Best self-centering shifter for SMG to Manual

[Mr.wReckless]

There's a comprehensive SMG to Manual thread somewhere which lists the parts. By using a self-centering shifter you don't need to machine the bell housing so the specific parts for the OEM manual gear stick can be omitted.

Regards

[Mtgplayer84]

If you understand this one key thing, it will save you a lot of headache - all these shifters (IRP, CAE, Coolerworx, RTD, etc) are self centering, but they are not all appropriate for the smg car without bell housing machining.

Self centering, basically means it has 1 main super strong torsion spring that will yank the lever into N between 3/4. That is all that self centering means.

What do you do about all the other gates, R, 1/2, 5/6, how do you define them, that by moving the top of the lever 0.5inches to the left, you will be in 1/2 gate, vs moving it 1inch to the left you will be in R gate...

Well, the R gate you can solve with the locking mechanism they offer (most refer to it as a "lockout", which is a metal ring that sits just under the knob that operates a cable that pulls out the pin, which then allows you to move the shifter way left to get to R gate), which I suggest you get. Without it, plenty of stories of driving spiritedly and trying to shift from 3 to 2, yanking on the lever too hard to the left and instead of landing in 1/2 gate you get all the way over to R.

The other gate definitions like 1/2, 5/6 are what the bell housing machining does for you with the added detents. Without it, you will just be on a Microsoft flight simulator joystick (exaggeration).

There is a solution to that problem and it is the self centering shifters that have gate definitions, i.e little pins/screws that you can adjust. Not all of them have it... For example if you look at the Coolerworx street/short version, it does not have those, while the Pro version does. CAE does, I don't believe IRP or RTD have them. (random pic of CAE pins below as example).

The ones without reverse lockouts or the adjustment pins/screws are smaller and more compact and do not require trimming console pieces.

I am not here to rank shifters for you, I am here to arm you with some info to help you with your ultimate decision.


Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

I'm starting to look into converting my smg. I just want to make sure I'm understanding this correctly. You can convert without machining the Bell housing with the CAE shifter? Also, is there a parts list you could direct me to for going this route? I would assume a pedal assembly, slave cylinder, shifter and some computer coding is all. But that seems too easy. Are there any random small washers or plates needed?

I've seen a couple of videos on YouTube where they converted an smg car and didn't even drop the transmission. I'll be putting in a new clutch, I figure since its coming out anyways might as well put a 3rd pedal in.

[Mr.wReckless]

https://bimmers.no/repository/monthly_2021_09/CAE7.mp4.93995e69afb8b179203f9d8a1138352d.mp4

I don't feel any difference in effort or feel in shift quality between the RTD and the CAE. It's just nice to have the stops for the added security that you are at the right gate and will engage the gear you want providing the synchro rings are playing ball.

Monumentally more work to fit the CAE though.

Regards

[injekciona]

Went from RTD to a CAE and don't regret it at all. The RTD just felt sloppy even though it was "self-centering". Even after you punch it into gear, it looked like it flops over. Ultimately wasn't a fan of it and with the CAE, it checks all the boxes of how it should feel to shift.

Do you have some more pictures of the fitment?

[Mr.wReckless]

I thought the RTD did have gate adjustment. Just not as refined to be able to stop how far to the side it can go when the reverse lockout is engaged. This is the pic I saw where I got that from.

Yeah I'm guessing RTD introduced this on their locking shifter? But as you say only with right/left stops and no adjustable gate for the reverse it seems.. RTD is still a nice product IMO, but the added adjustability of the CAE version sets it apart from all the rest.

Regards

[ra2fanatic]

Ohh I like that cover!

Does the small version not require you to cut the trim? I cant tell if you shifter trim it cut, but I cant close my coin tray cover so something is different.

It still requires you to cut the trim. It has the tiniest of notches out of the tray, but once closed, it's closed, so no using it at all.

How much effort increased when going to a CAE shifter ?

Just wondering if anyone has tried both the long and the short version to explain the effort increases ?

i.e. 40% reduction in throw increases effort by 40% (typically)

Also - is the side to side play in the gate eliminated with the CAE ?

I can't say the difference between long and short, but gate play is nearly eliminated because of the way the pins are adjusted for each gate entry.

[loudspeaker69]

How much effort increased when going to a CAE shifter ?

Just wondering if anyone has tried both the long and the short version to explain the effort increases ?

i.e. 40% reduction in throw increases effort by 40% (typically)

Also - is the side to side play in the gate eliminated with the CAE ?

[SandeepM3]

Ohh I like that cover!

Does the small version not require you to cut the trim? I cant tell if you shifter trim it cut, but I cant close my coin tray cover so something is different.

[ra2fanatic]

Went from RTD to a CAE and don't regret it at all. The RTD just felt sloppy even though it was "self-centering". Even after you punch it into gear, it looked like it flops over. Ultimately wasn't a fan of it and with the CAE, it checks all the boxes of how it should feel to shift.

[SandeepM3]

For those who might still be interested and following. This 1/2 and 5/6 gate from the CAE version had me intrigued, so much I treated myself to one and express shipped it to me this week. Will install tomorrow.

Quality is really good, but to be expected, but I don't think RTD's version is any less so, the main difference is CAE is aluminium and RTD steel. RTD is a MUCH easier install though, and RTD I got with a metal head, whereas the CAE is some sort of plastic thing (not pictured btw).


Why CAE isn't pushing the adjustable gate side to their product is beyond me, it's pretty much unique to have this much adjustability:


Full size CAE vs "street size" RTD. Not crazy different, but I think I should have gotten the shorter CAE version, but at the time of ordering (1 am), I for some reason thought only the long version had the gate adjustability. Hey ho.. I'll survive.



RTD now for sale btw.

I thought the RTD did have gate adjustment. Just not as refined to be able to stop how far to the side it can go when the reverse lockout is engaged. This is the pic I saw where I got that from.

[Mr.wReckless]

For those who might still be interested and following. This 1/2 and 5/6 gate from the CAE version had me intrigued, so much I treated myself to one and express shipped it to me this week. Will install tomorrow.

Quality is really good, but to be expected, but I don't think RTD's version is any less so, the main difference is CAE is aluminium and RTD steel. RTD is a MUCH easier install though, and RTD I got with a metal head, whereas the CAE is some sort of plastic thing (not pictured btw).


Why CAE isn't pushing the adjustable gate side to their product is beyond me, it's pretty much unique to have this much adjustability:


Full size CAE vs "street size" RTD. Not crazy different, but I think I should have gotten the shorter CAE version, but at the time of ordering (1 am), I for some reason thought only the long version had the gate adjustability. Hey ho.. I'll survive.



RTD now for sale btw.

[heinzboehmer]

My biggest gripe with this (and I'm not sure it's with RTD or with the BMW getrag gearbox) is from 3rd to 2nd. The 1/2 gate can be a bit finicky as it's very easy to move the stick too far left, but because you're pressing backwards there's absolutely 0 chance of hitting R.

Slight tangent, but I've had the same experience on my my car with multiple different setups. Unfortunately, I think it's just a trait of the trans.

For reference, my car is a factory manual and I've noticed this on all of these setups:
- Factory linkage + worn bushings
- 330d shifter + refreshed bushings
- AutoSolutions Autocross SSK

When driving normally, it's easy to avoid, as shifting times are usually slower (so it's harder to overshoot the 1/2 gate). But when driving spiritedly or on track, downshifting into second is a bit of a pain. Maybe what my car desperately needs is a driver mod instead of any more linkage/trans mods lol.

[m3nt0s]

I have a RTD and CAE on different cars and they both work well on track cars but a good stock\autosolution shifter is sooo much better for street use I would really try doing the conversion properly if I were you. Never driven a car without detents so can't help there.

+1 for street use, I’m very happy with stock shifter and Autosolutions kit.

[Mr.wReckless]

Having recently done the Manual swap with an RTD shifter I was swayed by the "no cutting interior" parts. It's a nicely made shifter. I'm not struggling to find the gates, though the lack of "gates" does add some level of finesse and getting used to. Reverse isn't really an issue as it's far to the left and only an issue for when you are (should be) static and are looking for 1st but wander too far and find R.

The self centering spring is nicely judged, and unless you're doing something really dumb like power shifting I can't see how you'd money shift this from 2nd to 1st, but I guess you could if you try really hard. My biggest gripe with this (and I'm not sure it's with RTD or with the BMW getrag gearbox) is from 3rd to 2nd. The 1/2 gate can be a bit finicky as it's very easy to move the stick too far left, but because you're pressing backwards there's absolutely 0 chance of hitting R. I've found moving the stick left and "aiming for the right rear passenger seat" with my elbow usually lands the shifter very nicely in 2nd. 2nd to 3rd is extremely satisfying with the way the shifter centers and pops so nicely into 3rd, it's basically just placing the knob in the palm of your hand and a gentle push forward.

Curious about this CAE with lockouts/gates now, as it would certainly fix my 1 gripe with the RTD, yet introduce cutting the console up. The Kinematic version only has a gate all the way over for R so doesn't seem to solve my gripe with the RTD shifter. Also the CAE is rather expensive if you're also going for a DSSR.

Regards

[usdmej]

Lack of reviews/forum members running it adds some questionability

unfortunately it seems like social media has replaced the forums when it comes to debuting new mods for most cars

i didn't know DCT swaps were such a common thing for the E46 M3 until i got onto car social media