Upgraded to 997 Gear Shifter

Hi all, I wasn't really happy with the feel of the gear change on my '02 C2 - too long, vague and sloppy - so started to look around at short shift kits. A thread on Rennlist caught my eye, which said that Porsche have redesigned the 997 assembly to give a better feel and about 15% shorter throw and that it is a straight swap with the 996 unit. So I ordered one, part no. 997 424 010 00, for £138 including VAT and delivery. Make sure you get this part number, which is the standard 997 shift assembly that ships by default in new cars, not the short shift. I fitted it yesterday using the B&M instructions available online. It is an easy job to do, although getting the centre console out was a bit of a pig. Very pleased with the results - noticeably shorter changes and a much more precise. The shift feel is now positive, without being notchy and there is no hint of sloppiness. I like it very much. [ ] It's not too expensive, easy to do, and 100% reversible as I still have the original shifter, undamaged. Here is the Rennlist thread: http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/showthread.php?t=399323 , and the B&M instructions which help with fitting: http://www.bmracing.com/media/products/pdf/67.pdf . Cheers, Robert.

It's a popular upgrade for the 996 GT3 also, although I'm told that the best upgrade is to fit Cup gearchange cables which takes all the slop out of the standard change.

I have just done it, together with the new gear knob as per http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=249117&mpage=1&key=knob&#269102.... [ ] Quite an improvement on both aspects: gear change and looks...[ ] I highly recommend it...[ ][ ][ ]

Im quite anal NOT doing it myself ( im NOT the DYI guy, at least when it comes to my Porsche, im scared ) - do you guys know an indie who could do it ? or done it ?

How long did it take to fit ?

It took me about four hours, but I'm mechanically challenged and took it slowly. Would be able to do it much faster second time around. The worst thing was getting the centre console out. It was easy to free it, but getting it over the handbrake and out was a real pig. I had to fully recline the drivers seat and twist the console quite hard to get some clearance. I have the sat nav option with the CD drive and climate controls underneath the mapping screen, I do wonder whether this provides less clearance - the console had to come back about two inches before it I could lift it out. It certainly looks a lot easier on the B&M instructions where they just pivot it up from the back. With hindsight, I should have taped some padding around the base of the handbrake - I managed to scratch the leather on mine getting the console out. Still, very happy with the upgrade though, it has transformed the shift feel.

Why did you go for the standard 997 shifter as opposed to the short shifter? Do you (/does anyone) know if there's any difference in the complexity of the installation procedure, and the price? Cheers, Neil.

For me, it just seemed a good compromise. Whenever I read about short shift kits there seemed to be advice like "Try one first..." or people who say they fitted one and then went back to stock because it was too notchy or too difficult to shift when cold. I know there are a lot of people out there who love their short shift install, but it appeared to be an acquired taste. Everyone I read about who had done the standard 997 upgrade seemed to think it was an improvement with more precise and slightly shorter shifts. I don't track my car, so this seemed like a good option that I would most likely be happy with. I have less info on the 997 short shift, but my logic (which I wouldn't necessarily trust) says that it will retro-fit into a 996 with exactly the same installation procedure - but I don't know that for a fact. The 997 short shift assembly itself is more than twice the price -£276 vs. £126 (from www.porscheshop.co.uk , excluding delivery) - so there is certainly a price difference.

More at: http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=371977