Best standard throw shifter

I'm sure this will bring out some spicy comments, but I have an 01 996.1 that has the 997 short shifter currently in it that was installed by a previous owner. I, um, don't like short shifters. I have a SC also and the shift throw is about the length of a football field, so swapping between cars is kindof disorienting but I also do not like that short shift kits reduce the lateral distance also, I find myself actually shifting slower because I have to be more careful to be sure not to go from 5th to 2nd. I realize this isn't a conventional take so I'll proudly take the flames and people telling me to learn to drive. At any rate, I'm looking at options and wasn't sure what the best shift kit is for a 996 that isn't a short shifter. I realize there are 996 and 997 OEM kits, I've also heard the OEM 997.2 GT3 shifter is short-ish but not as short. Does anyone have any suggestions on longer throw shifters for a .1? What's the best option here, is it just to go with the 997 OEM or is there some aftermarket option that's best (or improvements I can make during install to the 997 that are worthwhile?)? Thanks.

Just like you, I am not a short throw shifter guy. After 21 years of using the 996 oem shifter, and looking at everything on the market, I installed the 997 shifter with the Function First kit. It replaced the plastic parts with metal parts and tightens it up slightly and slightly reduces the throw. For me it's just the right amount. Here is a link. https://flat6motorsports.com/product...zmyDkXlKH5413m

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Question. There is a function first for the 996 on their website. Is the 997 the better one?

From what I�ve read on Rennlist, the 996 and 997 shifters are almost the same, with the 997 unit have a shorter throw. If I recall correctly, its throw is approximately 10% less. I don�t have any actual experience with the 997 shifter. I have the Numeric short shifter, but it�s installed in its tallest position (longest throw) because I actually liked the throw length of the stock 996 shifter. In this position, the Numeric feels like it has an approximate throw reduction of 10%-15% in comparison to the 996 shifter. I like it now, but I actually slightly regretted it immediately upon installation. The shifter did a great job of firming up my shifts - in fact it was too firm. That�s no longer the case now. I�m not sure whether I�ve gotten used to it, or if it needed some time to break-in, but everything is peachy now.

I have a Manthey in mine, it�s not obnoxiously short but shorter than the 997 I had in it before.

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I've heard good things about Phenix Engineering Bearings and will go this route when the time comes.

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There seem to be quite a few good solutions out there depending on if you want to just replace some or all of the internal parts of the shifter with metal to tighten it up a bit using the 996 or 997 shifter frame. Same can be said for the shifter lever to vary throw length. It's really a personal preference as to what feel and functionality you are looking for. But the good news is we have plenty of options.

Last year I went through my 996 C4 stock shifter . Car has 150k miles and everything is stock from shifter to transmission . I installed the Function First shifter kit that replaces all stock plastic with aluminum parts . I expected a big difference because of the miles on the chassis and that's exactly what I got . The shifter is butter smooth and rifle bolt accurate . Totally changed the shifting action . It is a pleasure to row through the gears , upshifts and downshifts just rock solid and smooth . And this is with the original shift cables ! I will say at the same time I also replaced the transmission gear oil with Motul . I couldn't be happier with how the old gal shifts .

I wish someone would do this with the common available Porsche shifters. When people rattle off percentages of how much shorter the shift is it remines me of toilet paper companies telling me how much more percentage of toilet paper I'm getting.

I hear you.

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I went from a 996 OEM to a 997 OEM with phenix engineering bushings. The shifter throw difference is barely noticeable. The bushings made the biggest difference in feel.

I swapped out my stock 997 shifter when I just bought the car last year with only 6k miles on the clock. Went with a numeric, barely a difference tbh. Adding tungsten weight made a larger difference.

I installed the 7GT3 shifter many moons ago when it was only about $350. A little shorter throw and better bushings with a billet topper and never looked back.

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I was/am in the same boat -- love the stock shift throws and honestly love the stock shifting action. My son occasionally autocrosses the car and under max braking, the 3rd to 2nd downshift doesn't go (already have replaced motor mounts and transmission mounts). The function first shift right kit seemed perfect for me to get an "improved OEM" feel since I love the current shifting, and hopefully to solve the autocross problem. I just received the shift right kit, will report back once I've had a chance to install it. The GT3 shifter apparently has metal parts -- would be interesting to hear how the factory GT3 metal parts compare to the Function First Shift Right upgrade.

This video seems to be pretty good for showing how to remove the shifter (make sure its in neutral): You Tube

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You can get the 997 shifter and add the Function First kit to it. It will replace the plastic parts with more metal parts than comes with the 997 GT3 shifter. Below is a picture of mine to compare to the pictures posted earlier by Diddy. It's been a good upgrade that tightens up the shift by what they say is 15%. That's about what I experienced. But that's all I wanted. I didn't want a short, notchy, rifle like shift because I track my car and didn't want the risk of a blown shift.

Definitely go with the Phenix bearings. https://phenixengineering.com/shop/p...t-bushing-kit/ They really clean up the shifter without shortening the throw.

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Thanks -- that's what I was wondering about. You've confirmed that the Function First kit has more metal parts, so I'm glad I went that route. I also like the standard 996 throw length, so I'll be installing it in the existing 996 shifter next chance I get (already have the FF kit in hand).

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The FF kit really gets rid of the slop. You chose wisely.

It sounds like your criteria is similar to mine. I want to tighten it up the movement a bit and take the soft plastic/vinyl feel out. Don't want to cut up my center consul and don't want something that I will fear shifting incorrectly causing damage. Did you use to "White" kit?

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I'm midway through the install, and i'm pretty certain I'll love the FF Shift Right kit once it's installed. That said, I find it fairly inexcusable that they don't have an install video. There is a Flat 6 video roughly showing the install but they leave a TON out -- it's deceiving because it looks much easier than it is, and it's useless as a "how to" (e.g. doesn't show that you remove the white block, doesn't show assembly of the yoke shaft, etc.). The written instructions on the website are okay, but they are very long. I'm very glad they made the product, but there should be an install video. It's taken me a long time to install it. Trying to get the snap rings on now. I didn't mark the cables before I removed the shifter. Common sense should have told me to do that, but this is my first time working on the shifter, it wasn't in the Flat 6 video, there were no instructions included, and it didn't occur to me to look for instructions on the website website until after realizing the Flat 6 video was so incomplete. Question : Is it going to be difficult to get shifting correctly without marked cable positions, or will putting the shifter in my best guess of the neutral position and clicking the cables in be pretty accurate?

I suggest you do not install the center console, or leave it loosely-covered and unbolted. Drive around like this and observe the characteristics of the shifter. You can easily make adjustments to the positions of cables in this state. Once you�re happy with the behavior, then you can fully button it up.

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Thanks - do you think I can drive it with the console out, or will the center console glove box and window switches being disconnected cause ECU problems. My center console is dark wood, so it�s not that flexible to take on and off multiple times.

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If you have the green centering block, you�ll get the cables pretty close to perfect.

I have the stock 996 shifter with function first upgrades. If you still don�t like your 997 shifter, let�s chat. cheers.

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^^^This Pete you probably can get one quickly and cheaply at your local dealer. If not, I have an extra one I can send you.

Thanks for the feedback - I�ll definitely get the tool, would have ordered at the same time as the FF kit if I knew. Wish Amazon carried it for overnight shipping, but will check with the dealers. I saw this part on an eBay listing Porsche 986 996 987 997 Shift Cable Alignment Installation Tool 00072196191

Can somebody confirm that 00072196191 is correct part number for use with a 2000 C2 with the original 996 shifter -- or is there another version of this tool available? The reason I ask is because all of the listings for 00072196191 seem to say it's for a 997 only. I checked at least 5 different sources -- here's Pelican's listing that says "We can't confirm this fits your 2000 Porsche" and with a compatibility list showing only 997's : https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_In...=c&SVSVSI=0667 I can't find any other version of that tool, so I'm guessing it also works for 996 -- but can't find a parts listing that confirms that.

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Same part for 996.1-997.1 6 speeds.

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Thanks, I thought that was the case, but wanted to confirm before ordering. I called the dealer, he doesn't have in stock, and doesn't show any other local dealers having it in stock, so he ordered it for me. It will be at the dealer in 2-3 business days. Was hoping to have it sooner, but I guess I'll have to wait.

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If you were in my area you coulda just dropped by and used mine…be done in 5 minutes. Your local dealer doesn’t have one in their shop?

You can find them on ebay from Rennpart or on rennparts website.

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The parts guy wasn�t familiar with the tool, had to give him the part number. I�ve not been happy with dealer service on my Macan, so I don�t want to talk to them really. The parts person was very nice and the price wasn�t marked up - I�ll take that as a �win� these days. Yeah, lots of them online, but not on Amazon with fast shipping. Hopefully dealer will get it in the quoted time.

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Which FF parts did you go with? I am now considering just trying the Shift Right Kit and then maybe the Cable Ends or possibly even their cables. thought I�d try this first and if not happy, add the FF or a 997 shifter.

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I put this FF kit in as well as the cable ends. Shifts/feels great, I would just like something a little bit shorter.

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Thank you! Exactly what I was thinking of trying. it�s not much more cost for the FF shifter so I may give it a try. I don�t really want to shorten the shift motion much, just make it smoother.

You can go with the 997 shifter. Which will shorten the throw by 10-15% versus the 996 shifter using the FF kit. They 997 shifters eventually come up for sale on ebay and sometimes rennlist marketplace which will save a few bucks.

I don�t know anything about them because I wanted to keep the stock 996 shift throws, but Function First also offers shorter shift throw options along with the bearing kit.

I hear you. Unless we can get a much shorter clutch throw,, i dont see a reason to substantially reduce the shifter throw. It would be a mismatch.

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It doesn't help at the moment being that I'm floating around the Indian Ocean somewhere until October but I have a 997 shifter lever sitting in my spare parts bin that you can have. It should be a tad shorter than the 996 unit.

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I would love that, thank you!

Just noticed that Function First has the stock 996/997 throw comparisons for its 3 optional short shifters: https://www.function-first.com/produ...42716611444889 Available in the following throw length configurations: WHITE: 11% shorter than 996; 5% longer than 997 BLACK: 24% shorter than 996; 10% shorter than 997 BLUE: 34% shorter than 996; 23% shorter than 997 BLUE is comparable to the throw of the 997 OEM short shifter

Cool. Wonder if you can just buy the shifter if you already have the FFSR?

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although not listed, there are threads here where someone from FF says you can reach out and they will sell just the shifter if you have already purchased the SRK.

I have installed several of the FF kits now including in one my 996's. These are what I recommend to my customers now. My 996 C4S had the factory short shift kit and it was completely worn out- not just the plastic fore/aft bushings but also the shift ball, see photo below. I went with the "blue" short option, it matches the factory SSK. The 997.2 GT3 shifter is really nice - in fact any of the 987/997 shifters are really nice when new because the plastic side bushing hasn't worn out yet. The 997.2 GT3 shifter will eventually wear out as well just like my 996SSK. I think the Black unit is what I would use if I could do it again- it is easy to go 2-5 when passing that 350Z with fartcan exhaust. One thing I will note- get some miles on your function first shifter, after about 500 street miles I feel my kit has really broken in and feels like a nice pair of jeans- you know what I mean. --Aaron

PeterP, any update on your installation?

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Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I did install the FF shift kit and it works great. It solved the main problem of the car not downshifting from third to second in full autocross braking (even though it shifted fine everywhere else). It tightens up the shifting a bit -- not a crazy difference in feel, but shifts more precise. I'm really happy with it.

I recently installed the Function First SRK, Black Shifter and Cable Ends. While I wouldn�t consider it a monumental change, everything is super smooth and I am very pleased with the throw. Finding gears is a breeze. Combined with the removal of my clutch spring, running through the gears is a pleasure.