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Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHB&M short shifter - Any bad experiences?
Reported or suspected cause
black plastic shift cable connector
Reported cause
No successful repair reported for this finding.
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Reported cause
The issue is with the black plastic shift cable connector for the forward gears.
Leading evidence: 'black plastic shift cable connector' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'black plastic shift cable connector' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Run time' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Suggestion
If you want to test drive a car with a shift kit I do not know anyone who would not let you drive their car.
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Suggestion
If you change your mind you can always go back to stock using the B&M bushings.
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This is a great forum and all the positive talk about the B&M shifter has prompted me to call my dealer and inquire. They will do the install on my 03 C2 cab for $600 with the parts.
Has anyone had any bad experiences with the B&M. I do no track driving and am wondering if there is any downside to this mod?
Thanks
TK
Whoa!!! $600!!!
The B&M shifter should be under $250 and we install them for free around here (SF Bay area). Jeff (aka ToolPants) and I have probably done close to a hundred between us.
This is a simple install with the right tools and a little care -- plus the instructions come with the shifter.
So folks think the B&M short shifter feels a little more "notchy" that the stock but that is the only complaint I've heard.
Best bang for the buck mod for the 996. I wouldn't go back to stock. Shifting is precise and just the right amount of travel on the gears. You may want to check out Loren's(rennlist meber) on the DIY. $600 seems alot I paid about $200(not at a dealer though) and heard can be done cheaper. Regards. Mike
That's like $400 to put it in. Takes less than an hour if you have done it before. Loren and I have put in some for our local 996 and Boxster owners and they all like it and would not go back to the stock shift.
It does feel a bit more notchy and does take a bit more effort, but that is because it is a short shift. Drive a car that has it. If you change your mind you can always go back to stock using the B&M bushings.
We made a DVD of 4 installs, 2 on Boxsters and 2 on 996s. The 2 996 installs were done side-by-side. The run time on both 996 installs is 54 minutes. Jeff
I haven't had it in winter yet. I just installed it in my 2002 after realizing that my former shifter (RUF) from my former car (1999 C2) would not work on 2002 and up cars. It is a bit more effort to shift but I like that about it. I do remember reading in the instructions that it can get difficult to shift in cold weather and may need to be readjusted to compensate.
It's is by far the best mod. it should cost you 200 bucks (I found it on e-bay for 195) and It definitely comes with very good instructions to DIY. I was intimidated at first too. But it's definitely a easy install. ( Just don't put the center counsel on until you get the cabels just right. )
Where are you located?
Call Bobby at Foreing Affairs Motorsports in Florida. He sells them to Guys on Rennlist for $195. IF you have the dealer install it, you should only be charged 1 hour of labor, 2 hours Max. (
www.foreignaffairsmotorsports.com
)
Love the B&M. May people feel the car should have been made this way. A great improvement over stock and a good bang for your buck
Bobby at Foreign Affairs did not want to sell it to me for less than $209 plus $10 for shipping even though I told him that I wwas referred by many Rennlist guys. I din't argue much and just paid him what he wanted. I figured that if he was going to be so trivial over $10, he needed that $10 more than I did. After a few shipping screwups, it finally showed up.
Wonderful upgrade.
Only downside is the uncertainy about the presence of additional flimsy plastic parts on a $75,000 vehicle that could and should be replaced.
Jack
The issue is with the black plastic shift cable connector for the forward gears. If you are a hard shifter it can break, but most reports I have seen are from turbo owners who race.
If anyone in the San Jose area needs help putting in a short shift let Loren or I know. Jeff
Yep, I broke my plastic shift cable connector with ease going from 2nd to 3rd at redline a while back. Dealer warrantied it with no problem.
That is the main reason why I don't get the short shifter. I am afraid the dealer won't warranty something like that if something foreign is installed there.
No shop (usually someones garage) and no charge....
well...
maybe a beer or two...
When you have your parts make a post here or our board (RennTech.org) and we'll let you know when the next "work on cars" party is.
The shop is the garage driveway of the host.
Us local Boxster owners have been getting together for a few years to work on cars together.
Then I met some local 996 owners and we started working on both. Then I met Loren who knows more about 996s then I want to know, since I'm a Boxster guy.
I have posted in the past 'work on cars' dates and get little reponse on Rennlist. There is one in 2 days and no response. Next time it will be on RennTech.
But the cars show up. If you want to test drive a car with a shift kit I do not know anyone who would not let you drive their car. Jeff
Jeff, Loren, you guys are incredible
. Thanks for all your tech posts. Normally I'd never dream of touching the car, but thanks to your advice, I have hardwired the V1, and will be taking on the OBC hack as soon as the switch comes in. Next, the b&m shifter. You two should consider opening a shop...
We also made a DVD of the trip computer retrofit on 3 Boxsters. Same as a 996 except a 996 has an oval plastic trim around the hazard button that a Boxster does not have. Jeff
I like the 'feel' of the stock shifter , although it's far too long a throw. SO I'm also thinking about the B&M. Besides having a shorter throw, can I expect the B&M to have the same feel as the OEM when it goes into gear?
Has anyone tried the EVO short-throw shifter, which shortens the throw by 30% (instead of the 40% reduction of the B&M)?
Scott
We need a Loren/Tool Pants here in Los Angeles. Would make more interesting to do mods and learn more about what we can do with these cars. You guys should think of moving down here - weather's better, more movie stars, closer to Tijuana...
