Types, types and use of "short shifters" ALL4DRIFT

Types of shortshifts

There are two main types of shortshifts:

Bearing shortshifts
Ultra shortshifts< /strong>

Bearing shortshifts

Bearing shortshifts use a bearing to reduce friction and improve shifting accuracy. The bearing is located in the base of the shortshift and is connected to the shift lever. Bearing shortshifts are available in various price ranges and qualities. Cheaper models may be made of lower quality materials and may have a loose bearing, which can lead to less precise shifting. Higher quality models are made of more durable materials and have a more accurate bearing.

Ultra shortshifts

Ultra shortshifts use two bearings, one in each direction. This significantly improves shifting accuracy and reduces the force required to shift. Ultra shortshifts are usually more expensive than bearing shortshifts. However, they are considered to be the best solution for short sorting.

There are several factors to consider when choosing a shortshift:

Price
Quality
Shift travel length
Stiffness

Price

The price of shortshifts can range from several tens of euros to several thousand euros. Cheaper models are usually made of lower quality materials and may have fewer features. Higher quality models are more expensive, but they are more durable and offer more functions.

Quality

The quality of the shortshift is important for its longevity and shifting accuracy. When choosing a shortshift, it is important to check the materials from which it is made and the quality of the workmanship.

The length of the shifting path

The length of the shift travel determines how much the shift lever must move to change gears. A shorter shift path means faster and more accurate shifting.

Stiffness

The stiffness of the shortshift determines how much force is required to shift. Hard shortshifts are more precise but can be more difficult to control. Softer shortshifts are easier to control but can be less precise.

Tips for using shortshift

After buying a shortshift, you need to get used to it. Shifting can be more difficult at first because the lever has to travel a shorter distance. It is important to use the correct technique when shifting. The shift lever must be held firmly and directed precisely into the required gear.

At All4Drift we currently work with three brands of short shifters Swagier, Odesa CNC and PMC. Each of these manufacturers has its advantages and produces short shifts with different parameters and in various designs from different materials and different accessories. In the following lines, we will analyze the individual shortshifts in depth and talk about the difference between them. We will briefly and effectively describe all the shifters you can meet at ALL4DRIFT. We will proceed according to affordability in order to show at the same time that the price progression brings certain improvements.

Short shifter V1 - shortened BMW E30/E36/E46

gearshift

It is our basic model, which is characterized by a favorable price and an extra short track. It is the shortest shifter in our range. Its design and simplicity has a follower who hides under the name Short shifter V4 - a shortened BMW shifter with an adjustable path. It removes some of its shortcomings. As someone may not be satisfied with such an extremely short shifting path and relatively heavy construction, we would like to mention the disadvantages of this shifter. In any case, its strongest points remain the price and, last but not least, the really high-quality bearing that can be found in all SWAGIER SHORTSHIFT -ers.

Advantages:
Low price
Extra short travel
Quality bearing

Disadvantages:
Extremely short track may be uncomfortable for some
Relatively heavy construction

Short shifter ODESA - shortened gearshift BMW E30/E36/E46/E39

This popular model ranks among shifters with easy assembly without the need for any drilling or additional connecting material. Its paths are relatively short but not Extra and stiffness they are among the least rigid shifters, which usually use bearings with moderate clearance for the easiest possible shifting. For some, this feature is an advantage, for others it can be more of an inconvenience - for those who desire an extra rigid backdrop and gearing. The following shifters from PMC or the Short shifter model with an adjustable shift path - a shortened BMW shifter from Swagier, which we will describe as follows, are available as a solution for a person who wants to combine rigid steering with easy assembly. The same specifications and features can also be found in the version for a generation younger BMW, the E9x and E8x.
- ODESA short shifter BMW E90/E92/E82.

Advantages:
Easy assembly
Relatively short tracks
Easy shifting

Disadvantages:
Lower stiffness
May be less accurate shifting

Short shifter with adjustable shifting path - shortened BMW

shifting

We have already mentioned that this shortened shifter brings with it the useful properties of the shifter from Odessa, and subsequently combines it with an extra stiff bearing and an adjustable track, which take it to the next level of speed, precision and useful properties. One disadvantage of this massive steel structure is certainly the weight, it is one of the heaviest shifters in our offer. There is probably no need to comment on the length of the tracks, as this shifter is really quite customizable by the user. In short, adjustable travel, easy assembly, high-quality workmanship and a powerful bearing make this shifter one of the best and still affordable shortshifters.

Advantages:
Adjustable track
Extra rigid bearing
Easy assembly
High quality workmanship

Disadvantages:
Heaviest shortshift on offer

Short shifter V4 - shortened BMW shifter with adjustable path

We have already mentioned Shortshift V4 with its previous version V1. This version, after several upgrades, as its name suggests, today brings a really comfortable fully adjustable short shifter. This gear mainly brings advantages such as extra light weight, sophisticated solid construction equipped with an above-average powerful bearing and top processing. One disadvantage is the assembly, which requires easy access to the bodywork. We recommend it to anyone who cares about every gram of their car and really wants the most for their money.

Advantages:
Extra light weight
Sturdy construction
Performance bearing
Superior workmanship

Disadvantages:
Mounting into the bodywork

PMC short shifter (shortened shifting) BMW E30/E34/E46 - V1

PMC shorshifts carry a more premium processing and flawless functioning verified by a really long time. We like to comment on them as the most tried and tested guarantee of quality verified by years of use, if slowly decades. Their main advantage and advantage is perfect aluminum processing and maintenance-free bearings of the highest quality with an ideally set stiffness that will meet everyone's expectations. The tracks and also the mentioned stiffness are characterized by neutrality, which we would translate as not long, not short. Shifter suitable for those who do not want any compromises and expect really reliable performance from the shifter. From the described lines, I think that the advantages and disadvantages have emerged this shifter. Its obvious disadvantage is the somewhat higher price compared to previous shifters, which is justified by the processing, weight, quality and joy of shifting that this shifter can guarantee. PMC short shifters also carry these characteristics:
PMC short shifter (shortened gearshift) BMW E36/Z3 - V1
PMC short shifter (shortened gearshift) BMW E90/ E82
PMC short shifter (shortened shifting) BMW E30/E34/E46 - black V1 + extra premium literally luxurious processing, which is really the cherry on the cake of the short shifter, complemented by the luxuriously processed shifter that won't get lost in any polished interior.
PMC short shifter (shortened shifter) BMW E36/Z3 - black V1 + extra premium, literally luxurious processing, which is really the icing on the cake of the short shifter, supplemented about a luxuriously crafted shifter that won't get lost in any polished interior.

Advantages:
Perfect aluminum processing
Maintenance-free bearing of the highest quality
Ideally adjusted stiffness
Neutrality shift tracks

Disadvantages:
Slightly higher price than cheaper models

PMC short shifter ( shortened shifting) BMW E36 / Z3 - V2

Let's talk a few words about this shortshifter. It carries all the characteristics of the shifter described in the previous paragraph, while at the same time it brings a slightly shorter shifter, which makes it predestined for users who believe in a more expressive style of shifter and still suffer from the lightness, precision and balance that the PMC processing and bearing brings.

Short shifter V2 ALU - shortened gearshift BMW E30/E36/E46

If someone is looking for something really special and unique, they are looking at the right place. This shifter is a technological revolution that has not become a standard, but its countless useful features, which rest on an inverted system, really like it among high-performance uniball short shifters. This shortshift, unlike all the previous ones, has a bearing in the structure and not in the lever, and this brings us much more precise and easier shifting without any negative characteristics. The weight of the puck is much less and the load in the form of a bearing remains firmly attached to the body. The feeling that this version puts in your hands when shifting really cannot be compared with anything. The only drawback is certainly the price, which is no longer the smallest. Anyway, in addition to really high-quality shifting, this shifter has an extremely lucrative design suitable for any interior. Anyone who wants to stand out should consider this model from Swagier.

Advantages:
Much less lever weight
Hand feel when shifting

Disadvantages:
Slightly higher price than cheaper models

Ultra Shifter MINI pro BMW - shortened shifting

We are entering another category of shortshifts. Ultra shifters which, unlike the previous ones, no longer use a uniball bearing to transmit movement, but two bearings placed in two directions. These bearings literally double the shifting accuracy and take it to a completely different level. For people, riders who are really serious about shifting, this type (kind) of shortshift is a really necessary piece of equipment. The accuracy and speed of shifting that can be achieved really cannot be compared with classic bearing shifting. Anyway, on the other hand, learning to use this type effectively takes some practice. For us, this version of the Ultra in a mini version is a really good intermediate step to get to a new level of car control.

Advantages:
Double shifting accuracy
Ideal for riders who are serious about shifting

Cons:
Need to learn how to use this type of short shifter effectively

Short shifter Ultra - shortened BMW E30/E36/E46

gearshift

Bigger brother than the name implies of the passing shortshift ultra mini. In addition, this original ultra shifter has a mechanism for blocking individual stages against incorrect shifting. We could consider that a major advantage, but the real major advantage is actually its size and height from the base. The simply taller, larger shifter in this design works more efficiently and shifts with it are more precise. This type is really suitable for specials, unlike the mini version, which is still usable in street vehicles.

Advantages:
Double shifting accuracy
Ideal for riders who are serious about shifting
Higher height from bases - even more accurate sorting

Disadvantages:
Suitable for special vehicles rather than ordinary ones

Of course, the offer of short shifts does not end there. Even more interesting designs of shifters from IRP or CA, etc. are available - which are really of high quality and will please every competitor. We are trying to add IRP products to our range in the near future. If you are interested, definitely wait, I believe that the introductory prices will be really favorable. We can't help but mention the segment of Chinese aliexpress shifters, which are really quite poor quality, we encountered a lot of play in these shifters and even jamming, where it was not possible to shift gears. You can't really talk about improved features such as speed and accuracy in this segment. In the past, it could be respected as the price was really favorable. Today, these "dummies" of shifters are unfortunately not that cheap anymore, and there are a lot of affordable replacements that we would certainly recommend to less demanding customers, so that their improvements to the car do not have the opposite effect.

Finally, I would like to note that every short shift and its use requires a bit of getting used to and a slightly different approach than serial shifting and therefore at the beginning it may seem that it's not the real nut, as people say.