CT Mike

I am doing my research in preparation of purchasing a 78-82 928 and have read a number of articles about the 928’s evolution. I read in on article that at some point (1980?) that Porsche changed to a short shifter. Is that information correct?
I am much more familiar with 911’s and own a 1988 with a G50 gearbox which has a shorter throw than cars from 1986 and earlier. I appreciate the shorter throw of my car over the earlier cars.
On 928s Is the longer throw of early cars awkward and what year was the shifter changed? Thank you.

icsamerica

Porsche updated the synchros across the line in about 1985. This includes the 928 in 85.. The 85+ 928s have much better shifting Transmissions. I don't think the actual length of the shifter changed until the mid-90s. There are some aftermarket shifters that change the the distance between the pivot point and the length of the shifter itself to achieve a shorter shifter result. . I chopped Cut and welded mine to accomplish this and it works quite well. The risk on the later and better shifting Transmissions is a broken centering spring. In most cases it just sits at the bottom of the transmission but aggressive driving can cause it to spring up and damaged some gears. So if you're buying ensure the shifter centers or it will need repair.

linderpat

Frankly, I always preferred the "long stick" on the early cars. The early models had the longest shift levers, but the **** was closest to the steering wheel and your hand, which to me was the point. The lever shortened at some point, not sure when, but I think by 83 it was shorter. It shortened again for the GTS. Many do prefer the shorter versions, and our own Hans sells an excellent kit. Maybe get it through Roger? As to early transmissions, I read all the time about how poor they were, and with bad syncros. All I can say is that for 11 years, I had a 78 (Blumaxx) 5 speed car, and other than updating the bushings, it shifted flawlessly, in all gears. Never had a problem (I had my indy update the bushings - he used 911 bushings and that made it less sloppy). You will never get the feel of a transmission shift like you have in a 997, for example. I have both and they are light years different. My 85 shifts well, and is pretty tight as far as that goes, but the 997 is more like a tight shift. It does have a short shift kit on it however.

icsamerica

Agreed... I kind'a like the long throughs for an early in period stock 928 because it's representative of the time... late 70's / early 80's... (Excess, cocaine, ****, etc).

The long shift throughs and clutch pedal distance seem to work in concert for a natural and kinesthetic driving experience on the 928 . On-the-other-hand ... I also have a wider OT car with a t56 with the shifter centered in the console. The throughs were so short (1 inch) and the stick so far away, that I change the shifter and console so it is higher and offset 2 inches towards the driver. It just didnt feel natural to me to move my hand 8 inches off the wheel to the stick then move the shifter 1 inch, while moving my leg 8 inches. It was kinesthetically odd have grownup on the 928.

GregBBRD

There's a reason Porsche put that long shifter into the early cars.
And it becomes really obvious, when you install new synchros and sliders in your pre-1985 transmission. (And obvious why some cars had their gear oil changed to ATF!)
You will need/want that "long shifter" with all the leverage.
Yes, after about 5,000 miles of break-in, a shorter shifter will work, but it's a nightmare up to that point.

PF

For a 79 5 speed what is your recommended transmission oil?