I'm still playing with the fix for the shifter side/side play. Actually, I'm trying to print something accurate enough to be a perfect fit washer with a tiny bit of grinding ;)
Once done, I'll make sur you get one !

I completely redesigned my shifter v3.1... It's now 3.1.2 ahah
https://i53.servimg.com/u/f53/13/27/76/86/assemb11.jpg
Looks better, cheaper, and stronger...


I also want to thank one more time all the people that bought one of my shifter or just talked about them and participated/helped on this thread !
I made and sold more than 200 shifters since I started, it allowed me to learn a lot, to meet a lot of people, and to fund a lot of other projects.

Now I'm on my way to turn what was once a hobby into a living in the next few years, and it all started on this thread !

I guess that's what we call the american dream ? Because that would have not been possible over here in France !


Thanks...
Ben.

Congratulations Ben ! Very gracious of you to acknowledge the benefits of being a (legal) immigrant to America ( me too).
you wrote: "I guess that's what we call the American dream ? Because that would have not been possible over here in France !" Just be careful to whisper that quietly since you are still en France :-).
I have one of your early version originals and it works very well. Nevertheless, it would be interesting to get your 3.1.2 and compare.
Bon Chance mon ami.

Congrats!
I would like to buy a new version when they are ready.
Please let me know when.
Rob

Just installed the short shifter today and it feels great! Nice work Ben! But my right shift cable ball socket looked extremely worn and I'm going buy a replacement because I'm worried that the original will pop off at any moment. It also looked like it was rubbing on the inside of the shifter housing - probably when moving in and out of reverse. Has anyone else noticed the ball socket wearing out? Perhaps my shifter just had a lot of side-to-side play which led to it rubbing.

Thank you guys for the kind words :)

Ah ah, don't worry, everyone over here is well aware of our situation ! It's very very hard to start something. I couldn't have start here, both in terms of my job as a Porsche Tech, and the parts I make !

Speaking of parts, I have a new one coming soon ;)
A plug and play catch can !

Ben be careful IF you mean a replacement AOS ??? Some have tried, all have failed. One guy actually took money from Forum members and then disappeared ! Even Raby conceded that his solution was too expensive to be a viable product.
Don't let this be your Waterloo. Oops, bad pun.

I remember that member yes !
No my plan is not to remove the AOS. :)
It will be an addition between the AOS and Intake, as free flowing as possible to avoid any perturbation. Just a catch can to collect the oil before it enters the intake. Nothing highly complicated !

-A small aluminum catch can, sealed, that can be opened and cleaned, no bronze filter or a million baffles, just a simple screen to limit the airflow restriction while still catching the oil.
-1 meter of high quality, made-to-my-spec hose.
-And factory style fittings with thermoplastic clamps.

I agree, replacing the complete AOS system is too complicated / expensive to be sold to 986 /996 owners.

Ben,
Suggest you start a new thread for your Catch Can because I sense that you and I will be chattering about this for a while !
The small catch can idea is excellent imho. It may solve the oil ingestion issue in 'spirited' driving. But let's be clear it is unknown(??) if it will postpone diaphragm rupture -which is the eventual cause of classic AOS failure.
There is a very nice little (too small??)catch can called "Jaz" -Jaz Products 605-375-01
https://www.amazon.com/Jaz-Products-605-375-01-Mini-Breather-Fittings/dp/B002RLCPEE. I used them with reasonable results
I have also used previous versions of this on s/c Jaguar engines. Some -ve comments about the new one -mainly lack of install instructions.
https://www.mcnallyelectronics.com/Gen-2-Oil-Catch-Can-Kit-by-McNally-_p_76.html
I have also used a modified BMW X5 CCV can. Easy to locate because it is small diameter but long- less than $10 off fleabay, looks stock but is plastic. The BMW part # is : 11151705237
More here:
https://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=527417
https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Pressure-Regulating-Valve-Engine-Oil-Separator-Fit-BMW-E53-X5-11151705237/281577540268?fits=Make%3ABMW&epid=28017541473&hash =item418f544aac:g:7xwAAOSwPIhaCxye:rk:2:pf:0
But I know you can do better ! Sign me up :-)

IIRC you need the stock AOS in place to maintain crank case pressure as it should be.......and that the low tension piston ring design design is quite sensitive to changes in crank case pressures.

Perhaps one of our engine specialists can confirm this....

That is correct . But we are not changing pressure, just coalescing oil vapour on a screen.This is achieved by cooling and changes in the velocity of vapour flow .

Ah, Ben! That was MY idea! Haha. I've been planning something along these lines as part of my winter project.

Having purchased and installed some of your other products, I'm perfectly happy to let you go figure it all out and then pay you for it, haha.

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Yes, the membrane on the stock AOS maintains between 3 and 7 inches of water column vacuum in the crankcase.

That's why I'm focusing on the catch can not being a restriction rather than being the best at collecting oil !

I'll open a new thread soon :)

Thanks maytag ;)
I hope to release it soon !

Back to the shifter topic, I refurbished the leather shift boot and while I was there added a thicker washer at the pivot shaft. It was very tight fit and I was afraid that it may add drag but the lever action was virtually not affected. Still excessive side-to-side play, so I added plastic sheet between moving white plastic lever and black cage to fill the gap, and it did cut down the play by half! Now side play and longitudinal play are about the same and balanced. Also I got a 917-style custom wood shifter with alum tube over the lever and I set it taller than stock and I'm liking force/ stroke balance. I have not missed a shift and appreciate precise feel, even though I do not think my shift is any faster than before:eek:

Hi guys !

I finally found the time to install the prototype for the L shaped lever !

It works great !
I'll drive it for a while to verify that the concept works, then the final product will be made out of aluminum with a removable insert to suit the shifter's side ball.

Here is the before/after video : https://youtu.be/qrJdOKEiz-o

The first part of the video shows that a lot of side-to-side movement is lost in play in the L shaped lever. Second part of the video shows the prototype installed, and all the side-to-side movement being transmitted to the shift cable !


Ben.

Looks Great Ben. I have one of your shifters and have found after a couple years I have side to side play I can't rid of. Looking forward to getting this new part. Put me on the list for one when you start making them.

Plus one! Put me on the list too!

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Likewise!


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I'm good for one as well!

I tested it today !
I was late and I completely forgot I installed it... after 5min of driving I said to myself "Hey, the gearbox feels really nice, what's going on" (I said it in French right :D )

So yes, I'm pretty happy with the prototype so far ! My gearbox is still a bit worn, but the 2/3 shift is way better, the lever is planted in front of the correct row, and you can't miss it !
Just like the short shifter, it made a great difference, immediatly noticeable !


Ben

Glad to hear about going from 2nd to 3rd. I frequently miss with your current version. I thought maybe it was just me. So I would be interested in an updated version as well. Still love the shifter though. Keep up the good work :cheers: