Active Autowerke Short Shifter Help

youngbuck · 01-25-2008, 01:06 AM

I hope my post is in the correct forum section, my apologies if it isn't.

I recived my AA short shifter today with an unsuccesful install. Looking at the BMW SSK, it is just the shifter lever, but, AA comes with the lever and a new shifter arm. This piece looks a little more complicated to remove then I was planning. There are some clips on either side, if I remove these I possibly might damage them. AA states that a walk through manual is included, mine was for an e46 M3 (not helpful). If anyone has insight feel free to post.

Much Obliged,
YB

E90ice · 01-25-2008, 12:13 PM

Must be something about your posts YoungBuck, because no donkey on this board wants to reply.

e90AW335i · 01-25-2008, 12:17 PM

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=102808

DIY for the BMW SSK. Didn't know if you looked at it yet....

rooster3.0 · 01-25-2008, 04:24 PM

I didn't even know AA released a SSk. Got any pics of it?

down4it · 01-25-2008, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rooster3.0

I didn't even know AA released a SSk. Got any pics of it?

I'll post pics of mine tonight after i get home... Just got it today w/knob..

rooster3.0 · 01-25-2008, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by down4it

I'll post pics of mine tonight after i get home... Just got it today w/knob..

Nice. Is it on their site?

hov333 · 01-25-2008, 06:15 PM

i was looking for a SSK too, please let us know what happens

andrewflk · 01-26-2008, 11:02 AM

To the OP…Did anyone help you out with this yet? Disappointing they put they E46 instructions in the box. I ordered the kit this week and they told me there would be an installation manual and an AA tech support phone number.

Hopefully I’ll get mine next week and dive into it next weekend. If I learn anything I’ll let you know. Good luck.

youngbuck · 01-26-2008, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewflk

To the OP…Did anyone help you out with this yet? Disappointing they put they E46 instructions in the box. I ordered the kit this week and they told me there would be an installation manual and an AA tech support phone number.

Hopefully I’ll get mine next week and dive into it next weekend. If I learn anything I’ll let you know. Good luck.

Well, my kit was shiped without these two important metal clips. Not only were my instructions very vague, but, I also can't finish without my clips. AA is out of stock and will ship me some next week.. I called and tech support stated that the tranny must be lowered for easier access, I thought it would be a simple install. I am a little annoyed over the process.

Best,
YB

san~man · 01-26-2008, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by youngbuck

Well, my kit was shiped without these two important metal clips. Not only were my instructions very vague, but, I also can't finish without my clips. AA is out of stock and will ship me some next week.. I called and tech support stated that the tranny must be lowered for easier access, I thought it would be a simple install. I am a little annoyed over the process.

Best,
YB

WTF. I hope they told you that before you ordered it.

The OEM SSK is looking better and better by the minute.

youngbuck · 01-27-2008, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by san~man

WTF. I hope they told you that before you ordered it.

Nope..

I have been speaking with Omar at AA, he is always polite on the phone but I'm just surprised they would leave crucial info out on a new release product.

-YB

san~man · 01-27-2008, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by youngbuck

Nope..

I have been speaking with Omar at AA, he is always polite on the phone but I'm just surprised they would leave crucial info out on a new release product.

-YB

I'm sure they're a great company, but that IS some quite important information. Drop the trans....screw that.

If I was you, I'd send it back and get a refund. Get the OEM SSK, it's much less hassle from what you're telling us, and about half the price to boot.

youngbuck · 01-27-2008, 01:20 AM

I'm going to give the install a try when I recieve my missing clips. Hope I can get by without lowering the tranny, but, I'll definatley keep you all posted!

coolcamden · 01-27-2008, 12:33 PM

Would this SSk work on a e90 325?

down4it · 01-27-2008, 02:27 PM

Ok so i installed the AA SSK last night at my buddies shop...

This SSK cannot be installed without a lift... In the package you get the shift lever, i got the knob, and it comes with this carrier assembly that holds the actual lever in place... Now i dont understand why AA didnt make the lever to fit the stock N54 carrier, instead they bought an N54 carrier and modified it to fit their existing lever... Bad business IMO...

I never liked Active Autowerkes products but i thought hey whatever its a short shift kit how bad could it be... Well it took about 3 hours to install it and i didnt have to lower the tranny, just a bitch and a half to remove that huge shift lever carrier piece... Anyway after the install i am happy to say that it is a really nice shift kit and the shifts are shortened and you can feel it right away.

I would not recommend someone buy this kit because of how hard it is to install, i would have gone with the UUC or OEM SSK if i had known about this issue, now i know why AA did not post pictures of the kit... No one would have bought it if they saw the piece im talking about... Anything from Active is just a waste of money, their FMIC is another example of an intercooler made for something else and then they make metal shrouds, cut off half of the IC and call it a ram air system...

I mean C'mon, a company that well known you would think sells some nice products but they dont, its all crap... To the OP, those clips you are talking about are on the stock carrier, just pop them off and re use them...

Here are some pics of all the stock parts that came off, i couldnt take pics off AA's stuff but this gives you an idea... Oh and i didnt buy a SSK for an E36 M3

youngbuck · 01-27-2008, 04:10 PM

Yo down4it,

You think i should just send this SSK back to AA? Get the UUC or OEM SSK? are those just the lever and not the carrier?

Thanks for the ^ detailed post man .

Best,
YB

E90ice · 01-27-2008, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by youngbuck

Yo down4it,

You think i should just send this SSK back to AA? Get the UUC or OEM SSK? are those just the lever and not the carrier?

Thanks for the ^ detailed post man .

Best,
YB

Why are you not responding to my voice mail?

RRGOO7 · 01-27-2008, 04:46 PM

mhmm all aa products are crap ........

down4it · 01-27-2008, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by youngbuck

Yo down4it,

You think i should just send this SSK back to AA? Get the UUC or OEM SSK? are those just the lever and not the carrier?

Thanks for the ^ detailed post man .

Best,
YB

The oem is just the lever... I dont know about the UUC though... Im just gonna leave the AA ssk in my car cause its in there and im never gonna waste another 3 hours to pull it out... Just stupid of me to buy a product before pics are released.. I dont know if you can return it, or if there is a restocking fee... You could try to sell it on the forum...

I just think that its stupid for a company to sell a product not made for a car and then modify a different part that shouldnt be removed to make it fit...

andrewflk · 01-27-2008, 10:03 PM

This really blows. I usually don’t ever order anything until I see a customer review but I decided to take a chance and ordered this SSK last week. I don’t have access to a lift so I’ll have to pay someone for an install.

I knew it came with a modified carrier but I thought it was done to improve the performance. Is there any chance that the carrier was modified to improve the geometry rather than just to fit an existing lever? (It actually looks like all AA shift kits come with a modified carrier)

Down4it - Thanks for the review!

kevkaz · 01-27-2008, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewflk

This really blows. I usually don’t ever order anything until I see a customer review but I decided to take a chance and ordered this SSK last week. I don’t have access to a lift so I’ll have to pay someone for an install.

+1, I'm in the same boat, ordered it last week. Worst thing is that on the phone I told them I was doing this as a DIY and they didn't bother to warn me I needed a lift... well since I'm about to have some other stuff done, I guess I can have the shop put that in too.

So, those of you that have it, is the shifting really that much better - enough for me to keep this and pay someone to put it in (or go thru the hassle of trying it myself)? Should I send it back and go with the OEM instead? In particular, is the 1-2 shift better? There is only one thing about the 335 that irks me, and it is the 1-2 shift!

-kevkaz

down4it · 01-28-2008, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevkaz

+1, I'm in the same boat, ordered it last week. Worst thing is that on the phone I told them I was doing this as a DIY and they didn't bother to warn me I needed a lift... well since I'm about to have some other stuff done, I guess I can have the shop put that in too.

So, those of you that have it, is the shifting really that much better - enough for me to keep this and pay someone to put it in (or go thru the hassle of trying it myself)? Should I send it back and go with the OEM instead? In particular, is the 1-2 shift better? There is only one thing about the 335 that irks me, and it is the 1-2 shift!

-kevkaz

It is a really good SSK IMO I'm just really upset with the lack of information, cheap carrier mod crap, and the E36 M3 instruction manual...

01-25-2008, 01:06 AM	#1
youngbuck Private First Class 7 Rep 178 Posts Drives: e92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Emerald City, WA iTrader: (10)	Active Autowerke Short Shifter Help I hope my post is in the correct forum section, my apologies if it isn't. I recived my AA short shifter today with an unsuccesful install. Looking at the BMW SSK, it is just the shifter lever, but, AA comes with the lever and a new shifter arm. This piece looks a little more complicated to remove then I was planning. There are some clips on either side, if I remove these I possibly might damage them. AA states that a walk through manual is included, mine was for an e46 M3 (not helpful). If anyone has insight feel free to post. Much Obliged, YB __________________
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01-25-2008, 12:13 PM	#2
E90ice Banned 205 Rep 2,002 Posts Drives: 2008 335xi Coupe Join Date: May 2006 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	Must be something about your posts YoungBuck, because no donkey on this board wants to reply. __________________
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01-25-2008, 12:17 PM	#3
e90AW335i Major General 137 Rep 6,608 Posts Drives: e90 335i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: ...... iTrader: (4)	http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=102808 DIY for the BMW SSK. Didn't know if you looked at it yet.... __________________ I install all tunes, intakes, o2 simms, and most cosmetic mods. PM me for a quote.
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01-25-2008, 04:24 PM	#4
rooster3.0 Major 27 Rep 1,306 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Jersey iTrader: (4)	I didn't even know AA released a SSk. Got any pics of it?
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01-25-2008, 06:15 PM	#7
hov333 Major 63 Rep 1,003 Posts Drives: 2016 M5 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (1)	i was looking for a SSK too, please let us know what happens
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01-26-2008, 11:02 AM	#8
andrewflk Private First Class 3 Rep 122 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Sedan Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Maryland iTrader: (3)	To the OP…Did anyone help you out with this yet? Disappointing they put they E46 instructions in the box. I ordered the kit this week and they told me there would be an installation manual and an AA tech support phone number. Hopefully I’ll get mine next week and dive into it next weekend. If I learn anything I’ll let you know. Good luck.
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01-27-2008, 01:20 AM	#13
youngbuck Private First Class 7 Rep 178 Posts Drives: e92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Emerald City, WA iTrader: (10)	I'm going to give the install a try when I recieve my missing clips. Hope I can get by without lowering the tranny, but, I'll definatley keep you all posted! __________________
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01-27-2008, 12:33 PM	#14
coolcamden Private 10 Rep 86 Posts Drives: 325 6MT SG/BK M5 reps Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Would this SSk work on a e90 325? __________________ 2006 Mercedes Benz CLS55 AMG - Beautiful beast 2006 BMW 325i - Daily driver 2007 Honda Pilot - Smooth workhorse
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01-27-2008, 02:27 PM	#15
down4it Banned 62 Rep 1,743 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SoCal iTrader: (3)	Ok so i installed the AA SSK last night at my buddies shop... This SSK cannot be installed without a lift... In the package you get the shift lever, i got the knob, and it comes with this carrier assembly that holds the actual lever in place... Now i dont understand why AA didnt make the lever to fit the stock N54 carrier, instead they bought an N54 carrier and modified it to fit their existing lever... Bad business IMO... I never liked Active Autowerkes products but i thought hey whatever its a short shift kit how bad could it be... Well it took about 3 hours to install it and i didnt have to lower the tranny, just a bitch and a half to remove that huge shift lever carrier piece... Anyway after the install i am happy to say that it is a really nice shift kit and the shifts are shortened and you can feel it right away. I would not recommend someone buy this kit because of how hard it is to install, i would have gone with the UUC or OEM SSK if i had known about this issue, now i know why AA did not post pictures of the kit... No one would have bought it if they saw the piece im talking about... Anything from Active is just a waste of money, their FMIC is another example of an intercooler made for something else and then they make metal shrouds, cut off half of the IC and call it a ram air system... I mean C'mon, a company that well known you would think sells some nice products but they dont, its all crap... To the OP, those clips you are talking about are on the stock carrier, just pop them off and re use them... Here are some pics of all the stock parts that came off, i couldnt take pics off AA's stuff but this gives you an idea... Oh and i didnt buy a SSK for an E36 M3 Attached Images
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01-27-2008, 04:10 PM	#16
youngbuck Private First Class 7 Rep 178 Posts Drives: e92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Emerald City, WA iTrader: (10)	Yo down4it, You think i should just send this SSK back to AA? Get the UUC or OEM SSK? are those just the lever and not the carrier? Thanks for the ^ detailed post man . Best, YB __________________
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01-27-2008, 04:46 PM	#18
RRGOO7 Colonel 360 Rep 2,451 Posts Drives: GTR Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Miami FL iTrader: (13)	mhmm all aa products are crap ........
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01-27-2008, 10:03 PM	#20
andrewflk Private First Class 3 Rep 122 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Sedan Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Maryland iTrader: (3)	This really blows. I usually don’t ever order anything until I see a customer review but I decided to take a chance and ordered this SSK last week. I don’t have access to a lift so I’ll have to pay someone for an install. I knew it came with a modified carrier but I thought it was done to improve the performance. Is there any chance that the carrier was modified to improve the geometry rather than just to fit an existing lever? (It actually looks like all AA shift kits come with a modified carrier) Down4it - Thanks for the review!
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