Maybe someone can help me understand something - To me, the absolute most important thing, with regards to a great driving experience, is a good steering wheel...unless the car has a manual transmission. In that case, the overall shifting dynamics (precision, feel, etc.) are also the absolute most important thing in addition to the steering wheel.

The only things one absolutely has to handle while operating an automobile are the steering wheel and shifter (one does not typically “handle” things with their feet, so pedals are a different topic). For this reason, the vast majority of driving experience comes from steering and shifter feel; if these two things are off, it can totally ruin the whole experience of a car.

So what mods, on a car like a 911 that comes as stock so well-sorted, are “money better spent” than the shifter? Why is it that the automotive enthusiast crowd is so obsessed with having a manual transmission but doesn’t seem to really care about shifter feel?

Compared to everything else on the car, the shifting experience in a 996 is underwhelming. It’s not awful, like an early 2000s VW, for example. But it definitely needs upgrading to fit the character of the car, in my opinion.

I’ve felt the Porsche SSK and it seems to shorten the shifter height and increase shifting effort. That is not a formula for a better shifter. The Numeric shifter seems to be the only one on the market that actually went after producing a shifter that feels (and functions) right, not just a “shorter” throw and increased effort to simulate a “sportier” shift feel.

But I see so many people saying this mod is really pricey and that money could be spent on other mods. Like what? What can one possibly do for $1k to this car that will enhance the overall experience of driving a 996 more than a great shift feel?

All I’ve done so far about getting my 996 to “should’ve-come-that-way-from-the-factory” is a set of $300 lowering springs and the biggest thing that still bothers me about driving the car is the shifter (and I’m the opposite of bothered by driving this car, so that’s saying something). As much as the springs improved the aesthetics, now that I have them I realize I could’ve put that money toward the shifter first and probably been happier (but it was only $300, so **** it).

The first $1k I spend on mods once I’m sure this thing is ready to just be driven and maintained (other than the couple hundred I spent on springs) will be on the shifter and cables from Numeric Racing. Exhaust, coilovers (& other suspension-related components), brakes, seats, interior surface materials, and the stereo (infotainment in general) could all be improved to enhance the overall experience of this car. But to get any of those things any better than what came from the factory would cost thousands.

For $1k, one can completely transform one of the most fundamental actions of operating the vehicle for the better. So, I ask again: what could be purchased for the same money as the Numeric shifter that would make a night and day difference in experiencing the 996?

$1k is definitely a high price to pay for a trial run without having any way of knowing how it’ll perform/feel, for sure. But I haven’t read a single review of that shifter, for any car it’s been installed onto, being just a slight improvement over any other shifter to which the Numeric unit is being compared. Every review I’ve read has said the difference is night and day. If it’s as good as all those reviews I’ve read says it is, then it’s most definitely worth every bit of $1k.

As for the other mods you mentioned, including the Porsche replacement shifter options, none of those would provide a night and day difference to the experience, separately or even collectively, in my opinion. Maybe for some people the exhaust hack makes a big difference, I suppose. But not for me. Mods like the intake elbow and Gundo Hack don’t really appeal to me. Sound is very important, but I don’t think those mods are worth changing/modifying the stock equipment, especially when irreversible.

I have read multiple reviews of people who tried the 997 SSK, the 997.2 GT3, and Numeric Racing shifters and said that the NR shifter was night and day different. Not one person has said, “meh, it’s a little better, I guess.” I seriously doubt these guys were saying it to cover up their shame for having foolishly spent so much money on such a tiny improvement. I’m certain that I would’ve seen one example by now of someone who wasn’t floored by how impressive the NR shifter is. I won’t know for sure until I get one myself, but I’ll make this promise now: if it’s not that much of a difference to justify the price, I will have no problem saying so.

Thank you for the heads up! I’ve read rumors of group buys and discounts, so I’m keeping an eye on it. I had not, however, been informed of a refurb w/warranty option. That would definitely be worth $200 off retail.

I have tried a lot of shifters on other cars with cables and the bushings on the cables could make or break shifter feel and precision, so I assumed the full effect couldn’t be achieved without both shifter and cables. I just figured I would do it all at once. But maybe I should start with the shifter first in this case as it is a completely new platform for me.

I may be in the vast minority but I prefer the standard shift length to a SSK. I have a 997 shifter in my 996 and once up to temp works great. I’ve had a SSK in other cars and test drove a C4S with a short shifter. Seemed unnecessarily tight and not all that positive. I feel you get more leverage with a slightly longer throw, plus the shifter is taller and closer to your hand. Then again I haven’t tried the Numeric so maybe I am missing out.

I agree with you on the shift length. I have the 997 shifter and feel that the length fits the steering, braking and pedal feel. I have tried the SSK in another 996 and it just did not fit the overall vehicle dynamics (for me). Of course the new 997 shifter was much better than my 16 year old 996 shifter. However, now I am also searching for better shifter feel with the 997 shifter. I am trying the full FF approach (trans inserts, motor mounts and metal shifter bushings). Will report back in the spring...