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    Jul 31, 2007 7:31:55 AM

    AS4s
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    Short Shifter - Advice please

    I know the answer may be somewhere in the renntem archives but I can't find it so can anyone tell me if the short-shifter option is worth it?

    I have a 997 C4S X-51 but did not get the short shifter. I had the opportunity to drive a GT3 a few weeks back and loved the short gears. Will it be similar if I get Porsche to install the short shifter?

    I have read a few comments already but it seems many people don't see a big difference.

    Thanks in advance.

    Jul 31, 2007 10:15:51 AM

    Nad
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    Reply to: AS4s

    Re: Short Shifter - Advice please

    I had the short shifter put in with my X51 as per dealer recommendation.....dont regret it for a second.....the gear change is much more precise and it gives it a much more 'solid' feel. Its not an expensive option so dont think too much over it.......get it....you'll love it.

    Jul 31, 2007 11:32:04 AM

    poniello
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    Reply to: Nad

    Re: Short Shifter - Advice please

    Quote:
    Nad said:
    get it....you'll love it.



    true!!

    Jul 31, 2007 1:09:48 PM

    Porky Tokyo
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    Reply to: poniello

    Re: Short Shifter - Advice please

    Get it - you can always change back if you don't like it. The only problem I had was it was quite stiff when cold - especially in winter.

    Jul 31, 2007 1:25:39 PM

    MMD
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    Reply to: Nad

    Re: Short Shifter - Advice please

    Quote:
    Nad said:
    the gear change is much more precise and it gives it a much more 'solid' feel.



    I wonder about calling it more precise because the throws are so short you can miss gears with it.

    Same thing about more solid because the stock shifter is extremely good.

    It's got a different feel, notchier and more "robotic" maybe.

    It's like the PSE, it doesn't add to performance; it adds to the enjoyment of different personalities of different owners.

    Just my amateur opinion; maybe a tracker fellow knows differently.

    Jul 31, 2007 3:01:31 PM

    fantasma
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    Reply to: AS4s

    Re: Short Shifter - Advice please

    I had a short shifter installed on my 996 X51 and I felt it was a huge improvement.

    On my current 996 GT3 I also have a short shifter, but I think they ovedid it on the GT3. The standard gearbox is good enough.

    I have tried 997 both with and without short shift and I think it is better to have it. Go for it! It is of course a matter of taste. On my 996 X51 and on the 997 it feels right, though "robotic". On my 996GT3 it is just a bit to heavy.

    Jul 31, 2007 3:11:17 PM

    MMD
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    Reply to: fantasma

    Re: Short Shifter - Advice please

    Quote:
    fantasma said:
    I had a short shifter installed on my 996 X51 and I felt it was a huge improvement.





    Absolutely true for 996/986 era shifters. They..., how can I put this..., sucked.

    The 997/987 is completely different. The stock shifters got rave reviews and were even called "perfect" if I remember correctly.

    Jul 31, 2007 4:03:56 PM

    Circe
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    Reply to: Nad

    Re: Short Shifter - Advice please

    Quote:
    Nad said:...the gear change is much more precise and it gives it a much more 'solid' feel. Its not an expensive option so dont think too much over it.......get it....you'll love it.



    That sounds like reason enough to get it, but what of the extra effort involved in shifting, if any? Do you have to push/pull noticably harder or is that just a myth?

    Jul 31, 2007 4:19:23 PM

    Nad
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    Reply to: Circe

    Re: Short Shifter - Advice please

    You have to be slightly firmer with the stick and 'place' it into the gear as opposed to letting it 'fall' into place......I hope that makes sense....its diificult to put into words....

    Jul 31, 2007 4:51:59 PM

    Targa Tim
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    Reply to: Nad

    Re: Short Shifter - Advice please

    I had stock shifter in my ex-997S, and short shifter in my current club coupe. Nothing wrong with the stock one, but I like the short shifter much better.

    Jul 31, 2007 6:05:19 PM

    ResB Offline
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    Reply to: Targa Tim

    Re: Short Shifter - Advice please

    Just converted to the Short shift a month or so ago. Best Pounds350 I've spent in a long time. Do it.

    Jul 31, 2007 11:15:34 PM

    Neil Schneider
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    Neil Schneider
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    Reply to: ResB

    Re: Short Shifter - Advice please

    I have it and love it also.

    Jul 31, 2007 11:40:47 PM

    MMD
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    Reply to: Nad

    Re: Short Shifter - Advice please

    Quote:
    Nad said:
    You have to be slightly firmer with the stick and 'place' it into the gear as opposed to letting it 'fall' into place......I hope that makes sense....its diificult to put into words....



    It's also _theoretically_ easier on the tranny. Why?

    Because your wrist has LESS leverage and you have to work harder to get it into a gear.

    You can see shorter distance to fulcrum when shift lever is removed.

    IOW, the tendency with the stock shifter would be to "jam" or force gears into place without knowing it; since the sport shifter is harder work for your wrist _maybe_ you tend to force things less.

    Jul 31, 2007 11:56:40 PM

    SoCal Alan
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    Reply to: Neil Schneider

    Re: Short Shifter - Advice please

    Had mine installed with the PSE a couple of years ago and am pleased with it. Would not go back to the stock shifter. The difference between the two is that it takes less effort with the sport shifter.

    Aug 1, 2007 12:47:07 AM

    JAMS
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    Reply to: MMD

    Re: Short Shifter - Advice please

    Congratulations on your 5000th post MMD... Oops, missed it!

    Aug 1, 2007 1:07:23 AM

    MMD
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    Reply to: JAMS

    Re: Short Shifter - Advice please

    Quote:
    JAMS997GT3 said:
    Congratulations on your 5000th post MMD... Oops, missed it!



    LOL. You're too kind. I wish I could take back about 2000 of them.

    Aug 1, 2007 5:45:35 AM

    SVNSVN
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    SVNSVN
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    Reply to: MMD

    Re: Short Shifter - Advice please

    I much prefer it to the standard... However, during winter 1st gear is a bit of a challenge at times. In the summertime it's like butter. I'm sure it'll get even better after several thousand more miles.

    Aug 1, 2007 7:27:48 AM

    AS4s
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    Reply to: SVNSVN

    Re: Short Shifter - Advice please

    Thanks everyone!

    Aug 1, 2007 8:23:36 AM

    percymon
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    Reply to: AS4s

    Re: Short Shifter - Advice please

    I suggest you get back to an OPC or two and try a few cars, even if they are just sat in the showroom. You need to try the shifter with the engine and gearbox stone cold - even then it will be easier than its going to be in mid winter. I tried one on the 987 and it was awful in my opinion - too much mechanical noise when shifting and a pain to engage when cold. Maybe i had a bad one, but the shorter shift of the 9x7 cars is not far off the old 9*6 series with short shifter anyway.

    Aug 2, 2007 11:43:14 AM

    berty987
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    Reply to: percymon

    Re: Short Shifter - Advice please

    The Porsche short shift comes as a new gear lever assembly so it is a swap out procedure and costs about 250 pounds plus vat with about 1-2 hours fitting. its possible to fit yourself but you will need the lock bridge to make sure the mechanism is properly aligned (plastic part costing a few pounds). Aftermarket short shift cost a fraction of porches part and do the same job, but the old mechanism cannot be refitted. I have retro fitted the short shift in my 987 and enjoy the driving experience much more as a result.

    Aug 3, 2007 10:22:46 PM

    Jim48
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    Reply to: AS4s

    Re: Short Shifter - Advice please

    Quote:
    AS4s said:
    I know the answer may be somewhere in the renntem archives but I can't find it so can anyone tell me if the short-shifter option is worth it?

    I have a 997 C4S X-51 but did not get the short shifter. I had the opportunity to drive a GT3 a few weeks back and loved the short gears. Will it be similar if I get Porsche to install the short shifter?

    I have read a few comments already but it seems many people don't see a big difference.

    Thanks in advance.



    If you want to track the car a lot, then get it.

    I have a good friend who has owned Porsche's for years, and he thought I didn't need it. I haven't tracked mine yet but will do so next year.

    My salesman mentioned it as a possibility, but didn't push it. I test-drove a 997S with both the sport shifter and PCCB's. I wasn't particularly impressed with the sport shifter, but I could see that it would be useful for racing once one got used to it.

    Jim

    Aug 4, 2007 2:21:03 AM

    MMD
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    Reply to: Jim48

    Re: Short Shifter - Advice please

    I liked my personality-of-user explanation for getting the sport shifter or not.

    If you like to Tango with it's jerks, sudden stops, rapid twists, and extreme precision it can be a very sexy thing.

    If you imagine yourself learning to Tango sometime in your life maybe the Sport Shifter is a natural for you.

    I'd like to think it's got more to do with your personality than it's got to do with performance, IMO.

    See? I wanna add a little romance to Porsche; God bless them but the Germans can use all the "mechanical" romance they can get, right?

     
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