I'm not in love with the sloppiness of the stock shifter in the 996 Turbo. After much review, it seems there is a couple options:

1. 997 GT3 Option (notchy, bolt like) $450
2. 997 Factory Option (shorter, more stock feel)
3. Numeric (very bolt like)

I was going to go with the 997 Turbo factory shifter, what are people happy with? I don't like super notchy but the stock one has a lot to be desired.

 

You can snag a 997 shifter used for pretty cheap on ebay. Pair that with the Function First Shift Right and it will be nearly Numeric-like for less than half the price.

Or just add the Shift Right to your current shifter and see how you like it.

 

I have the Numeric and really love it. It's like buttah.

-Matt

 

1. 997 GT3 Option (notchy, bolt like) $450

not notchy - perfect - I love mine
there was a lot discussion of this in years past and a large consensus noted that the GT3 was the favorite

check your options - quite a few Turbos came with short shifters --- XCZ
but if your in the hunt, I doubt your car has it

 

I don't post often, (maybe because I can get a little long winded), but given the subject thought I would post my experience with the Numeric shifter in my 996C2. When I first drove the car, it had a stock shifter with some sort of short shifter mod. I immediately did not like it, so after purchasing the car I made getting a new shifter a priority. Researched on here, and since I was making a lot of business trips to Tampa at the time, I hooked up the the guys at Numeric in Tampa, and got to check one out as installed in the owners car. I wasn't sure about the 'bolt action' effect and how I was going to like it long term, but it certainly felt precise in shifting. During the installation in my garage, I 'ran through the gears' a few times with just the shift linkage on the transmission and immediately recognized that the transmission shifting is very 'bolt action' and precise without the shifter mechanism, with no detectable slop.

The numeric shifter housing is a very rigid, all metal design. The shifter itself pivots on very nice bearings, so it has no feel whatsoever. Even with the cables only connected to the shifter, still no feel at all, almost seems frictionless. However, once hooked up the the transmision shift mechanism, feels just like manually manipulating the transmission at the source. The Numeric shifter housing coupled with the cables is a very rigid assembly. Virtually no unwanted movement. The stock shifter is some sort of plastic with plastic pivot ***** and when coupled to the transmission, flexes while attempting to move the transmission shift mechanism because of transmission stiffness and rigidity. This is where the sloppy feel comes from. In addition, I noted a certain amount ot flexing of the stock cables when shifting, which contributes to the overall sloppy feel. By contrast, the rigidity of the overall Numeric shifter/cable assembly is just like having the transmission right in the cockpit with you. If one wanted to, it woud be fairly easy to put a 'gated shifter' bezel as in older Ferrari's in the console of my 996 and it would automatically follow the gate without touching the sides of the bezel pattern, kind of a 'virtual' gated shifter. Very precise but also felt a little strange at first. I also drive a couple of MR2's regularly, and by eliminating the rubber/plastic interface bits, I have improved the shifting feel in those cars dramatically as well. They have similar shift mechanisms on the transmission as the 996, but not quite as precise in shifting.

What I am saying is the more rigid the shifter assembly and cables. the more precise the shifting. And it is definitely 'bolt action' in feel. It was hard to get used to at first, but I definitely like it much better than what I started with. So if you want know what it feels like, disconnect you current shift cables, get under your car, and see what it feels like to shift at the transmission. Unfortunately you won't have the same leverage you get with the shifter mechanism, but you will understand what 'bolt action' means relative to the Numeric shifter and the force it takes to shift the transmission. I also want to say that I'm not affiliated in anyway with Numeric. Sorry for the long winded post!

 

996 Cup's shifter with associated cables.
or
CAE with assiciated cables.

 

Whats the cup shifter like? Also bolt action feel?

 

More precise shifting feel. The bushes are made from steel or alluminium; the standard part has plastic bushes.

 

Go Numeric - nothing compares

 

Well, I would argue CAE most certainly is comparable. I love mine.

 

Sure but the CAE is too big IMO but to each thier own

 

Some find the height an attribute, having the shifter in close proximity to the steering wheel is awesome for minimizing the time of hand off the wheel during shifting and IMO enhances the aggressive driving experience by a lot.

It does aesthetically change up the feel of the interior quite a bit, this to me is also an attribute, I don't love the stock interior enough to favor aesthetics over the enhanced ergonomics and, I think the CAE looks completely bad ***.

Its funny, with all I've done to my car, when people see it in person - the shifter is what they're drawn to.

 

cheap $99 ebay shifter ... no complaints

 

Yes, bolt action feel and sound, needs also Cup cables for full upgrade. Increased NVH, but very precise. No more plastic thingies to break.

 

I went with a 997 shifter with Phenix Engineering bushings. A noticeable difference. Basically makes it a 997 GT3 shifter. I bought the 997 shifter used for $135 on eBay and the bushings are $70.

https://phenixengineering.com/shop/p...t-bushing-kit/

I am not saying its a CAE or Numeric, but it was considerably cheaper. Its also a very nice improvement over what I had originally. The 997 is slightly shorter and the bushings really improved the feel overall.