Shift lever extension (ala John Walker)

[Joe V]

One of the first modifications I performed on my baby was the installation of a factory short shift kit. A side effect of the shortened travel is the higher amount of effort required to shift, which makes driving her a little less fun than it should be. Well my days of high shifting effort are over!!! With the Super Walkermatic shifter extension device (not available in stores)!!! I found a 7/16 inch bolt that fit the I.D. nicely. Then I had a muffler shop cut 3 1/4 inches (John did 3, but I'm short, ok??) and cut the head off the bolt. Then it was just a matter of mixing up a delicious batch of tasty J B Weld, pressing it into place, and, voila, instant Super Walkermatic!

Here is the original link if you want to get the original version: the amazing "long" shifter

[911pcars]

Here are three shift levers. From the top, factory, factory short shifter, then WM short shifter. Notice the position of the pivot pin relative to the overall length of the shift lever and thus the length of the lever below the pivot hole (fulcrum).



The increased length of the lever below the pivot shortens the throw distance from gear to gear. In addition, the effect of the shorter WM shifter further decreases the throw distance but at the expense of leverage. This increases the effort to move the lever and can be annoying to many drivers.

Adding an extension to any of the shift levers will mathematically change the location of the pivot. By adding length to the gear knob end in any of the above levers, the throw distance will increase in proportion to the length added.

If performed on the WM lever, there will be a point where adding additional length above the pivot pin will result in duplicating the original throw distance. And adding add'l length beyond that will increase the throw distance even more.

Thus, lengthening the WM lever X amount can restore the factory throw distance. However, because the WM lever is slightly longer below the pivot pin (compared to the factory lever), the other end of the lever will also be slightly longer - closer to you, and the shifting effort will decrease as well. For some, this will be a net gain.

Hope this helps,
Sherwood
SeineSystems.com

[Vincent Hill]

Originally Posted by 911pcars

Here are three shift levers. From the top, factory, factory short shifter, then WM short shifter. Notice the position of the pivot pin relative to the overall length of the shift lever and thus the length of the lever below the pivot hole (fulcrum).



The increased length of the lever below the pivot shortens the throw distance from gear to gear. In addition, the effect of the shorter WM shifter further decreases the throw distance but at the expense of leverage. This increases the effort to move the lever and can be annoying to many drivers.

Adding an extension to any of the shift levers will mathematically change the location of the pivot. By adding length to the gear knob end in any of the above levers, the throw distance will increase in proportion to the length added.

If performed on the WM lever, there will be a point where adding additional length above the pivot pin will result in duplicating the original throw distance. And adding add'l length beyond that will increase the throw distance even more.

Thus, lengthening the WM lever X amount can restore the factory throw distance. However, because the WM lever is slightly longer below the pivot pin (compared to the factory lever), the other end of the lever will also be slightly longer - closer to you, and the shifting effort will decrease as well. For some, this will be a net gain.

Hope this helps,
Sherwood
SeineSystems.com

Great post "With Pics"! The #1 thing I noticed from the Pictures is the WM Lever has "Less" Bend in it making it sit Farther "Forward" than the Factory levers. From Measuring the levers I found that over all, I need "2" Inches of lenght to the WM Lever to end up with a lever of Similar length of Stock (With an After Market Knob) and Shorter Throws. I am working with a Machinist right now to have him make a few Extensions for the Weltmeister if he can make them cheap enough so that I can paint them and heat treat them with Black Caliper paint and sell them for about $25 delivered. I will know in a few days. If the cost is higher then I will only have 1 made for myself.

[911pcars]

Originally Posted by Vincent A Hill

Great post "With Pics"! The #1 thing I noticed from the Pictures is the WM Lever has "Less" Bend in it making it sit Farther "Forward" than the Factory levers. From Measuring the levers I found that over all, I need "2" Inches of lenght to the WM Lever to end up with a lever of Similar length of Stock (With an After Market Knob) and Shorter Throws. I am working with a Machinist right now to have him make a few Extensions for the Weltmeister if he can make them cheap enough so that I can paint them and heat treat them with Black Caliper paint and sell them for about $25 delivered. I will know in a few days. If the cost is higher then I will only have 1 made for myself.

"I need "2" Inches of lenght to the WM Lever to end up with a lever of Similar length of Stock (With an After Market Knob) and Shorter Throws."

Per my description, adding length to the knob end of the lever will increase the distance the knob will travel from gear to gear, not shorten it. It just so happens that in your quest to make the lever longer, doing it on a WM lever won't increase the throw as much compared with the factory levers.

Let me know if you make these at a reasonable price. I'm interested. I would suggest not bothering with the expense of fancy paint. The location isn't in a high wear area and owners may want to respray the entire shift lever to minimize the appearance of an extension piece.

Sherwood

[David]

I installed a tall Momo shift knob. Took about 5 minutes.

[Vincent Hill]

Originally Posted by 911pcars

"I need "2" Inches of lenght to the WM Lever to end up with a lever of Similar length of Stock (With an After Market Knob) and Shorter Throws."

Per my description, adding length to the knob end of the lever will increase the distance the knob will travel from gear to gear, not shorten it. It just so happens that in your quest to make the lever longer, doing it on a WM lever won't increase the throw as much compared with the factory levers.

Let me know if you make these at a reasonable price. I'm interested. I would suggest not bothering with the expense of fancy paint. The location isn't in a high wear area and owners may want to respray the entire shift lever to minimize the appearance of an extension piece.

Sherwood

Point taken! My thought is that Postage will be about $5.00 (Mailer, Postage and Delivery Confirmation) and the Part to me between $15 to $20. My thinking about paint is it is nice to start out with black because if it is close then no need to paint the lever which would require removing the lever which is what I am trying to avoid. I have sent the drawing to the machinist and should know something in the next few days (Holidays have a way of getting in the way of Business)

It will also depend on how many people may want this becaue we all know the more you buy the less it costs. Also I will need to have him send me one to make sure of the fit. I do not want it Press Fit and I do not want it lose either. I want it a little hard to push in using JB Weld and easy to push in with out the glue!

Last, I agree that by adding 2 inches it should be "Shorter" than the Factory SHORT Shift with about the same amount of effort! I just hate hitting the dash for First and have my arm in the back seat for second!

[911pcars]

Originally Posted by 125shifter

I installed a tall Momo shift knob. Took about 5 minutes.

I use one too. It adds about 1" to the overall length.

Check the WRC on-board camera. Even with a sequential gearbox, the ideal location for the shift knob is but a few inches away from the steering wheel:



Sherwood

[widgeon13]

This is why God gave me a 36" sleeve.

[Vincent Hill]

A friend made 10 Steel extensions with 1 inch cut to glue into the Weltmeister Shift lever and will make the lever 2 inches longer. I should have them some time this week (He is shipping them to me today). I will post pictures (I may have to open another account because I am having problems posting Pics right now but if I do it will be under the name Vincent Hill.

From what he charged me, I can deliver them (Including Postage. Mailer and tracking) for $25.00. As soon as I get them and "KNOW" that they fit properly, I will post again. So understand I will sell 8 of them (I need 1 as a Standard and 1 for my own usage. What I like about this is the Victor Know I use has about 2 inches of space that I can slide the know up and down it to "Fine tune" how much lever travel and pressure I need to use.

[widgeon13]

Originally Posted by Vincent A Hill

A friend made 10 Steel extensions with 1 inch cut to glue into the Weltmeister Shift lever and will make the lever 2 inches longer. I should have them some time this week (He is shipping them to me today). I will post pictures (I may have to open another account because I am having problems posting Pics right now but if I do it will be under the name Vincent Hill.

From what he charged me, I can deliver them (Including Postage. Mailer and tracking) for $25.00. As soon as I get them and "KNOW" that they fit properly, I will post again. So understand I will sell 8 of them (I need 1 as a Standard and 1 for my own usage. What I like about this is the Victor Know I use has about 2 inches of space that I can slide the know up and down it to "Fine tune" how much lever travel and pressure I need to use.

I'd be interested in what they look like ands more on how they attach.

[Superman]

I've always wondered why in the heck those Stuttgart engineers placed the shifter forward of the steering wheel.

[Vincent Hill]

Originally Posted by widgeon13

I'd be interested in what they look like ands more on how they attach.

I had them machined so that 1 inch would fit "IN" the end of the Weltmeister shifter lever and the other 2 inches the "Exact" same size of the outside of the Lever. They must be Glued in with either JB Weld or Epoxy made for Steel. I am painting mine with black epoxy paint and then gluing it in place. I will post pics of the part and installed.

From reading everything I soon realized that the lever was Just too short above the Pivot. and that somewhere between the factory original long and short throw shifter that the Weltmeister was just too short for a good feel to 3rd gear and very high effort. I told a friend and he said send him a drawing of what I wanted and he made 10 of them which I hope will resolve the problem not only for myself but for anyone that may want to do the same!

BTW, on your comment of Never argue with an Idiot? Not only will they drag you down to their level, but they will beat you with their Experience. Also never argue with a Fool because no one will know which one you are!

[widgeon13]

So I'm order to use this extension you need the Weltmeister lever??

[Laneco]

Originally Posted by Superman

I've always wondered why in the heck those Stuttgart engineers placed the shifter forward of the steering wheel.

My personal driving position is arms straight out and I don't have terribly long arms... So I suspect everything I stretch out for maximum extension to reach 3rd and 5th, that some engineer in Germany is laughing his buns off at me.

"Ja - we make cars for men, with manly man arms, silly girl."

angela

[1990C4S]

How do you guys remove the shift knob without breaking it?

[Vincent Hill]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

How do you guys remove the shift knob without breaking it?

Good Question since it is a Pressed on part and only a metal sleeve in the knob keeps the tension! I Put the lever in a vice and took a large Adjustable wrench with a Shop Towel and tapped under the Knob to remove it! One know came off unhurt and the other was damaged!

[Vincent Hill]

Originally Posted by widgeon13

So I'm order to use this extension you need the Weltmeister lever??

YES, the Inside ID is smaller because the walls of the weltmeister are Thicker than the Stock lever so the ID is Smaller than the Stock! Also the Weltmeister levers are about an inch Shorter above the Pin so this is MORE needed for this lever. The diameter is about 1/16 smaller than Stock so the only way it could be used is with JB Weld because of the clearance. The OD is within 0.010" being the same.

[jurhip]

Interesting, but I am not sure if I see the point of this whole exercise. It seems like its meant to install a WM short shifter, then bring the throw length back to approximately original. Why not just stick with the original?

[Vincent Hill]

Originally Posted by jurhip

Interesting, but I am not sure if I see the point of this whole exercise. It seems like its meant to install a WM short shifter, then bring the throw length back to approximately original. Why not just stick with the original?

With the Long throw of the stock Porsche lever, to shorten the throw you would have to Shorten the lever Above the Pivot! (Correct?) with the Weltmeister they lengthened the lever Below the Pivot "BUT" Shortened it Above the Pivot which makes this the Shortest throw, Highest Effort and most difficult to position lever of all!

Most people buying the Weltmeister do not know that the lever is "Shorter" (Above the Pivot) than stock, thinking that this will turn out the same as glueing the longer throw pivot on the stock lever but with everything in correct alignment because of the spacer Weltmeister Uses. (At least what I thought)

By adding 2 inches and using an After Market Knob, you will then have the "Adjustability" to have the lever exactly where you want it, In Height, Reach, Effort and Feel. I will be using about 1 inch of the 2 inches to end up with just a little shorter throw than the Porsche Short Shifter.

In other words, I knew at the beginning what I know now, I would have either gotten the Porsche Short Shifter or the Glue on Piece. Also for the taller people this will allow them to recover the reach they lost when they installed the Weltmeister Short Shift.

[Shoepop]

I had a short 'black' WM on a 901 but I wanted to keep the stock chrome lever. I cut the WM off aprox halfway up from the large pivot ball and shift lever bend reamed out WM ID to match stock installed a sleeve and welded the two. Boot covers it all.