SoCal Driver

OK. I've just about had it with the cheap plastic shifter boot base plate in the 83's. That's the one that the leather boot NEVER stays attached to! And it NEVER stays clipped to the center console.

I'm in the process of CADDing the damn thing and having a machinest friend make me one that is a bit manlier!

That's right, big and thick and stong! A little smaller on the boot attachment lip circumferance too. Might even make a matching aluminum retaining "clip" to keep the damn boot on! Will have to be fastened through the console to the center hump in each of the corners.

I'll post a sketch when I get a few details worked out.

Anyone else interested in one? Like to cover my costs and make a little profit for my machinist friend.

Robby

If it will fit the later cars then I MIGHT be interested. I've messed w/mine, and it's a POS! I may end up selling my 951 anyway- I'm trying to place an ad this weekend- I'm just tired of it, so it also depends on timing as to whether or not I'd want one...

Pamela

Hey, sounds like a great idea. That is another thing that irritates me, mine seems to come unattached at the top, and I don't know how many times I have fixed it, only to have it come out again when I change gears from 1st to 2nd, or 3rd to 4th. Let us know how it goes, and post some pictures if possible - I am definitely interested. Thanks.

billybones

Leather, is a natural fabric. and shrinks with heat and no nurishment.. That may be more the problem than the retainer.. Just a thought.. one last thing once it has shrunk it can not be restreched best of my knowledge.. Good luck.

SoCal Driver

[quote]Originally posted by billybones:
<strong>Leather, is a natural fabric. and shrinks with heat and no nurishment.. That may be more the problem than the retainer.. Just a thought.. one last thing once it has shrunk it can not be restreched best of my knowledge.. Good luck.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Dwight,

You are right about that shrinkage! This is the reason I want to make the retainer lip thingie opening/circumferance smaller. This way those of us that have the "seasoned" boots can keep them.

I'll have to look into the later model boot retainers. The 86 automatic I'm assimulating has a retainer but this may not be the same as the manuals. Someone please describe their frustrations with these newer retainers.

I wonder who's replacement shifter boot works the best. Anyone?

Robby

Pamela-
What type of 944 do you have?

SoCal driver-
The probs I have w/my Turbo S could actually be SORT-OF what Billybones is saying. You see, you can't change the boot or **** on the turbo- the two are attached w/one piece of leather- you have to get a short shift kit to do so- luckily, SFR has them, and is updating them *** ew speak to avoid the BS noise and vibration probs that SOME of us are having w/our other short shifters- not everyone is expreioenceing probs of this sort. ANYWAY- when I bought mine, I ordered a standard 944 leather boot to use, and tried to make it work- it's never sat down correctly around the bottom since. I WISH I had bought a Momo boot (I didn't know they existed) as I ruined this one trying to make it meet the bottom of the shifter correctly. I'm also not POSITIVE the Momo boots will fit thast ring either, but am pretty sure they have something...

Keep us informed- I may very well still have my car at that time- I'm just bummed by all the probs I've had w/it- too bad I didn't find a better example of 951 to buy <img src="graemlins/cussing.gif" border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" /> <img src="graemlins/crying.gif" border="0" alt="[crying]" />

Manning

Wow, I've never had a problem with mine. However, an aluminum surround would look pretty swanky with my red leather boot and Momo Competition shift ****. Let's see what you come up with and I may plunk down my dollars.

And you don't have to have a short shift kit to use an aftermarket ****. You just need and adapter to adapt the round hole on the aftermarket to the flat bar shifter. I think Performance Products sells them.

SoCal Driver

Manning,

What color should I anodize one for you?

Gold? Clear? Black? Other?

Want to try one with clips or the four corner screw in type?

Note: screws will NOT look like screws.

Continuing;

97xray

I'm interested in seeing some sketches. I have an 83 with original fabric and leather down. While nothing has shrunk yet, I might like the new look anyway.
post some pics!

Pamela

Robby, I have a 1988 S, I suppose you would call it "Alpine white" in colour. Fairly recent owner, since Oct 2001. Only my second car ever, the first was an Alfa Romeo, 2dr hatch, black which I bought before I even had a learners licence. I owned it for 8 years, then sold it to my best friend back in Australia. Porsche is my very first left hand drive vehicle - and I just love how it drives. It is my daily driver, only about 10-15 miles per day to school and back, then it sits in the garage. It has just returned from the repair shop last week, some idiot ran into it on the street - $3600+ damage to left rear end.

Jeff928S4

Pamela - I have an 88' S also.

Just thought I'd tell ya...... <img src="graemlins/wave.gif" border="0" alt="[byebye]" />

Have you had the Cam tensioner done yet???


As for this shifter thingy....what is the problem you all are having? The leather keeps pulling out from around the top of the **** or from around the base? Mine is pretty fine, but I'm getting a new **** soon (the one with the Porsche emblem on it) - will I have this problem (the one you all are talking about) when I switch *****?

944S Boyeee

Pamela

944S Boyee, I am having problems with the base part of the gear boot thingy. It is annoying to say the least, plus it looks untidy! Oh, no I have not had the cam tensioner done yet....but thinking about it, perhaps I should. It needs to go in for a good once-over service - unlike most other people here, I am very afraid to do anything under the hood, scared I might break something or other that will cost me $$$$$ to fix. I am just a newbie when it comes to mechanics - think the most I have done or could do under the hood without messing things up is check the oil/radiator fluids. I have the haynes manual, but am nervous about trying anything which requires using a screwdriver or spanner!

Jfrahm

You can buy shoe stretcher at a shoe store, I believe it is just silicone spray. Mink oil also softens leather and allows it to stretch. I used mink oil on my boot and got it to soften/stretch enough so as not to pop the retainer ring out every time I grabbed 5th.

-Joel.

Manning

Hugh,

Um, probably clear anodized would be nice, or black anodized may be a bit more stealth. Not sure if little steel clips popped to the underside would be OK or if cheeseheads might be better. Got any pictures or .dwg files of your ideas yet?

SoCal Driver

[quote]Originally posted by Jfrahm:
<strong>You can buy shoe stretcher at a shoe store, I believe it is just silicone spray. Mink oil also softens leather and allows it to stretch. I used mink oil on my boot and got it to soften/stretch enough so as not to pop the retainer ring out every time I grabbed 5th.

-Joel.</strong><hr></blockquote>


Joel,

It's as much the boot poping of off the retaining lip as it is the whole cheap plastic base plate just not staying "clipped" to the center console!

Yes you can take the cheap-O plastic base, drill the corners and punch through sheet metal screws into the metal of the hump under the plastic console, but... That's just a klunge! And because I had to do it I get to see it everytime I get in my car! New cheap-O plastic base too. The replacement boot didn't fit to begin with.

As to clipping a New And Improved After Market Spiffy Custom Color base to the cheap-O plastic of the console -- I guess you can do it (many ways) but it's still not secure.

I agree that one should take a little effort and conditon the leather in your car. Mink oil...where on the mink does that come from?

Meanwhile I'm searching for a cross over wiring diagram to put the 86 mirrors on the 83. Anyone?