judge

Hi guys

There seem to be two types of short shift kits; those that modify the shift lever mechanism in the cockpit like the Lindsey Racing and Deutche-nine [?] models. Then there are those that change the actuation mechanism at the transaxle itself. I'm interested in shortening the throws on my 968, but I'm only a very average spanner hand.

Any tips/tricks/opinions about the two routes, and recommendations would be welcomed.

xsboost90

neither is very difficult to install. Stay away from the Schnell shift linkage as it wears out pretty quick.

thirdgenbird

Is there a linkage kit you recomend?

OHNOES

Hey,

I'm actually really interested in this myself, as I have been hoping to shorten the throws on my '86 951. I've already ordered, and will hopefully soon be receiving the Lindsey short shift lever, and I will be happy to let you know what I think of it when I get it in thirdgen. But the actual linkage itself I haven't researched yet, and would love to hear more about.

Lemming

I bought the SSK from Evilbay that looks just like the LR one, works well but had to be slightly modified to get the throw where I wanted it.

Giantviper

I will 2nd the opinion to stay away from the schnell kits. (INstalled and removed it in the matter of a week (its no good).

I currently have the weiltmeister kit and It works well.

xschop

If I could ever find 15mm male heims, I would do a post on how to mod the factory shifter. I've looked everywhere for them.

Lemming

Lot's of 14's out there, I wonder if they could be opened up to 15mm?

xschop

I thought about machining the rod down to 14mm dia. in the heim area. The new Teflon-lined heims last eons over the metal-metal heims.

I wouldn't try to drill a heim as there is no way to hold the spherical bearing from spinning with the drill bit.

Supachink

I have both the linkage shifter, and a shortened handle, an ebay purchase and some modding was required for the handle, but its the old 'broadfoot racing' design where it was adjustable at the pin. I like the way it all feels, if i did it again, i'd just reuse my stock shifter handle though and only go with the transmission linkage.

xschop

Yeah I shortened my factory shifter **** to get stereo head unit clearance and a little shorter throw, but I want some shorter throw at the linkage on my new installed tranny. The only quality shifter I've seen is the stainless needle bearing one that would cost as much as my tranny LOL. There are 2 different ways to mod the factory shifter and the easiest way is with a 15mm heim. They existed at one time, but can't find them any more. The other way is a 19/32" x 3/4" needle bearing inside a 3/4" heim, but you have to machine 2 custom heim spacers for the factory rod, which is what I did back in the day. If I can't find 15mm male Teflon heims, I will do the needle bearing design again and weld an extension to the lateral throw arm and the gear shift lever has to be machined shorter as well.....

thirdgenbird

any reason why you would go this route over the handle?

Justin S2

I saw this on RSBarn. I think its expensive for just a block of metal, though.

http://rsbarn.com/images/ShiftingBlock_800.jpg

mytrplseven

There's one listed on ebay for 99 bucks. I wish I had an explaination as to how the thing works mechanically. the seller didn't know and when I asked about one being made with the flat **** shaft (like the one on 9procucts.com), so I could use the OEM **** he recommended possibly grinding the round shaft flat. The shaft is 5/16" diameter.

968 GUY

I think most people think that if the shift lever is cut down, it shortens the shift throw. It doesn't. It just makes more room around the shifter, and makes shifting harder due to decreased leverage.
Looking at the way the shifting assembly is built, the pin that the linkage connects to at the lever needs to be actually moved up. This will shorten the throw.
I have never had my lever out, I am just looking at the parts catalog.
I have a 968 6-speed that I would like to shorten the throw of the shifter w/o putting something on the transaxle. I did that to my 951 and do not like it.
From what I see, the 944 shift lever pin is higher than the 968. Will the 944 shifter fit the 968? I don't know. Need to find a used one of each to compare.