Shifter notes: Phenix bushings v numeric shifter

As has been noted, the stock manual shifting in a 996 is a weak link in the driving experience. An unmodified shifter is, at 25+ years out, both sloppy and rubbery. A year ago I replaced the plastic shifter bushings with the Phenix Engineering bushings, which reduced slop immensely, but still left the shifting rubbery. That feeling isn’t helped by the long throw. So…. Fast forward to yesterday, I finally installed the Numeric shifter. Initially, I used the middle of the three holes, for a short, but not crazy short, throw Result? Very stiff, much more mechanical, and to my mind very short throw, in a way that was a big improvement over stock+bushings. But, not quite the feel that I want for my 2002 targa. It’s not a track car, it’s my semi-daily/autoX/country road/analog drivers car. I have a grand sport c6 with an absolutely lovely tick engineering short throw shifter for track work, so the Porsche really is just for the feeling of driving it. I ended up with the numeric in its bottom hole, and think that’s the sweet spot for me. Throw is noticeably shorter than stock, but preserves that vibe, in my mind, and is a little easier to slide into gear with the extra leverage. It’s definitely not the easy, smooth slide-in from my old Frs, and I think highlights the clunkiness of the gearbox itself (and maybe some effect of the old cables), but a happy improvement. I’m glad I finally did it. I’ll probably replace the cables in the next year to see if there is any remaining improvement to be had from the linkage itself. Final judgement: I had hoped the $80 bushing fix would get me to where I wanted to go, as the numeric is 10x in cost, but it wasn’t, for me. If you can swing it, I’d recommend it. But the limitations of the architecture itself probably keep perfection off the table without something a lot more drastic. YRMV, of course, just my experience. final note, I had to trim the plastic tab on the right hand spring mech that holds the cable on to the shifter, as it would catch on the shifter’s support structure. This was only an issue with the shifter’s lever in the lowest hole (pulling the cable closest to the shifter structure).

Thanks very much for the review. A Numeric shift lever is on my wishlist. Given your goals for the targa I'd suggest checking into Function First cables. The Numeric cables bring transmission whine into the interior and that can be a turnoff if you're looking for more GT and less race car. I put them in my targa, tried a bunch of things to minimize the whine, but ended up taking them out. From what I've read so far about the FF's they don't appear to have the same issue.

Thanks, what effect did you feel like the cables made to the shifting quality?

I haven’t tried FF cables yet. They were not out when I was doing shifter foo. I bought new OE cables, which felt just like the old ones.

@Slobmw , thanks for this honest review! I too have been thinking to try the Phenix Engineering bushing (doing away with the aliexpress cheap short shift that worked really well, but I feel it has worn and gotten sloppier over the past year.. Msg me if you want to sell the Phenix Engineering bushings. Pretty sure I won�t be able to afford Numeric anytime soon. Thanks!

I�ve got the Phenix bushings along with a 997 shifter. I�m happy though I�ve never tried anything from Numeric.

The more rubber/plastic pieces you replace with metal, the less slop you will feel in the shifter. If you shorten the throw the notchier it will feel. The notchier it is, the more risk you have in missing a shift. The Function First Shift Right Kit replaces quite a bit more plastic and rubber than does the Pheonix kit. I have the FFSRK on a 997 shifter with OE cables. To me its just the right length throw with the right amount of metal internals for tightness, Refreshing your engine mounts and transmission mount will also better align the shift as well.

Good point re mounts, I had forgotten them, even though replacing the mounts is on my list and I’ve got them on my parts shelf. Too little time to do the wrenching I’d like to do! I’ll add to the review when I get to them.