My 997.2 has a lot of play in the shifter, which seems to be normal on Porsches. People go through all kind of adjustments to fix this problem, and I was thinking that, although the actual Gear-Throw Distance in not a problem for me, the play is pretty bad and I would like to fix it.
Fixing the play requires replacing the OEM plastic bushing in the shifter, which is not an easy task, so I was thinking that, since I need to get to the shifter anyway, to align the cables and find a way to fix the play, I probably should go ahead and follow my son's advice to install a short shifter.
I have a found a few options that differ in price substantially.
- Racing Dynamics : $225
- Rennline Precision Short Shift Kit - $395
- Numeric NM100 2.0 Adjustable Short Throw Shifter - $769
- Ben Auto Design - $215
- Schnell Shifter - Porsche Short Shift Kit $130

I'm taking the Numeric out of the tally because that one is way too expensive and an overkill for my needs, since it is a racing grade shifter and I don't track my car.
For the rest, they all re-use the existing shifter housing, and they seem to have about the same claims: no plastic components, 30-33% throw reduction, claim to be the best, made in CNC machining of carbon steel and aluminum, zero play; but there's an interesting price range, from $400 to $130.
Now, can you please share your experience with these? The Installation and the actual feel of shifting, any problems.
Please also share any advice.
Thank you

 

I was dissatisfied with both the throw and lateral slop while in gear of my 20K-mile GTS.
I did, however, appreciate the butter smooth action of the OEM box and cables.

My solution was a new 997.2 OEM SSK box, which I ordered from Suncoast and had it shipped directly to Function First.

The owner himself installed his Shift Right solution (metal parts/bearings replace plastic) in the SSK box for $50 extra and then shipped me the completed unit.
My indy guy was ex-Porsche dealer mechanic and installed it, road tested it and had no need to adjust anything.

My right shoulder now doesn't leave the seat back on a 2-3 or 5-6 shifts, and use mostly wrist action..

No lateral play when in gear and precise enough that I never have that "Am I in 4th or 2nd?" feeling before letting out the clutch on a downshift done on a late brake corner entry.
Zero NVH with the OEM cables.

It is very, very close to the shift action of my 718 Spyder, which is the holy grail of all the Porsche MT cars I've owned.

 

I personally like the renn-line short-shifter. Its tight and has a bolt-action to it.

 

I really like the Numeric in case you change your mind. Installed it a couple months after I acquired my 997.2 in 2019. Been enjoying it ever since. Had the intention of doing the cables as well but still running the stock shifter cables.

 

Numeric shifter with Numeric or Function First Green Cables... 100%

Loved it so much on my 996 I also got the same setup on my 997

 

the 997 GT3 shift console has been touted as perfect, not to much race but eliminates the slop
add a weighted **** and shifts are easy and accurate

been enjoying mine for a decade

https://www.suncoastparts.com/produc...T3CONSOLE.html

Mfg Part # 99742401091

 

I have the OEM for a decade or more and love it!

 

stock plastic assembly wear quickly. I found a lot of plastic bits around my shifter assembly when I replaced them with Numeric and my car only had 6k miles on it...

play in the shifter could also come from the linkage on the transmission side FYI.

 

2009 C2S 207K miles

Numeric... has three positions so you can try some options. I personally don't like short shifters, I just don't get it. I kept my Numeric with a stock length.

Peace
Bruce in Philly (now Atlanta)

 

Following as in this is my next mod, i dont like the numeric pricing but I hear it's the best. If i can find something thats 80 percent the performance for half the price I'd be interested

 

Ok, interesting. What prompted you to upgrade it, then?

 

I have the factory shot shift kit and think it's very good, tight and accurate. I had mine fitted 5k miles ago and love the linkeage in the UK around £400

 

Factory SSK is just fine for me. There is very little play in any direction. I've thought about getting the Function First Shift Right kit, but I don't see the benefit. I don't track my car and I can't see a use case for adding weight to the **** or shortening the throws, etc. I loved the rifle bolt action in the shifter from my S2000 years back, but the factory SSK/****/cables I have in my 997 are plenty good for my needs. (Even with the factor carbon **** which is probably too light by most standards.) YMMV, but I find this setup forces me to be thoughtful, deliberate and smooth with my shifting. Perhaps my car just has a better-than-average linkage or whatever, but I always wonder why it seems so many folks have trouble achieving consistent and predictable shifting in the absence of $1,000+ investment in mechanism, cables and so forth.

 

Assuming you are directing it to me... Two reasons I wanted to upgrade.... 1) something to do, 2) I thought the stock shifter was a bit soft and loose. My prior 2000 Boxster S's shifter became loose .... I ended up with 197K miles on it... and my indy (ex Porsche shop foreman) noted there realy was no adjustments in them and that the parts are plastic inside. So.... with my itch, I did some research and the Numeric was the only one I could find that had the three-stop adjustment. As I noted, I drove short shifters and don't like them. They decrease your leverage so the leaver is heavier and more difficult to swing. There is some thinking out there that the shorter throw equals faster shift times and therefore faster times around a track... well OK, I guess. Not for me. Note that the high mileages on my Porsches are put there by me... I drive the cars as my daily car. Nope, not for me.

Now a bigger question is are these kits worth it, and in particular, the Numeric price. Well... up to you of course, but this is a mod I am constantly using and aware of... I like this... as apposed to say putting something cosmetic on your car... this is something you feel and experience as part of driving this car.

BTW, I chose to bolt it to the chassis like the stock one was... over the carpet. I wonder how it would feel if I bolted directly to chassis.... maybe it would vibrate... maybe more precision due to the lack of insulation.... I wonder......
BTW2: I tend to be a contrarian around these parts... so my opinions are definitely not shared by most here.

Peace
Bruce in Philly (now Atlanta)

 

I've owned them all:

Numeric SSK
Numeric Shifter cables
Porsche SSK (same as B&M, eBay, etc... these are all clones)
Ben's shifter
Heavy *****

Here's the thing: Yes, the Numeric is objectively the most "rifle" in action, but it's too clanky and race-y for a typical street application. I simply thought the metal on metal clinking was too heavy in NVH and not commensurate to the experience. It's also really expensive for what it is.

I did like the improved feel of the Numeric shifter cables that increased sharpness of response.

At first I really liked the eBay shifter for it's effectiveness at price ($65), but paired with the stock shifter console that has the plastic lever, you are moving a metal ball against a plastic slot - this wears a groove and creates a gap that introduces lateral shifter slop. TBH, this is the same for Porsche SSK, they're all the same.

Ben's Design shifter: this is the one that surprised me - it's largely the same design as the ebay/porsche SSK shifters but with added height. I personally liked the added height as it reduced the notchiness of just the short shifters alone. Numeric allows you to do the same in their adjustable box. However - the key differentiator with Ben's shifter is that for an added $100 or so you buy his metal pivot arm, and that removes 100% of any play out of the assembly. So for just under $300 all in, you get the metal on metal effectiveness of the Numeric setup which is almost 3x as much. This one over the last 50k miles has been my favorite by far.

and while you're at it - add some heavy ***** to get another ~165g to your shifter without jamming a bunch of goo inside.

These + upgraded shifter cables are probably the best price to functionality combo. The cables are certainly a nice to have if they're not broken. Do the assembly first before doing the cables.

There - I just saved you $4-600 from 50k miles of driving in my 997.2 across all these different shifters.

cheers