Being the big spender that I am, I stumbled across what looks like a great deal on a B&M GT2 short shifter kit designed for use with the factory shifter, but it's also one I'm not familiar with. It is being offered by one of our forum sponsors.

http://www.titanmotorsports.com/bmpo911996gt1.html

There are actually 3 variants to this kit, and you can see the other 2 here:

http://www.titanmotorsports.com/bmpo911996gt.html
http://www.titanmotorsports.com/bm20po911cas.html

I still have the factory shifter in my 2001 996TT and generally like it except for the longer throws. I always figured I'd get a short shifter someday but have read various gripes about each one through the years...would something like this be a good alternative to try with minimal expense?

Thanks for any help!

 

Not sure if this is relevant to your issue/question: My car had a B&M short shifter in it when I bought it. I drive with it for about a year. I finally got to drive a car with a stock 997tt shifter. Bought one almost immediately. I thought my B&M was very notchy and the 2-3 shift was all but impossible. I was told after the fact that my cables probably weren't adjusted right, but my 997 works great. Not as short as the B&M, but shorter than the stock 996 "rubber" shifter. Many threads on this, do a search..

 

Thanks for your input, but it really has nothing to do with what I asked. I've never seen any threads about these specific parts, only the actual full short shift kits (such as what you inherited when you bought your own 996TT). I'm asking about the parts referenced in my post, and am hoping to find someone who has tried one of these on their own car.

 

Hey Steve,

I am doing the same research. I raced an '82 SC targa, back in the day,
and the throw from 2-3 was always an issue. I marvelled how little has changed with 20 yrs advance in technology. My '01 996tt has the same issue. It is smoother than my old car, but you can NOT jam it, you have
to EEEZZZ it into 3rd, AND the throw is way long!

Back then, the short shift kit worked, but it notched up the throw from
2-3 so badly, that it did not shorten the amount of time it took to shift
from 2-3, so I took it out. I went the same lap times both with AND with
out it. I found many ways to keep the car in third, way longer than I had any business doing. I chewed up a lot of tires to keep from going to 2nd!

Good luck on your research and please keep me posted with your findings!

Thank you!

 

Thanks for your feedback and comments Frank. These parts are cheap enough that I won't feel too bad if I buy one and it doesn't perform as expected, but what I expect is a factory feel with slightly lessened throws...since it's based off the actual factory shifter of course. Needless to say, this could be a setup for disappointment but I didn't even know these parts existed before today, only the full shifter kits such as B&M and the 997 OEM parts.

I had pretty much set my mind on trying the 997 OEM shifter someday but then came across this deal and just wanted to know more about it. I might have to take one for the team if I don't hear anything back about them, and then I'll be the one to share information about it (to future potential customers). Ha!

 

Hey Steve,

After much thinking and researching, I went ahead and ordered the Porsche factory short shift kit for the 996 turbo.

According to Akram at MotorWerks, here in Houston - "it's all relative".

Compared to the shifter in a Z 06 vette, the B&M shifter in a Porsche is a "dream". Compared to Porsche stock, it's a nightmare. The factory one has a longer throw than the B&M, but it's still way shorter than stock. Plus, it is still very smooth. Installation is a breeze, no fabbing, drilling, or grinding necessary to make it fit. Pops right in!

Sure, it costs more, but when you install stuff, yourself, you appreciate the time and headaches saved by simple installs!

Once I install it, I will report back. Good luck with your B&M!

Sincerely,

 

Thanks for more feedback Frank...I look forward to your comments once you get to try out your new factory short shift kit.

 

I picked up a used stock 997 shifter (so an SSK for the 996) that was only few bucks (25) more than the item you are considering....

 

I searched in B&M website. Could not find the products listed above. Would all Titanmotorsports B&M short shift systems install to Transmission case and not for Driver stick shift? Anyone can explain? Thank.

 

i'm pretty sure the porsche 'factory' short shift kit is identical to the B & M kit but a bunch more money, and is actually made by b & m

i have the factory one and have compared it to a b&m side by side and cannot tell any difference between them, its been discussed before, i seem to remember many people confirming that they are identical and both made by b&m

bumperplugs.com sells the b & m for a good price

 

I hear ya, dick!

I have tried many "cheap" alternatives over the years racing motorcycles, and it has bitten me 9 times out of 10. More often than not, you can purchase the aftermarket upgrade for 1/2 the price of the stocker.

But the "shortcuts" always cost me more in some way. Either is takes twice the time to install, twice the aggravation of getting the one
you know will work, or causes you so many headaches, that you wind up buying the one you should have gotten in the first place, and now you have spent twice the money, AND you still lost all the time AND still suffered all the aggravation.

Maybe B&M made the part, maybe they didn't, but I can rest assured the
factory part will cause me few, if any headaches, and I will be driving my
car sooner, as a result. And THAT is why I bought it in the first place

 

Is there any concern with 2nd gear pop out issues with the 6 speed? I remember seeing a few posts about the possibility of some OEM / B&M SSK's and the possibility of it increasing the likelihood of the 2nd gear pop-out...

 

Steve,

I'm pretty sure the shifter you are inquiring about is a copy of the Ruf short shifter (or B&M made it for Ruf) that was popular when these cars first came out. It mounts under the car and has settings from 30-50 percent reduction. It has since faded in popularity, but was very well liked at the time of it's introduction. In fact, many preferred it to the B&M that is so popular now. I went with a B&M and like it a lot, except for the fact that going into 2nd after a red line in 1st is tough - I have to either shift slow or force it a bit.

It can be seen here on page 9: http://www.rufautocentre.com/parts/pdf/996.pdf

 

Agreed 100%. I have the factory Tequipment short shift kit which is the same as B&M from what I know. Forget about a hard shift into second.

If anyone can verify that the 1-2 shift is faster with any kit. Please let us know. It feels like I have to force it to shift hard from 1-2.

 

While I don't like to, I can jam into 2nd just fine and my 1-2 shift is fine. I was told that my B&M was notchy because my cables were mis-aligned, yet upon installation of my 997 shifter all is good in the world...