I went from the 997 to the Numeric. I actually did not know my car had the 997 shifter in it until I went to install the Numeric. As others say, it is amazing! I did compare the 997 shifter to my buddies 996, and the 997 does feel better, and tighter, but nowhere near what the Numeric feels like. The shifts are like flicking a light switch.

If you just want something a bit tighter, the 997 is good value, and a quick install. The Numeric is next level, may almost be overkill for the street, but I track my car so it is way worth it, even if it was 4% of what I paid for the entire car.

 

does this mean you're selling the 997 shifter?

 

Yes. $125 Shipped.

 

I drove the car for about an hour today.

Maybe my 996 shifter was just in good shape because after some extended seat time I can tell zero difference between the 996 and 997.

 

+1
I could not tell the difference between a 996 and 997 shifter when both had stock cables adjusted properly.

Now, the 997ssk is a different story great improvement over 996/997 stock shifter.

Full disclosure, I just pulled out my 997 ssk and stock cables, I now have a Numeric shifter and Numeric Cables, that is the end game for 6 speed Porsche shifting, but big price tag.

 

 

 

They are both good options (F1st) haven't heard of the other brand. From a price perspective I think by the time you factor in a 997 shifter + a refurb kit you're at the price of the Numeric which is the top of the food chain

 

I currently have an 03' 996 C4S and the shifter is smoother and I prefer it over the 06' 997 C2S I had a few years ago. The 997 was definitely tighter though, where as the 996 feels to have a hair more slop...but its so butter smooth it doesn't bother me much. I didn't enjoy the stock 997 shifter in my '06 so I upgraded to a B&M and was satisfied but not blown away.

I haven't lifted the boot to see if my 996 has a stock shifter in it but I think it is. It has the carbon/aluminum **** and handbrake. The throws don't seem very short but they are extremely smooth. It actually surprised me the first time I drove it, was not expecting that to happen.

 

I put a "Bens" shift kit in mine last year and the difference was very noticeable. Much shorter throw and more precise feeling. I don't know if I'd go so far to say like bolt action rifle (at least a good one), but definitely much shorter and tighter.

 

interesting, Matt is your car optioned with
XCZ Short shifter ?

I've seen this mentioned on a few Turbos

 

 

 

Matt, your comments are interesting as I haven't read of many people preferring the 996 shifter over the 997.

 

Yes I was pleasantly surprised the first time I took my new (used) 996 out for a spin. Not expecting it at all...it was strange actually how it felt so smooth. Before I drove it I was reading about the 2nd gear grind thread and wondering if I would have a similar problem or perhaps something else. Luckily it's smooth as silk in all gears. I love it so far. Throws could be a bit shorter, that would be my only complaint but its not bad at all.

Maybe my 997 shifter just was a bad example. When I bought the car it only had ~6k miles on it and looked/drove like brand new. I remember taking it apart and trying to adjust the cables or doing anything to help it out some. It was quite notchy at times and not near as smooth as my current 996. Swapping to the B&M did make a nice difference in throws and feel over the stock 997 unit, at least for me.