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 | Installing an Aftermarket |
Difficulty Level: 2 |
| This article is one in a series that have been released in conjunction with Wayne's new book, 101 Performance Projects for Your BMW 3 Series. The book contains 272 pages of full color projects detailing everything from performance mods to timing the camshafts. With more than 650+ full-color glossy photos accompanying extensive step-by-step procedures, this book is required reading in any 3 Series owner's collection. The book was released in August 2006, and is available for ordering now. See The Official Book Website for more details.
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[click to enlarge] | One of the most popular and easiest upgrades for your car is the addition of an aftermarket shift knob. Lets face it, the steering wheel, gauges, and shift knob are the three main items on the car that you have a personal interaction with. Why not spruce them up a bit I personally find the BMW OEM shift knob in particular to be quite boring. The shift knob chosen for this article was the MOMO chrome sphere, available for about $85 from PelicanParts.com. Installation literally takes about fifteen minutes, and the kit includes all of the tools that you need for the install. The only caveat to this project is with the M3 shift knobs, which have an internal light. You need to disconnect this and stash the harness out of the way if you are installing a non-lighted aftermarket knob. When you replace your knob, its also a good time to replace your leather shift boot. Original BMW ones are about $60 or so and simply snap out of their retainer in your center console. Some people looking for a color coordinated interior replace both their steering wheel and shift knob at the same time, using equipment from the same manufacturer that is designed to match. If you would like to see more technical articles like this one, please continue to support Pelican Parts with all your parts needs. If you like what you see here, then please visit our online BMW catalog and help support the collection and creating of new and informative technical articles like this one. Your continued support directly affects the expansion and existence of this site and technical articles like this one. As always, if you have any questions or comments about this helpful article, please drop us a line. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Figure 1 | This photo shows the assembly sequence for installing a new aftermarket shift knob on your manual transmission. A- This shows the MOMO shift knob sphere chrome, complete with all the parts that are included in the installation kit. B- Remove your old knob by simply pulling upwards on it be careful not to accidentally smack yourself in the face! Install the small rubber boot on the shaft. C- Place the collar on the shaft, and then place the knob over the rubber boot. Tighten the setscrews in place (you should only need the short ones that were included with the kit). D- The finished product way cooler than that ugly stock OEM knob! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Figure 2 | Wish you had a way to get that manual trans look, but without having to give up your automatic or change your transmission? JJL Customs offers a unique new product for automatic transmission owners. This shift knob works the same as your old pistol or "T" handle shift knob. Instead of squeezing the trigger, you simply pull up on the spring-loaded knob to move the shifter through your gear detents. A simple leather boot covers the mechanism beneath. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 | Looking for more photos? Click to see bonus pictures for this project. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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