901 shifter improvements

[boxer246]

Can anyone tell me is there any real improvement that can be done to the stock 901 shifter assembly? I know Weltmeister used to make a heavy duty spring kit, that as far as I know is no longer available, and I’m not certain that that makes any difference to the actual shift feel other than providing a more positive reverse lockout?
I know the common recommendation would be to switch to a 915 style shifter, but, and I know this is a little vain but I really hate how they look in an early car, plus I’m really not interested in spending $650 for a WEVO plus the cost of a 915 shifter.

I have already replaced all the shift rod and coupler bushings and cup, and my trans was rebuilt with about 3k miles on it now. I replaced the coupler bushings with those stupid oblong hole stock 911 ones. I had considered now replacing those with the round hole 914 style ones, but then I’ve found the Rauch and Speigel coupler it’s around $100, which seems like a reasonable alternative to the $200+ WEVO coupler. Maybe that will help.
Overall the trans shifts well, when cold if I’m too fast 1st to 2nd gear it will nick 2nd a little which is annoying. But otherwise it’s good. It’s mainly the overall sloppiness of the shifter and complete lack of side to side positivity that, maybe is exactly how it just is, but would be great if could be improved a little.

[Blacklogdeer]

Years ago Gary Wigglesworth owned Translog in York Pa. He put a factory Short Shift kit on my 68S. It is Very tight and has a close ratio. If you don't like the offset from 1st to 2nd, start out in 2nd. Works for me.

[BURN-BROS]

Originally Posted by boxer246

Can anyone tell me is there any real improvement that can be done to the stock 901 shifter assembly? I know Weltmeister used to make a heavy duty spring kit, that as far as I know is no longer available, and I’m not certain that that makes any difference to the actual shift feel other than providing a more positive reverse lockout?
I know the common recommendation would be to switch to a 915 style shifter, but, and I know this is a little vain but I really hate how they look in an early car, plus I’m really not interested in spending $650 for a WEVO plus the cost of a 915 shifter.

I have already replaced all the shift rod and coupler bushings and cup, and my trans was rebuilt with about 3k miles on it now. I replaced the coupler bushings with those stupid oblong hole stock 911 ones. I had considered now replacing those with the round hole 914 style ones, but then I’ve found the Rauch and Speigel coupler it’s around $100, which seems like a reasonable alternative to the $200+ WEVO coupler. Maybe that will help.
Overall the trans shifts well, when cold if I’m too fast 1st to 2nd gear it will nick 2nd a little which is annoying. But otherwise it’s good. It’s mainly the overall sloppiness of the shifter and complete lack of side to side positivity that, maybe is exactly how it just is, but would be great if could be improved a little.

One thing that gets overlooked is the wear that happens at the shift shaft bores. A “in spec” 901 shifts wonderfully...with stock couplers

[911pcars]

Can replace with a 915 shift housing +. It's a factory piece, but wasn't for 901 gearboxes.



Sherwood

[Fleming]

Boxer246,
way back when... I was playing with the 1964 911 and was having conversations with Bruce Anderson about getting the car to drive a little better.

Bruce made the strongest recommendation to go to a AJR (Allan Johnson Racing) short shifter for the 901.

It is pictured below, the black one. You heat the joint remove the stock shift end and align and epoxy this part on. It has a companion spacer (bolts on) which lowers the horizontal shift rod to align its bushing. I got this black one from AJR prior to it being NLA. Since then I used it as a model for modifying a few for friends who drove my car and remarked how well it shifted.

If you are interested send me note and we can talk.

If you have the tools, time and these dimensions, you could do your own.

[boxer246]

Thanks to y’all’s input....greatly appreciated. Fleming, that’s very interesting....and I’m certain I’ve seen pictures of that somewhere before. Really wouldn’t be too difficult to fabricate/modify. To be honest, I hadn’t thought too much of an actual short shifter, as my car is virtually stock and I don’t so much mind the overall length of the throws, as much as I mind the general sloppiness. But I may reconsider.
I did assess my coupler today, and despite my having replaced the bushings in it not terribly long ago, it for sure needs it again. I think it’s time for the R&S coupler.