I just got off the phone with B&M, and they told me the Porsche short shifter and the B&M shifter are EXACTLY the same mechanically. He told me the the only difference was the color, and the Porsche parts emblem.

 

Thank you. That's all we need to hear. Now are they willing to put that into writing?

I'd like to see a similar statement from Porsche whether they believe it's mechanically the same or not.

Manufacturers need to step forward and backup their claims or shutup.

 

I didn't ask that specific question, but I don't see why they wouldn't

I'm talking with a friend at PCNA about this (via e-mail) right now.

I couldn't agree more.

 

That's about what I have.

 

Second gear cannot be changed as it is forged to the tranny shaft, the other gears can be changed.

As for the controversy between the SSK. The Porsche and the B&M are identical as Dock has said. I have held both side by side and the human eye is very good at seeing subtle differences between objects. There are no differences that would translate to different function. In any event, just because three people had problems and switched to the "porsche" SSK and the problems were solved does not conclusively prove it was the original SSK because the reinstall requires a readjustment. It is quite possible that the reinstallation solved the problem, not the new (identical) SSK. This is the only explanation that essentially makes each part of everyone's "facts" consistent.

 

Then does the porsche ssk, which includes the base I believe, somehow makes the installation less error prone than the std B&M ssk?

 

No. I'll bet if the original SSK was taken completely out and reinstalled (who would ever think to do such a silly thing), the problem would be solved . . . unless of course the shifter linkage (OEM plastic) had a worn spot and that was replaced with an aluminum shift linkage on the second SSK.

 

If that's the case, then there must be some bad install jobs even with the porsche ssk.

 

Markski,

Don't give up. Don't let them wear you down.

I put the B&M shifter in my car and promptly took it out because I felt it was not an improvement due to "notchiness" and hesitation.

I've driven all kinds (including tractor trailers) of stick shifts for over 30 years, with and without syncros, so I value my own opinion and experiences.

I had expected the B&M to give me performance, as in the GT2/GT3 but it didn't even come close.

I have not tried the Porsche equivalent so I can't comment, but I'm sure that the B&M is not an improvement to OEM. Yes, it feels different but it's a poseur and not worth the money, I gave it away.

 

I beleive the BM and the oem ssk are identical. I have never had any problem with the BM. Any problems with gear selection must lie with adjustment. However, the greater issue is Porsche and warranty issues in the event of a major tranny problem. As Doug pointed out, the tranny is a non-service item, and approx 8k is a big hit. That is my only issue in this whole matter, I have over two yrs to go on my warranty, and I do track my car and this creates a situation for me.
What to do, what to do.

 

My issue was not an adjustment one (properly installed), I am of the opinion that the design does not work with the transmission.

Try the heartbeat method instead it's a more satisfying shift. Hesitate for a heartbeat between gears (and let the spring loaded lever do the work) and you'll amaze yourself how fast the shift is. It seems counter-intuitive, but then aren't most high speed driving techniques, at least at first.

They teach this technique at PDE and it really works.

 

ok... u guys.... i as of today have only the general write up about the "after market "shifters.... I will try , for the first time as Im not too intenet friendly, to post the memo... I now have 2 techs
looking for the B&M memo.. its just that they get memos and updates almost every day... Ive done thru hundreds of pages ... but im still looking.
However, can someone call porsche of North America and ask... I know that one of you already called B&M, and they said its Identical. I strongly dissagree. I saw the intercompany memo as well as I had both in my car. both were installed by a senior tech... Like I said b4, please be patient... i'm wasting by mechanics prescious "book hours".

 

 

ok... this was the original memo I found... I'm still looking for the B&M memo.

and

 

I find it interesting that they say "Short shift kits (after-market)" when the B&M and Porsche unit are the same.

The statement..."Short shifter kits cause less time for synchronizer rings to slow the gears down." is really bogus. I can take as long as I want to shift gears with a short shifter...pull the shifter to neutral, wait 10 seconds, and then select the next gear. The synchros have all the time in the world in this case. I can also shift too fast with the stock OEM shifter too, causing the very problem they attribute to the short shifter.