Go Back   986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners > Porsche Boxster & Cayman Forums > Performance and Technical Chat

Post Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 11-23-2006, 09:56 PM   #1
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Chicago
Posts: 123
Schnell Short Shift kit problems! You get what you pay for!

The short shift kit is making a very strange
noise during shifting, sounds like the shifter lower
metal part is striking the circumference of the
housing especially on gears 1, 3 and 5 the noise is
very annoying and to be honest terrible.

To be honest I should of purchase b&m instead of saving me a few bucks, dont know how to correct the issue (if it can be fixed) and now I lost money in the process....

DO NOT BUY SCHNELL PERIOD!!!

chgolatin2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-24-2006, 05:30 AM   #2
Registered User
 
ohioboxster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Akron
Posts: 793
I noticed when I installed mine there is a small plastic piece under the cables that really doesnt do anything, its green. This piece of plastic just snaps into place and is right below the adjusters. The cables would snag this plastic and make a popping sound. I just removed that piece and all is good. I ran through the gears before I put the center counsel back in. Did you do the install? Im sure thats all the noise you are hearing. Im surprised noone else had this problem. I dont have a Schnell shifter either.
__________________
2002 TT
ohioboxster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-24-2006, 05:49 AM   #3
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Chicago
Posts: 123
Schnell!

No, the problem is not the green plastic but the metal part from the shifter that is hitting the housing of the shifter. Strange but true, I will be doing a double check sometime today however that is what the problem is. Nothing else is in the way, its a clean install....
chgolatin2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-24-2006, 06:31 AM   #4
boggtown
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
I bought the cheapest shifter alive on ebay, its a shorter throw than the schnell and it cost me $60. No problems. But you should try to see if there are any plastic washers in between the stick and the housing. Or maybe yours came upside down and you need the take the stick out and switch it.
  Reply With Quote
Old 11-24-2006, 07:04 AM   #5
Registered User
 
edevlin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Virginia
Posts: 916
I had been thinking about a short shift kit ever since I got my Boxster. I suprised when I started test driving the cars how long the throw was in the stock cars. Stock shifters felt very smooth, but it was the longest throw I have used before.

I started thinking about a short shift kit, but I was concerned about some of the reports of others that had put the kits in. Then when I was in the shop recently getting a new clutch and flywheel installed, I had the chance to drive another customers car that had the B&M short shift kit and it felt very nice, so I had one installed while they were doing the clutch. I love it, very smooth, gives me a new smile every time I go through the gears.

Ed

__________________
My Car Webpage

2000 2.7L Boxster 102K; TTP intake, headers, high-flow cats; Dansk high-flow muffler; Autothority ECU chip; TechnoTorque 2; Bilstein coilovers; Racing Dynamics strut brace; stress-bar suspension kit; Aasco lightweight flywheel, B&M short shiftkit; 18" wheels; spare tire delete; OEM GT3 seats; JL audio speakers and subwoofer; Alpine PDX-5/PDX-2 amps; Kenwood DNX8120 CD/DVD/Nav; litronics, deambered
edevlin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-24-2006, 07:21 AM   #6
Registered User
 
ohioboxster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Akron
Posts: 793
Yeah, mine is the 60.00 dollar one on E-bay too and the thing works great, Im thinking its the installer.
__________________
2002 TT
ohioboxster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-24-2006, 09:06 AM   #7
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Lakewood, Ohio / Sedona, AZ
Posts: 305
I had the same problem with the Schnell shifter but like ohioboxster I removed the green tab, it does absolutely nothing I don't know why it is there. I called customer support and they were fantastic. If it isn't the green tab you may want to give them a ring. I am sure they will walk you through it.
__________________
http://www.martinlansky.com/Coppermi...01/W_humps.jpg

'03 Midnight Blue
18" Chromes//Drilled and slotted rotors//pedal upgrade//Alum. Door sills//KSPORT Coilovers//Short Shifter/Strut braces/Clear sides/Hard Top/Speedster humps/Intake//Leather GT3 seats/REVO chip with SPS2
'04 CLK55 AMG 367HP!
'86 944 Guards Red & MINT!
'69 911 Black
PCA Member -Northern Ohio
Cancer Survivor
der Geist is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-24-2006, 11:22 AM   #8
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Sacramento
Posts: 3,417
Send a message via AIM to blinkwatt
@ Ohio & Boggtown,

How does the eBay shift feel comparede to stock? Is it easy to use? Does it go into gear easily? Does it make it a pain to go into first? Is it constructed well?
__________________
-99' Zenith Blue 5-spd...didn't agree with a center divider on the freeway
-01' S Orient Red Metallic 6-spd...money pit...sold to buy a house
blinkwatt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-24-2006, 01:53 PM   #9
Registered User
 
ohioboxster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Akron
Posts: 793
@ Blinkwatt, I cant believe there is any difference between the 60 dollar one and the 230 dollar one. It shifts great and looks to be a quality piece of machined aluminum. Get the cheap one and if you really wanted to you could tell everyone it was a B&M, lol.
__________________
2002 TT
ohioboxster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-24-2006, 02:01 PM   #10
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Sacramento
Posts: 3,417
Send a message via AIM to blinkwatt
Quote:
Originally Posted by ohioboxster
@ Blinkwatt, I cant believe there is any difference between the 60 dollar one and the 230 dollar one. It shifts great and looks to be a quality piece of machined aluminum. Get the cheap one and if you really wanted to you could tell everyone it was a B&M, lol.
Have you driven the B & M? Does it make it hard to go into certain gears? If I didn't like it would it be easy to go back to stock?
__________________
-99' Zenith Blue 5-spd...didn't agree with a center divider on the freeway
-01' S Orient Red Metallic 6-spd...money pit...sold to buy a house
blinkwatt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-24-2006, 02:22 PM   #11
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Illinois
Posts: 3,033
Quote:
Originally Posted by blinkwatt
Have you driven the B & M? Does it make it hard to go into certain gears? If I didn't like it would it be easy to go back to stock?
Blink I listened to everyone out there and bought a B&M about a year ago. Let me tell you, if you like smooth easy shifts I would skip on any SSK for your boxster. It was really, really hard to get into first and reverse. The rest of the gears engaged a bit easier but still way notchier and with much more effort than stock. Plus, there did seem to be a clunk of some sort like someone else mentioned when shifting into 1st, 3rd and 5th. I went back to stock after only a day or two after redoing the install to insure it was done right. It was. You can go back to stock, but the catch is you can't return the SSK and get your money back because during the install proccess you MUST break the stock bushings and use the ones supplied in the kit. Now I have a stock shifter with B&M bushings. Those were two very expenisve aluminum bushings let me tell you. My advice is to try before you buy on this product. I think the factory shifter is much better despite the longer throws.
__________________
'03 3.2L GuardsRed/Blk/Blk---6Spd
Options: Litronics, 18" Carrera lights, Bose sound, Painted to match roll bars.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...Mautocross.jpg

Last edited by Adam; 11-24-2006 at 02:39 PM.
Adam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-24-2006, 04:23 PM   #12
07 Carrera S Cab
 
Boxtaboy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 2,273
Garage
I agree. I've driven a couple Boxsters with the B&M and the Ebay clone shifters, and don't like the feel. Yeah, the shift action is shorter, but the smooth, buttery feel is no more, and the gearbox ends up being more notchy...especially in cold weather. Reminded me of the shift action of an 86 Mustang GT one of my high school friend's used to have.

I suggest you drive one with a B&M before switching.
__________________
Current: 07 Carrera S Cab in Midnight Blue

Previous: 01 Boxster in Arctic Silver, 86 944 in Guards Red
Boxtaboy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-24-2006, 06:49 PM   #13
boggtown
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Mines not hard to get into first or reverse at all. Its awesome. Same with you ohio? Yes, very quality piece of work, my stick was installed wrong as another member who bought it told me, so all I did was undo the bolt, turn it around, and re do the bolt and its perfectly straight up and down.
  Reply With Quote
Old 11-24-2006, 07:59 PM   #14
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Illinois
Posts: 3,033
All I'm saying is there is a big increase of shift effort when I put the B&M shifter in. I had it checked by two people...one being a certified mechanic and they also agreed that it felt like crap and verified the install. I dunno...maybe my car is an anomoly (sp?)
__________________
'03 3.2L GuardsRed/Blk/Blk---6Spd
Options: Litronics, 18" Carrera lights, Bose sound, Painted to match roll bars.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...Mautocross.jpg

Last edited by Adam; 11-24-2006 at 08:02 PM.
Adam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-25-2006, 04:29 PM   #15
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: MD
Posts: 447
It sounds like the shift cables need to be adjusted. The fore-aft cable basically adjusts the position of the shift lever relative to the housing. If the lever is contacting the housing it sounds like it is moving too far in one direction. This can actually be dangerous because if the lever is not allowed to move far enough the gears may not be fully engaging.

I would suggest moving the cable a couple of notches in the appropriate direction and see if the problem persists.

I personally hate the action of the short shift kits out there, they shorten the throw way too much and make it hard to engage the gears. The factory throw is long and ropey but at least I've never missed a shift.
John V is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-25-2006, 05:28 PM   #16
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Illinois
Posts: 3,033
Quote:
Originally Posted by John V
It sounds like the shift cables need to be adjusted. The fore-aft cable basically adjusts the position of the shift lever relative to the housing. If the lever is contacting the housing it sounds like it is moving too far in one direction. This can actually be dangerous because if the lever is not allowed to move far enough the gears may not be fully engaging.

I would suggest moving the cable a couple of notches in the appropriate direction and see if the problem persists.

I personally hate the action of the short shift kits out there, they shorten the throw way too much and make it hard to engage the gears. The factory throw is long and ropey but at least I've never missed a shift.
I appreciate the advice but I've been there done that with cable positioning. We tried everying in the book but bottom line to several people the shift feel was pretty bad and unacceptable.
__________________
'03 3.2L GuardsRed/Blk/Blk---6Spd
Options: Litronics, 18" Carrera lights, Bose sound, Painted to match roll bars.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...Mautocross.jpg
Adam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-26-2006, 04:39 AM   #17
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: MD
Posts: 447
Quote:
Originally Posted by Adam
I appreciate the advice but I've been there done that with cable positioning. We tried everying in the book but bottom line to several people the shift feel was pretty bad and unacceptable.
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.
John V is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2006, 08:02 AM   #18
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 182
Quote:
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.
__________________
Cogito Ergo Zoom!
I Think, therefore I go fast

Current Porsches:
2004 Cayenne Turbo
2003 Boxster S
Past Porsches:
1989 911 turbo
1981 911SC
1984 944
1973 914
mjw930 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2006, 01:53 PM   #19
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 1,820
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.
__________________
insite
'99 Boxster
3.4L Conversion

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...1/KMTGPR-1.jpg
insite is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-12-2006, 06:01 PM   #20
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Chicago
Posts: 123
Got It Done!

Apparently I did the installed correctly however I didnt adjust the shifter cables, got it done today and finally I could say that the shifter does work nicely, no more knocking or metal hitting the housing. Silly me! Quess I dont have good mechanical skills, lol!

chgolatin2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Post Reply


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -8. The time now is 01:03 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page