5 speed install question / shift support arm

[2002Targa]

Team 02, need some help here.  

Almost done with my 5 spd install, shaft aligns perfectly, shift support came out nice but kinda stuck on the shift platform support bracket.  My problem is, there isn't enough room to mount the shift support arm bracket above the cross bar, if I go to the bolt under the bar, I'm going to have to weld the arm at a weird angle (Pic 1).  If I mount the the arm bracket on the crossbar, it would be easy and look good, but then I don't know if that little bushing would be able to take that amount of movement being hard mounted. (pic 2)

 

How do people usually mount the support arm?  I've searched and the only thing I could find was using a 2-3" standoff coming off of one of the holes for an exhaust bracket.  While functional, I thought it looked odd.

 

Help me Obie2 Kenobi, you're my only hope....

[halboyles]

You can support the back of the shift tower by making a bracket to bolt the tower and then to the tunnel.  Add some rubber mount between the tunnel and the bracket.   Then you don't need that diagonal bracket going to the tranny support.

Sorry, don't have any pics handy.

[Son of Marty]

Yes like Halboyles  I hung the shift support off the back like the 320i's did using their rubber mount, which turned out to be identical to the rubber mounts for the 02 air cleaner.

[rstclark]

Call Dave Varco at Aardvark Racing. 

He can sent you what you need for rear brackets, hardware  and mounts.

[TobyB]

Don't go off the body, go off the back of the trans.  I just located the U on one of the long lower trans case bolts.

It's not exactly aligned, but pretty darned close.  And has worked on 3 cars now, including the race car currently....

 

t

 

[chargin]

I went off the Trans for stability

 

[2002Targa]

What tranny is that?  Mine has no tab on the left..

[TobyB]

E30

 

t

[chargin]

E30 240/5-Speed

Size compared to stock 4 Speed:

 

[2002Targa]

I think I'm going to have to go with a 3" standoff coming off of the lower left exhaust mount.  There's just not enough room on the housing bolt that's above the crossbar to mount the U bracket.

[chargin]

Why not go to the same spot as the Exhaust mount?

 

i used a piece of 1/2" angled steel to that area very effectively 

[Dug Nichols]

I used the Ireland Engineering shift plate and rear crossmember. Costs some $$$. Worked like a charm.

 

http://www.iemotorsport.com/bmw/2002-clutch-driveline/025spdlist.html

[2002Targa]

I had thought about that, but I have everything pretty much mounted now.  If I was smart like you, I would have made a pigtail for the reverse lights...  Guess I'll just have to carry a flashlight for awhile.

[jimk]

2 hours ago, 2002Targa said:

I would have made a pigtail for the reverse lights...  Guess I'll just have to carry a flashlight for awhile

It can be done.  The reverse light switch can be reached from under the hood.  I have had to do the monkey on its head and fumble with two finger dexterity.

Use a female spade connector where the wire comes in from the side (not a straight on wire connection).  Pre check the connector on a accessible spade to see that it is not so it can be pushed on by hand.  Make you pigtail extra long and connect it on, finally make the patch to the original wiring.