alright im looking at the short shift kits out there and i would like some input on your experiences with different ones

oem ssk
b&m ssk
motorblvd ssk
or 997 shifter assembly


let me know your thoughts

tx
tim

 

I have a b&m ssk and love it. Upon cold starts it can feel a bit rigid or notchy. It doesnt just shorten the throw but also stiffens the shifting compared to the soft stock feel.....it sort of clicks into gear. It definately feels more solid than the stock shifter. I absolutely cannot believe how the car didnt come this way stock...it completely enhances the experience. Best mod ever.

 

I actually wrote an entire story about my opinions of the 996 stock shifter, the B&M SSK and the 997 shifter a few weeks ago. However, I guess I took too long to complete it so when I tried to post, it required a re-login and the entire thing was lost, so I didn't bother to write it again. Anyway... here are my thoughts in short...

The B&M SSK is a TRUE SHORT SHIFTER, NO COMPROMISE. It is somewhat 'notchy' as many people have mentioned here previously, largely due to the decrease in leverage you have due to the geometry of the mechanism that is need to reduce the throw from factory. However, the B&M gives you a 100% short shifter feel and very positive gear selection response with ZERO slack or slop in the shift handle. The throw is nearly 50% shorter than a stock 996 shifter, which gives you a feeling you have made a significant and immediately satisfying modification to your car. Installation is straight forward and the directions are excellent. I personally ran the B&M SSK on my GT2 for about 9 months.

Now the 997 shifter. I installed this shifter about 4 weeks ago after reading the reviews from people who had recently installed them and were raving about the new mod. The 997 shifter comes as a complete assembly and is very easy to install. My impressions of this shifter are that it is WAY TOO SIMILAR to the stock 996 shifter. I actually question how much shorter the throw is on this shifter compared to the stock 996 shifter. I would love to get a side by side comparo of the actual difference in throw between the 2, because I doubt it is much. The 997 shifter is smooth, like stock, but has a significantly longer throw than the B&M and does not have as positive a feel when selecting gears. Also, the 997 shifter has a noticeable, but not intolerable, amount of slop or freeplay in the handle, whereas the B&M SSK has NONE.

All-in-all, the 997 shifter is comfortable and smooth like the stock 996, if it's shorter it's not by much, and certainly not by as much as the B&M. Right now I am enjoying the smoothness and comfort of the 997 shifter, but I have not completely ruled out the possibility of putting the B&M SSK back in.

I suppose it depends on what you are interested in, as both shifters have their strong points, but as far as short shifters, I would not put the 997 shifter in that category. Realistically, the 996 stock shifter could be considered a short shifter by some standards already, so if you want a considerably shorter shift, then the B&M is your shifter.

 

thanks guys i appreciate your input

tim

 

Tim,

I have the B&M and I love it. It is short and it has a very positive feel. It sort of "clicks" into gear at each shift, as if it'S locking in place.

 

hey john thanks for the advise.... hows the car running ?? took a trip and drove tail of the dragon what a great time planning on going back this fall
enjoy your summer

tim

 

Tim,

Your welcome. Finally, the car is running very well and I am enjoying it. After a whole lot of work trying to get the car to run properly with the Ford MAF, I ended up going back to the conventional intake and Bosch programming / Bosch MAF with the K24/18G's and fuel system. Tony at EPL tuned it for me and it is nice and smooth now and drives beautifully. I didn't care for the way the Ford MAF drove and my car certainly didn't care for it, either...we tested a Bosch program at EPL and I liked it a lot, so I undid the intake work I had just completed this winter and reversed everything back to OEM configuration. It was a lot of work, but I learned a lot about the car and overall I enjoyed the experience. Now I am enjoying driving it!

 

Our Agency Power kit with the shifter linkage is a very popular setup. Many have run it. Not as notchy as the B&M and better then the OEM. Very nice CNC machined parts. Uses a journal bearing for precise throw. The shift linkage replaces that factory plastic rubber piece which brakes and makes engagement more thorough.

http://www.vividracing.com/catalog/a...+Porsche+shift

 

Dan how does this setup compare in smoothness to your 997 shifter?

 

B&M here...excellent. If it is installed correctly....I really have none of the notchiness folks speak of. Do not get the linkage as it is known to come loose after driving for a while. Some good links
link 1
link 2
link 3
Tool Pants also did a review of the linkage mechanism and recommended against it...it can come loose.

 

I will be taking out the shifter in the 997TT and installing ours.

 

thanks for the tips!!!

tim

 

Lets see...

Dan sells the Agency Power, and doesn't sell the 997 shifter.

Can you guess which will be 'better'?

 

Really? why?

Anyone vouch for this apparent benefit?

 

I was hoping for a non-bias pov since he has the 997 shifter on his new Turbo.