vanster

I have to admit of all the cars I have owned I am obsessed with my 928.
Also RL is the glue to owning a 928. Thanks everyone.

The one nagging issue the bugs me but I can live with is the long throw as I row my way thru the gears. Roger sells a very cool shift kit, which I am sure does not make a 928 box like a Miata but it appears to be much better than stock. Or the short shifter arm replacement that many seem to sell.
In the 80's most all boxes were long throw's. I have been told, because of
the brass syncro's in the stock boxes are weak and a quick shift kit will wear them out quickly and require replacing . Porsche 928 boxes were designed for slow
majestic shifting not fast gear changes.
Is there any truth to this.....? Please tell me" it ain't so" and that a quick shift kit is not as harmful as I am told.
I am not out doing hot laps or auto crosses, just general aggressive motoring.

Van
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80 5sp
Y Pipe
MSDS headers

mx22

I was just reading latest Porsche Excellence magazine yesterday and there was a guy there asking about installing short throw shift in his 911. Editor advised him not to and then referred him to a manufacturer/installer who also told him the same thing - seems like a lot of people are missing gears and over-rev the engine. Manufacturer told the guy a lot of people come back to them and ask to reinstall original long throw shift... Not sure if its 911 related, but still, something to keep in mind...

RKD in OKC

I put short shift kits in both a 2001 Boxster S, and a 89 944 Turbo. At first they felt a little notchy going into gear, but it didn't take long to get used to and I really liked them. I have more of a problem hitting gears with the longer throw shifters than short throw.

z driver 88t

The answer may vary depending on whether you are using the OB Porsche transmission or the 85-on Borg Warner trans.

My 84S came with a short shifter so I have never driven a 928 without a shortshifter, but I have sat in one w/o a short shifter and run through the gears.

The previous owner had installed it and he was happy with the change. I can tell you it does not shift fast. Its still a clunky slow shifting transmission and you can't force a fast change (well I guess you could at the risk of damaging things) but I usually shift with gentle pressure until you feel the lever drop into place. Having said that, I really like the feel. its a perfect height and throw distance compared to pulling a slot machine hanndle like the OEM. So even though you really don't shift any faster with it, ergonomically it is much better and in my opinion a worthwhile upgrade.

BTW - as far as longevity and issues with bearings, the short shifter has been in for about 20K miles, so its not a real good long term test, but long enough to know it doesn't cause eminent catostrophic failure.

I believe mine is the one from 928 Motorsports, but I need to look through the records when I get home.

z driver 88t

Oh and as far as brass being an issue, the old 300ZXs and 240SXs used brass synchros (essntially its a Nissan version of the Borg Warner T5 transmission) and I've had a short shift kit in my 88 Turbo Z for well over 100K miles with no issues.

Iwanna928

I put one of Rogers short throw shifters in my 79MY 928. It was a awesome mod for the money. Changed the feel 100% for the better. Tranny seems no worse for wear either w/ a year of hard 15k to 20k miles. Easy to swap out. Do it you will love it compared to that old long shift!

Jim M.

I have a short shifter in my GTS and have about 80K miles with it. No syncro or any other transmission problems of any kind. Again not a real long test but longer than 20K miles.

Landseer

I have one (short handle).
Greatly prefer the longer shift handle and need to trade.
Just preference.

fraggle

I've got a devek shifter in nine, moves the holes slightly and shortens the lever. Wouldn't go back.

GlenL

That they made it longer to make shifting slower is an interesting concept. I think that shifter preference is what has changed. Old 911s have a 2-foot shifter sticking up from the floor. The 928 must have seemed short.

I modded my shifter myself. Remove, cut, grind, replace. Much better feel and looks better. I painted it red, too, to make it shift faster. This allows you to customize the length to your preference.

tlsmith1999

I think there are two different short shifter options. One removes the front ball cup, and replaces the shifter. The other just replaces the shifter. I was told to go with the latter on my 78, but don't remember why. You could give Roger a call and see what the differences between the two are, then choose.
I have had mine for about 12K so far and would not go back.

Erik N

Got a Devek short shifter in mine.

Absolutely, positively, never ever going back to long throw.

928 obsession

I have a short shifter in my '82 while my father's car still has the original long throw shifter (waiting to install his short shifter.) I must admit I greatly enjoy the shorter throw shifter by far, it just feels much more natural and the overall ergonomics are much better. As to the theory about the longer shifters it defiently makes sense. After the switch to the BW synchros didn't the shifter became shorter?

fraggle

I'll bet it had nothing to do with sycros, it was use preference. If you move a lever too fast, short or long, you're going to break something eventually.

Landseer

Actually, with bad synchros, I find the longer shifter gives me more control of where I am within the gates. Have one 84 short and one 84 long.