"Short shift" gear linkage

[TTM]

Today I mounted a "short shift" gear linkage on the gearbox, after a test drive I am shocked at how much it changes the driving experience. I feel like driving another car, I imagine a sequential gearbox shifter wouldn't feel far different!

How many of you have done this, do you like or not, how long did it take you to get used to it?

 

[Big Dave]

I fitted one to my S2.
I found it GREAT...
Even better on track..
Yes it did take a little while to get used to..
I liked it SO much i got one for my 968, when i "traded up"......

 

[pauly]

Yep, shark motorsport version as sold by D9.

 

[Copperman05]

I have mixed feelings on the short shifter, the 944 has fairly stiff gearshift as it is due the long linkage, the short shifter just seems to increase this, perhaps alot depends on the type fitted, I'm sure some are better than others, I have one on my S2 its ok but sometimes I just wish it was silky smooth as with the original linkage.

Edd

 

[poprock]

I absolutely love mine. Don't think I could go back to a regular 944 gearchange. It suddenly turned a bit notchy recently though, so the car's in with my local specialist for a remedy.

 

[homesea]

ORIGINAL: pauly

Yep, shark motorsport version as sold by D9.

Do you have a link?

Tried to Google D9 but cant find a shifter on the website!

 

[homesea]

oh I was looking on here:

http://www.d9autotech.co.uk/default.asp

[][][]

 

[TTM]

More satisfied now than during the first test drive, and wouldn't want to go back to the original linkage either.
Simple and relatively cheap modification that nicely improves the driving experience. In my case the shift stroke seems to be reduced by more than 50%, which dramatically reduces the time to change gears, which is nice when using light rods and a lightened flywheel, as revs drop quite fast when upchanging gears.
I regret not doing it earlier []

 

[333pg333]

Which version do you have Thom?
I tried a couple of Jon Mitchell's versions some years ago and had the same reaction, but I also found that the gearbox didn't like it when cold. Got a bit of 'grunching' at times. Thought I could never go back to stock...but like anything you get used to what you have and I like the smoothness of transition of stock too. Still, I'd like to try it again just to see.

If you think our stock shifters are long, check out this famous video. Saw it again the other night and couldn't believe the shift throw! Great and brave driving too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=VqZO-xURLqc&feature=related

 

[TTM]

Yes, when I first drove a 911, an '88 930, the cramped seating position and the long stroke of the floor shifter reminded of the Peugeot J9 :

We joked with the owner it only missed the sliding driver's door to totally feel like Peugeot's finest []

I purchased the linkage years ago from Paragon Products. It was a bit of an idle purchase and was initially intended for the S2, but I never got around to do it and stumbled upon it several weeks ago when listing spares I have had lying around, so it eventually made its way on the turbo. It does feel a bit notchy when cold and requires some finesse, but it's a small price to pay for the benefits.

 

[DivineE]

I'm exactly the same. I felt sad to lose my favourite gear shift of all time in the standard car. That long smooth, weighted pendulum feel is superb but once you've driven in anger with that click clack racing feel of a short shift box I don't think you could ever go back again without feeling it was slow and laborious, I do struggle sometimes 1st to 2nd with the quick shift (especially when cold). You have to be pretty firm locking it in to avoid the occasional crunch

 

[Bob]

I'm of the opposite opinion, I replaced my very worn standard shifter with one of the aftermarket short shifters mentioned here. I found it very stiff, very notchy (especially when cold) and yes it had a shorter throw but slowed down each gearchange and ruined the whole experience for me. I bought a new standard shifter from Solihull OPC and joy of joys I finally had the sweet smooth gearchange that Porsche designed.

My personal view is if you have an old shifter that has seen better days, replace it with a standard one and don't bother with these notchy quick shifters

 

[DivineE]

Can I ask where you got it from? The JM Garage one in particular is rose jointed, beautifully crafted and I thought felt nicer than many standard sports car boxes? Mine isn't quite that good but its certainly faster to punch through the gears than the original unit, even when its new and silky smooth.

 

[awattam]

ORIGINAL: Bob

I'm of the opposite opinion, I replaced my very worn standard shifter with one of the aftermarket short shifters mentioned here. I found it very stiff, very notchy (especially when cold) and yes it had a shorter throw but slowed down each gearchange and ruined the whole experience for me. I bought a new standard shifter from Solihull OPC and joy of joys I finally had the sweet smooth gearchange that Porsche designed.

My personal view is if you have an old shifter that has seen better days, replace it with a standard one and don't bother with these notchy quick shifters

I've been considering whether to go for a short shift or an original standard linkage to replace mine. How much did the standard one set you back?

 

[sulzeruk]

Alan, the OEM linkage that sits on top of the gearbox is about £106 plus VAT from Porsche I think now,
Alasdair

 

[poprock]

Yep, that's what I've been quoted recently. It used to be £75 from Euro Car Parts, but not any more.