Re: 997 gearbox notchiness...
I just had the Porsche Sport (short) Shifter installed in my 997S Tuesday by the dealer. I bought the SSK P/N 997 424 983 00 from Sunset Imports in Beaverton, OR, for $419.95 plus shipping. Cost to install was $172.50.
The shifts are much more positive than with the stock shifter. With the engine warmed up, the shifts are no harder than the stock shifter. Very smooth. I am very happy with the result.
On my car with the stock shifter, the shifts were a bit hard into 1st & from 1st to 2nd, when the engine was cold. Once the oil temp got to normal, these shifts became easier. Ifind the Porsche Sport Shifter actually be no harder to shift into 1st or 2nd when cold than the stock shifter was on my car.
I recommend the Porsche Sport Shifter for very quick, positive shifts to all gears.