MA135

I have just started searching for a 1st Gen 991 to buy in manual, I can remember reading somewhere that Porsche may have changed the manual shifter in some way during the years. But I am failing to find any info on this anywhere and dealers don't seem to know either. Does anyone know if this occurred and at what point? If they improved the manual at some point then I definitely want to search for those model years after that, to this date I have only driven either a 2015 or 2016 C2 manual that were both brand new.

Thanks!

Jabs1542

My understanding is that the gearbox change was from 997 (6 speed) to 991 (7 speed) and that the 991 gearbox was based on the 7 speed PDK transmission. I don't recall seeing any references to changes within the 991 series.

MA135

I've seen a couple of articles referencing the fact that they were putting the manual shifter from the 991 GTS in all 911's and it was improved in some way. However I have no in depth info about this nor when it occurred exactly.

STG

NO changes in the 991.1's

2012.5-2016

Joec500

I added a GT4 Shifter into my 991, which shortened the throws and makes the transmission feel more direct. It's a Drop in OEM part and relatively easy to install. Took me about 90 mins taking my time.

NoGaBiker

I know some on here (perhaps you?) have researched this topic and reported no different part #s for the GTS transmission or shift linkage, but there's been multiple reports from journos and other testers that the GTS had a noticeably better shift action than the 7-speed ever had before. Even if you write that off as the power of suggestion, somebody had to suggest it, and I seem to remember the articles I read at GTS introduction saying Porsche claimed to have improved the MT shifting, or some words to that effect.

STG

I've seen the same mentioned.

I think it's a placebo effect of the powerkit. Nobody has been able to find any different part numbers anywhere between GTS and S other than the addition of the powerkit. I even checked that transmission mount that people are playing with. No difference there either.

NoGaBiker

Found this from TopGear:

"As much as we love Porsche’s PDK double clutch gearbox - it’s still probably the best in the business - the company has outdone itself with the newly revamped seven-speed manual. This is, without little doubt, the best manual gearbox I have ever used. Smooth, quick, precise, it’s like Porsche has reinvented it all over again. It’s uniquely polished details like this that make so many people continue to buy Porsches."
http://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/p...dr/first-drive

But I don't read/watch TG so it had to be in other sources as well.

EDIT: Ah, from the proverbial horse's mouth:

Quick manual shifts or even faster with a dual clutch

Power is transferred to the rear axle via the classic 911 seven-speed transmission that is
installed in all 911 Carrera GTS cars as standard. Reduced shifting forces and further im -
proved precision of the shift gates, make it even easier for drivers with sporty driving styles
to make fast gear shifts. The sequential shift lock prevents faulty shifts. Shifting into seventh
gear is only possible if fifth or sixth gear was previously engaged.

http://press.porsche.com/vehicles/20...-Press-Kit.pdf

hotwired

Driven both back to back and I can tell you they are exactly the same.

STG

Looking up OEM part numbers are the tell tale answer. There are no secret two versions of parts with the same number. No conspiracies have been uncovered yet.

AF330i

I have the 2012 1/2 model with the 7 speed manual but didn't they offer a rev match feature in the newer models ...

MA135

Great thanks for all the replies everyone. I've seen the same suggestions mentioned above that there's a change but no evidence, and if part numbers are the same then that tells all. Just looking for some clarification before I pull the trigger on a car.

NoGaBiker

LOL, well, I'll take your word for it over Porsche's.

Sure, they may be lying, but that would be pretty out-of-bounds to make a statement like the one I quoted above in the press release, while actually making no change whatsoever. It is much more Porsche-like to say, "This shifter is the best it can possibly be. If you do not like it, perhaps you should go back to driving school. Next!"

Also, don't know your level of history with sportscars (or cars in general) but it is not at all uncommon for manufacturers to redesign a part during the life of a model and retain the exact same part number, ESPECIALLY if it's a perfect retrofit and just solves an earlier problem. They stop making the old "faulty" part, retain the PN and when somebody buys that part number they get the new, improved version. In fact, in older sportscars that could be maddening because they would often do it without regard for whether the new part was an actual direct retrofit for the old one, leading to all kinds of problems for people.

Now as to my actual knowledge of any differences in each, I've not driven any 991GTS 7M so I have no idea. And I'm sure if there is a difference it is small and nuanced. But more than one reviewer has claimed to feel an improvement, and Porsche claims to have instituted an improvement, so I'm going with the position that there is an improvement, but it is minimal.

STG

Have you seen anything directly from Porsche noting a redesigned gearbox?

NoGaBiker

Well, I could type it again, or I could just refer you back to the second half of Post 8, with the link to the Porsche AG press release for 991GTS. Not sure how that fails to qualify?

"...reduced shifting forces and further improved precision of the shift gates..."