Ball bearing short shifter !

[Qmulus]

I put mine in and can report that there is zero slop in any direction. Installation was a little tricky because of the tight tolerances with the bearings into the cups, but it went quickly.

Having never used one of these shifters in an unmodified state, I really can't comment if it is an improvement over the shifter with the nylon inserts (or whatever they had originally). For installation instructions I went to the B&M site and downloaded their instructions. This shifter is basically a knock-off of that, but with ball bearings on the longitudinal shafts.

All in all, if you want super short shifter travel and rifle bolt type precision with the accompanying increase in effort, you can't go wrong with this, especially for the price. I would also like to see what the 987/997 shifter is like. I imagine it is not quite as precise, and not quite as short throws, but also less effort.

[Van914]

Qmulus,
Test fitting the bearing cups, yes they are tight! How did you get yours on?
Thanks
Van

Originally Posted by Qmulus

I put mine in and can report that there is zero slop in any direction. Installation was a little tricky because of the tight tolerances with the bearings into the cups, but it went quickly.

Having never used one of these shifters in an unmodified state, I really can't comment if it is an improvement over the shifter with the nylon inserts (or whatever they had originally). For installation instructions I went to the B&M site and downloaded their instructions. This shifter is basically a knock-off of that, but with ball bearings on the longitudinal shafts.

All in all, if you want super short shifter travel and rifle bolt type precision with the accompanying increase in effort, you can't go wrong with this, especially for the price. I would also like to see what the 987/997 shifter is like. I imagine it is not quite as precise, and not quite as short throws, but also less effort.

[Qmulus]

Originally Posted by Van914

Qmulus,
Test fitting the bearing cups, yes they are tight! How did you get yours on?
Thanks
Van

Follow the directions for the B&M shifter. Do be careful playing with the bearings before you install it. Mark the shift cable positions with a marker or tape before you remove the cables from the retainers. I did mine in with the transmission in neutral and after putting the cables exactly into the retainers the new shifter was dead on with no adjustment needed. After removing the old shifter parts, you drop the main shifter mechanism into the housing, then slide on the cups. Make sure that you match the notches in the cups with the tabs in the holes in the housing. I put a thin coat of white lithium grease inside the cups to make sliding them on the bearings a bit smoother and need to tap them a bit to get the bearings fully seated to where I could install the C clips.. I also put a bit of grease on the ball that goes into the pivot arm. With the set screws, I put them in backed way out then snugged them up, then backed up just to where there was almost no play in them and locked them with the lock nuts. The inside end of the set screws got a touch of grease on the ends as well.

I can't say how long exactly it took to install it, as I probably spent as much time cleaning as I did working. It is always good to vacuum the carpet where it is hard to get with the console installed, as well as to clean the console and clean and condition the shift knob and boot.

HTH!

[Ben006]

Thanks for the feed back Qmulus

[Carlisabadman986]

I understand one nice thing about installing a short shifter is you can add a custom knob without additional modification. Will I need to replace the boot as well? I really like the aluminum Rennline one Pelican has for $95. Will that fit and be aesthetically pleasing with the stock boot? Is there an after market boot that will work well with that Knob?

Thank you

[Qmulus]

The knob mounts to the shifter the same as the original, so if the aftermarket knob fits the OE shifter, it will fit this one.

[Ben006]

exactly.

Or you can make one



next, I will shorten the knob so I can see the chromed lever !

I still have one shifter to sell if anyone want ... I was keeping it for my father ... but he bought a 928.

[Carlisabadman986]

Maybe I will better understand it when I actually do the install but I just dont see how the stock knob is going to be removed from the boot without cutting. How do I go from this



to this


and yes I know ^this^ is not a boxster.

I did find some replacement boots on ebay for pretty cheap.

Fits 97 04 Porsche Boxter 911 996 986 Real Leather Shift Boot Red Stitch | eBay

[steved0x]

Originally Posted by Carlisabadman986

Maybe I will better understand it when I actually do the install but I just dont see how the stock knob is going to be removed from the boot without cutting. How do I go from this



to this


and yes I know ^this^ is not a boxster.

I did find some replacement boots on ebay for pretty cheap.

Fits 97 04 Porsche Boxter 911 996 986 Real Leather Shift Boot Red Stitch | eBay

I recently put a new knob on and I used this one:

Shift Boot Stitching for 98 03 Porsche Boxter 911 996 986 Black Leather | eBay

It was very tight on the square edge where it is stitched up to fit the straight edge, and I tore a small hole on the edge trying to get it to fit on. What was nice is that it had slits cut to wrap around the pieces that protrude from the plastic clip. I emailed the seller and they said to soak the leather piece in hot water first for a few hours and then install it. I soaked it for about 10-15 minutes and then installed it went and it went on. I probably will just keep it as the tear is not very noticeable. The stitching was so-so, the one you posted looks much nicer. If I decide to replace mine I will take the old one off and use it as a pattern and just make a new one out of a piece of leather jacket I got from goodwill that I was saving to make a new tool roll and then I can stitch it in gray to match the rest of the leather stitching.

[Carlisabadman986]

Originally Posted by steved0x

I recently put a new knob on and I used this one:

Shift Boot Stitching for 98 03 Porsche Boxter 911 996 986 Black Leather | eBay

It was very tight on the square edge where it is stitched up to fit the straight edge, and I tore a small hole on the edge trying to get it to fit on. What was nice is that it had slits cut to wrap around the pieces that protrude from the plastic clip. I emailed the seller and they said to soak the leather piece in hot water first for a few hours and then install it. I soaked it for about 10-15 minutes and then installed it went and it went on. I probably will just keep it as the tear is not very noticeable. The stitching was so-so, the one you posted looks much nicer. If I decide to replace mine I will take the old one off and use it as a pattern and just make a new one out of a piece of leather jacket I got from goodwill that I was saving to make a new tool roll and then I can stitch it in gray to match the rest of the leather stitching.

I think I ordered the exact same one but with the red stitching. I am really not crazy about it the stiching is already coming undone. I found this one Boxter9904shift Redline Accessories Shift Boot at Andy's Auto Sport
Which seems like it's better quality. Let me know how your custom one turns out and if I buy this one I will post a review.

Thanks

[Qmulus]

Ah. Yes, the knob is integrated with the boot. You will need to buy a new boot if you want to change it, as I can just about guarantee that the original will be too short if you cut it. The stock knob/boot is worth something, so you might sell it and put that money towards the new parts.

[Carlisabadman986]

Originally Posted by Qmulus

Ah. Yes, the knob is integrated with the boot. You will need to buy a new boot if you want to change it, as I can just about guarantee that the original will be too short if you cut it. The stock knob/boot is worth something, so you might sell it and put that money towards the new parts.

Yes OK,

Thank you so much I thought I was going insane.

[Carlisabadman986]

Did the install on Saturday and I love the results. I followed the instructions from the B&M website and it was pretty straightforward. In total it took me about 3 hours but that includes a significant amount of time jackassing around. A lot of people said it took some time for them to get used to the difference but I loved it instantly. Like others stated it takes a lot more force to change gears but the shifter is very precise, you definitely have confidence that you are in each gear. I did break the plastic piece around the base of the shifter that attaches to the boot but I already ordered a replacement one that comes with the two attached. Once I get the new one in there I will post a couple pics.

Also really like the Rennline Knob I bought. When it first arrived it seemed smaller than I thought it was going to be and i was a little unsure if I would like it but I have no doubts now that I installed it.

Thanks Ben006!!!! This was an awesome upgrade at a very reasonable price

[Ben006]

Sorry for the late answer to your PM again.

Glad to see that everything went great and that you like it


If I can found ten other person interested by the BBSS (Ball Bearing Short Shifter ^^), I can run another serie !

Thank you for your feedback !

Ben

[CHRISP357]

Originally Posted by Ben006

Sorry for the late answer to your PM again.

Glad to see that everything went great and that you like it


If I can found ten other person interested by the BBSS (Ball Bearing Short Shifter ^^), I can run another serie !

Thank you for your feedback !

Ben

What is the final cost?

[Ben006]

115$ shipping included for the US

[CHRISP357]

When do you anticipate the next run?

[Ben006]

As soon as I have enough persons interested :/
After that, I need about two weeks to complete the modifications

[CHRISP357]

Originally Posted by Ben006

As soon as I have enough persons interested :/
After that, I need about two weeks to complete the modifications

Ok, I'm in.

[ohhh my]

In for one too.