Shifter
 

GOOD, i'm very excited!!

Took the Boxster out for a spin last night - very happy with the results. I thought it would take me a while to get acclimated but the stiffness is not a draw back to me at all. I have the same thoughts others have mentioned. Feels like a new car - when you put it in gear feels like you insert it into a slot, very precise. My wife also mentioned my shifts feel much smoother from a passenger perspective.

One thing I did notice...my driveway has a small incline when backing out into the street. When in gear reversing my car would make a significant noise, sounded like it was coming from the transmission. Sounded like a buzzing noise. After installing the new shifter the sound in gone. I didn't think too much of it before since it's a 98 and cars do creak over time.

Thank you for the feedback :) I'm glad you like it!

I will pickup the shifters at 4PM today ;)

Ben.

Ben,

I installed your shifter today and took my car for a ride. It feels great!

Thanks for the feedback JRide :) Glad you like it!

I brought the parts to the machine shop this afternoon, when I get them back I'll send you a PM!

Thanks guys!

BTW, I drove the boxster on track for the first time today... now I need a thousands upgrades! Ahah.


Ben

I haven't heard from the machine shop yet...
I'll check them Monday!

Everything else is ready ;)

Can't wait, Ben! And I have a brand new OEM shift and boot to top it off. Old one was looking pretty worn.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Hi!

Sorry guys for the delay, I went to the machine shop today, they were pretty busy last week... should be ready tomorrow :)

Ben

I'm getting the parts back from the machine shop this afternoon :)

Shifters are ready and you should have a PM from me ;)

Ben.

Paypal payment sent. Also replied back to your PM. Thanks

Got mine today it's a nice looking piece. Now I need to figure out what I want for a new shift knob.

Shifter
 

Got mine also thanks!

Got mine as well. Fast shipping. Can't wait to install it to try it out.

Ball bearing short shifter !
 

Hey guys, if someone wants to post a DIY or video of your install of Ben's shifter, I would offer many thanks.
I know there are some out there, but for the less DIY inclined it would help. I'd be especially nervous after I cut the plastic bushings off the original as then there's no going back.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Hi!
The PelicanParts DIY is quite good, you should be able to do it.
Porsche Boxster Short Shift Kit (SSK) Installation and Shift Bushing Replacement - 986 / 987 (1997-08) - Pelican Parts Technical Article

Here are some quick tips:
The worst part is getting the center console off if your handbrake doesn't go high. After that, it's easy.

Also, don't tighten the big set screws hard, just by hand until there is no play, then lock them with the nut :)

Ben

Got mine yesterday, thanks. Now to find a few hours to try and do the install. Oh, BTW - was there supposed to be a tube of the lithium grease included?

It's already greased :)
The bearings don't need anything, they are sealed.

The only thing you can grease is the ball end to connect the cable. But I bet there is already some grease there.

OK, thanks for the quick reply, Ben.

Hey Ben mine arrived today. It looks great. I'll be installing it into an extra shifter base I had laying around. Thanks :cheers:

Cool :)

Take some pictures once installed!

Well it took me about ten minutes to remove the old part and install the new one into my old 986 shifter cradle. I'll snap a few pics when I get home from work. It went way easier than I thought it would. Hopefully this weekend i'll have time to install it and my new (thanks Chuck) E-brake handle in the car. I'll be removing a 987 shifter (thanks Chuck) I installed last year. I'll leave some feedback on the differences between the two units.

Hey, Ben. I installed the shifter and after a short test drive around the neighborhood I can say I love it! Short, notchy action and very precise. I don't feel extra effort in shifting at all. I highly recommend your product.

I tend to be a "muddle through" type when it comes to DIY, but I got it done in about 3 hours using the B&M and 101 Projects instructions.

I found taking the console out pretty easy. The harder parts for me were cutting the old bushing teeth out, angling the new shifter into the right side cam (for side to side action) and shift housing, and putting the console back in. A lot of jiggling and angling is involved. I did find the set screw towards the front of the car pushed right up against some of the black plastic in the console, but this tight fit doesn't seem to cause any problems.

Here are a few pics and video:
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...48002ca290.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...cf84591a2f.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...843223bf62.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...76177386b6.jpg
https://vimeo.com/165576946


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Nice!
I'm always happy when one of you like it :)

Ben.

Well I installed Ben's short shifter and a new (used) e-brake handle Sat night. The installation of both went really easy. Of course it helps that I have already taken the center console out many times for other projects. The shifter was basically a drop in since I had a spare cradle I could use to install the shifter out of the car. Well Ben I'm going to have to say this shifter feels great!! The one I took out was a 987 style, which is much better than the 986 one. Ben's shifter takes it up another notch for sure. Like the other guys said, rifle bolt action feel. So in conclusion this is a great product and feels even tighter than the 987 one. It's right up there with my favorites mods I've done to the car.
Thanks Ben :cheers:

Great :)

I'm really glad that so many of you like it!

Ben

Ben's short shifter
 

Finally got around to installing the short shifter and I have to say this thing is GREAT. There is little to no play at all and the shifts are extremely precise. I have to finesse second gear a little but that's it.

Ben, whatever you are working on next, and I have no idea what that is, I'll take one! Thanks again.....

:)

If the problem isn't getting better even when the transmission is hot, you might consider to change the transmission oil!

Next thing for me is the plenum... I'm currently testing it ;)

Ben

So much excellent feedback. Ben great work! I am excited for the next round so that I can get one.

Installed mine yesterday. Very short throws and tight action. Looking forward to taking it to the track on Sunday to test it!

Any idea when you might do another run?

I don't know :/
I would, but the problem is that I can't put the money upfront like I did the other times...
I think we'll have to wait for me to get out of school!

Ben.
I have been following you on this forum for a while, and you seem to be a very cool, talented and ambitious kid (take kid as a complement :D).
I was about to send you a PM anyway in the neer future, about an idea I have, and was thinking we could do something together.
I will PM you my cell number.
Give me a call this weekend, maybe I can help you (and all the other great forum members) out.
Meir.

+10000 for Meir, I wouldn't hesitate to do business with him, and I for one am looking forward to seeing what happens if the two of you come up with any projects together.

How many people are ready to buy the short shifter? Lets get a group together so Ben can produce another 10 shifters. I'm in.

1. Yellow986S
2. ....
etc

I want to be added also but I can't figure out how to add my name.

Hi guys!

Achillies and Yellow986s you are already on my list for the next round ;)

I'm sorry guys, I really have too many things to do, and that prevent me from doing another round.

I'm not stopping, but it's the end of school for me, and I'll be going home a while, then come back, search for a job etc etc. I don't want to start something if I can't be 100% in.

i have been following this thread from the first post, but didn't think of getting one.
I use to have the Chinese shifter on my Boxster S and it was very nice.
The shifter was much shorter then the OEM, but it requires mor force to shift.
A specially when the car is cold, but that has to to with the 6 speed, that is less "friendly" then the 5 in my opinion.
When I got the 996, I installed the 997 part.
If to be honest, the difference compared to the OEM, is not that noticeable in my case.
Maybe it has to do with the fact that my car has low mileage, and the original shifter was pretty tight as is.
Also in the throw, very slight improvement.
This weekend I got to meet Ben, and drove his car.
Let me tell you guys, his shifter is something.
The only thing nicer then the shifter, is Ben himself :D
So add me on the list buddy.
Also the planum he is working on seem to be working great, and sounds very nice over 4K.
Keep the good job kid, and hope to see you again befor you go home.

+1 on Ben's ball bearing shifter. Makes a huge difference on my 03 5-speed. I drove it hard in the NC mountains last week, and it was a joy to shift - like a new car. "Snick-snick" up and down the gears.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Please add me to your list.