Short shifter install questions - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

ike84 · 05-15-2021, 10:38 PM

2 quick questions. Just got done with the install tonight.

First, the little green plate that sits under the shift cable (pic d, stolen from 101projects) - what is the point of this? I found that because of the length of the lower part of the new shift lever, this was in the way and needed to be removed for clearance of the cable end.

Second, the little brass clips on the cables (pic d, stolen from 101projects) where they exit the back of the shifter mount - what the hell do these things do? It seems to me they limit outward movement of the tab and do nothing at all to actually secure the cables here. I gave up on reinstalling them after 10 minutes of illustrating the sheer diversity of ways that **************** can be used.

Bonus - I figured out how to make universal shifter knobs fit these sticks. Theres nothing wrong with the OEM ones, just a bit bland for my taste. It's quite simple really - load a sharp 1/4" bit into your favorite device and gouge a shallow (2mm) trough in the front and rear midlines. They're made of aluminum so it only takes 5 min. Voila. The world of aftermarket shifters is now your oyster.

I'm not gonna do a diy writeup because this one has been beat to death but one thing worth mentioning is that while the Chinese shifter I bought has very decent hardware, it was assembled completely wrong. The shaft was mounted with the angle pointed the wrong direction and the bolt that holds the shaft to the rest of the assembly was not secured properly (like at all). Just a heads up. I love the feel of it though! I used cv joint grease on all the contact points (new and old) and tightened the adjustment knobs just a smidge, followed by 5 minutes of dosing through the gears with a smile on my face. I think I'm gonna cut the main shaft down by about 4 cm though, the throws still feel longer than what I want.

Best,
Ike

Sent from my SM-T595 using Tapatalk

porschefan76 · 05-17-2021, 04:58 AM

Hello Ike! I did this install a few months back.

For question 1, the instructions that came with my kit indicated that removing the plate was necessary for clearance. I'm not sure exactly what that plate was originally intended to do, but most references I found called it the shift bracket floor plate. I used my borescope to make sure the cables/clips did not contact the carpet or anything else under there during installation before buttoning back up.

For question 2, those brass clips are there to prevent the shifter cables from backing out of the shift bracket. I found them "funky" when initially removing them, but reinstallation was a breeze, iirc. I would recommend reinstalling them as without them in place, the only thing holding the shift cables in the bracket is the outward pressure of the plastic clip design and the plastic-on-plastic friction.

Hope this helps. Best of luck!

ike84 · 05-17-2021, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porschefan76

Hello Ike! I did this install a few months back.

For question 1, the instructions that came with my kit indicated that removing the plate was necessary for clearance. I'm not sure exactly what that plate was originally intended to do, but most references I found called it the shift bracket floor plate. I used my borescope to make sure the cables/clips did not contact the carpet or anything else under there during installation before buttoning back up.

For question 2, those brass clips are there to prevent the shifter cables from backing out of the shift bracket. I found them "funky" when initially removing them, but reinstallation was a breeze, iirc. I would recommend reinstalling them as without them in place, the only thing holding the shift cables in the bracket is the outward pressure of the plastic clip design and the plastic-on-plastic friction.

Hope this helps. Best of luck!

Ahh, thanks fan!

I just drove it for the first time this morning - I love this shifter!

Sent from my POCOPHONE F1 using Tapatalk

porschefan76 · 05-17-2021, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ike84

Ahh, thanks fan!

I just drove it for the first time this morning - I love this shifter!

Sent from my POCOPHONE F1 using Tapatalk

No problem! I love the feel of the short shift as well. I notice it most on the 2nd to 3rd upshift. I've also found that it made the engagements feel much more mechanical... click-click type upshifts.

ike84 · 05-17-2021, 11:14 AM

I totally agree. I was on the fence before doing it because I really felt like the oem shifter was solid with crisp shifts and without play. As it's been said before though, ignorance is bliss lol. Night and day difference. I like my new shifter head but I think I'm gonna try a weighted shifter and see how it feels with the short throws.

Sent from my POCOPHONE F1 using Tapatalk

986andmx5 · 05-19-2021, 03:58 PM

I recently purchased an ixi knob for my '99. I liked that they offered the option of a solid aluminum knob with some heft to it and also a delrin knob for hotter climates. Great prices compared to some brands out there. I couldn't justify spending more on a knob than on the shifter out of a 987 I upgraded to.

ike84 · 05-19-2021, 04:00 PM

That's interesting, why did you choose the 987 shifter? Are they closer to a short throw geometry than stock 986?

As for the shift knobs you mention, do they fit the blade style shaft that the 986s have? Or did you modify it to fit?

Sent from my POCOPHONE F1 using Tapatalk

986andmx5 · 05-20-2021, 05:46 AM

987 shifter has shorter throws than the 986 assembly (~15%) and MUCH less slop- especially considering my shifter had 144k on it and lots of play in plastic bushings. I wanted to keep things OEM and avoid any notchiness that can come with some short shifters. Cost was $130 for low mileage shifter off eBay.
https://youtu.be/q32iEirFH4Y

Yes, the ixi knobs fit our odd blade style shifter. I also liked how the knobs can be etched with a retro looking 5speed shift pattern. Quick shipping and good comm. with seller. I'll shoot a YouTube review soon.

986andmx5 · 05-20-2021, 06:52 AM

I just tried to install the ixi knob onto my old 986 shifter assembly I have sitting around and it does not fit. Apparently the 987/997 shifter blade shaft is a little thinner, so this setup only fits those gens. I wouldn't be surprised if seller could make a batch that would fit the 986 shafts though.

ike84 · 05-20-2021, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 986andmx5

I just tried to install the ixi knob onto my old 986 shifter assembly I have sitting around and it does not fit. Apparently the 987/997 shifter blade shaft is a little thinner, so this setup only fits those gens. I wouldn't be surprised if seller could make a batch that would fit the 986 shafts though.

Thanks for letting us know! Got any pics?

Sent from my POCOPHONE F1 using Tapatalk

986andmx5 · 05-20-2021, 02:23 PM

I just dropped off my completely beat up shift boot with the new base to an upholstery shop, so I don't have a pic of it in the car. Here is one of the etched aluminum knob. I thought I would like the delrin one I ordered with it better, but after driving with them both I enjoy this one more. Etching comes out better on Al too. Nice to have the option to swap back and forth though.

ike84 · 05-20-2021, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 986andmx5

I just dropped off my completely beat up shift boot with the new base to an upholstery shop, so I don't have a pic of it in the car. Here is one of the etched aluminum knob. I thought I would like the delrin one I ordered with it better, but after driving with them both I enjoy this one more. Etching comes out better on Al too. Nice to have the option to swap back and forth though.

Good looking knob! Thanks for sharing.

Sent from my POCOPHONE F1 using Tapatalk

Van914 · 05-21-2021, 03:02 AM

I have a Raceseng weighted knob on mine. I like the feel of the weighted knob
https://raceseng.com/

ike84 · 05-21-2021, 07:29 AM

Do y'all know the weight of your knobs? I've noticed that they come in all different weights and I was wondering at what weight you can actually feel a difference.

Sent from my POCOPHONE F1 using Tapatalk

maytag · 05-21-2021, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ike84

Do y'all know the weight of your knobs? I've noticed that they come in all different weights and I was wondering at what weight you can actually feel a difference.

Sent from my POCOPHONE F1 using Tapatalk

Hmmm......
Lemme ask this gal I know.....

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk