Short Shift Kits for BMW 3 Series E36 (1992-1998)

The ULTIMATE shifter upgrade for your BMW! Experience more precise throws, less shift lever travel, and an all-around transformation in your shifting experience.

For dozens of years, enthusiasts have critiqued the imprecise and vague feeling of BMW manual transmissions. Plagued with long throws, fore and aft play in gear, and a generally loose feeling, your OEM BMW shifter leaves much to be desired. While most standard carrier-mount short throw shifter kits will aid in reducing throw length and eliminating side-to-side play in gear, some enthusiasts long for a hardcore, race-inspired shifter that completely removes play and excessive throw length. At Turner Motorsport we share the same desire and set out to offer the ULTIMATE upgrade with this Performance Chassis Mount Short Shifter.

WHY UPGRADE?

Factory BMW shifter assemblies are complex by nature. The main component of this assembly is the shift carrier, a cast aluminum piece positioned inside the transmission tunnel that incorporates bushings at both ends for mounting. Like most factory parts, these bushings are designed to reduce NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) transmission to the cabin. To the spirited driver, however, these bushings translate to flex and vagueness in the shift lever. Moreover, because this carrier is mounted to both the transmission and the body, the entire shifter assembly will "float" with the driveline, further increasing the vague and imprecise feeling of your shifter.

Our Performance Chassis Mount Short Shifter removes the shift carrier assembly entirely—removing any prospect of flex caused by bushings or driveline movement. By contrast, this chassis mount shifter offers a drastic reduction in shift lever travel, vagueness, and side-to-side play. An elevated base allows for moving the fulcrum point upwards, resulting in a much shorter and more precise throw. Shift times are further reduced by a tall, "rally style" shift lever, used to aid in leverage while also bringing the lever closer to the steering wheel. Our design incorporates a proprietary centering spring design, which is adjustable for increasing or decreasing self-centering force. In short, this design eliminates all the drawbacks of your factory BMW shifter, translating to more control, greater precision, shorter throws, and faster shift times.

FEATURES & BENEFITS

Reduced Throw: Modified shifter geometry and heightened fulcrum point translate to a shorter shift lever throw
Improved Shifter Feel: Eliminating the shift carrier and associated bushings drastically reduces "slop" and side-to-side play in the shift lever
Increased Precision: Mounting the shifter to the chassis allows for little to no variation in gear selection
Universal Fitment: Fits many BMW chassis with the provided base plate and hardware (see "Fits These Cars" for exact fitment information)
DESIGN

6061 aluminum, 4130 steel, and 316 stainless steel construction
A type-II black anodized finish
Adjustable self-centering spring
"Rally Style" shift lever
Spherical bearing pivot with maintenance-free brass insert
Product Development:

Our Chassis Mount Shifters are designed, engineered, tested and quality inspected by our Research and Development team at Turner. Nothing but the highest level of precision and quality through leading-edge product development technology including FARO laser scanning for reverse engineering and quality inspection, SolidWorks 3D CAD modeling, rapid prototyping utilizing our in-house 3D printer and rigorous long term product testing.

Sometimes choosing the correct shift kit proves difficult when you dual-purpose your favorite vehicle, we understand this well. The early days for any race enthusiast usually begins with a car that is needed to daily drive and setup to get out on the track. What becomes difficult is properly modifying that car to feel comfortable in both situations which is why we took this view on our new short shift line. This upgraded lever is a quick swap option to replace the standard shift lever that come with our kits so you can keep your hands closer to the wheel while shifting at high speeds. Designed from anodized aluminum this lever looks great in any interior for the daily driver who simply prefers the taller lever look and feel.

NOTE THAT THESE ARE DESIGNED TO WORK WITH TURNER MOTORSPORT SHORT SHIFTERS ONLY - We wanted to give you the option to buy one separately, in case you changed your mind after buying our short shifter.

Features:

Compatible with stock shift boot fits nicely into the machined groove at the bottom of the lever to maintain a clean look in the interior.
Machined from 6061-T6 aluminum and type II anodized for exceptional durability and corrosion resistance.
Available in either black or clear anodize to match your vehicle’s interior.
Rally shift knob is machined from black delrin.
Unlike aluminum, delrin will not hold heat so on those hot days you won’t have to worry about burning your hand on a knob that’s been baking in the sun.
Shift knob is threaded onto the end of the shift lever utilizing a standard ⅜-16 thread to allow for easy removal and attachment of your favorite beer tap or other accessory.
“Quick Change” height adjustable upper shift lever design allows for quick swapping between optional “OE” style and “Rally Style” upper shift levers.
22mm adjustment range to fine tune shifter throw and feel.

• 20-25% shorter shifts
• Counterbalanced for great shift feel
• Stainless steel & aluminum construction
• Rubber isolated for reduced NVH
• Maintains stock shift feel with uprated stock-type bushings

The Dinan short shifter provides shorter shift throws with a crisper and more precise feel than a stock shifter. Instead of retrofitting a stock BMW lever, with all of its deficiencies, Dinan has engineered this billet aluminum shifting system. Special features engineered into this unit include a two piece fully isolated stick assembly, exclusive integrated and dampened pivot cup with self lubricating pivot ball, counter balanced to reduce effort and exclusive polymer "Iglide" T-500 lower pivot bushings that are impervious to contamination. Featuring an adjustable pivot, which allows this shifter to fit both standard and M Series applications. All of this combined with a simple straightforward installation provides a professional level shifter. Provides a 25% throw reduction in E36s, E39s and E46s and a 20% throw reduction in M3 and M5 applications.

For over 35 years, Dinan has been America's premier tuning company, pioneering advancements in BMW modification while retaining a focus on balanced performance that preserves the original character and driving feel that a BMW offers. When you install a Dinan part on your car, know that it's not only carefully developed and tested, but that Dinan stands behind it with a four year, 50,000-mile warranty.

Turner Motorsport Chassis Mount Short Throw Shifter

Upgrade your BMW's shifting experience with the Turner Motorsport Chassis Mount Short Throw Shifter—the ultimate solution for precision, control, and race-inspired performance. Designed to eliminate excessive play, reduce shift throw, and enhance driver engagement, this shifter transforms your driving experience with a solid, direct feel that brings excitement to every shift.

Why Upgrade?

BMW's factory shifter assemblies are known for their vague and imprecise feel due to excessive play, soft bushings, and long throw distances. Traditional short shifters reduce shift length but often retain the factory shift carrier, which still allows flex and movement. The Turner Motorsport Performance Chassis Mount Short Shifter takes performance to the next level by completely removing the shift carrier, eliminating all bushing flex and driveline movement for unparalleled precision.

Unlike standard setups, this shifter features an elevated base that moves the fulcrum point higher, resulting in dramatically shorter throws and crisp, accurate shifts. The tall "rally-style" shift lever enhances leverage and positions the shifter closer to the steering wheel for faster gear changes. Additionally, an adjustable centering spring lets you fine-tune self-centering force for the perfect balance of resistance and smoothness.

Features & Benefits

Ultra-Short Throw – Optimized geometry and a raised fulcrum point drastically reduce shift travel for lightning-fast gear changes. Maximum Precision – Chassis-mounted design eliminates bushing flex and floating movement for a direct, race-inspired feel. Solid Shifter Engagement – Eliminates side-to-side play and imprecise gear selection for ultimate driver confidence. Adjustable Centering Spring – Customize the self-centering force to suit your driving style and preference. Premium Materials & Finish – Constructed from 6061 aluminum, 4130 steel, and 316 stainless steel with a durable black anodized finish for strength and longevity. Universal Fitment – Compatible with multiple BMW chassis using the included base plate and hardware (see "Fits These Cars" for exact applications). Race-Inspired Engineering

Designed for enthusiasts who demand the best, the Turner Motorsport Chassis Mount Short Shifter provides unmatched shift feel and precision. The spherical bearing pivot with a maintenance-free brass insert ensures durability and smooth operation, while the rugged CNC-machined construction withstands aggressive shifting and track abuse.

Take full control of your BMW’s shifting performance with Turner Motorsport’s ultimate short shifter upgrade—built for the road, perfected for the track.