Ironman165

I'm thinking of getting a short shift kit for my 1977 911s, and wanted to get some feedback from those of you who have already done the switch to one. Do you find that it makes all that much of a difference in how fast you shift? Is there any negatives? About how much should I expect to pay to get it done? Is it worth the price? If any of you could give me some helpful advice, I'd appreciate it greatly.

rbcsaver

I put the factory SSK kit in my 84 and replaced all the shifter bushings. Get 101 Projects and you can certanily do the job yourself. May shifting much better.
regards,
Steve

Bill Gregory

There have been reviews and tests of the various kits on the market. If you have the PCA Up-Fixin' series, they are in there. Like Steve, I installed the factory kit in my 81 SC. Easy install, maybe an hour and a half. Replace the plastic cup at the bottom of the shift lever while in there. Definite reduction in movement from stock(however, it borders on the subtle too. Won't make it a short 1" throw). I was glad I installed it and would recommend it. And replacing all the bushings, including the one under the plate behind the seats, together tightens up the shift linkage.

Peter Zimmermann

I think that something should be clarified. "Fast" shifts are the quickest way, other than valet parking, to send your broken 915 trans to the repair shop. Shifting a 915 is always a two-part motion; out of one gear, pause in neutral, and then into the next higher (or lower) gear. This leaves the driver time to feel the trans. That said, I believe the factory short shift kits (stock '85 for a 10% reduction, '86 super-short shifter for a 20% reduction) are the only way to go. However, there is a compromise. Because the lever's fulcrum point is altered shifting effort goes up, becomes heavier, with each change. I personally do not like the super short shifter option, preferring to go with the '85 shifter instead. The job is not difficult, but the center console must be removed to do it. If you're tentative about things mechanical, replacement should be done by an experienced Porsche tech to insure that all adjustments are correct when the work is done (you might be driving a car that is not adjusted correctly, and the short shifter will exacerbate those problems). Hope this helps!

theasphaltgambler

I have driven a few customer cars ('82-86) with; I assume aftermarket short shifter kits. For me the throw was too short and the effort too heavy. I'm a performance guy but I thought these went too far. Kinda ruined the natural 'feel' of these earlier cars.


Anyone have experience with the 'gate-shift' kits? The kind where you replace the whole shifter assy and/or install a gate inside the 915 trans? Giving the point here that all is good with the trans and shift couplers/bushings, are these units snake oil overkill or really worth the $$ ?

r911

Search on Pelican for many posts on this. Arm effort will be higher. The factory kit seems to be the best.

You can also upgrade your entire shift tower to a late model one -- or get the $2,000 or so Wevo shift and trans mods kit.

Chuck Harmon

I did the Factory Kit in my SC. New bushings are also a good idea while you are there.
It is a easy do it yourself project. This is a good time for some fresh Swepco 201
too !
Good Luck
Chuck

TPink

I had the factory kit installed in my 77. I provides a noticable difference and I like it. Factory kit is more complete which is a good idea with our aging cars.

imcarthur

Just FYI

Pelican is listing the factory short shift for the 915 as nla

Pelican Link

Ian

sprocket3

I did the WEVO unit and a WEVO shift coupler. Huge change in the feel of the transmission and shifting. Like a whole new car to be honest!

The car had a low end aftermarket short shift kit in it prior to that, and all the bushing had worn out. So it was just a mess to shift. It felt like a stick in cold peanut butter and gravel!

It was expensive but I would consider it money well spent at this point. Not G-50 like, but half way there!

www.smartracing.com and others sell them. I didn't get the "gateshift" but the model that sells for $595. Plus 200 for the WEVO coupler! They also make a "stock look" shifter that should shift the same but look like the factory shifter if you don't like the race look!

Mat

JCP911S

I'll weigh in with my usual cranky contrarian views... short shift kits are not an improvement on the factory shifter... as pointed out above they will not "speed" shifting... all they do is reduce the space between gates and make it easier to end up in the wrong gear.... so to the extent that they require you to be more careful, they actually reduce the speed at which you can consisitently shift.

If money is no object, WEVO kits appear to work.... whether they "feel" better is subjective... I always say $1,200 extra in my pocket subjectively "feels better"...

If you learn to shift a well maintained and adjusted 915 properly, it is as fast and reliable as any option out there... IMNSH (Not So Humble) Opinion

Peter Zimmermann

JCP911S: My thoughts exactly! If the car is properly adjusted and driven, it's a pleasure as is. My two SCs are stock, I have no plans to change either car. Now, if you want a short shifter, drive an '05 Boxster "S" 6-speed!
Pete

Hetmann

My factory shifter broke at the epoxy joint. It worked fine up to that point, but I found the reach to be a bit long. I was leaning forward to reach it! I switched to a short shift and I like it. Different strokes. I can reach the entire pattern now while sitting back in my seat. Still shifts great, but I am very careful never to force things. Very intimate. No regrets.

Peter Zimmermann

A follow-up note: If I was to go with a short shift kit, it would be the shifter setup that was stock in the '85 Carrera. I think the 10% reduction (from earlier cars) balanced with a minimal increase in shifting effort is a good compromise.
Pete

sprocket3

Another follow-up: The wevo kit is $595, not $1200. They will feel much better than what you have and make shifting easier. Worth the money is for you to decide.....