Cayman Short Shift

[gmcraib]

Had an email from Aberdeen OPC earlier in the year, one of the items was a short shift conversion.

Wondered if it was worthwhile and what it feels like to use?
Haven't been able to get my hands on a car with this fitted so not keen to spend the money if I end up not liking it.

I'm not so much interested in 0-60/gear changing times etc, more how it enhances the driving experience.

 

[Giff]

The Americans are using a Chinese kit with good results, the same thing can be bought for less than £40 on EBay. Seems a nice little DIY job too.

 

[Chris_in_the_UK]

I have one of the Ebay ones fitted - works a treat!

 

[flat6]

I have the Porsche OEM short shifter on my 987 Spyder after having a 987.1 Cayman without it. Going back to a standard shifter feels like rowing a boat. Ok that is an exaggeration [] but the shorter throw is appreciated and adds a to the driving experience when feeling racy as quick shifts are like slotting rather than throwing. As the Porsche website says, it does feel a bit notchy going into first gear until it warms up and in comparison the standard shifter feels like a hot knife through butter, but personally I think the short shift is worth it and would pay for it again on another Porsche.

 

[jdpef356]

ORIGINAL: Giff The Americans are using a Chinese kit with good results, the same thing can be bought for less than £40 on EBay. Seems a nice little DIY job too.

Are these the ones you are talking about? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Porsche-911-Carrera-Turbo-Cayman-986-987-997-996-4S-SC-Turbo-Short-Quick-Shifter-/281027336643?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item416e88d9c3

 

[Chris_in_the_UK]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Porsche-911-Carrera-Turbo-Cayman-986-987-997-996-4S-SC-Turbo-Short-Quick-Shifter-/281027336643?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item416e88d9c3

That is the one I have (different seller) but looks identical. Fits a treat and no issues over the last 5000 miles.

 

[Giff]

If I remember correctly the Chinese kit actually uses superior PTFE bushes, so good that some P9 users have bought the kit solely to replace their worn Porsche items..

 

[jdpef356]

Anyone measured how much shorter the Short shift Stick is than the standard stick fitted?

 

[flat6]

Hi John, It's not the shortness of the stick but that the mechanism has a shorter throw. It's not the stick length that changes. In this Porsche pic the 2 most upright levers are showing the angle range of the short shift and the left-most lever the standard shifter. In 1st, 3rd and 5th the standard shifter is also further forward than the short shift, which they haven't shown. Another benefit is that you get easier access to you console buttons with the short shift when in 1st, 3rd and 5th[]

 

[flat6]

Description and before & after pics here. http://www.suncoastparts.com/product//99742498300.html

 

[gmcraib]

Was just checking up on an old post, thanks for replying! That's ace £35 on ebay right now! I think it was £300 ish from golden P. Looks fairly straightforward to fit aswell, prob instruction on P9 if totally stuck. Certainly worth a try for that price. Thanks a lot guys.

 

[gmcraib]

Interesting discussion on P9: http://www.planet-9.com/987-cayman-boxster-modifications/3064-factory-oem-short-shifter-install-do.html and this, has put me off aftermarket slightly: http://www.planet-9.com/987-cayman-boxster-modifications/19241-aftermarket-short-shifter.html

 

[Chris_in_the_UK]

^^^^^ Do not be put off per se. Quite a lot of the US forums seem to highlight problems that the rest of the world does not have!

 

[CLIFFWILKINS]

Just wondered if anyone knows does a Cayman R have a shorter shift fitted? The throw does not seem to be that long compared to my last GT3. Looked at the spec sheet and it does not say it has one fitted as an option extra. But wondered if the R has a shorter shift fitted than standard models? Does a shorter shift put on strain on the gearbox especially when cold? Any info would be great. Cjeers Cliff.

 

[MrDemon]

SS not standard, and well worth doing, I would buy the Porsche oem SS it's not expensive. no extra strain it's just a lever design and is about £350. its a 997 part number part.

 

[Motorhead]

ORIGINAL: CLIFFWILKINS Does a shorter shift put on strain on the gearbox especially when cold?

Cliff, For both shifters, the cable movement and cable force have to be the same to operate the selectors. The short shifter just has a different leverage ratio meaning that you need to push harder, especially when the gearbox oil is cold; as you do with the standard shift but it's less obvious. However, because of the shorter shift duration I suppose you could argue that the synchromesh is loaded more rapidly and is therefore [marginally] more susceptible to increased wear. Well within the gearbox's design parameters though since it's a Porsche approved option. Jeff

 

[CLIFFWILKINS]

Cheers Guys thanks for the info might be worth an upgrade in the future.[] Although I dont find the R throw that long compaired to other Porsches owned. Cliff.

 

[Buddy]

I fitted the OEM part myself about three years ago, recently I had the cables go slack, they were replaced under the extended warranty no comment made concerning the SS. I find it highly preferable to the standard shift, engagement is fast with the shortened stroke and even when cold it is rare for the shift to feel heavy, the cables were replaced at approx 80,000 miles so the shift was not held to blame in any way they had been fitted for approx 40.000 miles at the time. If buying manual I would certainly want the SS fitted.