So I finally had a Helix Short Shifter installed this past week after purchasing it a couple of months ago. I had a BMW dealer tech do the job, recommended by my next door neighbor, while also installing a Comptech (Ultrik) Header, S/S brake lines, and a DT tensioner stop cable.

My immediate impression is that shifting requires a significant amount of additional effort and seems very "heavy", which seems contrary to the impressions I've found while doing searches here on NAM. I thought I would get used to it after a couple of days, but I haven't yet after two days of driving. I am very much loving the short throws, but the added effort is beginning to bother me a bit. I decided that this could be an issue when I refrained from letting my wife borrow the car today cause I thought she would not be able to drive it as-is.

I'm starting to think that there may be a problem with the install. I've coordinated to do a "fact finding mission" tomorrow on my driveway, but I really don't know what to look for in terms of possible issues.

Anyone had any similar issues with a short shift kit equal or similar to the Helix kit that could give me some hints as to what could be wrong? Or am I just a wimp like that ... I will try and take some picks under the car during the mission.

 

By shortening the throw with the Helix you lose some leverage, so there is going to be more resistance than stock.

 

I understand the concept, and I expected the added resistance. I'm just thinking that, as it is, there might be more resistance than there should be. Keep in mind that this is my first ss kit on any car so it might be exactly as it is supposed to be and I just don't know any better. I'm just asking if someone else has had a similar experience and knows if this might be a problem with the installation or not.

I already have the car up on ramps ready for tomorrow. I will post pics if I can of the current install.

 

It does take about 50% more effort to shift with the Helix SSK, but unlike you, I got used to it after a week or so.

 

I've done the Helix install a couple of times and there is very little to screw up that would make alot of extra resistance throughout the shifter throw. If it is that way in all gears and neutral then it's probably just the way it's going to be.

One way you could get too much resistance is if the cable on the bottom of the shifter was rubbing against the heat shield. The shield needs to be bent to clear the Helix + cable, and it's possible it wasn't bent enough. That happened on my first try, but it was obvious right away that the shifter was rubbing on something.

You'll have to drop the exhaust at the cat and drop the heat shield to see the bottom of the shifter. It's easy to do with a set of sockets.

 

Get a Whalen shift machine. I have the Helix SS with the Whalen and the combo is great.

Longboard

 

There is more "resistance" due to the change in the leverage arm -- in fact, my wife hates my post-ss car. . . but I prefer it this way.

One thing you can check:
The shifter cable should have been bent down slightly to accomodate the ss kit --- if the cable wasn't pushed all the way forward when bent (if the point at which the cable was bent is too far forward), there could be some binding when you shift into first, third or fifth (if this doesn't make sense, refer to the installation instruction helix has online for a better description). . . However, that doesn't sound like what you're describing -- it sounds like you have the increased "resistance" that is normal.

 

Thanks everyone for your input. It doesn't feel like it's rubbing on something, and the "resistance" is equal throughout so it looks like it's just the way it's supposed to be. After the visual tomorrow I'll get a better idea.

I have a UUC RK3 stainless shift **** that I really like, but it's smaller than the OEM one. A bigger and heavier shift **** like the Whalen would surely help out. Hey, looks like a great excuse to buy a Whalen!

 

I've got that same **** and I don't think the Whalen is going to make that much of a difference for you because you've already got a very heavy ****. Smaller than stock, but much heavier.

 

i had the same issue w/ my helix ssk. there is a solution! i won't try to quote it here, but it involves a small kink in the cable. i posted here on NAM and got a detailed explanation/instruction. i'll try to find it for you. after posting, i called helix and got exactly the same information as to how to solve this problem. mine is as smooth as honey on satin. don't accept less than optimal performance. it is not the installers fault, as intructions for this little "kink" are not included. i believe that is appied to later model cars. what year is yours? call helix for the answer. it works.

 

^ hope you can find this info, as my car is an 05 and it certainly has much more resistance

 

I worked on the car today but at the end of the day I just couldn't get a good look at the shifter box from the bottom, since it is exactly above the Milltek catback resonator. I wasn't in the mood today to tear all the catback and the heat shield down and back up again, I had a couple of more things going on... anyhow,

Mine's an 05' so I'm all ears, if you can find the info it'be great, I'll be calling Helix here pretty soon for help anyways. Let's just say that "smooth as honey in satin" is pretty distant from the feel of the ssk right now.

 

Just got off the phone with Eric at Helix and went over the installation procedure. From his input I think I probably have two problems with the installation, both of which are written in their instructions. They just make more sense over the phone when he explained them...

The fix I think bean is talking about is included in the installation instructions that are available on their website (step 12), which involves a 3/4" to 1" bend of the shifter cable. From the phone conversation I also think I am rubbing the heat shield; since the Milltek resonator is there there is not much room but there should be a "sweet spot" between the shifter and the resonator.

I hope I can get a hold of my mechanic today to see if we can fix it...

BTW, Eric was very helpful and patient, I highly recommend speaking with him for any issues with any of his products...

 

MiniMacPR: yes, that is the fix to which i was referring. sorry i couldn't find the earlier post. it wasn't in the website instructions when i installed. eric has always been very helpful. good luck.

 

SMOOOOOOTH AS BUUUTTTTTTAAAAAA!

This morning I finally took the MINI to my mechanic to troubleshoot my short shifter:

1) As Eric (Helix) suggested, they had not kinked the shifter cable per instructions (thanks bean).

2) My heat shield was like the ham of a sandwich between the Milltek resonator and the end of the shifter, MAJOR interference. The shifter was dragging against the heat shield and resonator big time.

There was no way around the interference, so what we ended up doing was putting spacers at the mid exhaust mount bracket to lower the exhaust a bit.

End result:

I brought my camera for pictures but, as it usually seems to happen when i need it the most, my camera went all Britney Spears on me (nuts) and wouldn't work .

If any of you are feeling any added resistance with your Helix SSK, I highly suggest going over the install to make sure everything is set up correctly. It should feel very smooth with very little added resistance.

Thanks to everyone that chimed in!

 

The Whalen is not larger in diameter than the stock ****. At least on '02-'04 cars.

Had mine since November of '02

 

Cool, thanks for the info. I've never personally seen one, everyone seems to love theirs. I coulda sworn I had read somewhere they were larger, guess not.

I'm gonna stick with my UUC after today's results...

 

What is the purpose of a short shifter?

 

^ shortens the throws (in other words, you don't have to move the shifter as much to change gears).
The nice thing about the Helix is that it does this without changing the height of the **** (most others will result in a **** set lower than standard -- which I don't like 'cause I like my steering wheel to shifter distance to be as little as possible).

 

MiniMacPR: glad that everything worked out for you. i was pretty sure that the problem was the lack of the "kink". i'll pm you before i head to PR next time.....where in PR are you located? i might need a ride!

 

I live and work in the metro area (San Juan)

Drop me a PM when you come down

 

I recently installed the Craven's SS, it is absolutley beautifull and feels not much diferent than the stock accept it's shifting shorter,,lol.

Anyway, There has been no issues at all so far, no rubbing or anything. In actuality, I called Craven people to ask them about the possible resonator rubbing before the purchase and they assured me that there was enough clearance that it would not have any "rubbing" at all.

All I have to say is that the mod was one of the best ones I have done and it looks/feels sensational along with their "well cover".