cwbrown

Just picked up my new (to me) 996 4s yesterday.....yhea!!!!
Love the car but at 16 there are a few issues
#1; gear lever slop
Im confused about what SSK to get. Read plenty on here about most peoples esperiences but there seem to be a lot of options.
I'm look for shorter throws and little to no play.
Would like to know what works best under $400
* OEM 997 SSK
* OEM 997 shifter
* OEM GT3 SSK
* OEM GT3 shifter
* B&M SSK

thanks for the help and guidance

z driver 88t

From my personal experience, I have a '99 996 that had the original shifter up until around 120k miles. It had developed a fair amount of slop. I swapped it out for a OEM 997 shifter because I found a good price on a low-mileage one used on Rennlist ($100 shipped as I recall). It definitely removed all the slop. I'm guessing this was due more to the low mileage on the unit, rather than some design change. As has been stated in other threads the throw is slightly shorter than the stock 996. Barely noticeable - most threads claim a 15% reduction - but it definitely feels better.

If your budget was in the $100 range, you can't go wrong with the OEM 997 shifter.

With $400 to play with you have some options. I'll be curious to see who else chimes in. I believe the general consensus is that OEM 997 SSK is a very nice unit and better than the B&M SSK, but that is just what I have gleaned from other threads - not from personal experience.

dan_189

Also the numeric option if you feeling like spending a bit more - it's well worth it.

If you're on a budget I'd agree - can't go past OEM 997

Capt. Obvious

I had the B&M kit in my 02 and the 997 SSK in my '99. I preferred the 997 setup personally.

dan_189

Here is the list in order of price (roughly):

- 996 fairly average at best
- Ben's 996 refurbish kit - haven't used it - has metal bearing
- 996 B&M (OEM 996 SSK) - haven't used it -personally but have been told its notchy compared to the 997 SSK - not available from the dealership anymore only the second hand market
- 997 OEM (slightly shorter than OEM 996)
- 997 SSK
- 997 GT3 (Metal bearings)
- 997/997 + FunctionFirst refurb kit (metal bearings)
- Numeric racing - all aluminium ball bearing + 3 length adjustment (extra short, short, normal) - amazing shifter

Pick whichever works for you and fits your budget

mrdeezy

I was doing this search for a while and I ended up getting the numeric with cables. I look at my car as a keeper and want the best in it. Back in the day when I used to switch out late model bmws and Audi’s every 10 months I would get the best value. I think these nicer 996’s will be around for a long time so might as well get the good stuff.

marzen

I have the B&M. It is really not notchy (subjective opinion) especially when the car is at normal operating temperature. I like the short throw and the positive feel when shifting. A downside is the unit feels heavily built as it requires arm strength when rowing gears. I drove the Cayman GT4 and the shifter is everything good mentioned here AND you can flick it positively with your wrist. I suggest trying your top choices before purchase.

JTT

Ben's kit likely fits in very close to the top of this list. Metal bearings and $155. Ben's a member here too (Ben006).
https://uniwerksdesign.com/product/b...short-shifter/

dan_189

Have read about that - didn't have enough info to include it in the list but ill update it thanks

jllphan

I found the same after purchasing an 03 c4s and went down the rabbit hole to sort.

First stop was a 997 sifter: it reduced play and throws were shorter but not enough of an improvement for me. Next stop: 996 Porsche Tequipment Short ****er with Evoms billet linkage: even less play and shorter throws yet. Additionally this one is more notchy than the previous two. First requires a bit of effort until the tranny is fully warm but overall, I’m happy.

Just a a heads up, no matter what shifter I tried, there is a bit of play (side to side) with all of them, and I’ve been told that only the Numeric or one of the oem options with a drop-in billet rocker arm from Function First that supposedly has tighter tolerances will alleviate it.

A friend that has a 997 GT3 RS shifter in his 996 TT has the same amount of play in the same location as mine, so I think it's just normal for the OEM shift parts, unfortunately. Of course yours may have a lot more slop if it’s old and tired.

.

cds72911

I've tried many in your list, and my advice is to skip them all and go directly to the Numeric.

parris

Just one correction:

Tequipment OEM 997 SSK and 996 SSK are the same. The reference for the 996 has been changed to the 997 one, but that part is the OEM reference for the 996 SSK.

dan_189

Do you mean the 996 SSK has been superseded to the 997 SSK part?

I.e the 996 SSK is no longer available?

parris

Exactly. If you order the Tequipment 996 SSK you will receive the 997 number part, as both are/were the same.

You have:
996 shifter
997 shifter (was shorter than 996)
996&997 short shifter: was the same for both. Actually, it reduces more the travel in the 996 than int he 997, as the 997 was already shorter.

dan_189

Yes correct - 996 SSK no longer available but you can get them second hand. Throw is the same length (I guess you're saying) however the 997 SSK is an updated design.

Also yes OEM 997 is slightly shorter than OEM 996.