Dougs951S

Ok guys...this was a HUGE disappointment. I installed a short shift kit today and I wanted so badly to love it. I took it down the street I absolutely can't stand it. I've tried all manor of fiddling with the adjustments both at the tranny and at the shifter and it just sucks. First off, its super stiff, thats ok but my main complaint is that I can no longer tell where neutral is. Its hard to describe, all the gears just feel extremely vague now, it clicks into gear solidly but I have no idea when its going to do so, no warning. When I try to pull it out of gear to neutral, I'm always unsure if its still in gear, and I'm pretty afraid to downshift too because I'm unsure which gear im going to grab. I have a brand new intermediate shift lever too, as well as a new shifter cup bushing so every component in my shifter mechanism is new and tight. Will the short shift kit wear in and get better? If its going to stay how it is, I'm taking it off and putting it up for sale tonight. This is probably the most disappointing thing I've ever bought for my car, and it sucks because its actually a really nice piece. Just doesnt work at all the way I hoped.

Arominus

Give it a little time to get used to it. Also consider if the front shifter pin is worn. I ended up getting a few thrust washers and grinding the worn pin out to replace it with a bolt. It helped shifter feel immensely.

J1NX3D

Which short shifter? My one from only 944 is great. Took a little bit of fine tuning to get it right but it came with good instructions and in one afternoon it was sorted

Butters944

If it's the only944 short shift kit, the kit can't be at fault... Mine is also perfect, didn't change a thing about the feel except for making it a bit stiffer and a decent amount shorter...

Hope it gets sorted out I'm sure Kyle would be glad to help you through troubleshooting and getting it goin smooth!

Gawernator

Which kit? I have both boots and both shifting kits from Kyle at only944 and they are AWESOME.

greenwater

PM sent.

Dougs951S

I dont know guys...maybe it just isn't for me. I love how tight it is, I hate how I can't tell what gear I'm in, or even if I'm in gear. I really just don't like it at all. It really changed the shifter feel in a bad way.

83 944

I don't use them never saw a benefit. I like how the stock car glides into gears. at most do what I did modified the lever and stock **** and shortened it it still feels great and sportier with you will. Or longer shifter and it will be much better. But I would hate you to be driving and than bam shift lock or worse

Arominus

I drive one car with it and one with the stock shifter. I like them both, but the short shifter fits the s3's personality. It all comes down to personal preference though. Use what you like.

FIA-F1

I have installed a couple of these in two different 944's. I can relate. My original stock shifter was getting sloppy and loose, and, the throw was pretty long once you are able to compare to the new. I also did the "all manor of fiddling" but it was still very stiff and clunky at first. On top of that, it vibrated loudly. I ended up milling the shift rod hole ever so slightly and inserting a sleeve. That took care of the vibration but it still was stiff. However, in both cases of mine, it took about a month of shifting to wear in the stiffness and begin to feel as it really should. I definitely would not go back to the original. I found the short shift to have a much better throw distance and cleaner. With all the work you did, be patient with the trial period.

Butters944

The short shifter should NOT cause you to not tell what gear you're in... After installing mine there definitely wasn't any added vagueness, strictly the shorter throw and tighter feel.

HICKS

Sounds like user error, or you're just being dramatic. The only944 SS is night and day difference in a good way. I suggest you getting with Kyle and returning it.

Dutch_944

Sounds more like either the nut for the arm on the tranny is loose, or there is too much play in the rubbers.

You will want this baby : http://only944.com/partscatalog/only/shiftlinkagearm/

I have replaced this piece with stock Porsche, and added Kyle short shifer and gear lever. There is absolutely nothing vague and it shifts and feels great!

drift a 944

Tall shifters FTW!!

Never have I been so happy with a shifter in my life until I installed this. Nice, easy smooth shifting, not notchy, not an overly long throw like you'd expect (especially with a short throw kit installed) and you always know what gear you're in. The **** is also closer to the steering wheel so its quicker to grab, and the **** is also in your peripheral sight so you never have to glance down to see which gear you're in. This of course is only an effective shifter if you have a very nice and tight connection at the pin. Mine has the thrust bearings like shown in Arominus photos above - no slop or play at all.

Can't wait to install one in the 951 next.

mytrplseven

One of the reasons that I went with a short shifter is that when I went to full throw forward, it pulled my leather boot out of the ring. I waited a couple of years until a RELIABLE short shifter hit the market. Kyle's unit is far and away the best of the short shifters and if the installation instructions were followed to the letter, it goes in without an issue. It was a bit stiff for the first 100 miles or so but then settled in and I, like almost everyone else who has this product, is very happy with the results.