I've got a 2004 996 with the factory shifter. Not bad, but getting slightly sloppy (68,000 miles). I have had bad experiences with short shifters(BMW) and therefore not interested in going that route. Street use only. What about Ben's Shifter Side Lever along with new bushings. Will this tighten up the "feel" of the shifter? Side lever is $150 at uniWerks Design, plus I need to price the replacement bushings if the consensus show they are worthwhile. Anyone have any experience (or opinion) with this method.

Thanks,
David

 

No experience with the product you are seeking info for but since it is trying to improve upon the existing plastic OEM shifter I would look for something different. My 996 has under 60k miles. I went with the Numeric short shifter and although pricy it is ridiculous on the improvement from stock IMO.

 

You could see if Ben or Uniworks could connect you with some satisfied customers. I think Ben recently said that part was a new product.

FunctionFirst has a similar upgraded shifter guts product. I've always been pleased with FF products.

My money is on going straight to the Numeric, but it is lot of money and not worth it for some folks. I personally wasted a lot of iterations and dollars trying to improve on the stock setup when I would have been better off going straight to the Numeric to begin with.

 

I recently went through this on my 996. I first looked at upgrading the stock shift console with parts from FF, B&M, etc. After much reading, I decided I would stay with factory parts and purchase a plug and play unit. I was at that time between two options... the standard 997 shift console and 997 SSK. I actually ended up buying the 997.2 GT3 shift console and I couldn't be happier. Shorter shifts without being too short and zero play whatsoever. Shortly after I installed that, I upgraded to RSS semi solid engine mounts and it got even better. It just glides into each gear and I haven't had a single issue.

 

^^This^^
I have a 2003 and at 50, 000 replaced stock shifter with a 997SSK factory shifter @$450. Two years later, took it out and replaced it with a Numeric shifter and cables.

When I was a teenager trying to add performance modifications to my 1970s muscle car, the guy add the local Speed Shop said to me, " If you can't afford to do it right, you certainly can't afford to do it twice"

I must have forgot that lesson, only to be reminded

 

I have read a ton of threads from the forum, There are many options and a lot of questions still remain. I would perfectly fit into the group who would try numerous options and end up with the Numeric! I have sent a note to Ben soliciting his opinion as this is a new product. Will pass his comments along when he replies. It's fun trying to save a few bucks and own a Porsche, especially one 15 years old!

Thanks for the replies.

David

 

I installed 2 weeks ago a $60.00 short shifter bought on amazon and found a great improvement. The numeric looks very nice but I don't track my car and this less expensive shifter is OK for my commuting use.

 

I recently replaced the shifter bushings and shift cables on my MY99 (106k miles), which is a daily driver. I purchased the front and rear metal bushings from Phenix engineering and shifter cables from Numeric. The difference is night-and-day, especially considering that it appeared the shifter and components were factory original. Play is all but eliminated and shifting is very pleasurable (definitely has a bolt-action rifle quality).

I imagine--depending on the state of the bushings--that just installing new bushings and new cable-shifter ends ($20 ea at pelican) will be a considerable improvement.

 

997 short throw. direct bolt in reduces travel est 25%

 

Just get the numeric. A lot of those kits are well done. But lets be honestly here they charge 65% of a Numeric for a bag of bushings and seals. With the numeric you have a full solution.
Doing it once is better than spending the time and energy having to deal with a lever upgrade later or messing with those cheap kits later imho

 

I'm very happy with my Function First 997 shifter. An easy swap, much better mechanism, slightly shorter throw. Paired with semi solid engine mounts totally changed the shifting experience.

 

I have a tequipment short shifter and I am satisfied with the throw and action. The only part that bugs me is the side to side play or "wiggle". Other than replacing everything, is there a partial solution to eliminate the lateral play? Is this what this side lever thing is meant to do?

 

I bought a B&M short shifter from a guy who works for a Porsche and sold his car because he was transferred back to Germany. I have a 2002 Carrera 2 cabrio. Stayed with stock cables but the improvement is huge for the street and the cost was reasonable. I also don’t track my car. FWIW the install was also pretty easy.

 

Given the amount of money spent for odds and ends around here, the Numeric isn't relatively that expensive. I've had mine for about 5 weeks now and I can't say that I regret the purchase.

 

I purchased that one as well. It was a huge upgrade from the stock setup.The Numeric I am running now is better, but is it $620.00 better? .... I dunno.