Solid Mount Short Shifters: CAE / IRP / RTD / AAF / Coolerworx

[jareds941]

Never heard of them. I like the concept if it fitting in the stock location. But any info on the company or anyone with first hand experience?

They are a new shop it appears. 2019. They partnered with Morehead Speedwerks to test the shifter...morehead is more well known and they seemed very positive about the product. Kinematic appears to really only have a few products so far...

[Zekarus]

Love my rtd but any suggestions on how to reduce the trans heat? It’s melting my center trim haha

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?2365378-DIY-RTD-Shifter-with-Stock-Rubber-Boot

[sc_tr0jan_m3]

Well, here's a new one just coming to market that is pretty interesting to me. I'm considering taking the risk and pulling the trigger. US made, seems like they've considered the issues with others on the market and tried to improve upon it. Thoughts?

https://kinematicspeed.com/collections/frontpage/products/the-race-shifter-pre-order-coming-soon

Funny I was just about to post this same link. I'm tempted too...

[lapoune]

I like the integrated boot they added. Sadly this will have the same issues I have with CAE\clones on a street car.

[Rudbari]

I had auto solutions shifter and changed to RTD race version shifter .
the shifter is very nice but couldnt do a real solution for heat which Transfer inside the car plus the shifter rod it’s self get warm when driving .

The road noise it’s my 2nd problem I can hear everything underneath the car lol .

went back to auto shifter shifter since

[liam821]

I have SMG on the M3, . But my experience with BMW shifters and the 420 has left me less than impressed, at least with stock parts. I'm really just trying to convince myself to swap and go the solid mount route for simplicity . I just can't tolerate the tuner/hack look. You're probably right though, I suppose all new bushes and a traditional ssk will probably give it a nice feel.

I'm with you. I didn't want to have some giant crazy looking shifter sticking up out of the center console. I ended replacing my stock shifter with an e60 bmw part number #25117546373. keeping the stock shifter (non-ZHP), and replacing all the bits with factory new parts and it's been great. I don't like the super notchy super short-throw shifter, at least on a street car.

[Jevi Javi]

I ordered a Coolerworx Pro (will install in the next month, dealing with smog and few other things at the moment). From what I heard from folks who have run CAE/RTD and the Coolerworx one, Coolerworx is closer to quality of a CAE for the price of an RTD. I got the direct fit plate, so hopefully that will simplify the installation. They are in Europe, but shipping was pretty fast. It has lockouts for R/5/6.

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did you install yet?
Waiting for that review...

[jareds941]

Funny I was just about to post this same link. I'm tempted too...

Well, I pulled the trigger on the pre-sale price for the Kinematic Speed option. Should ship in a couple weeks (2.15) and then I'll look into installation...I've never messed around with anything in this zone, so we'll see if I can figure it out myself or if I'll have to pay for it. I hope they provide some decent installation materials. There's a local shop where you can rent a bay with a lift by the hour...might just be worth it for this install I'm thinking.

[sc_tr0jan_m3]

Well, I pulled the trigger on the pre-sale price for the Kinematic Speed option. Should ship in a couple weeks (2.15) and then I'll look into installation...I've never messed around with anything in this zone, so we'll see if I can figure it out myself or if I'll have to pay for it. I hope they provide some decent installation materials. There's a local shop where you can rent a bay with a lift by the hour...might just be worth it for this install I'm thinking.

i've heard from one of my buddies who also ordered that they solved a lot of the installation woes from the CAE and others. that seems to be the biggest upside of this new product.

[jareds941]

i've heard from one of my buddies who also ordered that they solved a lot of the installation woes from the CAE and others. that seems to be the biggest upside of this new product.

Well, considering pre-order pricing was $600 if the installation is easier (they do directly mention contained fasteners as one way it is easier) then I'll be quite pleased if it also drives well. Doesn't have the reverse lockout function, but honestly not too concerned about that.

[r4dr]

i've heard from one of my buddies who also ordered that they solved a lot of the installation woes from the CAE and others. that seems to be the biggest upside of this new product.

Are those woes about the CAE design in general, or having to carve shit up in E46 cars?

[Tonggi]

Question for those with an RTD mini, when in neutral your shifter is centered correct? Not to the right and off centered like some have experienced?

[Lip]

Are those woes about the CAE design in general, or having to carve shit up in E46 cars?

I watched a few installation videos. Def need to get the alignment perfect which is difficult considering CAE doesn’t use stock mounting points.

With that said, people who tried both CAE and shifters like RTD prefer CAE.

[eegstwozero]

So I am about to replace the motor and trans mounts in my car. I have the AKG shifter and I am debating on whether I should go with OEM trans and motor mounts or something stiffer. I would like to keep NVH as low as possible since I street drive the car relatively frequently. I am leaning toward OEM for both, though theoretically you should stiffen the trans mounts when using a solid mounted shifter, right? I also have heard that the trans and motor mounts should match density. I would love to hear peoples opinions about what to use.

Curious on this as well. I installed 95A motor/trans mounts along with my RTD shifter and I hate them. Even on a track focused car the vibration is too much for me. Wouldn’t mind going back to stock, or near stock you can with a solid shifter.


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[mrgizmo04]

did you install yet?
Waiting for that review...

It's been in the car for a few weeks, however, car's been on jackstands for a while now (partially why I'm not as active on the forum lately). Started with smogging (intake/exhaust/e85/etc), then I dove in to replace a few front mounts/bushings, then discovered that my diff was a bit fried, so been working on replacements, then I dove into solid rear subframe bushings, other bushings, looking for the right bushing press/cup/sockets for while in there parts, some parts on backorder, etc.

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