Who has this and how hard is it to get the cable length right after it's installed?

It seems the quality of the B&M shifter is related to how accurately the shift cables are reinstalled after marking them at their OEM position. (BTW, Porsche's Short Shifter installation instructions specify NOT to remove the cables but just lever the ends off with the linkages connected.) The EVO ShiftLink obviously requires removing the passenger's side cable, and if there's not a real good way to make sure the cable length is the same with the ShiftLink installed, I don't think I want to install EVO's part.

 

I installed both the B&M and the evo piece before I had heard about marking cables, etc. I just took everything apart and put it all back and everything was fine. The shift lever was a little off center so I just adjusted the left cable slightly and it's perfect. I wouldn't worry about it too much. You will be able to tell when you're done. If it shifts fine, you're fine. If not, adjust it until you get it right. It's really no big deal ...

 

Dock,

This is the exact same problem that my dealer had when he tried to install the short shift and the link. His final verdict was that he didnt feel comfortable enough to install the shiftlink.

I had posted this question about a week ago, and some people who did it themselves, said it was a piece of cake.

Are you planning on doing the install on your own, or having someone else do it for you?

 

I had the dealer install the shift link. He said it was no problem. The shifter had a much more positive feel after the billet link was installed. No more plastic flexing.

 

I'm doing the install myself. I ordered the B&M and EVO's ShiftLink, and they are supposed to arrive this Friday.

It seems after searching the Forum that owners who have problems with the shifter either have it set too tight and/or got the cables in a different location from factory and can't get the adjustment correct. After reading Porsche's Short Shifter installation instructions and seeing that they make a point for the Tech NOT to remove the cables, it seems this is a critical point.

If the EVO ShiftLink doesn't have good instructions, or it's not obvious how to ensure the cable length stays the same, I just won't install the ShiftLink.

 

We just had a 996tt in the shop to get the B&M and Evo shiftlink installed. I personally find the B&M directions awful(they do not specifiy anything), but the ssk is not bad once you are familiar with the setup. As mentioned above, marking the cables is the most crucial step in the whole process.

This was the first Evo shiftlink we had done and we did not realize (no directions supplied to us) that the Evo shiftlink must be shortened as much as possible to operate properly without hitting the plastic shifter housing. After getting a noise when going into forward gears (2nd, 4th, 6th) we traced the problem down to that with the help of the patient owner. The piece is definately an upgrade over the flimsy stock plsatic piece though and should be considered by anyone who installs a ssk as you can kill two birds with one stone.

 

I'm telling you, it's really no big deal. Have you taken your console apart yet? If it's not exactly right all you have to do is adjust it a few millimeters at a time until it's perfect. You can do this over and over until you get it right in a relatively short period of time with the console removed. I would say the benefits of installing the evo piece far outweigh the "effort" to install it.

 

Thanks for the heads-up on the ShiftLink length.


How did you figure out the proper cable length? It would seem marking the passengers side cable wouldn't help at all since it is installed in a different connector (the ShiftLink).

 

I just ordered the shift link...You can use it with the stock shifter if you want, correct???

 

I have the shift link waiting to be installed. I really must find the time.

 

That's good to hear. I really think it will complement the B&M and add to the overall feel of the shifting process.


I've got the console off right now. I assume it's easy to tell when it's adjusted perfectly?

 

So is that it for adjusting the linkage when installing it...just shorten it all the way and it's just a simple swap out with the stock plastic one???

 

Yes.

 

I don't think so, unless you're just lucky.

 

I wunder if it's just a matter of matching up the length of the stock one you pull out with the billet one??? Makes sense, doesn't it???