Not_Sure

Hey guys so I have researched and not found much a far as short shift for the 68.


Can anyone clarify things:


Does the 968 ALREADY have the bushings, that the 944 is commonly upgraded with at the shifter?


would replacing the pin, tighten things up at all, or one of the radial bearings like the one from McMaster carr I have seen done for the 944?




AT the REAR, Is the plastic block the same as the 944? it kind of seems like some of the rear linkage kits could be made to work, seems like the main thing would be just bending the "plate arm" back about 30deg and bolt it to the cross bar link that mounts on the other side of the trans (and do those wear out??)

Not_Sure

any comments about this?:
RS barn said they don't carry it any more and that they go bad after a while???

Not_Sure

no one?

Boeing 717

I bought a short shift a while back. I think I posted about it. Didn't really shorten anything to be honest and I also bought the radial bearings but they would not fit in between new shifter and the shift shaft so I used some plastic bushings from McMaster Carr.

KevinGross

Short shifters in 924/944/968 are a great money maker for me. You guys buy 'em, grind gears, and I get to fix the transmission with replacement gears. Go for it, pay for my retirement! Cheers,

Not_Sure

well its not so much the short part, its that I want to make things tighter, especially in a car with 163K on it.

Boeing 717

Yea get a new gear lever and hardware. Should tighten it up.

Not_Sure

well, I already ordered the bushings for the front, but what about the rear?
Can anyone give feedback on that bearing block above? (maybe ill just have a machine hop make one? or put some Oillite bushings in it)

FHMotorsport

Same here

968workaholic

The 968 and 944 transmissions use different linkages on top of the transmissions where the shift rod connects. If you use something from a 944 trans to shorten the throw, most of the time it will need to be "clearanced" in some way so that it doesn't hit thre fuel tank or the trans itself. The aluminum bearing block was a good idea, until any type of corrosion built up between the block and the linkages. Once that happened, the shifter felt like you were pulling it through mud every time you shift, or it would just get stuck altogether. If your concerned about play in the stock plastic piece I would suggest replacing it with a new OEM piece, after all it's lasted this long without issues other than possibly getting worn out. Short shifters also require more force to actuate the lever when selecting gears, not by much but just something to keep in mind

Jfrahm

Has anyone ever replaced this plastic block? My shifting is not too bad and I was surprised to see the linkage up front was in great shape on my 165K mile car, but I would not be surprised to find some wear in the back. And shifter parts are much cheaper than synchro replacement, etc. so I'd like to stay on top of it.

It looks like the block has been available from time to time by itself but normally comes with
94442401301 for $200 or so. It kinda looks like the 944 rear plastic block-bushing might be the same and there is one of those available from Poland for under $40. The RS Barn part application implies supports this notion.

crazyz007

I agree on the corrosion aspect. The shift block lasted for about 2 years before the dissimilar metal corrosion caused the shifter to bind and would no longer return to center. I removed it and enlarged the holes and installed a bronze sleeve. It has been about 5 years and all is still good.

Not_Sure

does anyone have the bore/shaft sizes?