Anyone have any experience with the Schnell short shift kit??
Pelican has one for sale and i like the price, but is it decent?

 

I'm contemplating a short shift upgrade, so I'm curious as well...

Most of what I've read puts the 997 shift console upgrade as the best way to reduce throw and get great shifter feel. Looks like the Schnell kit might be very similar to the B&M kit, which some folks like but it seems more prefer the 997 setup. Not much more at about $200...

B&M short shift kit: $303 on Pelican.


Schnell: $149 on Pelican.


997 shift console: $215 at Suncoast.

 

so is the 997 console a direct fit into my 99 996??

 

Numeric Racing makes the best.

 

As I understand it, yes... Direct fit.

Or you can really splurge and get the 997 GT3 shift console. Same design but better materials/bushings.

Looks very, very nice... But $700 is a lot of cheese to improve shifting.

 

Love my 997 stock shifter. Throw reduced noticeably (20% i think) and the whole assembly is much tighter. No slop whatsoever. Unless you are looking for very short shift, can't beat the 997 shifter for the price and improvement.

I had 996 porsche short shifter before. The throw was too short and notchy for my tastes.

 

Im running a schnell. I've had I'd about a year and a half. Huge improvement over stock, but can't comment on the 997 in comparison. Sorry.

 

I installed the 997 GT3 shifter a few months ago. Direct fit and a great upgrade.

 

Yes. The console part is actually the same, but the shifter inside is about 15% shorter and slightly less rubbery feeling. Can't speak for Schnell, but I had a B&M in my 02' 996 by the end of the first week I owned it. I could not stand the ridiculously vague and rubbery feel of the stock 996/986 shifters. I actually bought my B&M the day I put the deposit on my 996. The current owner, who bought it from me 3.5 years ago, still loves the B&M shifter in it. B&M makes the factory SSK. The only difference between the B&M and factory kits is the bushings. The factory kit comes with the OEM plastic bushings. The B&M kit comes with aluminum cased and adjustable bushings. I believe the Schnell is just a cheap Chinese made knockoff of the B&M kit.

 

I put in the 997 stock shifter in my 996 last week (p/n 997-424-010-00). I've only been driving it for a day or so, but my initial impressions are that it's much tighter. It's only slightly shorter (15% is the number I've seen), but it's noticeable when shifting.

It's a direct fit. The hardest part is getting the center console out. Make sure you mark the position of the shift cables before you remove them from the old shifter!

I picked up a used shifter (from a 2012 997 guy who put in a short shift kit) for $30 on Ebay! Lucky find, and the guy was local, so I didn't even need to pay shipping.

 

I have the B&M and I like the tight short throw feel of it. I have also used the 997 shifter and it's better then stock 996 for sure.

 

thanks for the feedback gents!
I guess its a toss-up between the 997 and the B and M kit.

 

Let us know what you do, how the install went etc.!

 

I've had most combos, and after the third one, settled on the 997 SSK(not regular 997).

Bottom line:
If you're really picky about the feel and want a sense of refinement, get either 997 or 997 SSK.

If all you want are shorter throws and the notchiness feeling doesn't bother you, any of the B&M, eBay knockoffs, Schnell should suffice as they're all basically the same.

 

997SSK is the same as the 996SSK, which is the same as the B&M with different bushings. To me, these are what feels best in these cars.