IMPORTANT!Please note that our kits are engineered specifically for each vehicle. This also means that every model is different. Some kits include many parts (shifter lever, replacement carrier, selector rod) while other kits may only include as little as only a replacement lever with new bushings. Hence, there is a wide range of pricing on our kits. If you're curious about what your kit will include, feel free to contact us by email or by phone (201-783-8600)
One of the most satisfying upgrades you can make to your BMW is to its factory shifter mechanism. By reducing the shifter's throw, you can give your manual transmission BMW a sportier, more precise feel. However, with so many different "short shift kits" out there, how can you be sure you're making the right decision? With the Rogue Engineering OCTANE short shift kit, the choice is clear!
Rogue Engineering refuses to compromise with "lever substitution" as a method of short shift kit development. Rather than using actual test vehicles for their products, some companies actually dig through OEM factory parts diagrams to determine which factory levers can be substituted with others. This "lever substitution" method of introducing product is unacceptable for us.
Our shift kits have been developed and perfected through years of experience in proven short shifter technology, by our Co-Founder, Ben Liaw. As longtime BMW enthusiasts know, Ben was single-handedly responsible for introducing and developing the idea of affordable, BMW factory-like, short shift kits for late model BMWs (BL/SS for those young enough to remember!). By employing his original, proven concepts and incorporating specific improvements developed over the years (along with advanced manufacturing processes) we are pleased to introduce a short shift kit to call entirely our own.
The Shift Lever
The Rogue Engineering OCTANE short shifter represents years of experience and research in BMW short shifting products. With feedback from thousands of users and the measuring of countless prototypes, OCTANE is the culmination of a tremendous amount of research and development. This R&D is a continual process and does not stop.
Rogue Engineering idea of a short shift kit is not substituting levers in place of factory ones just because "they fit". Throughout the 80s until recently, BMW was notorious for using only a few specific shifter levers for their manual transmission vehicles. For other companies, making just a few "replacement levers" and offering them in place of those factory part numbers was an easy way of calling it a short shift kit. Unfortunately, for those companies, BMW started using many different part numbers making it more difficult to just "swap in a lever".
Rogue Engineering only develops it's short shift kit with test vehicles in their facility, testing numerous prototypes, offering others to test it before settling on it's final design. We feel that this old school, real world testing is the best way when modifying OEM ergonomic, sensory-based controls.
To appreciate the specific advantages of the OCTANE short shifter lever, one must understand the details that make it unique to all others, the heart of the OCTANE short shift kit.
Shifter Lever Upper
The RE OCTANE features a CNC-machined 303 stainless steel upper section. This adds 150g more to the top of the shifter lever (compared to aluminum), helping to improve shifter feel. This small increase in mass above is compliments the incorporated WSR (not all models). The outside profile has been designed to mimic the factory lever. This means that you can use your factory shift knob (including illuminated ones!
E46 M3 OCTANE SSK
(different models may contain different parts)
Until now, only the factory shifter lever was designed to be a vibration-absorbing, acoustically damped unit. BMW engineers employ vibration-dampening materials in their motor mounts, transmission mounts, subframe mounts and in various other areas for good reason to isolate the cabin from excess vibration and noise. The OCTANE short shifter lever uses superior materials, bonded and secured to achieve a shorter, more positive shift throw without sacrificing the vibration dampening that BMW engineers built in. Some companies may allude that their "manufactured" lever is in some way superior to a factory lever. Simply machining a three decade old shifter design is not our idea of forward thinking. We do not take steps backward in shifter technology, only forwards!
Lowering NVH
Isolating noise and vibration with our custom molded rubber insert, the OCTANE shifter continues to both minimize the NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) more than any other shifter on the market. By being able to design specific characteristics into the insert, we are able to minimize unwanted shifter free play while minimizing excessive harshness. Without sufficient material to address NVH issues in the driveline, you wind up with a shifter that vibrates and buzzes. As a matter of fact, the OCTANE shifter lever has now 308%more vibration-absorbing material than the closest competitor. Shifter "isolation" should not be mistaken for "vibration-absorbing". Just because a shifter lever is built to be "isolated", do not mean that it has adequate materials to both acoustically dampen or absorb vibrations. If you want to maintain the vibration absorbing characteristics of a factory shifter, then your shifter lever better be made in a similar manner, using comparable materials!
Shifter Lever LowerNew! The stainless steel lower section of the shifter lever is threaded, to integrate with the pivot ball. This means the elimination of circlips for pivot ball position! The distance will be pre-set by Rogue Engineering.
Pivot Ball and Pivot Bushing
By using a stainless pivot ball, this change offers durability in addition to the unique adjustable feature. We have changed the lower pivot bushings to Delrin, which has proven to be a heat resistant as well as excellent material for use in this position.
Smooth OperatorThe latest innovation implemented to the OCTANE short shifter is our exclusive
Self-Adjusting Pivot Point. Most other shifters (including the factory), rely on a pivot assembly that binds when new, requiring a "break-in" period to allow for new washers and clips to wear in. By the time these parts have "broken-in", unwanted play is now introduced, resulting in a potentially sloppy shifter feel.
Rogue Engineering's SAPP eliminates this break-in period, allowing the pivot to move freely at all times. The unique wave spring mechanism used in the SAPP removes any play in the pivot assembly, which continually loads the pivot assembly with a consistent load (force), compensating for bushing wear. The effectiveness of the SAPP is also enhanced by its simplicity, as there are no intricate mechanisms to ever fail.
The OCTANE DSSR
Dual Shear Selector Rod
(E36 M3 version shown)
Some of the Rogue Engineering OCTANE kits now include our Dual Sheer Selector Rod (DSSR). Unlike any other DSSR on the market, this one is truly unique in the marketplace. While the DSSR is included in some models, it is sold separately for other models. Some benefits of the DSSR include;
• Easy installation!
• Circlip-less design for attachment
• Adjustable pivot and selector joint pre-load
Read about the DSSR here.
Shifter Carrier Replacement
CNC Aluminum Shifter Carrier Replacement
(E46 M3 version shown)
Some of the Octane kits include a replacement shifter carrier. These carriers can be fully CNC'd aluminum replacements or even OEM shifter carriers modified with our CNC'd aluminum shifter cup adapter. Either way, they have a very specific purpose.
When you "reduce the throw" of a shifter lever, you must increase the distance between the pivot ball and the lower pivot. While a relatively easy concept to understand, there are times where there is not enough room to do so. In these cases, if you change this lower dimension, you can run into things such as the drive shaft, flex disc (aka guibo) or other parts. In order to avoid these issues, we must raise the pivot point higher so that the bottom of the shifter lever has the clearance to move without interference. We can make these pivot height changes in the dimensions of the carrier cup itself. From there, we have the room to make our lever move without running into other parts. When a replacement carrier is used, we often outfit the front of the carrier with our Delrin bushings. These bushings prevent rotational movement of the carrier during shifting.
In other instances, we have found that there is plenty of room to use the replacement shifter lever without the need for extra room above. Therefore, we do not have to add the cost for the replacement carrier.
Installation
Installation of these and other drivetrain components require access to the underside and middle of the vehicle which can be dangerous. If you do have the proper tools or resources, we recommend you seek professional help to perform the installation. Ensure they read the directions enclosed so they do not miss crucial steps that can deter from full enjoyment of the short shift kit.
