Anybody Use the Short Shifter from Schnell?

Gentlemen - Was leaning towards pursuing a SSK from B&M, but was alerted that Schnell also offers a SSK. Spoke with the distributors, and it seems that the product is almost identical to the B&M SSK. Here is the website: http://www.vertexauto.com/shortshift/ Priced very attractively at $159. Wanted to know if anybody has installed / used the Schnell piece, and what the opinions are - especially relative to the B&M SSK. Many thanks.

Looks like the bushings are made of nylon compared to aluminim.

Sorry, I'm mechanically obtuse: I assume that nylon is an inferior material to aluminium, but I guess the question is how much do you think this affects performance / functionality / durability.

Rasta, I in the process of looking to purchase an SSK and am interested in this Sshnell product as well. I hope someone chimes in with their opinions or maybe we should be the first.

aben8057, give those guys a call and see what you think. Would like to get your impressions. The guy I spoke with seemed very knowledgeable.

Forgive me if I don't know what the heck I'm talking about here (haven't done this mod yet) - but it looks like the B&M has machined aluminum pivots that ride in nylon cups with aluminum bushings around the nylon. (The Porsche stock looks all nylon - even the pivots, can't be?) and this Schnell looks like machined aluminum pivots riding in nylon cups - no aluminum bushing. Did I miss something big here? Is that aluminum bushing compensating for something as a result of short throw or is it some sort of enhancement? Do these things wear out often under normal conditions? Also this Schnell touts a slight offset to retain the relative position of the shift column when shortened -- is this important? Anyone notice this when converting to short shift?

I bought one and will be installing it this weekend, I'll let yu know.

Very keen on getting your impressions clubrcr

The original B&M had 100% plastic bushings, just like the oem shift. Then B&M started using an aluminum shell around the plastic bushings. The B&M clone sold by Porsche as a retrofit kit uses the same shells. With a 996/986 if you ordered the short shift as an oprion then the bushings were 100% plastic, just like the oem shift. I have no experience with the Schnell unit. I don't like how they say their shift is bent unlike others because that is false. The oem shift is bent as are all the aftermarket shifts. Unless I do not understand the Schnell superior claim.The Schnell unit does not look like the B&M I have put together some pictures. The Schnell look like the one made by Imec in Japan except for the color of the plastic bushings. It also look like the one sold by FDV and another company I do not remember the name of. So if Schnell is a clone then they just changed the color, Just like the Porsche Clone of the B&M is black instead of B&M blue.

Tried to attach 4 pictures but only 2 showed up. Here are the other 2. The Schnell is a good price. I would like to put one in one day at our local work on cars days. If someone gets it I would like to know where it is made. If it is the Imec version from Japan with a different color then the gave it a German sounding name.

Let me throw another question in the mix. Are all the throw reductions the same? B&M states 35% throw reduction, FVD has an adjustable unit 10/20/30% and I am not sure of the Schnell unit.

- B&M is a 30% throw reduction - Schnell is a 30% throw reduction - Porsche's SSK is a 20% reduction

I've ordered a Schnell unit and am planning to install next week. Will let you guys know my impressions.

Not that I can substantiate their claims Tool Pants, but from what they told me, the B&M SSK is offset by 10 - 15% (to the right) from the stock shifter. The Schnell unit is not offset at all. This is their claim. Perhaps those that have B&M units can weigh in. Best.

Hey its Friday...payday...I just ordered one too.

I would assume that the aluminum reinforcement could work to prevent the nylon bushings from wearing a grove or even splitting. Since the oem shifter has all nylon bushings, it could serve as a test proxy although I would guess that the forces acting on the SSK bushings would be greater than the standard shifter due to the shorter throw producing the same result at the transmission. I have heard of the oem nylon linkages failing. Do the oem all nylon bushings ever cause problems?

I received my Schnell short shift kit today, it took me about 1 1/2 to install. It could have been less but I didn't have snap ring pliers. I was impressed by the instructions as well as the quality. It reduced the throw by atleast 30%. Where the old shifter was soft and loose feeling, this new shifter is tight, reminds me of my old GT3 Cup shifter. I think it's money well spent. Just my opinion, but for 1/2 the price of others and easy to follow DIY instructions, it might be the less expensive add-on you could buy.

Many thanks for posting clubrcr - look forward to getting mine.

Must have been fun without snap ring pliers. The original version of the B&M we use to put in had 100% plastic bushings just like Schnell, with snap rings to hold them in place. It was a pain even with pliers. When B&M started to use an aluminum shell for the plastic bushing then the snap ring became an E clip which is much easier to install. Were you able to determine what country the Schnell unit is made in. Also, do they provide a tube of grease. For local Bay Area owners I would like to put this unit in at one of our work on cars days. I will measure the throws before and after like we usually do to compare to other units we have put in.

I drove the car quite a bit today and wow, what a difference. I wonder why Porsche doesn't put their short shifter in these cars, esp. the turbos. Tool Pants, I might have said a few nasty words while trying to get the rings in place.

Ours USED to be made by IMEC (and that one pictured is my orig. and was an IMEC unit), however we had too many problems with them and had them made just for us now in Germany.... The new ones are great, I am on 18,000 miles on my SSK and couldn't be happier!! It is a little longer throw than the B&M, but a bit smoother... Evan

Toolpants, What type of lubrication/grease do you recommend???

Just got the SS from Schnell today. Nicely packaged. Good directions to boot (although I am planning to get it professionally installed). Also included were some Schnell seat belt pads, and a Vortex Auto catalog. So far very professional. Will get this installed on Saturday and will post impressions. Some pics.

so did they indicate how long the $159 limited time price will last?

Memory's a little hazy, but they said in a "couple of weeks" this intro price was going to be bumped up "closer to $200" (but don't think they specified an amount). I notice they're an supporter of the site now. -

vik, where are you installing it? should make a run this weekend to test it out

Can you tell what country it is made in?

Jon, I'm having the guys from RPM Racing install it. They're doing the short-shifter, throwing on a CF shift know and then ArmourFending the whole car. I'm dropping the car off to them Sat morning. Have got an early start (leaving at around 8:15am), but would love some company. May have a Ferrari 355 Spider along for the ride. Let me know.

I've packed it away Tool Pants, but I remember asking this of the salesman, and he said Germany.

Vik, I've used them for alot of stuff, good guys esp Tasso, Russ.` Chris

Thanks for the vote of confidence Chris - good to know. I've used RPMR once before and was happy with them. Plus Tasso and Russ have got high marks from others (like you), which is always a great endorsement. Look forward to working with them again. If you're around on Sat morning, drop by. Would love to catch up. Should be there around 9am. Best, Vik.

I might just pass by, only 15 min from me. Chris

Just ordered mine this morning. UPS Ground five days from Florida to California - looks like an installation next weekend. Dan

Got mine in the mail yesterday, I agree looks to be a well machined unit. I'll probably start the install tonight and have some feedback by the end of the week. BTW,,,does RPMR have a website??

www.rpmracinginc.com . Call 'em up and ask for Erik. Tell 'em Vik sent ya. Look forward to the feedback.

So I went home last night, had dinner with the family but in the back of my mind I wanted to head out to the garage and play. Dinner was good �blah..blah �blah Before my installation I read the Schnell and B&M instructions thoroughly and compared their protocol for installation. I observed that each set were comparably identical but each set had their advantages. The Schnell instructions had tips like marking your linkage cables with white out, torx head screw sizes where the B&M had tips like setting the passengers seat completely flat when removing the center console, lithium grease tube, etc.. Nevertheless they both provided pictures and an easy to follow procedure. The quality of the Schnell unit is durable as one of my main concerns where the nylon bushings vs. aluminum. Toolpants, I could not see a name stamped on the shifter indicating who made the unit but overall design appeared to be commendable. The installation was about 2 hours but could be completed in less time. I was taking intermittent breaks enjoying a glass of wine and listening to my favorite jazz station. I find working on my car therapeutic and appreciate the German engineering that goes behind this beauty. So off to work this morning�.I engage reserve and the Schnell unit feels sturdy, into first I go..hmmm very short throw as I shift into first with a revolver sound click justifying engagement as the rpm�s start to ascend. Into second, takes a little bit more force to engage gears but the smile on my face is bliss. Shifts are much tighter compared to loose OE. Overall I am definitely happy with the Schnell unit as this is a must have mod. I echo the statement within this board that Porsche should have made this standard equipment. The feel is very responsive, the angle of the shaft is identical to OE, easy diy project, a must for those out there wanting to enjoy a more responsive driving experience. Cheers

Sweeeeet!!! Getting the same thing done tomorrow. Can't wait.

Received my Schnell unit yesterday via UPS. I just couldn't wait until the weekend and since everyone says it's so easy I started the project at 5:45pm. Nicely packaged unit, good looking components, extremely clear, step-by-step intructions. My neighbor stops by to return some tools and we share some car stories and a beer for about 15 minutes, then it's back to work stopping to take a copious amount of photos as I proceed. Everything is buttoned up and I'm test driving at 7:45. Drove it to work this morning and it feels great, a much nicer driving experience. As far as the B&M having aluminum bushings vs. stock and Schnell not having them, I think it's just the particular way that each designer decided to implement the scheme to retain the bushing. I can see no advantage to having (or not having) the aluminum bushing. Someone mentioned higher shifting forces and splitting the bushing but each is fully captured in the shifter housing so it's a non-issue. Besides - the forces at the bushings would appear to be largely the same -- just less mechanical leverage at the shifter (due to shortened length) causing "operator" to have to exert more force. Still the same amount of force to move the shifter cables as before (tranny linkage didn't change). The Schnell (and stock) all-nylon bushings appear to be quite robust. Schnell unit == $159 minus $0.66 in loose change found under the console = $158.34 total unit cost. Plus I found the little damper that makes the ashtray lid open slowly was detached and on the floor under the console. Ashtray lid now opens and closes like it was designed (even though I don't smoke) -- bonus.

You guys sold me....ordered mine today. For a guy who was going to be mod-free, I just installed pedals from Carnewal, X54 Tips, hood & airbag crests from Ralph Boothe, and here comes a SSK. Ordering wheels today.......what's next, and will the bleeding ever stop???

[QUOTE=RLandis]You guys sold me....ordered mine today. For a guy who was going to be mod-free, I just installed pedals from Carnewal, X54 Tips, hood & airbag crests from Ralph Boothe, and here comes a SSK. Ordering wheels today....... what's next, and will the bleeding ever stop???[/ QUOTE] Don't forget the TT Spoiler Switch install on the Dash! At only 25% of the cost of the SSK, it's a seal! Ask us that same question again in a month and we'll give you another MOD to add to your collection