Shifter Replacement How-To + Center Console Removal

I just replaced my OEM 996 shifter with a 997 base shfiter. The shifting is slightly improved in every way and I'm happy with it. For reference I paid $150 shipped. Anyway, here goes the install: Tools I needed: 10 mm socket + 3" extension Torx T25, socket + extension or T-handle Torx T15 socket + extension or T-handle Hi/Lo heat gun Interior trim removal tool set https://www.ebay.com/itm/ABN-Premium-Auto-Trim-Removal-Tool-Kit-11-Piece-Pry-Bar-Set-Fastener-Remover/331860109320 ]LINK Porsche Shifter Alignment Tool (option depending on what shifter you're installing) https://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Porsche-911-Boxster-Cayman-997-Shift-Cable-Alignment-Installation-Tool/202978779752 ]LINK Remove shift boot. There are some spring clips. It will make popping sounds, that's okay. AHy5uzd.jpg Remove ash tray by pulling up on the lid. Mine came out easily, no fasteners. azaiBTu.jpg Use the T25 to remove these two fasteners underneath the ash tray. Put the T25 away somewhere safe. You won't need it until you're reinstalling. DMLYRUR.jpg Wiggle wiggle pull and this whole unit will come out exposing another fastener, T15. Unplug the connectors by wiggling and pulling on the plastic connectors. DO NOT pull from the wires. ixf7OFe.jpg Moving to the compartment, pull up the little rubber piece and remove that fastener with the T15 E7AFLF5.jpg Lift out the bottom black piece. vZ8aexE.jpg Use the T15 to remove the fastener. lFu0Tsp.jpg Pop this cover loose. z8Z97sM.jpg MWOGaR5.jpg Now remove the coin holder which is a little tricky. You can get underneath it with a trim removal tool and pry, but that's not technically "correct". There is a little black tab from the coin holder poking through near the tip of the red pry bar. I couldn't get a good picture of it, but it's there. That tab is what retains the coin holder. If you can depress it, the coin holder will be easier to remove. W0UdaP0.jpg With the coin holder out, remove this fastener, T15. Purogxz.jpg Now the most difficult part, removing the shift ****. It's even more difficult not to bonk your head once it finally does come off. I've read some versions have set screws. Mine did not. I used a the LO setting on my heat gun and slowly warmed the whole **** up. I didn't have any discoloration when I was done. This expands the plastic slightly and makes removal easier. Once warm, I pulled upwards hard until it flew off smacking me in the head. I encourage you to be more clever than me. rgylNiV.jpg There is one more fastener infront of the shift lever, T15. I was mildly flustered with the shift **** and forgot to take a picture. Now you should be ready to remove the center console. This is requires some trial and error. I ended up removing the two "knee pads". I'm not convinced it really helped. I did not have to disassemble the bottom part of the dash. LX4AEm8.jpg meHk2xA.jpg cZdGGGF.jpg czO1Swu.jpg I pulled up a few more clicks on the paring brake handle to maximize my wiggle room. It helped. I did scratch the paint on my brake handle, so use some painters tape or a paper towel to protect your paint. I couldn't get a picture because I had both hands wiggling the console. But I was able to manuever underneath the parking brake handle and sort of roll it out from underneath the bottom part of the dash. 95NQ1HH.jpg Now with the center console out, the shifter! Push on the spring clips, then rotate a smidge clockwise once it's fully depressed. If you can't rotate it, it's not fully depressed. 8nLXqNB.jpg UWiDBuv.jpg Once the slides are locked in place, pull the shift cables out. I used my thumb to put pressure on the black plastic and my index / middle finger to lift on the rod. It took a good amount of effort to pry them loose. TOmZcya.jpg I didn't grab a picture, but simply lift the black plastic guys out of their homes. There are no retaining springs, it's just a press fit. I found rotating and pulling lifted them out without much effort. The "black plastic guys" I'm referring to are at the bottom of the above picture between the blue lining and the brass cover. You're now ready to remove the 4 nuts keeping the shifter bolted down. 10mm + 3" extension. I recommend quarter inch drive stuff for this. AMjRXft.jpg The visual difference between the 996 and 997 This is the stock 996: kRAOXpA.jpg This is the 997. Notice the metal plate? If you wanted to install metal buschings, now would be the time. I didn't so it's beyond the scope of this write up. pjrOU9q.jpg Installation of the 997 shifter Lock the spring clips in place. Same thing, push forward and rotate clockwise. U3rdMLF.jpg Set the shifter down onto the 4 studs sticking up. You can put the four 10mm nuts on now or wait. Doesn't matter. Press the "black plastic guys" back into their homes. There is some spring action, so make they're pressed in well. Put the green shift alignment tool on and press the shift cables into the black plastic housing on the shifter. hFf0KrT.jpg Once they're fully pressed in, release the spring clips. Give everything a jiggle and look around with a flashlight to make sure it's seated. Now you're ready to put the center console back in. ENJOY!

Thanks for the write-up, gonna save this one. It's on my list of things to do.

great write up! thanks for taking the time.

The coin holder thing pulls straight up and out, you don't need to go at it from below. Tip: use a sharpie to Mark the shift cables before removing the ends. That way you can install the new one in the same position. Watch out for the wiring harnesses. There is one that goes to the storage lid latch that is easy to miss. The "black plastic guys" are held in with retailer clips. You need to make sure they are there and clipped in, or else it can impact your shifting.

Easier to remove shift **** out of car and clamped in a vise.

All good advice, thank you. Hopefully it will help future readers.

Even though I have done this before, I will have to do it again sometime and will use this as a reference....great post and thanks for taking the time to share.

Very nice. It�s great when members take the time to make posts like this 👍🙏

I have a used 997 shifter that I want to install on my 996. In your instructions you use a “green shift alignment tool.” Where did you obtain that tool as I will need one?

Quotes source post: 18625142

Yes you will need one. They're a Porsche OEM part and therefore silly priced, but available from any Porsche parts supplier.

Forgive the potential stupidity of this question, but if you are putting in a new 997 shifter with the alignment tool - do you still need to mark the springs?

When putting in a 997 shifter console I didn't have the tool but found that the middle/neutral position was easily established. It is in the middle of both throws (duh!) and more or less assumes this position by itself.