Wife got me a credit with Suncoast so I can get a 997 shifter. Thought I made up my mind but now I'm going back and forth again between the two (B&M ssk as the other).
I'm feeling a bit like a woman about this whole thing, damn
Ok
997 shifter;
1. Smoother shifts, no slop
2. Slightly shorter throws (not sure if short enough to justify the swap)
3. Easy bolt on installation

I know most that have the B&M ssk love it but have read some complaints on the notchie feel and some have stated it is stiff to shift. Most seem to love it and place it at the top of the mods to do list.
I have not read anything bad on the 997 shifter but not many seem to have this mod. I think this might be due to it not being available, or known of, as long as the B&M (??)

Has anybody driven/installed both?
I'm hoping to get some unbiased opinions/insights before I pulled the trigger on the 997 shifter

Currently I'm about 70/30 for the 997

Thanks for any info or feedback

 

I have the 997 shifter, very happy with it, bolts right in, can be changed back to stock at anytime.

 

ditto. saved 1" in throw, smooth, and oem. cant beat it. got mine from private party for $150 shipped.

 

I have done both. The 997 shifter I have is a gt3 model. The throw was a little longer than I would have liked, but the B&M proved too notchy over time. I ended up adding the agency power short shifter link to the 997 shifter, which firmed up the 997, which was a little sloppy and shortened the throw, into second , fourth & sixth. The shifter link did not make the shifter notchy at all & I believe the 997 shifter allows for quicker shifts, having logged a lot of miles with each.

 

Thank you very much for the info guys.
Sounds great, looks like I just can't go wrong with the 997 shifter.
Suncoast will be hearing from me soon...

Do I need any special tools to get this done, any install tips?

Thanks again all

 

pm me

 

von pimp,

this is along the same veins as the "which exhaust sounds best," but slightly easier to help discern over words.

you need to try both because when you fit in the 997 shifter, it's going to feel 1000x better than the row boat stock throws (all relative).

so once you install that 997 shifter, you're going to come in here thank these guys and porsche how awesome that shifter is... but you'll never really know until you try out the shorter throws of the B&M. there's a big reason why it's so popular amongst the 996 crowd.

but likely you won't have the time or patience to find someone who has a B&M ssk and 997 kit on their 996 in spokanistan.

so here goes:

-s2000 shifter is the best in the world, i put on 65K miles in one and you shift a lot in that car because it's such a joy

-the B&M ssk is not as direct snick snick (no manual shifter is since mechanically, honda did a brilliant job with a direct linkage to the tranny v. cable style in the german cars), but the actual throws are just a tiny bit longer in feel than the honda's. the 997 is a vast improvement over the 996, but i found it still too conservative in comparison to the b&m 996 kit.

so people say oh the 997 version is oem and you can go back if you want to... von pimp, would you EVER go back to the stock exhaust? would ya ever go back to windows 95? would you ever move back into the smaller home you were in last? who the fuq does that? so the downgradeability aspect is a silly point that should make you question the guy who's highlighting it in the first place.

if i were your personal porsche advisor, i'd say go B&M and don't look back. with that said, you will improve over your current stock setup either way so it's a no lose proposition. kudos to the wifey.

with your best intersets in mind,
ben

 

Love my B&M shifter

 

Was hoping you wouldn't twist me all up, thought I was done with this.
The good thing is that neither are a big investment, more about time and trouble.
Yeah I hear you Ben and you are right about not looking back once I get it done.
Way to bring up "which exhaust sounds best" ha

Great reading about experiences, much appreciated...

 

B&M no doubt. I tried the 997 for 3 days, better than 996 (marginally), but not nearly as nice as the B&M (which is the same as the Porsche oem SSK.)
Best mod I've done so far!

 

agree. B&M for three years now. great feel and no issues since install.

if DIY, make sure you check the adjustment before you replace.

To my knowledge, there is no adjustment tool available for the B&M.

maybe this is the reason to go for the 997 shifter?

 

... true no tool exists - but I just counted the number of threads and then matched it back up that way. I was uneasy about the install - but now that Ive done it... I feel silly over having waited so long. Its very straightforward,

 

another vote for the B&M
the 997 shifter is just marginally better than a stock 996 shifter. The B&M will make it more fun as it is a shorter throw. The install is easy and no one cares about going back to a oem 996 shifter.....

 

a DIY here http://www.turbo911.com/showthread.php?t=282

picture links not working though.

 

love my B&M, huge difference in feel.