Shifter sluggish

[Anker]

So a short while ago we got a second 986. I immediately noticed how much easier the shifter was than on the old one, moves with barely any effort. On the first one its like it is moving through a syrupy liquid. I already bought a set of upgrade bushings for the shifter itself and decided to also spring for a set of used cables from eBay.

When I got the eBay cables I tested how easily they moved and they are sticky like the bad shifter, so I did a little testing and it appears that the problem is that there is some grease on the shifter end of the cable.

So my question is whether the cables are supposed to be dry or lubricated? I suspect dry and am tempted to try to clean the transmission end cables in the Box with brake cleaner or WD40.