Here are some pics. Will do an oil service this weekend, just waiting on the 3 square tool!http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1544654359.jpg
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http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1544654404.jpg
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1544654417.jpg

Nice factory short-shifter! How about taking it apart and lube white bushings and adjust the end nut to ensure little bit of but not too tight end-play that may affect side-to-side action?

Yeah, I foolishly assumed it was a cheap unit from my secret peak at it during the initial inspection. :(

Disconnect the cables it it's like butter with not slop or play. I'm betting this gearbox oil change it going to make the difference....that and a cable adjustment (but I don't have the alignment tool). Will do my best with what I have.

Hard Shifting 986 Gearbox.....UPDATE!
 

Any other guesses before the reveal?

Turns out it was a combination of several things.
1. Gearbox way, way, way overfull. Pulled the fill plug on the side and it was a gusher!
2. Cables probably out of alignment,
3. Factory short shift out of adjustment, loose, lots of play

Action taken
1. Drained and re-filled gearbox with fresh, good quality oil to the spec of 2.25 l
2. Adjusted cables best I could.
3. Removed shifter assembly, cleaned, adjusted, re-installed

Results
Much, much, much better. Feels firm, not tight and I don't need to force the shifts. Before it took a great deal of force to engage all gears. Still feels a bit notchy but maybe that is just the nature of the short shifter. It's so much better that I can live with that.

Thank you all for your input and advice!!

Excellent news! Cheap fix and you can move on to enjoying your car!

Congrats on the purchase. I installed a name brand short shifter into my Boxster about 2 weeks after buying it. :D It was slightly harder to shift, but the quick fix to that was a fresh oil change. I filled my gear box with Redline 75w90 full synthetic with Redline friction modifier. Transmission shift like butter now :D

[I use Redline MT90 for my Cayman.



QUOTE=Tommy2;585012]...and to bring up another overly discussed topic, compatible gearbox oil for the 5-speed. Can't get the OEM Porsche stuff (dealer only service item, an over $400 job to drain/refill!!!) here and it can't be shipped. Stuck with something local. There is a good brand here called WAKOS and they make a fully synthetic 75W90 GL4/5 rated oil. I can also get Motul, Mobil 1, and occasionally Royal Purple.

Just found:
Royal Purple MaxGear
Castrol Syntrans GL-4
Liquid Moly GL4/GL5[/QUOTE]