Was there an Autosolutions Comprehensive Thread From a GB?

[Cronenberged]

There used to be a comprehensive thread on the Autosolutions shifter. I'm curious if anyone can recover it and post it here. I've been considering switching to one, also, the percentage of reductions they offer. Lastly, any experiences are welcome.

[Sharocks]

It's the best SSK for this chassis hands down.

Ron offers reductions for this car from 0-40% reduction.

The Autocross kit is either a 15% or 25% reduction.

Best thing would be to contact him directly if you have any questions.

[gaiakai]

I have the Autocross with 35% reduction, which Ron said was the most he would do as anything higher would get the gates too close together. Shift effort was definitely increased and it was way worse because I was initially on redline transmission fluid. After I switched to Pentosin, it felt a lot smoother and now feels a lot like the FRS/BRZ/GT86 but with a bit more effort. I did have to temper my expectations because I had an FK8, I don't think there's anything we can do to get the shift feel anywhere near the FK8 or S2k. Still, one of the best things I've done for my car so far.

[Lavatoad]

I put a 20% kit in my previous e46. Current one came with a uuc evo 2. Prefer the AS setup, but haven't been able to justify replacing my current setup.

[SG/IRM3]

I've had the AS shifter since 2010. I believe it was called the Ultra with 30% reduction which was the only kit generally offered if I remember correctly. After thirteen years and 53k miles it is as good as ever. It did take a couple thousand miles to break in some but has been consistent since then. I also installed Rogue transmission mounts. Great mod, can't imagine going to anything else.

[Obioban]

I have the 20% kit, and it's pretty great.

... But my brother had the 0% kit, and it was the best e46 shifter I've ever driven. Next time I'm in the area for some other project, I'll be moving to a 0% kit.

I don't remember any comprehensive thread on it from M3F.

[Cronenberged]

I have the 20% kit, and it's pretty great.

... But my brother had the 0% kit, and it was the best e46 shifter I've ever driven. Next time I'm in the area for some other project, I'll be moving to a 0% kit.

I don't remember any comprehensive thread on it from M3F.

Believe it was associated with the group buy

[Chubacca]

I have the autocross kit at 30% and like it a lot, but don't have much to compare it with. I was deciding between 25% and 30%, thinking that the 30% would be too aggressive. It's not and glad I went with it.

[Rich_lol]

How about I just paste what the man himself, Ronald, told me when I purchased in 2020 (the 25% Autocross)

As follows;
This cut and paste should give you enough first hand info to start a conversation.
All our shifters are integrated units that are designed to be installed in their entirety and replace the whole mechanism, Lever, selector rod, front coupler and carrier arm bushings. We do not sell shifter parts piecemeal because first we do not believe is selling a part then have you upgrade it with another part because the first part fell short of your expectations. Second, by building the complete mechanism we are able to hand fit the parts together resulting in an even tighter and more precise fit. What we are after is not short throw but rather the feeling of precision and repeatability. Our shifter will feel very mechanical yet silent and you will be able to shift using muscle memory. In your case I would probably recommend the Autocross in 20-25% reduction or the standard Ultra in a 20%. If budget does not allow consider the 30% standard Ultra with an OEM knob since the ZHP knob being shorter adds a little effort to the action. Keep in mind that the s2000 tranny is the size of an apple compared to the BMW pumpkin size transmission. so the gears are heavier and the car is heavier and that requires more leverage than with the small Honda. precision and repeatability of the pattern would be un affected by the ratio.

So I routinely build 2 kits for the e46M3 . Both are Ultra (ultimate) class kits
The first is our standard Ultra kit available in four discrete reduction ratios. 0,20,30,40% reduction. the precision and repeatability of the pattern is identical between these three versions. the only tradeoff is less travel for more shifting effort. with the 0% being closest to stock effort and the 40% requiring the most additional effort but having the least amount of travel. Price is $399 for either the 30 or 40 percent kits and $449 for the 0 or 20%. the difference in price reflecting the amount of work to produce and not a higher quality product. These shifters are built to stock height . These shifters are our bread and butter and probably those that have contributed most to our reputation. their precision and repeatability is where they shine. they are hand assembled and fitted and the tolerances are extremely small so they feel very gated.

The final alternative and to consider if you have $540 burning a hole in your pocket is the AutoCross kit. That kit is basically the last step in getting the pattern more precise and repeatable. it is a thicker lever, no pivot ball and a teflon lined uniball for a pivot. its is quiet, slicker to shift than the standard Ultra for a given reduction ratio.Extremely precise and repeatable . I build that shifter in any configuration of throw and heights that is requested and so it is more of a custom shifter albeit produced in small runs to keep it relatively affordableusually as a 25% and it feels easier to shift than the standard 20% Ultra but the throw feels like the 30% standard shifter or thereabout. I replaced a standard 30% Ultra in my e46M3 late last year with a 25% model and the improvement is very noticeable. Feels like a rifle bolt and almost no additional effort. the gears just fall where you want and you shift with a couple of fingers. That performance improvement is due to the superior control of the pivot which is not achievable with the traditional ball and socket even when those are held tighter like with the standard Ultra.This is what to expect from the AutoCross. The standard Ultra is a tad less performing : 2003 M3 140K miles grocery run https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfuIsVLjwRk&t=5s

Either of these two shifters will feel like night and day compared to stock or anything else on the market. Frankly after owning 2 M3 and 4 kits in these two cars, I think the AutoCross is it but the standard Ultra is not too shabby either . I would not hesitate to use any in my car especially now that even the 30% Standard Ultra has been improved over past versions.Several days ago I got a comment from a customer who had installed a 30% AutoCross in his car. I have been recommending the 25% AC but this is the 10th writen comment I am getting on the 30% AutoCross so while I have not personally driven it it is worth noting that the response has been extremely positive. As to the Standard Ultra I would either chose the 20% or the 30% and steer clear of the 40%.

Please feel free to call or email or whatsapp with any questions. I look forward to hearing from you


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[T.J.]

Too many words, need a picture or diagram of the differences between kits

[PSUEng]

I'm running a Dinan SSK I had put in a looooong time ago, back before I "knew" that AS is what should have gone in. I drive on the street, and may dig deeper into an AS kit. Maybe an ultra with 20%, I run the stock knob and I feel like I'm really rowing a boat.

[liam821]

I don't remember any comprehensive thread on it from M3F.

I dug through my M3F archive files, did not see any titles labeled "Autosolutions" and "Comprehensive".