Last fall I purchased a 2007 997TT. It's been very tastefully modded by the previous owner and overall I've been enjoying it quite a bit. The list of mods includes: full fabspeed exhaust, intake, some body trim & a B&M Precision Short Shifter.

Yesterday I was out a my local dealer and just for kicks test-drove a base 997.1 Carrera. I am ashamed to say that I actually enjoyed it quite a bit. Granted, it lacked the power of the Turb, but it made me work the gear range quite a bit more. And just seemed more rewarding. To make a long story short, I noticed how much I really liked the stock shifter. The lightness of gear changes a the longer throw. It actually seemed less error prone than the notchy short-shifter.

I know it's a really common mod and most will think I am crazy, but I am thinking of going back to stock. Anyone have a similar experience? Or do you think I'll regret the change after living with it for a bit? Also any difference between stock C2 shifter and 997TT shifter?

Your thoughts are appreciated.

 

I purchased my car with the factory SSK, so I can't comment on the feel of a stock shifter. But I can definitely see how some would not like it. The 1-2 throw is VERY heavy. Esp at WOT, I have to really pull down hard to get it into the gate. Otherwise, I love the rifle-bolt-like action. Certainly not for everyone.

 

You may have to correct me but when Porsche put in my short shifter i thought they told me that there was no going back to stock. I may be wrong but please confirm that it is indeed possible to switch back.

 

I bought a 07 tt and took it to TPC to have some work done. I asked about putting in a OEM short shifter and they talked me out of it.

See the new version of Excellence which compares a TPC and AWE modded car on the track and the AWE had a ss and the TPC didn't, and the magazine has some interesting comments on it.

 

Don't keep it a mystery, I haven't received my copy yet.

 

Its posted on the forum.

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...-magazine.html

They say it didn't work on the track and, with a stock transmission, doesn't result in quicker shifts.

 

CAR WITH SS KIT

Shifting in the 750R is noteworthy for another reason: its short-shift kit. The concept of speeding up shifts by shortening the physical movement of the stick seems a good one at first blush. It feels good, too. But in execution, especially with street-car transmissions in a track setting, the transmission itself turns out to be the limiting factor. Notes Murry: “The shorter shift loses feel of where the gate is, and it ends up being harder on the gearbox and really no faster.”

STOCK
And shifting the car feels just like Porsche designed it, with longer throws and easy-to-find gates resulting in confident shifts.

 

I was going to upgrade my stock shifter to SSK, my service advisor talked me out of it.
He had me sit in one that had the SSK and row through the gears and that is when I decided to stick with the stock shifter.

 

While I agree that this option is not for everyone (I deliberately ordered my 2008 Turbo with the long shifter, and recently converted to the short shifter after 2 years.), the above statement is not necessarily true though: The short shifter comes standard in GT3 and GT2.

True the short shifter is not for everyone, but also true that some on this forum swear by it, and the view expressed in the article is but the opinion of TPC (whom I respect -- but it's still a matter of personal preference) and the reviewers. I am still evaluating my short/sport shifter: I like the long shifter because it's easier and softer; I like the short shifter because it's firmer (less "rubbery") and shorter and it "clicks clicks clicks" into the gears LOL. It feels more precise, and the firmness and stiffness do give the car a different character -- perhaps more "sporty," in the same way that my Cargraphic exhaust sounds "sporty."
I agree with TPC though, that I am not sure it makes the shifting any faster. But Walter Rohrl may have something differently to say about this, as it is standard in all GT3 and GT2.

Bottom line IMHO: This is a difficult option -- you just have to try it and see how you like it. There are pluses and minuses to both. Just because TPC says no, doesn't mean no one should try it. Obviously AWE tuning feels differently for example.

Lastly, a couple of points to add, particularly for the OP re. B&M short shifter:
1. The Porsche OEM short shifter is *NOT* the same as the B&M short shifter. I've been told the OEM fits better and is less notchy -- but I have no personal experience.
B&M used to be OEM for Porsche, but it's no longer true and therefore the B&M kit is NOT the same as the Porsche kit.
2. I vaguely recall reading that once you remove the old shifter, for some reason you can't refit it. Perhaps because you have to break something? Does anyone know?

 

I've had both (OEM) long and short shifters in my car. Imo, the short shifter is much more precise and significantly decreases the chance of a "money" shift compared to the less accurate long throw. Of course, I don't have any data to back this up but just my impression. The ssk is much more accurate in the sense that there is no slop for missing a gear. One best mods I've done. I would recommend using the OEM ssk kit. Plops right in there.

 

The SSK is a bolt action rifle. Ask any SSK equipped owner, GT2/GT3/GT3 RS owner, and they will all agree.

In the end, what is more costly, a botched missed shift at 7200 RPM, or a nominal increase in wear on the synchros?

 

I have the oem ssk and swear by it...especially love it on the track. shorter throws and very precise. I have never missed a gate even in high stress situations. I am very confident with it and would not trade it for anything else. I have driven a turbo with non-SSK and to me, the difference is night and day. At the end, to each his own.

 

As you always say, everyone has their opinion. This, of course, is the opinion of a professional racer not a modder or tinkerer. That's enough for me, particularly when combined with TPC's input.

 

I agree w/max... but different strokes for different folks. I like the feel of the standard shifter in a Turbo, however, i like the short throw in a normal 997.

 

have the oem short and love it. jump in a brand new car, shift a bit and you simply cant compare usin that method, drive a few thousand miles and it all makes sense. Or when test driving them at least warm the car up!