Help me improve my 996 shifting feel

I've been trying to improve the shifter feel since getting this car its a 996.1 with 108k miles. I've since put a new 997 stock shifter and flushed the fluid with Porsche OEM transmission fluid. These changes have improved the feel a little but it still doesn't feel great. The symptoms I have is that it's somewhat hard to shift into first and second when the car is cold and moving . The shift into first in the garage is fine. When the car warms up the feel is better but there is still a general crunchy and imprecise feel when shifting gears. I also get a forward "shunt" when I shift up and release the clutch especially in 2nd and 3rd. I thought it could be a worn transmission mount insert so I was poking around under the car today but I noticed there is a lot of play in the linkage at the transmission end (see the video), does this seem normal? The bits of the mount bushing I could see, the rubber seemed in good condition but I didn't get a full look at it as I ran out of time. The car has been in to 2 shops recently, for other reasons, and 1 of them recommended to replace the shifter cables while the other said everything is fine.

Everybody has a different definition of shifter feel. You have a couple of options if you want to further tighten up your 997 shifter, which shortens your throw by ~10-15%. First, consider adding the Function First Shift Right kit. Replacing the plastic pieces with metal go a long way in firming up the shifts. Second, consider replacing your engine mounts if you havent already with a new set of OE or Rein mounts. Third, consider replacing your trans mount with a new OE one. Or consider adding a function first orange (soft) insert to stiffen up the trans mount. Both the the engine mounts and trans mount help to better align the shifting. For sure, shifter cables can go bad, but it takes alot of miles and wear to wear them out. Good luck with your project.

With regards to shifting, I have owned my 996 for 23 years and regardless of what trans fluid I have run, shifting is very stiff untill the fluid warms up. So take your time in shifting. Its a rythym, so you dont want to jam it into gear from 2nd to 1st or 3rd to 2nd. Instead, blip the throttle as you are downshifting. Guide it into gear. Don't force it.

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I would like to know, how does the transmission mount impact shifting feel?

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Better alignment which improves shift accuracy. Engine mount and trans mount are incremental improvements. End result is a more accurate shift that "feels" more accurate and direct. For a kittle background. I decided to go thru the exercise of refreshing 996 shifter related stuff over the past couple of years. Figured I would do a project a year to judge the "incremental" improvement on the street and track. 1. I first replaced my old engine mounts with new REIN mounts, which helped with aligning the shift just a little bit. Not to mentioned tightened up the engine hanging out the rear. So the shift "felt" just a bit more accurate. 2. Then I went to a 997 shifter with a Function First Shift Right kit. This shortened the throw by 10-15% and tightened up the shift and eliminated the extra play. So it "felt" just a bit tighter with less slop. 3. Recently, i added the Function First Orange (soft) trans insert to my old trans mount as an inexpensive step until i am ready to drop the trans at the end of the year and replace the clutch/flywheel and trans mount. The addition of the orange FF insert incrementally improved the alignment of the shift, but it did add some NVH. So it "felt" just a little better aligned and a little more accurate. In summary, each of the steps listed above are all small incremental improvements by themselves that do provide in aggregate more substantial improvements by tightening up the shift and accuracy. The result in a more accurate and deliberate "feel". However, i have never tried a numeric shifter nor have i replaced shifter cables as of yet. So I cant compare further.

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I still don't understand what is aligned with better transmission mounts. From what I see, the engine and transmission are bolted together and do not flex. The axels have CV joints and allow for significant movement. The shifter cables are very flexible, so any movement in the transaxle can't impact the cables. I know this is subjective, but new engine mounts only impacted handling. The shifting did not change. The biggest change was my version of the Function First modification and Function First's cables, which tightened up the shifting. My transmission mount is what's left, but I think any more significant gain in shifting is probably going to be inside my transmission.

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Honestly can't answer, and I would like to know too. I replaced the transmission mount (Genuine Porsche) motor mounts (REIN) and gearbox fluid together and it made a significant difference in shift feel (approx 45k mi at the time). Can't say which specifically added the most improvement. My indy suggested it would be unnecessary to change the trans mount with so few miles, but pulling it out showed it was sagging and had a tear.

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I'm sure mine is in need of replacement at 165K miles. It's on my to-do list.

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Wish i had an exact engineering answer for you but I dont. Engine mounts and trans mounts in my case were in my hit list to replace due to age. Figured I would go thru the steps I outlined to see if there was any incremental improvement over a 3 year time period with (1) engine mounts first, then (2) shifter upgrade, then (3) FF trans insert. My best tests seem to come on the track and there was incremental improvement for each step. Not huge improvement, but incremental improvement.

I tried calibrating the shifter cables a bit. I increased tension on the fore/aft cable as much as it would go and decreased tension on side/side very slightly. My reasoning is that if the tension of the two motions is not balanced that could be contributing negatively to the feel. It did seem slightly improved on the test drive after, but still a bit crunchy and imprecise. Will keep investigating. I suspect that the transmission mount bushing is a big player in this. The shifter is attached firmly to the chassis and the cables are loose by design. If at the transmission end there is unpredictable movement/vibration then the same shifting motion can't result in the same outcome every time.

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I believe that the transmission sets the neutral position and the various gear engagement points relative to that neutral position. Adjusting the cables simply repositions the shifter ****'s neutral position relative to the console. There is a green plastic tool to lock the shifter **** in the OEM neutral position and the intent was to adjust the cables to fit. This makes it easier for Porsche manufacturing to insure each car they make has the shifter **** in the same position. I don't know anything about the internal transmission and any potential adjustments, but I assume that is done as part of the rebuild process.

I look at it this way... Its inevitable that the engine mount and trans mount will eventually need to be replaced so both will be an incremental bonus when they are replaced. Nothing better than having your engine and trans secured behind you with newer rubber.

A good setup of the shifter itself, including shimming or lubing so it runs smooth and slop free with the cables disconnected is a good start. I have a cheap short shifter, but with careful setup it becomes not too bad. Trans/ Engine mounts wont change a cable shifter feel as such, but the whole package gets tighter and smoother by making sure they are all in good condition. Gear oil is a biggie, especially when cold. Factory stuff is designed for a good cold viscosity that allows it to change smoother, aftermarket stuff often doesnt shift well unless you choose an oil based on similar specs (Liqui moly do one). Function first parts are great, but a numeric is the best but $$$

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One of these days as an instructor i will get student that has a numeric shifter and i can try it out to see what it does for a shift. Looking forward to it.

I have a 135K miles 996 C4S and what I have done is incremental improvements of my shift quality. When I first got my car at about 105K miles, it has difficulty going to second gear. The indie shop thinks it is the synchro that is no longer good. Since I don't want to pay for transmission rebuild which might or might not fix it, what I have done is to change the following things: 1. I changed the shifter with the 997 shifter and replace the plastic parts with the Function First metal parts, the quality of shifting improved a little bit, I still worry going to 2nd gear of grinding the gear. I double de clutch going to lower gear to make sure it helps the synchro gears. 2. A few years later, I changed my gearbox oil with Swepco 202, I think it helps again incrementally. 3. Then I changed the end of the shifter cable with the Function First solid cable end to make sure there is no slop on the cable. This again incrementally improved the feel of the shifting. However, there is actually some play on the gearbox itself which will not get fixed with any cable change or any change in shifter. 4. I then changed the whole shifter unit with Numeric shifter, not cheap but this gave the most improvements. I also changed the shift shaft and **** with the Function First which is weighted, again I think this gives an incremental improvements in the shift quality. So now it shift accurately, not the lightest shift, but very positive, people talk about rifle bolt action, and I think the Numeric shifter come closest to it. Still have to be careful going to second gear when the transmission is still cold, but no problem when the transmission is warm, however, I still double de clutch going to lower gear to make sure that I don't experience any problem. Unfortunately I had been spoiled with the positive shifting feel of a manual Honda transmission which is light, short and positive, but at the current state, I think this is the best I could get from a Porsche manual transmission. Hope this helps.

Why are people so against using Porsche transmission fluid? It's what you want in these boxes. Start with that and then go from there.

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I don't know which Honda you had but I've driven an S2000 and it was absolutely sublime. My Honda Fit was pretty darn nice too. And cable shifter no less! In the rifle bolt realm I had an STi and a Z4MC that I put short shift kits on. Both were very precise, higher effort but oh so worth it. I used to slow down in the Z4 just so I could shift the thing. I don't think our 996's will ever feel like those. Sounds like you've reached the pinnacle of what's possible. I did. I like the Swepco better, although it definitely needs warming up to really hit its stride.

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Not against it, just that its not readily available for a decent price where i live. The oils have moved on since this was originally spec'd so we can get equivalent and possibly better for less now. Each to their own though, personally i prefer the options as i really dont like paying a Porsche tax!

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The Numeric units are great - I use one in my 987.2 Cayman 2.9 on track. We went with the cables and shift console, it needed a small amount of "breaking in" but after some miles it now feels great to use. The car doesn't see many road miles, so for me its fine for road use as well. I am sure even if you did more miles it could be lived with. I could understand if someone said its a little too stiff to be using on the road, even though it has 3 settings for the throw distance but I guess its down to personal tolerances for these kind of things. If anyone is interested, we list the Numeric kits over on our site: https://www.design911.co.uk/porsche/...control-parts/ We stock some different options for different models, let me know if you need a quote - Ethan from Design911

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Ethan, can you describe the difference in characteristics and feel between the original Numeric shifter and the new version which has the spring? Thanks!