Schnell Short Shift kit problems! You get what you pay for!

[mjw930]

Originally Posted by John V

I was making the suggestion for the original poster.

Agreed though, the shift feel is terrible. Nothing you can do about it except put the stock shifter back in. that's what I did.

Actually there is an alternative. Put your stock shifter back in but use the EVOM swift shift kit http://www.evoms.com/marketplace/ViewProduct.asp?Now=12%2F5%2F2006+8%3A58%3A30+AM&ProductID=%7B66A0842F%2D117B%2D4EA1%2DAEA7%2D9910D 0A2A6FB%7D&OrgID=%7BCA5E16BC%2DD877%2D4137%2D8237%2D7EB9084DD 3D8%7D&ParentID=%7B39421AB2%2D78D9%2D49C0%2D8628%2D86236E F51945%7D&Curr=%7B39421AB2%2D78D9%2D49C0%2D8628%2D86236EF519 45%7D

The combination of stock shifter, roller bearing bushings and heim joint linkage gives you about 20% shorter throw with a better feel than the stock unit.

It's not cheap but it's worth every penny IMHO (I have it and love it). I removed a Schnell shifter that I hated to install this.

[insite]

FYI, Brandywine Porsche (i think) had an add in this month's Excellence for the factory short shifter (usually $450) for the 986 / 996 on sale for like $199.

[steve00s]

Originally Posted by insite

FYI, Brandywine Porsche (i think) had an add in this month's Excellence for the factory short shifter (usually $450) for the 986 / 996 on sale for like $199.

I just talked to Brandywine. It is $250 and is actually a B&M. He said that Porsche sources them to make it for them but it is the same thing you can buy elsewhere. They do back it up with "Porsche warranty" whatever that means. They also said three hours installation. I bit on the high side...

[blue2000s]

I bought the ebay kit. The aluminum is nicely machined and anodized. The shift shaft appears to be well made with a roller bearing in the hinge for smooth operation. Also the hardware is quality material.

I was a bit dissapointed with the plastics that they used for the bushings though. It appears to be a nylon. I had some teflon bushings made to replace both the cup bushings and the washers that ride between the shaft and aluminum housing. It should help to reduce friction in the linkage and improve effort and feel.



The teflon bushing is on the left, the stock on the right.

[Tool Pants]

Originally Posted by blue2000s

I was a bit dissapointed with the plastics that they used for the bushings though. It appears to be a nylon. I had some teflon bushings made to replace both the cup bushings and the washers that ride between the shaft and aluminum housing. It should help to reduce friction in the linkage and improve effort and feel.

I take it you bought the $55/60 Ebay clone.

What kind of place do you go to to get teflon bushings made and where do you find the teflon stock?

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by Tool Pants

I take it you bought the $55/60 Ebay clone.

What kind of place do you go to to get teflon bushings made and where do you find the teflon stock?

Yup, the cheap-o parts.

I'd check with a freelance machine shop to get teflon parts made. They can often find material for you.

I installed the shifter tonight. As was stated above, it's not a hard job at all. My biggestproblem was getting the stock bushings off the housing. There was a lot of plastic flying around!

It feels great. I'm really happy with the shift action. It's still not as nice as the unit in the Miata, but I'm happy with it.

I'm a little worried about the ball-in-slot that replaces the ball-in-socket-in-slot used for side to side motion. The ball can wear a groove into the slot over time. Porsche's design is more robust. I guess only time will tell.

[MNBoxster]

Originally Posted by blue2000s

I bought the ebay kit. The aluminum is nicely machined and anodized. The shift shaft appears to be well made with a roller bearing in the hinge for smooth operation. Also the hardware is quality material.

I was a bit dissapointed with the plastics that they used for the bushings though. It appears to be a nylon. I had some teflon bushings made to replace both the cup bushings and the washers that ride between the shaft and aluminum housing. It should help to reduce friction in the linkage and improve effort and feel.



The teflon bushing is on the right, the stock on the left.

Hi,

I suspect that the Bushing is Delrin, and not Nylon. It would most likely prove to be more wear-proof than the softer Teflon one over time...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

Hi,

I suspect that the Bushing is Delrin, and not Nylon. It would most likely prove to be more wear-proof than the softer Teflon one over time...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

The yellow tint is the giveaway. It's the natural color of nylon. Delrin's white when not colored.

Teflon is typically used for bushing applications like this. It's the perfect application. Although Delrin would also be a good material here as you correctly state that it's wear restance is higher, it's friction coefficient is about 2.5 times that of teflon.

[John V]

My buddy Ken made me some replacement "stock-like" shifter bushings on his lathe using some delrin stock. I had been using the stock shifter with the B+M bushings, but I wanted to sell the B+M (piece of notchy-shifting garbage that it was). They work awesome!