If you have a 328/330 and want Rogue Octance SSK...

[xtrmrsh2002]

I started the installation of Rogue Octane SSK at around 11 am. I finished my install at 5:30 pm!!!

The reason was not locking pins as reported by others nor the rubber boot that others complained. I guarantee you that it is not operator error either. I did screw up on installing the delrin bushing before inserting the shifter. But, that mistake cost me like 15 minutes. I was confident that I could finish the installation within 2 hours.

But instead I spent hours on replacing the stock shifter carrier with the one supplied by Rogue. If you have a 328 or 330, the SSK cost more because Rogue supplied a replacement shifter carrier. If you have other models, you can skip reading the rest of this post.

When I compared my stock carrier with Rogue's, I was surprised to find that both carriers have the same part number! The only difference is an extra aluminum (blue) cup attached to the stock carrier to move the pivot (ball) point higher up (inch and a half, I guess).

Anyway, the problem is the instruction did not mention anything special about the shifter carrier installation. The blue aluminum cup was already installed with four hex screws so I proceed just like removing the stock shift carrier: slide the pointed end into the rubber collar and push all the way back to slide the other end into the slot where the lock pin goes in. Due to poor lighting, I was not sure why the carrier front end would not slide into place. After further examination, I discovered that the carrier length is now longer and passed the anchor point. What the hell, I knew I compared both carriers and discovered these were the same parts and had the same length.

After spending more time trying different ways of installing it, I came to a conclusion that the blue cup was the culprit. Previously, the stock carrier cup is only 1/2 inch high and I could slide and push the end pin to make enough clearance to set the carrier into its anchor point. But, now with the blue cup in place, I could no longer pushed the carrier back enough to have the proper clearance.

I tried various other way and still could not get enough clearance. I tried to separate the cup from the carrier (never mentioned in the instruction!!!) once but I forgot to align the cup (it was set at an angle and cannot be seen after the carrier is installed). After fiddling with these for hours, I decided to remove the cup again but this time I used some electrical tapes to set the alignment before removing the cup.

Rogue failed to mention this important step as well as fail to supply the allen wrench (need a really small one). I ended up finger tightened the four tiny bolts. I even dropped one bolt and it was trapped in the heat shield. I have to remove two screws to loosen the heat shield to find the bolt. If you have big fingers, forget it!!! You will not be able to put those four tiny bolts back in.

Maybe just my English (non-native speaker), I read the instruction many times and still installed the shifter in the wrong direction. I have a bend shifter and the instruction said to have the bend facing the rear of the vehicle. I guess it was not obvious to me which side of the bend (inner bend or outer bend) the instruction is referring to. I installed the last clip and realized the shifter is hitting the ash tray when in first gear. A picture or a mark on the shifter would have saved me 10 minutes and a lot of bitching!!!

All in all, I am very disappointed with the instruction and lack of tools (the allen wrench - real small one). Maybe there is a magical way to install this without removing the blue cup but I swore I spent hours and it did not work due to the physical design of the extended blue cup.

I will attach some photos at a later time to show you what I meant.

Time to get some Zzzz...

[Ben Liaw]

Originally posted by xtrmrsh2002
When I compared my stock carrier with Rogue's, I was surprised to find that both carriers have the same part number! The only difference is an extra aluminum (blue) cup attached to the stock carrier to move the pivot (ball) point higher up (inch and a half, I guess).

Our replacement carrier *IS* a factory part...but if you actually compared the two, please notice the bottom is MACHINED on the one we supply. I guess you didn't see that.

The cup moves the pivot up 32mm, which is crutial.

Anyway, the problem is the instruction did not mention anything special about the shifter carrier installation. The blue aluminum cup was already installed with four hex screws so I proceed just like removing the stock shift carrier:

Bad move. The cup is preinstalled at Rogue Engineering with Loctite 262 at a specific torque to ensure it does not loosen up.

slide the pointed end into the rubber collar and push all the way back to slide the other end into the slot where the lock pin goes in. Due to poor lighting, I was not sure why the carrier front end would not slide into place. After further examination, I discovered that the carrier length is now longer and passed the anchor point. What the hell, I knew I compared both carriers and discovered these were the same parts and had the same length.

It is NOT longer. As YOU already mentioned, it's the same part number and the same length. It did not grow while you were installing it.

After spending more time trying different ways of installing it, I came to a conclusion that the blue cup was the culprit. Previously, the stock carrier cup is only 1/2 inch high and I could slide and push the end pin to make enough clearance to set the carrier into its anchor point. But, now with the blue cup in place, I could no longer pushed the carrier back enough to have the proper clearance.

Like any SSK that provides a carrier with elevated cup (like AC Schnitzer, for example), you have to install the rear of the carrier at a 90 degree angle, and then turn it BACK 90 degress so that the cup goes through the hole in the chassis.

I tried various other way and still could not get enough clearance. I tried to separate the cup from the carrier (never mentioned in the instruction!!!) once but I forgot to align the cup (it was set at an angle and cannot be seen after the carrier is installed). After fiddling with these for hours, I decided to remove the cup again but this time I used some electrical tapes to set the alignment before removing the cup.

Rogue failed to mention this important step as well as fail to supply the allen wrench (need a really small one).

Of course, an allen wrench is not required with our SSK since THE CUP WAS NOT DESIGNED TO BE REMOVED.

I ended up finger tightened the four tiny bolts. I even dropped one bolt and it was trapped in the heat shield. I have to remove two screws to loosen the heat shield to find the bolt. If you have big fingers, forget it!!! You will not be able to put those four tiny bolts back in.

Maybe just my English (non-native speaker), I read the instruction many times and still installed the shifter in the wrong direction. I have a bend shifter and the instruction said to have the bend facing the rear of the vehicle. I guess it was not obvious to me which side of the bend (inner bend or outer bend) the instruction is referring to. I installed the last clip and realized the shifter is hitting the ash tray when in first gear. A picture or a mark on the shifter would have saved me 10 minutes and a lot of bitching!!!

All in all, I am very disappointed with the instruction and lack of tools (the allen wrench - real small one). Maybe there is a magical way to install this without removing the blue cup but I swore I spent hours and it did not work due to the physical design of the extended blue cup.

I will attach some photos at a later time to show you what I meant.

Time to get some Zzzz...

If you aren't confident about installing ANY aftermarket part (ours or anyone elses), seek PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE. Whining and complaining about it here does not help. We would have been more than happy to help you over the phone if you had called us during business hours.

The average independent repair facility charge $75+ to install a SSK, depending on the vehicle. The 328/330 isn't that much different than the other cars (the E30 M3 and E46 M3 are much more difficult) and takes the average shop around 30-45 minutes. If you're familiar with the install, it can take you less than 30 minutes. Of course this is on a LIFT, and not on jackstands, on your back.

Again, in the future, contact the manufacturer or the retailer you purchased the products from if you're having installation or useage issues.

We would have gladly provided the assistance needed over the phone if you had called us.

[xtrmrsh2002]

I find manufacturer changing their tune so fast just amazing. You would make people believe that your product is a DIY and when getting complaints (you are well in control to prevent and avoid this by providing proper instruction such as installing a 90 degree) you would immediately change your tune that professional install is only $xxx. You can always blame it on ignorant consumer not knowing what they are doing. Easy target.

Apparently, from your description, installing the carrier at 90 degree is an important step but I did not read this in the installation guide. Would anyone argue that should not be in there because you stupid consumer ought to know if not go get professional help!!!

I understand that no one want to hear negative comments especially when you are trying to sell a product. I wrote up my experience for two reasons:

1. I got your attention and I hope that you would listen and improve your installation guide so no one else have to go through what I did. Instead of flaming me (your customer!!!) because I did not install during business hours so I can sought for technical assistance. Give me a break. Just admit your installation guide can use some improvement.
2. I hope anyone reading this will learn from my experience (or inexperience in your eyes, of course) and maybe the proper technique to install your product

BTW, I do have positive comments about your product but I guess this is a moot point now.


Most importantly, I fiddled with the install for hours and I did try installing it at 90 degree. I managed to get the shifter front end slide in place but cannot turn the cup 90 degree through the opening. Maybe, 99 328i has a smaller opening or you can blame it on my inexperience, why not.

BTW, I am attaching a picture of the carrier. This picture shows when the front end of the carrier has cleared the anchor point. I do plan to call your office for superior technical assistance on Monday. If there is a magical way of installing it, I would like to know and yes, I hope that will eventually in writing.

Thank you very much!

[xtrmrsh2002]

post here on e46fanatics:

Here is Ken's post:

Ken encountered the same problem but he was more resourceful or more experience to loosen up the transmission mount.

Ben, if you do not hear complaints from your customer because they found a way to get around the problem does not make the problem disappearing.

[StraightSix]

Originally posted by xtrmrsh2002
But instead I spent hours on replacing the stock shifter carrier with the one supplied by Rogue.

...I tried to separate the cup from the carrier (never mentioned in the instruction!!!) once but I forgot to align the cup (it was set at an angle and cannot be seen after the carrier is installed). After fiddling with these for hours, I decided to remove the cup again but this time I used some electrical tapes to set the alignment before removing the cup.

Rogue failed to mention this important step as well as fail to supply the allen wrench (need a really small one).

Ok, so let me see if I'm reading this right ---

You don't understand English all too well.

You aren't that mechanical.

You did something that wasn't supposed to be done in the first place.

And somehow, it's Rogue's fault?

Ok, maybe they should have put it in their instructions that you should turn the carrier 90 degrees or whatever to make it easier to insert. But anyone with basic spatial relational skills probably could have figured that out themselves.

I think you're just pissed that it took you so freakin' long to install the piece. Heck you even say you like it on the fanatics thread.

Anyways, next time maybe you should just get stuff installed by someone who is more experienced with that kind of stuff.

Hope you like that octane shifter! I'm thinking about getting it too and would love to hear your thoughts on it.

[xtrmrsh2002]

You are jumping to a conclusion. I already mentioned in a later post that I tried the installation at 90 degree and many other configurations. As a matter of fact, Ken posted in e46 fanatics that he had to loosen the transmission mount before he could properly install the shift carrier.

BTW, if you think my post is a disservice to you (consumers), please move on. Besides, letting off some steam, I geniuely would like to save other people time to avoid the same problem.

If you have not installed the Rogue SSK specific to 328/330, why are you assuming it was the operator's error?

Is this like BMW NA claiming it was M3 owners who abuse their cars which caused the engine to blow up? I'll call Rogue tomorrow and I'll certainly get to the bottom of this and post my findings.

If I wrongfully accused Rogue of wrong doing, I'll admit it here in the forum once I have all the facts.

All I said in my previous post was a report of my install experience and my pledge for Rogue to improve the installation guide. Maybe you do not read the installation guide at all, I could care less but some other potential buyers out there might care.

[tdc]

Let me put in my two cents...

I have a 330Ci and although I do not have the new OCTANE SSK, I do have their original unit.

I brought my car over to Rogue's facilities to have the installation done by them. Not that I couldn't do it myself, I just felt it couldn't be done any better then the people that make it.

Ben installed my shifter in no less then 20 minutes. NO JOKE.

It was off the lift and I was shifting with shorter throws mere minutes after putting the car up.

Granted, he knows how to do it since he's done it countless times. But that's kind of why I decided to let him install it instead of myself. And I'm no slouch when it comes to doing work on my car myself.

[Ben Liaw]

from the picture you attached, it is obvious that the carrier is mounted improperly.

it's not longer than the OTHER factory one, it's the same length.

the carrier is not pushed all the way foward. did you notice that the pin to secure it went through the tranny REALLY easy? well, it's not supposed to. there is a bit of resistance to push it through the delrin bushings.

when the carrier is properly mounted, the carrier is completely centered in the opening of the car.

[xtrmrsh2002]

I called and talked with Mark in Rogue Engineering this morning. I explained to him how I tried to install the shift carrier at 90 degree and still not clearance to slide the carrier into the anchor point.

We came to a conclusion that in some cases (like Ken in Germany, see his post in e46fanatics) that there is just not enough room to get the carrier in no matter at what angle.

The only way to gain additional clearance is to loosen up the transmission mount. In my case, I have to buy some 242 loctite, remove the whole ssk, apply loctite and tighten up those four bolts to secure the cup, loosen the transmission mount, ...

He agreed to revise the installation guide to include loosening the transmission mount if encountered insufficient clearance.

Ben, I do not want to argue with you. Why can't you just admit the fact that in some cases there is just not enough clearance to install the shift carrier without resorting to loosen up the transmission mount. I gave you the benefit of doubt that you have not run into this situation. But, that doesn't mean it couldn't happen. Murphy's Law definitely applied to me and Ken (Germany) this time with this installation.

[RobE46RX7]

xtrmarsh, thank you for your post, some people seem real quick to criticize. If it was me i probably would've waited until buisiness hours and given RE a call, in which case this might've been avoided. You certainly seem intelligent enough and mechanically inclined enough to install the shifter, i think Ben was a little quick to criticize. I can see why both of you would get defensive about your situation, i don't see that anyone is to blame really. But as a consumer i appreciate your post, and glad everything got cleared up. I'll probably invest in an octane kit myself. I for one would like to hear what you have to say about the kit, even if you feel like a positive review isn't warranted after what has happenned already, so if you'd rather pm me, i would greatly appreciate it!
-Rob