Obsession with short shifters

I don't understand why people are obsessed to change to a short shifter? Do you feel the shifts in the 996 is that long? Can someone please explain that to me?

I think it's very much an American obsession, if you were to poll European/Asia Pacific Porsche owners you might find something completely different. I honestly don't know whether it's due to the vast majority of American cars being automatic and US Porsche owners want something completely the opposite to this 'norm'. We RoW drivers started driving manual (stick shift) cars from our our teenage years and have experienced a vast number of stick shifts. The standard Porsche one is far better than that found on any BMW or Mercedes, it's only the Japanese cars that have the best shift action as standard. Damian

Robin - My personal perspective is that the length of �throws� (front to back) was longer than I "expected" from a Porsche. Maybe it was my "expectation" that was off, but the first time I drove a Porsche was a little over a year ago. It was a 997 at the dealership. I kept missing 3rd gear , partially because I had not driven a manual transmission in 13 years, and partially because the length of the throw, front to back, surprised me. A couple of months later, after I bought my '04 996, I told myself to wait a while and get used to driving a "stick" again. Well, after a few months, I had some minor warranty work completed on the car, which was going to take about an hour, so I waited for the car. While waiting, I was talking with a salesman about the short shifter and me mentioned that they had a 2002 996 on the lot that had a short shifter in it. He got the keys, and let me try out the shifter. THAT was what I had �expected� from a Porsche! One week later I installed a SSK in my car.

Its not so much the throw, its the feeling of the shift, i hated the stock shifter i wasn't always sure it was in gear, now I know with out a doubt.

I agree that it is a feeling, it enhances the driving experience in a sports car. This (SSK) complimented with a nicely tuned exhaust amplifies the whole experience. My 996 is not a daily driver which makes me appreciate the feeling when I do have the opportunity to drive it.

The throw is too long, and the feel is extremely light. It must have been designed for weaklings driving in artic temperatures.

The stock 996 is actually not bad, better than many cars, but I still put the SSK in mine because it is has a shorter throw and is much crisper, you don't feel the loose/sloppiness that some describe in the stock. This is particularly true if you also replace the stock plastic and rubber shift linkage with an alloy linkage. But its all a matter of degree and personal preference. Some of us remember the old 911's ( I had a 67',a 69' and a 76'). In those days there was no center console, the shifter was mounted on the floor, the lever was 14"+ long and the throw on the earliest ones was over 12". And guess what, they were selling short shift kits back then too. Many of us just have the mod bug to bad and can't resist changing our cars and trying something new. HMO

I put an SSK in my 996. I am not 100% sold on it. I do like the much shorter throws and I do like the very mechanical feel to it most of the time. However, I miss the smooth action of the stock shifter as the ssk is very notchy and not smooth. To answer your question Robin...the throws aren't that far. I sometimes think people do the ssk for the feel of race car with its very positive feel when it goes into gear.

The stock shifter is better than most and I like longer throws. Short shifters tend to be notchy and inconsistant on force required from shift to shift. Plus, I'm hearing too many transmission problems and a high % just happen to have short shifters.

It all comes down to one of 2 styles: Do you prefer bolt action rifle feel? Or do you prefer cutting through warm butter?

Between Loren and I and the other local owners, over the years, we must have put in 70 different flavors of short shifts. And then we get to do the test drive after it is put in. But I do not have one on my Boxster. Funny, now that I think about it. I am use to shifting a car with a lever that is not attached directly to the top of the transmission. Like remote control. The Boxster is my 3rd mid-engine car, so it is nothing new to me. I am use to a long throws. When I want a short throw shifter ride I drive my motorcycles and shift with my foot.

I have only driven manual cars all my (long) life. Mostly sports cars (British). All I can say is that those owners that have made the change don't regret the change. ANd those that haven't made the change should.

Gotta disagree with you there, Damian. I went from a BWM to a C4S and the BMW shifter was much better. I plan to put a SSK on mine once I get past the one-year-of-ownership mark - I pledged one year before making any changes.

BMW shifters are directly mated to the transmission. Cars like Porsches must use a cable or linkage becasue their transmissions reside elsewhere. As good as it is, Porsche can't match the action and feel of a good transmission directly under the lever.

Ah, no. The shifter in my 1998 BMW M3 was heaps better than my stock 2000 cab. But with the SSK, nothing beats it. If you haven't tried a short shifter, you are living in denial when you say that stock is better. Essentially, stock feels like jello. Admittedly, it is not that long a through, but it lacks precision and confidence. And frankly, once you have driven the SSK for about a month and then go to a stock shifter when driving another 996, you'll be surprised at how much more pleasing the SSK really is.

Then you are a brave man hanging on these boards!!! DO IT! DO IT! DO IT! DO IT! DO IT!

FWIW, the stock shifter on my 2002 M3 was about as sloppy (although the throws weren't as long) as my 2003 C2. I installed an SSK in it (the M3) for that snick-snick precision, and will probably do so in the 996 (in fact, I also installed one in my 2005 MINI Cooper S). Most SSK's I've driven increase shifting effort a little, but that can be remedied with a heavier shift **** (too bad Doug Whalen only does BMW/MINI - http://whalenshiftmachine.com/home.htm ). Someone had it right about Japanese shifters. As funny as it sounds, the best shifter I have ever used came in my 1998 Civic EX and Honda regularly gets rave reviews on their manual trannys (a la S2000).

the best stock manual transmission i have ever used are the ones stock on miatas. super short throw, notchy, precise, and easy to hammer between gears. beautiful.

To echo the last two messages, I have one of the last US imported Lexus SC300's with a manual transmission. The shift action is waaaaaay better than my stock 2000 C4. Man, I'll be sad to see that SC go shortly to be replaced by a sedan...

After trying out the SSK in a friend's Boxster, I'd have to say I prefer the stock shifter in mine. The longer throws don't bother me, plus I rather like the smoothness as opposed to the notchiness. The stock shift action seems more fluid, while the SSK seems mechanical, although more precise. Different strokes for different folks, really. Then again, I'm also the dummy who doesn't think the stock exhaust sounds that bad.

Agreed. I did some work for MazdaUSA.com and when they flew me out to Irvine they gave me a brand new Miata to drive during my stay. That was a fun little car and the transmission was great.

I have to say the 5-speed in my E36 328iSport and E46 328Ci were much better than the 6-speed E46 M3. The M3 is a sloppy, very poor action compared to the standard 996. I was contemplating the SSK for the M3 but I saw sense and bought the C4S.

Evil! You're Eeeeeeevi!!! Actually, I did break down and swapped the stock turbo twists for Sport Technos. Love those Technos. Anyway, here's the list for when the one year limit expires: - SSK - GHL exhaust - Clear markers - ROW suspension

Took the '04 C4S today out for a good spin. With 1100 miles, the shifter is starting to loosen up, a good thing. But, the throws are long for my taste and I find I'm missing some 2nd to 3rd shifts. So, I'm leaning more and more toward doing the SSK in the next couple of weeks. I've really not heard of many 911 owners who regret the decision. My only hesitation is not having driven one with a factory or aftermarket sport shifter. Phil

The factory SSK is very nice as is the B&M. The real benefit is the direct and positive feeling instead of the mushy stock feel. I can remember being in reverse instead of first on a couple of occasions, never happens with the SSK.

The SSK should be stock IMO!

It's all about personal feel. Test drive cars that have one of each style and decide what you like better!!

personal choice. i have both shifters. i shift much faster and much more precisely with the stock LONG shifter.