As promised, B&M Short Throw Install Walkthrough - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Perfectlap · 01-31-2006, 09:00 AM

the gear box is the one thing I don't like on my 2000 S. I don't hate it but it feels kind of old school after having driven the S2000 a few times. My last car was a Miata and I really really really hated the notchy shifting and tried to mix all sorts of redline grades to get the notchiness to go away. At temperature it was great, better than the 6speed Boxster for sure, short throws and little resistance.
But on cold days that thing was like a rock in your shoe. Very distracting.

never having driven the B&M is it safe to say that you are shortening the throw by increasing the notchiness with the short shift kit?

Tool Pants · 01-31-2006, 04:40 PM

Our local group does not do it the exact same way. And we have never removed the front center console for a short shift install.

We just let Madam No Fear go to town. The star of our DVD.

PorscheDoc · 01-31-2006, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tool Pants

Our local group does not do it the exact same way. And we have never removed the front center console for a short shift install.

We just let Madam No Fear go to town. The star of our DVD.

Like i said, you don't have to remove the front center console, but it makes it a little easier to put the center console back in if that piece is out. I have them down to 20 minutes in and out, even with pulling then front center console.

Tool Pants · 01-31-2006, 05:18 PM

Yes, I have gone back, looked at the pictures and see that. Porsche also says that you need to remove the passenger seat on the boxster, but not a 996. Never did that either.

Never asked Aileen how long it takes to pull the parts in and out. Or I would get a slap.

But I do know how to put in a short shifter. B&M, and the other flavors.

Thanks for your help.

What do you see in the second picture of this post?

PorscheDoc · 01-31-2006, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tool Pants

What do you see in the second picture of this post?

Besides Evo's Billet shiftlink?

Tool Pants · 01-31-2006, 06:42 PM

Yes, one half correct.

The green thing. The plastic green plastic plate. What is the purpose?

The evo shift link was too easy, now that I think about it.

PorscheDoc · 02-01-2006, 04:40 AM

I must say, i have not seen the green plastic piece in any of the 25+ boxsters/996's that I have done, so I wouldn't know the purpose. Hmmm interesting.....

Adam · 02-01-2006, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

never having driven the B&M is it safe to say that you are shortening the throw by increasing the notchiness with the short shift kit?

You could say that. I ditched the B&M and went back to oem, too notchy for my tastes.

PorscheDoc · 02-01-2006, 07:37 AM

I know the TT996's do not have the plate either. I have done literally 25 of these between 996C2/4, TT's, and boxsters, and have never seen one. Very interesting. I don't know that i have done any 5 speed boxsters off the top of my head though.

Perfectlap · 02-01-2006, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam

You could say that. I ditched the B&M and went back to oem, too notchy for my tastes.

How much notchier did it feel going from 2nd to 3rd? or was it notchier all around?

Tool Pants · 02-01-2006, 08:44 AM

Here is a GT2 we worked on with the green plate.

Adam · 02-01-2006, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

How much notchier did it feel going from 2nd to 3rd? or was it notchier all around?

2nd to 3rd wasn't horrible with shift effort(but still way worse than OEM) but harder to to smoothly find the gear as the path wasn't as direct as OEM. The shift into 1st and into reverse took HEMAN strength to go into to. It was almost comical. I don't know why any thinks this is an "improvement" over OEM. Whatever blows your hair back I guess.

MNBoxster · 02-01-2006, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam

2nd to 3rd wasn't horrible with shift effort(but still way worse than OEM) but harder to to smoothly find the gear as the path wasn't as direct as OEM. The shift into 1st and into reverse took HEMAN strength to go into to. It was almost comical. I don't know why any thinks this is an "improvement" over OEM. Whatever blows your hair back I guess.

Hi,

Agreed 100%. It's simple physics - Shorten the Throw and you lose a whole lot of Mechanical Advantage - the Shifter is basically only a Lever.

The Trade-off with virtually ALL Short Shift Kits is an increase in the Effort needed and a more noticable Notchiness. Any reports to the contrary are usually due to Placebic effect.

The only real place you can truly shorten the shift is at the Selector Forks inside the Transmission - can't do that for a mere $150...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Perfectlap · 02-03-2006, 07:39 AM

So how about if they made a long shift kit? You know instead of shorter they made it longer, kinda old school like in a late 70's 911? I might give that a try.
I noticed the shifter in GCT sits nice and high. I think I would like that in the boxster.

ralegen · 02-18-2006, 02:59 PM

Hey Doc, I have this pain in my wrist whenever I am in gear. Forget the pain, but I'm more concerned about the gear. LOL.

I was wondering if the B&M will fix my problem. You see, when I'm in Gear, for example 3rd, I can move my stick left and right about 1/2" ( It really feels like 1-2"). It's like it's loose as if it were in neutral. Very annoying.

Do you think the B&M will take care of my problem?

PorscheDoc · 02-21-2006, 03:30 PM

That sounds like a cable is way out of adjustment. Both the stock shifter and the B&M should be tight side to side. If you want the cheap fix, i would pull apart your console and try adjusting the cables and test it out (you can make the adjustments with the shifter in place until if feels good, then put the console back together)

rteichman · 02-21-2006, 03:44 PM

I have the same problem! But in neutral its tight. It also slips into gear without any play. However once in gear there is a lot of side to side play. Can that be fixed?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ralegen

You see, when I'm in Gear, for example 3rd, I can move my stick left and right about 1/2" ( It really feels like 1-2"). It's like it's loose as if it were in neutral. Very annoying.

PorscheDoc · 02-21-2006, 03:50 PM

I've got a 99 coming in tomorrow with a stock shifter. I will play around with it and see exactly how much play is normal. Then i will compare it to Josh's, which has the B&M in it.

denverpete · 02-21-2006, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PorscheDoc

I've got a 99 coming in tomorrow with a stock shifter. I will play around with it and see exactly how much play is normal. Then i will compare it to Josh's, which has the B&M in it.

Hey Doc! I've really thought about this mod but I'm definately concerned about the shift action when it's cold outside. Given that it's just generally going to be cold more often than hot here - that's a serious concern for me. My standard shifter is notchy enough when cold - I really don't need to feel like I'm trying to punch through the dash.

Advice please!

mjw930 · 02-22-2006, 03:24 AM

As a counter point to all the people who seem to love the B&M short shifter read this thread

http://986forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4441

A short shifter isn't for everyone IMHO.