enough to drive everyday but a significant improvement over stock. |
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