Ebay 996 short shift kit - worth doing? Feedback?

[996TT02]

As title really, also since this does not come with instructions, what does it take to replace? I'm not that concerned with the difficulty, just at this moment despite having a 4 poster jack it's unavailable and jacking up the car adequately is a right pain, so if this is not necessary I'd be tempted to just have a go at this, worst case revert to factory kit.

Also, is this basically just a shorter gearlever? (if at all) Or is it a case of altering the leverage points relative to the pivot points to achieve this shorter throw?

Thanks for any feedback.

[thegoose]

The whole lever mechanism is inside the cabin, with 2 cables exiting roughly under the gap between the rear seats to get to the gearbox. The shortshift kit will use the original cables, so I can't see why you'd need to lift the car at all. It'll all be about removing the centre console trim carefully and (from having seen the exposed linkage on my race car) pretty straightforward to work out how to change it.

However, I have a shortshift on my 996 that I think is like the cheaper eBay type and it's too short really - it can be hard work and I'd say there's more drawback than benefit to it. Common wisdom is to go for a genuine 997 short shifter, which should be a lot nicer to use, but is dearer.

[IknowJoseph]

There was a recently resurrected thread about 997 short shift kits - apparently they're much the same as the 996:

http://www.pistonheads.com/GASSING/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I like the sound of a GT3 shifter for mine, but won't be getting a short shift kit because I don't want to be dealing with an even more notchy shift when cold.

[edc]

I had one of these on my 986 - same as 996 IIRC. Well worth it and mine was only £15. Bear in mind though if fitting the aftermarket ones you cannot easily revert back as you have to break some bushes to fit it unless you fit it in a brand new housing.

[maxpaul]

Be careful some of the E Bay kits are for LHD and the leaver is offset the wrong side for the UK its is easy the take apart and rebuild just be aware.
I bought on of these cheap kits for my 996 Turbo and it was as good as a factory kit on a previous car

[kencom]

I fitted a 997SSK to my 996 x50 turbo and found it definitely a vast improvement over the standard gear change which I thought was shockingly long for this sort of car when I first bought it.

I fitted it myself, using on line instructions and it was not difficult at all, the hardest bit being getting the centre console cover off between the seats without damaging it, as it is a tight fit between them.

The only very minor down side is that the gear change could be a 'tiny' bit notchy when cold, but only for a few minutes, certainly not enough to put me off though.

The perfect compromise may be a standard 997 shifter, which I believe is halfway between the throw of the std 996 & the 997SSK. As luck would have it I have one of these in my garage which I acquired just before I stumbled across the used 997SSK one I actually fitted, I often wondered what it would be like to compare.

If you are interested in it PM me? and I'm sure we can come to a deal....

[lanan]

thegoose said:

However, I have a shortshift on my 996 that I think is like the cheaper eBay type and it's too short really - it can be hard work and I'd say there's more drawback than benefit to it. Common wisdom is to go for a genuine 997 short shifter, which should be a lot nicer to use, but is dearer.

I am having the 997 GT3 shifter fitted tomorrow to my 996tt at Fearnsport and binning the ebay one as it is way too short.
Just as I put the car for sale, as it is the only criticism of the car.

[996TT02]

Thanks for the input guys. So it seems that the Ebay one may be too short, I take it that it makes the shift too heavy?

Also, what is it about breaking bushes to fit this?

Thanks again

[Vixpy1]

I broke my ball at the bottom of the knob so fitted a 997 GT3 SSK to my turbo, Its ok.

[Storm996]

I'm unsure which type I have in my 996turbo. I think it is tequipment but not sure
which type as others have mentioned different types in this thread.

Do they all 'look' the same?

(apologies for thread hijack)

Edited by Storm996 on Wednesday 6th November 00:25

[Zoin]

maxpaul said:

Be careful some of the E Bay kits are for LHD and the leaver is offset the wrong side for the UK its is easy the take apart and rebuild just be aware.
I bought on of these cheap kits for my 996 Turbo and it was as good as a factory kit on a previous car

That would explain why the short-shifter on my 996 is leaning the wrong way. Doesn't bother me in usage but looks odd.
Any idea what it would take to correct it, given the comments about having to break bushes to fit it in the first place? I had it fitted by a local garage so no idea what the gubbins look like.
Any advice appreciated, cheers.

For those considering one, I'd say shifting is a lot more effort. For me, it adds to the sense of physical interaction with the car but it doesn't make shifting any faster and makes the gearchange fairly obstructive when cold.

[lanan]

From memory, I think that you can just spin the lever thru" 180 deg

[996TT02]

Zoin said:

For those considering one, I'd say shifting is a lot more effort. For me, it adds to the sense of physical interaction with the car but it doesn't make shifting any faster and makes the gearchange fairly obstructive when cold.

Will probably stick with stock.

I must say that I never feel the shift to be too long, but just tempted if it makes it feel more mechanical, and if shorter, better. And obviously there is the curiosity factor brought about by the very existence of such a kit - it's there, so surely there must be a reason/need for it? That's the thought process.

Seems there are also drawbacks, so perhaps I will stick with what I know until the need makes itself felt, if ever.

Thanks all.

[Zoin]

lanan said:

From memory, I think that you can just spin the lever thru" 180 deg

Thanks Ianam, I'll ask my local indie to give that a go at the next service. Not sure I dare take the centre console trim apart myself.

[Johnny G Pipe]

Sorry, can I dig this up for another go? I am a new 996TT owner.

So, there are 996TT short shift kits for 40 quid FFS, which look like they are made of metal and everything. I know everyone says go for oem 997 SSK but I am not ready to spend that sort of money, especially as I'd also really like to upgrade to one of the chunky monkey tequipment shiftknobs rather than the skinny worn out thing that it has now.

I do need my 996TT shifter to not feel like a pretend gearstick from a toy car though. And I havent seen any convincing claims that the cheaper kits are terrible, and the feedback for the ebay seller that mainly sells SSK's is all good.

So, any new info from anyone who has one of these ebay kits?

[thegoose]

See my earlier post. If I could switch to a standard shifter at no cost I would, but I have neither the shifter nor the time/inclination. With a shift that tight you risk mis-shifting and wrecking your engine - which is the reason the Hartech race cars were built with standard shifters.

It's worst when it's cold, although not as bad a "don't use second gear at all for 5 miles" Ferrari.

The 997 short shifter appears to be the one to go for instead.

[lanan]

Without doubt the Ebay £50 shift kit was the worst £50 I have ever spent......and I have squandered like a good un..
The 997 GT3 kit is so much better.

[Johnny G Pipe]

Crivens, thanks chaps I think that has been enough to change my mind. Its all a bit mind boggling with the B+M, Eurocup GT, and ebay ones that all look very similar..and I realise that unless I am going to do lots of other mods to this otherwise relatively relaxed car, a supersnicky toggle switch shift might be a bit much, especially if its a cheap reluctant one that breaks bushings stopping me from returning to stock.

So I just bought a stock 997 shifter assembly of the ebay for 90 quid, OEM fit and not so aggressive, but should be better than stock. Less footering as it is all assembled too. Anyone needing a used 997 gaiter and gearknob? ;-)