Anyone tried the "quick shifter" short shift kit in the current Perf. Products cataloge? It is only $40 and reduces throw by 40%. Uses the stock lever which appears to be attached to a new lower lever piece. The price is definitely right, but I'd like to hear from someone who actually tried it.

 

Do a search here and on the Pelican BBS for Weltmeister Short Shift. The short version is that it's cheap, but not good for your (expensive) transaxle.

 

Hi Jack. I had read about the weltmeister, rennshift, wevo, factory unit, etc, etc. but never saw anything on this product. I didn't want to post on Pelican and ask about a perf product item. This one is actually half as much as the weltmeister, which I guess is not a good sign. I think I'll just get the Seine Systems gate shift thing. Though I would like to have it, I can't justify the cost of the Wevo stuff since I don't drive the car that much.

 

I thought you meant their $40 Weltmeister gate-type device.

The two products you're talking about do different things. The Seine kit uses springs and a lock-out gate to make it harder to select the wrong gear when shifting. A short-shift kit will reduce the amount you need to move the selector in choosing a gear. The Seine kit can save your motor from a mechanical over-rev, but it won't change the way the car shifts, really. The short-shift is widely considered to not be good for the 915 internals, although a lot of guys have them and like them.

If your goal is to make shifting more precise, then replacing the old bushings, coupler, and getting the whole setup adjusted is the ticket.

The Wevo shifter does all of the above, preventing mis-shifts, cleaning up shifter feel and shortening the shift throws (with more precise mechanical parts mitigating the extra stress on the 915), but -- like you say -- it's mighty expensive.

 

the "Quick Shift" advertised in the Perf. Products catalog is similar to the old "Target" brand. They both require removal and replacement of the ball end and pivot piece. The difference between QS and Target might be the greater overall length of the piece which determines how short the throws are reduced. Target claimed a 35% reduction, but the actual is more like 22%. The Quick Shift advertises shortening the throws by 40% over a stock shifter. Not sure about the actual amount.

By way of reference, the Weltmeister provides provides a reduction of about 39% and the factory short shifter, 25%. However, the greater the reduction, the more effort needed to shift into gear. Some don't mind the feel of the WM, some do. The Quick Shift, at a claimed 40%, would be on the notchier end of the spectrum.

In the image below, from the top:
Factory lever
Factory short shift
Weltmeister
Target
Factory Turbo

Hope this helps,
Sherwood

 

FWIW, I have the WM short shift, and placed an order for the Seine unit this week, upon recommendation from the PO, who knew I was contemplating the whole Wevo shooting match. My 915 needs some attention anyway, 2nd gear isn't very receptive with the shifter.

 

Does B&M not make a system for the 911?

 

JBO:

I'd advise caution on the majority of the kits that reduce shifter throw. ALL of them will increase wear & tear on syncro's, op sleeves, etc due to faster engagement. Its a question of degree.

The shorter the throw, the faster the wear. Since the Factory SC/RS short shift kits (best ones) are now NLA, the field is somewhat narrowed.

Now,.....shift mods that reduce the chance of selecting the wrong gear are very good things indeed as I hate to tell you how many unneccessary valve jobs we do annually from people accidently putting the transmission in a wrong gear and having the valves contact the pistons.

We use a lot of the WEVO shifters and sometimes the Gateshift, but I hear that the Seine system works well, too. I simply have no first-hand experience with those.

There is no question that the first place to begin the process of improving shift quality is by replacing the shift coupler, shift shaft bushing, and the plastic cup at the forward end of the shift shaft below the shifter. All these parts are cheap, too,....

 

Yes, I would do the cheap stuff first and see if you like it ok, then move upwards in price. You might wind up doing some things twice - like replacing the stock bushings in the coupler then buying a Wevo coupler - but you can always resell the discarded piece.

The newer style shift towers are a good ide also - search on Pelican and here for more info on those.