DFC

Ok, been avoiding it, but drove a friends 05 997S the other day. Very nice car, really liked the way it shifted - a lot. It has the 997 SSK installed, very smooth, not notchy at all, effortless to shift.

I have a B&M SSK that I installed about 5 years ago. Very notchy, 1st can be a pain when cold. Never really warmed up to it.

What I would like are opinions on the 997 shifter upgrade and the 997 SSK that anyone has installed in a 996. Have searched and found a lot of info, I know, I know, everyone has different tastes, but wanted some more recent info, especially if someone has driven both.

Thanks!

NZ951

Im keen to know as well, unsure how it relates to the GT3 shifters as well.

Not4off

I have a SSK in my 09 Carrera S. Had a chance to drive a 997 GT3 at the track and knew that the standard long throw shifter in my car had to go. Huge improvement...but the feel does not replicate the feel of the GT3. The GT3 throw feels shorter and less delicate. The SSK is a great investment... but even with that improvement... the mechanism is inferior to an S-2000 Honda or short shifter on the Mazda MX5 in my opinion.

alpine003

I've had the B&M SSK before I swapped out to the regular 997 shifter.

If you're coming from the B&M and have grown accustom to the short shifting action, I would go with the 997 SSK and get the best of both worlds in terms of shorter shifts and great feel.

An SSK has been a prerequisite for all my cars I've driven in the last 20 years, however starting last year it hasn't been a priority for some reason to have one. Maybe I'm getting older or the fact that I moved to the suburbs and commute via public transportation. I dunno...

I've been ok with the slightly reduced throw of the regular 997 shifter for the price I paid. However with everyone talking about how great the 997 ssk feels, I might have to cough up the extra dough and upgrade soon. I might also upgrade the stock plastic shift linkage with a billet one like Agency has or something like it while I'm in there.

my $.02

DFC

Thanks guys for the replies, much appreciated.

I am fairly convinced I am going the 997 SSK route, would like to hear of anyone that has this installed in a 996.

NZ951 - I think from what I have read that the GT3 is identical to the 997 shift console upgrade (throw length 15% shorter than stock), except for billet aluminum bushings instead of plastic. Don't know if that changes the feel or not.

Not4Off - Duplicating the feel from the 997 to the 996 is what I am after (at least similar). Want to get rid of the notchy feel. I had a miata a long time ago, great shifting car and a lot of fun.

alpine003 - drove the 997 with ssk and the throws seemed longer than the B&M, which I am fine with (still shorter than stock), and there was zero notchy-ness which is what I liked. Shifting was very smooth. I grew up in the Chicago area, loved it, miss it.

heligear

I believe that the SSK kits from Porsche are just the B&M kits rebadged and sold by porsche with a very large mark-up, correct me if I'm wrong!!

DFC

My understanding is that B&M does make some Porsche oem sport shifters (not sure exactly all that are included), however, I have the B&M in a 996 box/frame/cradle and don't like it due to the notchiness. Drove a 997 ssk, no notchiness. Also, from everything I have read, this is the common consensus.

Comparing a pic of the 997 ssk (see below, courtesy of Suncoast Porsche) and the B&M (other pic below), they do not look exactly the same, I am assuming that the standalone B&M ssk is a slightly different design, even if it may be the same manufacturer (which again, not sure). Also, after owning the B&M for 5 years, the 997 ssk is a world of difference, I like it better, some don't. Maybe it's all the metal in the B&M version, don't know.

B&M is $240-$285 and is the shifter only, the 997 ssk is shifter and cradle assembly for $429, I would spend the extra $190 for dramatic change in shift feel (to my preference) and the added bonus of a cradle I can easily swap out.

Paseb

my dad has a 997ssk in his cayman s and i have a 997.2 gt3 shifter in my gt3

we both loves our shifter

pmkazz

I have the 997 SSK and I love it. Would not want anything else....

alpine003

This was only the case for 996 models and doesn't apply to the 997.

DFC

Any notchiness at all? I have only driven the 997ssk in a 997S, so I am very interested in details and feel of the 996 install.

Zookie

Get the Factory SSK. I have a 997 box in my 996, after driving my friends GT2's, GT3's and GT3RS's regularly i wish ad bought the Factory SSK if the first place.

pmkazz

No notchiness at all. And I drove a car with the "other" non-Porsche shifter and hated it. The 997 SSK bolts right in and provides a nice tight controlled shift. One of my better upgrades...

DFC

Perfect, thats exactly what I wanted to know. Thanks!

Decision made, 997ssk it is. Thanks for everyone's input!

AndyK

I have the 997 shifter installed, would I be able to just upgrade the innards, or do I need the $400 unit to get 997 SSK action?