996 C4S short shift & air filter kit question

Gents, Edging closer to pulling trigger on this 03 manual 996 C4S (my first). Two things which are bugging me are the short shift kit (are the ever factory?) and the K&N airflow kit. If I'm looking for an original spec car should I be worried about this? Everything else checks out bar two service stamps from a bloody VW dealer. Appreciate your two cents.

The short shifter kit is a common modification on these but I'm not sure why as the standard change felt fine to me. https://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Porsche-996-997-Carrera/42-TRANS-Installing_a_Short_Shift_Kit/42-TRANS-Installing_a_Short_Shift_Kit.htm If it bothers you, you can probable pick up a standard kit off eBay or the classified on PFA or Pelican. I shudder when I see a K&N too.  Suggest you check to see how neglected the filter element is and then disconnect the duct from the throttle body to see how much dust and grit is on the inside. Good luck with your deliberations!

There are short shifter kits and there are short shifter kits - some are good and others not so good. The best for your 996 is the Porsche 997 shifter which reduces the throw only by about 15% - I thought it was a good mod for my 996 Boxster S. As Peter M says, check the throttle body and also the MAF, as the oil in the K&N can compromise the MAF which is expensive to replace and robs the engine of power if its contaminated with the K&N oil....

My last 4S had a short shift & was nice & notchy. My last 4S (back in 2002) with a std shift was fine but the short shift felt way better. I think it is a factory option, poss dealer fit. check the options list (sticker) in the front of the service book, or on the paper sticker ( duplicate of one in service book) on the underside of the front bonnet, if that sticker is not there then consider the car may have had a front end collision or repair. Option codes can be found online. Have a PPI done at a specialist not associated with the car.

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Ah, you're right Stephen, to wet is as bad as to dry.  All the ones I've seen are far to dry from neglect and hadn't consider the possibility of over servicing in my response.

Thanks for the information. Will get it checked in the PPI. Would rather both were not on the car, but may have to suck it up as there's not many tidy 996 C4Ss about.

Best upgrade I ever did on my 996.I used the B&M short shifter. A bit of an upgrade over the oem plastic unit. http://www.championmotorsport.com/product-p/bm45135.htm

One more 994 C4S question. If the sunroof was factory fitted, the code '650' (from Struttcars) would be in the book? Or was this standard on this model? There's no mention of that code or the sunroof in the options.

Pretty sure sunroof on 996 was standard - I don’t have a 650 on my 996 options and I have a sunroof. Sunroof delete on the other hand would see a code.

Correct - sunroof was standard on all AU delivered Carrera, C4S, turbo - coupe models. As for shifters there are quite a few. IMO definitely not a deal breaker. The list from most expensive to least: - Numeric Racing ball bearing shifter - wouldn't recommend anything else although most expensive - 997 SSK - 996 SSK (B&M OEM black + Porsche part logo on it) - no longer available new from Porsche - 997 Standard - Function First ball bearing upgrade - "Ben's shifter" out of the US - Standard 996 + cheap eBay shifter bits (usually blue) Either way easily changed but +996 on ditching that air filter - the OEM is so well designed there's nothing left to get out of the setup. Keep us posted!

Thanks Dan - great advice. Much appreciated.

L041 is perfect - solid non metallic black FTW too