Cable adjustment B&M shifer

Just got my shifter this week and installed it. The installation was straightforward and fairly simple. I did have to adjust the left cable so that it could get into reverse. Now that it is installed and I have used it some, it seems that in 1-3-5 gears the shift handle "hits" the housing, but not in 2-4-6 gears. I am wondering if this is normal or if I may need to adjust the other cable a bit as well. I think that Porsche should offer this as an option or at least make the dealers tell you about it and have a demonstrator. I can understand that some may prefer the factory shifter as it is smoother and I think the effort is quite a lot less. Sort of a luxury feel verses sporting. But for performance you must have this and I note especially the 2-3 shift is the quickest of any car I have driven included my previous car, an NSX. Bill

Just to clarify, I did mark the cables carfully and installed in exactly the same location. Still, the left cable did not allow the lever to move over into reverse until I adjusted it. No big deal, just makes me wonder if the other cable might be adusted for a different center to the throw of the shifter. Bill

I know what you are talking about. A couple of suggestions...First, check and adjust the endplay with the set screw, if too loose or too much slack this might cause it. Second, if you have access to the special tool (locking bridge #9619-costs about $8) to set the shifter at TDC and allow easy placement of the shift selector cables on the stock shifter. Then mark the cables and re-install the B&M. You can use the B&M bushings to setup the stock shifter. Alternatively, I recently installed the Evo needle bearings with the B&M shifter (they also work with the stock shifter) and eliminate the need for end play adjustment... but I have found it still has a fair amount of slack and makes for a noisy 2-3 upshift at times. I guess it's a work in progress.

just the needle bearings by themselves?

Brick: I just installed the shifter myself and are hearing the same thing too. It does'nt bother me that much, but if you find a solution, please post. By the way, it's such a great shifter, I feel like I am driving a more performace oriented car. Everybody should get this thing installed. Peter

The needle bearings are from EVO. I bought them from AJ USA, they were about $100 at the time. They make changing between B&M and stock or vice versa a 30" job. But like I said they still have a bit of slack in them and 2-3 isn't quite perfect...yet

?

I bought them initially for use with my stock shifter, but since I bought the B&M I have found they offer a quick alternative if I want to use the stock shifter. The needle bearings appear superior to the B&M bushings, which are far better than the stock bushings. The stock shifter actually feels pretty good with the bearings, the B&M about the same but with a bit more "play"- which may or may not be a good thing. Before the next track day I'll probably put the B&M bushings back, just to eliminate any slack. So to answer your question it's probably not really worth it at the end of the day, unless you want to put the stock unit back. Then it's cheaper than buying a new shifter mechanism.

I think I may try some adjustment on a cooler day, (I don't know when that will be in Texas though). I also want to say here that I like the B&M better regardless, I am just one of those guys looking for perfection. I will probably screw around till I break something or damage the interior. It is kind of a curse sometimes! If you want to shift quick and smooth, (I can drive the car smoother with this shifter), then you must get one. It is cheap satisfaction I think. Bill

Sounds like the cable does need adjustment. I ran mine for a while and it did the same thing. After a week I adjusted the cables a little more, and the problem went away. I know its a pain to pull everything apart again, but do it. You'll be glad you did.

I did go out this morning and took it apart again. I adjusted the cable to center the throw and now it is perfect. I adjusted it the during the install but I expected the result to that the cable was very close to the original location as it has been noted before to mark the cables. I don't see how that helped at all in my case as both are different. At that time, late and I'm pretty hot, I did not notice the adjustment wasn't too good. No mater, it was not hard and without the "clunk" in 1-3-5 I am quite happy. I don't have any noticable end play just to answer an unspoken question from a reply to my original query. Thanks for the reply's everyone. It is great to bounce these things off other owners so you know you're not just going off the deep end! Bill