Installing Numeric Racing Cables

Hi guys, I know this is a big topic and there are lots of threads, but I wanted to get an opinion on self-installation. I have a 52k mile 07 Cayman S . I believe it has the factory short shifter (it's definitely a short shifter, per my indie Porsche shop). No idea if the shifter cable has been replaced but I don't think so. I'm a little paranoid about it breaking and want to replace it preemptively. I'm trying to understand if the "new" OEM cable is better (from 2015?), and if it's a drop in replacement or there are other components that need to be swapped too. Suncoast references a Kit for $800 for 07-12 S models. If it's that much, I might as well go to Numeric Racing cables . Should probably be mentioned that this is my daily, and I do not track it. In the future I'd like to get another daily and convert this, but that is probably far down the road. I'd like to do the install myself. I've never done any transmission work, but I have had to remove the console mostly to fix another problem. I also did all the coils and plugs via the rear wheel wells, so I'd say I'm competent enough to do the cables and I have a floor jack and stands. I know they can be a little fussy and you need to get the adjustment right. Is this something I can do myself? If so, how long do you think it would take if it's my first time? Alternatively, should I just pony up and have my indie shop do it for the confidence? I'm hesitant to hear the quote because he said that the numeric cables take a while to get set up right, which means labor $$$. Thanks!

I just had Numeric short shifter and cables install yesterday. Took the car for a drive tonight, could only hear a slight whine from the tranny. The short shifter is very direct and metallic sound hitting the gear selector detents and stops, especially going into 1st gear. The rifle bolt description is an accurate deplection of its shift action. I had the installer put dynamat under the center consule (from the emergency brake controller to the gearshifter) to reduce the noise, which seemed to work fine. They offer a sound deadening hose that you can cut in a spiral to reduce the transmission noise with out plastic ties, which I did not order, but would have if I knew they made it. I like the 6 speed even more with this modification, much more direct and in line, and allows downshifting to be much more enjoyable. I had my installer change the tranny fluid as well.

I did mine myself. It's time consuming but a lot of that is removing and reinstalling the center console. If you're already in for that, it's not that much more work. It took more than five hours from what I recall. If you can do the plugs, you can do this.

+1 what BrianH said. I did this job myself and it just takes a few hours. I have a Boxster and the hardest part was getting the left side (transmission end) cable into the bracket that holds the cable on the transmission. I fished that cable into the bracket from above then tightened the nut from below. It would have taken me 1 minute with a second set of hands, but probably took me 15 minutes by myself. The rest of the transmission side is done from below. Adjustment is trivial. I didn't have the "special tool" for centering the stick (couldn't - I used the Numerics shifter in addition to the cables). You can make the stick centering adjustment by eye. I just used jack stands and had no issues with having enough room to do the work. Make sure you get the special Numerics wrench. You will use it on both ends of both cables. Yell if you get stuck. These cables are definitely loud. I have a distinct new noise from them which I only hear when my top is up or I'm travelling at low speed in a quiet area. With the Cayman you may hear this all of the time.

Awesome, this is what i wanted to hear! I'll definitely get the wrench, nothing quite like the right tool for the job. And I think if I put a ruler next to the shifter i can center it just fine. I only have one set of jack stands. would lifting just the back of the car do the trick? Thanks guys

Yes, one set of stands should be fine. Make sure you block the front wheels when you are under there! Note to self (ask me how I know)....You need to apply the parking brake to get the center console out and back in. When you go to test your new work, with the car still up on stands, make sure you unset the parking brake or you will scare yourself silly that you messed something up when you hear a loud grinding noise and the wheels don't turn even though the car is in gear.

Haha, yep I know to chock the front wheels, had to do that when I changed the plugs/coils. good to know about the parking brake, thanks!

Installed Numeric cables a few years back with a Porsche short shifter. A very nice upgrade to give the mechanical feel the car needs. The install is not hard, just takes time. I modified the wrench from Numeric by grinding one side down to give more throw. If there is more noise from the cables, it is a welcome sound of a fine machine. Just replaced the gear lube this past Friday prior to a very nice HOD at PBIR Saturday. The oil looked good at 97,000 miles but smelled like burnt cat litter (not sure what burnt cat litter really smells like but imagine that’s the way the oil smelled). Nice difference in the shifting smoothness; still mechanical without the harshness. Pay attention to the path the cables follow before you remove them. Good of luck with the work.