Better shifting

jester911 · jester911's Garage

Well I finally got around to digging into the shift coupler,bushings ect. yesterday. I bought the parts a while back here from our host but I just haven't had (or taken) the time to do the work.
Of course of the five screws that hold down the shifter, one had to be stubborn and the head stripped out. Being countersunk in the shifter housing you can't get vise grips or the like on it.

Well I drilled it out. Anyway after that it went pretty smooth. Got it all back together last nite but I couldn't get the adjustment right. It was getting late so I waited till this morning to readjust.

It took me about 3 times of tweeking but I got it just right and man what an improvement. It shifts way better. Now don't get me wrong. It isn't like a honda but it is 100% better than before.
Not only is it way tighter and smoother but now it is adjusted a little closer to me.

Before when in first my knuckles almost hit the ashtray but now there is a couple of inches room. It feels great and there is that satisfaction you get from doing it yourself.
just had to share

Bill Douglas · 09-01-2003, 03:14 PM

Well done Jerry, and every time you drive the car you will have the personal satisfaction of saying "I did that".

jester911 · jester911's Garage

The more I drive my car the more I am amazed with the difference in shifting. It feels like a different tranny. It still got that little quirk about 1st to 2nd that you have to hit right although it is better as well.

It is really tight now and feels more precise. If you guys haven't done this, you really should. It isn't hard, and the parts are cheap.

You will be glad you did

SpeedracerIndy · 09-02-2003, 08:45 PM

I agree with you. I did the same a few months ago and I felt like I had a new car. I wasn't done there though... I replaced my shifter about two weeks ago with the factory short shift kit, and I had a similar improvment. The car now shifts like a Porsche should! I too still have a little "quirk" from first to second, but as long as I pause for about a second between the 1-2 shift, it is fine. I have gotten used to this and end up doing it in my daily driver sometimes also. I would recomend the factory SS kit if you don't have it yet.

tmctguer · tmctguer's Garage

ditto on the improvements that come from replacing all the bushings. i also added a factory short shift kit, and loved it ! i also, also installed a robotek and i was in shifter heaven.

Sonic dB · Sonic dB's Garage

Personally....I do these improvements....it shifts better for a week or so...and then slowly reverts back to the old 915 again.

Every shift is one shift closer to a rebuild.

I do love the feeling though.

JackT · 09-03-2003, 04:52 AM

Do any of you that have the factory short shifter get a little grind when shifting fast to 3rd gear at high RPM's?

Wil Ferch · 09-03-2003, 05:18 AM

DrewT:
"shifting fast" ... and "915" just don't go together.
915's , no matter how good of state-of-tune, will require a slight pause in neutral between shifts.
---Wil Ferch

MFAFF · 09-03-2003, 06:14 AM

Say that ain't so.......

My g'box is pretty tired and really should get a rebuild..I've been saying that for years... but the 3rd to 4th change at high revs and speed is just brilliant, as fast as the hand can move with no grinds, clics or anything, just seamless power...that's what makes the car so great.

First to second however is a real careful operation but who needs it........

FlaCarrera · 09-03-2003, 09:57 AM

I have factory short shift kit and Seine Systems gate shift kit....wonderful is an understatement. The 1 > 2 shift still demands that patient pause, costing probably a second at an autocross launch.
Ted in SoFla
86 Carrera Blk/Blk

bkrygier · bkrygier's Garage

How many miles are on your cars when you are changing your bushings?

BGCarrera32 · 09-03-2003, 10:28 AM

Quote:

How many miles are on your cars when you are changing your bushings?

It almost doesn't matter, because they can go sloppy over time- a lot of gear changes (like from short runs/city traffic) can reduce the bushing life, as well as a hamfisted owner that can't finess a gear change. My bushings were so sloppy you could see it when you looked at the coupler in the shift tunnel. Something like $15-20 spent for the bushings, and being *careful* and creative with a bench vise or a c-clamp and you can replace them easily. I used an arbor press. One of the cheap better maintenance items you can do...

My transmission was rebuilt by one of the PO's, and they left in the original coupler bushings...unbelievable...

-BG

UTKarmann_Ghia · 09-03-2003, 10:57 AM

I did the gambit: 1) bushings in coupler, 2) Swepco 212 tranny fluid w/moly, 3) new clutch cable, 4) factory short shift kit. I ALMOST like the way it shifts now

First gear is about 50/50 for it to go in without touching second first. Second gear, well, is second gear and it's not bad once you get used to it. But all other gears can be upshift and downshift at any speed very smoothly. What would you rate that? Maybe a 6 or 7 out of 10?

jester911 · jester911's Garage

Quote:

How many miles are on your cars when you are changing your bushings?

My car has about 73k on it.

SpeedracerIndy · 09-03-2003, 02:20 PM

Replaced my at around 75k miles. I also have no problems when shifting very fast into third or fourth. Second is my only problem. If I shift very fast into second (cringe!!!), I get a very nice GRIND, but it will go in every time. I don't do that very often, if ever.

Since these bushings are notorious for wearing out prematurly, I am suprised that there hasn't been an improvment in the bushing design. What about bronze bushings. They would have to be a two piece design in the tunnel bushing but if someone could engineer them, they would last MUCH longer than the nylon ones. Just a thought.

bkrygier · bkrygier's Garage

I have 77K on mine sounds like a good late fall project.