Just installed...updated with pics!
 

...B&M's Short Shifter, Eibach springs and a cored S exhaust. I highly recommend doing the shifter swap, the car has a whole new feel to it. The flimsy long throw of the shifter has been replaced by a notchy, precise feeling that is purportedly 20% shorter and feels more like 50. It's literally a quantum shift...umm...from the original. A huge and satisfying difference. The springs have reduced the ride hieght by roughly an inch and, while firming up the car, have not created a harsh ride. The stock struts were retained and adequate to the task. The look especially is pleasing as the car seems wider, more hunched to pounce. It's amazing what a small measurment of adjustment can look like. I was concerned going in that the springs might make for a bouncy uncomfortable ride. I am happy to say this is not so. I'm not as positive about the new camber and toe setting, as they may be a bit aggressive for my needs, but I'll live with them for awhile and see if they grow on me. As for the exhaust...well I like it but my wife has vowed not to ride in the car as long as it's like it is. She also has declared she will not drive it as is...so it'll be staying this way for a loooooong time! It IS extremely loud now. And sounds like an ALMS 911RS. It's hairy! The cops may harbour a different opinion, however so we'll see. This is a mod I would not recommend for just anyone. If you want a rip-snorting cacophony of Boxster growl then it's a way to go...if you like your neighbours, there are probably better solutions available. I also swapped out the rear deck logo for a 986 badge. I told the salesman at Pfaff I was gonna do it, and now I have! It looks real tight, very clean and 'Porschey'. It was a 15 minute job, using a hair dryer, floss, and Go-Be-Gone. Afterwards, some spray detailer and there's no sign of the old logo. All in all, a good, if expensive, weekend! Pictures to follow as soon as a sunny day shows up!

Yep. The B&M is a great upgrade. I've had mine for over a year and still enjoy it everyday. I HIGHLY recommend it also.


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Shifter Upgrade
 

Did you do this yourself? Was it major surgery?

I heard it only takes on hour to an hour and a half with simple tools. Instructions are included. I plan on doing it this spring. Best bang for the buck upgrade I guess.

What's involved with the "cored" S exaust?
Does it reduce back pressure and add horsepower, or is it just for sound?

(I installed the B&M this weekend and agree that it is a huge improvement.)

see I like the the idea of a shorter throw,
BUT....
I REALLY dobn't like the idea of a notchy shifter AT ALL.

My stock S shifter does feel long and not all 'tight' like the
gates in an S2000 but my shifter feels like their is no ressistance.
Long but smooth.
This was the first thing I noticed when I drove it off the dealer lot and
I liked it ALLOT. Once I figured out how to get a flawless shift I forgot
all about the long Shift.

The shifter now no longer possesses that 'nostalgic' feeling but I certainly prefer this. I didn't do this myself, but I've seen a step-by-step on another site. It doesn't look too tough, but I break stuff so left it to the experts. The cored exhaust is primarily for sound. If it increases hp, all to the good. Now all I need is sun!

It was a piece of cake to install, minus having to pop the plastic tabs that hold the original bushings. The instructions that come with the shifter are pretty detailed. Using that along with some instruction/pics from the web, it took me about 1.5 hours. I think it could be done in about 45 minutes but I was taking a bunch of time checking things out.



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Different strokes... I pulled the B&M out and replaced it with the OEM 6-sp. A longer throw for sure, but easier and smoother. I felt as if I was yanking and shoving the B&M. My wife finds reverse easier to find.

...maybe if I was up in the powerbands all the time it would have been more useful.


Jim

That's true Wetstuff, there is more effort involved with this shifter, though not much. I can see the point of leaving the stock shifter alone to maintain the 'civility' of s the car. If that's what you want.
At any rate, the sun came out and so did my camera....time to show off...

Here's a view of the drop from the Eibachs.

...and another...

...and my brushed aluminum gauge bezels...

...and finally, the '986' logo on the back...(hope it's clear...and straight!...)

BTW, the 9 in 986 is not as off as it looks in the pic...really...it's not... :eek:

Lookin good!

tasteful modding!

Thank you!

I have a quick question for B&M SSK ussers. Since there is a slight increase in notchiness/effort does it reduce the ability to engage gears during super quick shifts?

No. It feels quite a bit notchier and does require more effort. But that is only relative to the stock shifter. After a week or two you'll be used to it and going back to the stock shifter feels like trying to shift a car with a wet noodle.

What I hated about the stock shifter is the insanely long throw from 1st to 2nd. It actually slowed me down because I always had to "make sure" 2nd was fully engaged. Now, 2nd feels like where it's "supposed to be".

Think of it this way...it's like getting used to a clutch in a new car. Your first week might be weird because you're used to your old car. But you'll adapt.


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how much(%) does it actually reduce throw by?

Ok, I'm game. Where can one buy the SSK? Nice mods on your car by the way.

The SSK kit is a very nice addition to the car. Well worth it mod!

:)

Throw is reduced 30% per B&M. But it feels more like 70%. :D

I got mine from Brandywine Porsche. $199.


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What I didn't like about the stock shifter aside from the long soft throws was the hit-or-miss shift between 2nd and 3rd. I don't know if anyone else sees this but I did. And to a degree still do, but not to same extent. This problem was most evident at the track, where one really doesn't want that to happen. I feel confident that this upgrade will go a long way to more positive shifts and an overall better experience come track-day. This is a great addition to the Boxster, and for the money I can't see a better bang for the buck anywhere in the Porsche aftermarket. While it doesn't add HP, it does add feel, and that translates to smoothness, which will see you faster in whatever endevour you and your Box' get up to.
BTW, anyone notice the 'turbo tail'?

30%?
what does that translate into in measureable terms?
is it a reference to distance from gear to gear?
7 inch to 5 inch of travel?

The reduction exists both as a result of a slightly shorter stick and within the shifting mechanism itself. That's about as clear as I can make it, not possessing an engineering degree. The shifts feel more Miata-like and less BMW-esque. As a former Miata owner, like yourself, I can honestly say you'll love it. Best money I've spent so far on the Box'.

Actually I HATED the notchy shifter in the Miata 5 speed.
although I never drove the 6 speed version in the SE.
During winter that damn shifter was a choppy as an old Flintsone's car.
Changing the redline fluid improved the flow of the shifter but that never
lasted long.
There were countless pages and pages of threads devoted
to the notchy Miata shifter and different experiments with different grades
of Redline fluid and changing the turret oil and boot. Many people were unsatifsfied with the tugging that was required before the gear box got up to temp. But hey what do you expect for small money.

I vastly prefer my Boxster shifter.
It has a more....organic.....feel.
(although the higher gears don't seem so smooth sometimes)

You know what something has been bothering me I wanted to bring it up. Back when I was boxster shopping I test drove an 02 S and one of the things that impressed me most was how smooth the shifter felt. Well, I ended up getting a new 03 instead and one of the first things that I noticed was the shifter was "notchier" and it took more effort to get into the gears. I figured "it's just a break in thing" and didn't think much of it. Well, 10k miles later my shifter still feels notchy and not slick like the 02's. Could the difference in feel be a variations in the production proccess? Is there a way I can make my shifter/tranny smoother like grease the shift cables perhaps? Or am I stuck with what I got? Also, since it is already notchy to me will adding the ssk exaccerbate the feeling or will it perhaps get better somehow by going SSk. I'n any matter I'm not super happy with the shifter feel.

In my experience, this notchiness is not confined to a model year but to an individual car. I have had 02s that shift smooth as butter and some that are notchy, so I have to concur it is the car, not the model run.

Have you had the dealer look at it? The clutch cable and shifter linkage in these cars are quite sensative to things like adjustment and lube.

In my experience, a short shifter kit might help or hurt. In my BMW, it was a wonderful change, more effort at first but then easing up quite a bit.

The short shift in a Box would be appreciated I think. I drove one that has the SSK and it was GREAT!

They can do adjustments? Is it involved? I'll take it in there and I'm sure they'll tell me it's fine, but it feels unsmooth compared to the other one I drove.