shifter upgrade questions from new owner

curmudgeon · 05-24-2004, 12:27 PM

Hello all-first time post, but I've been avidly reading this board for awhile.
I'm going to be installing a porsche short shift kit, new bushings, new coupler, and adding a Seine gate shift kit to a 1983 911 sc. At 88,000 miles, the shifting is a little sloppy. My main question is what is the recommended order to replace these parts to not have nightmares with adjusting? I'm thinking shift kit and bushings, then coupler, adjust coupler, and then gate shift. Please share advice and wisdom!
Gratuitous pic of my first P-car:

Thanks
Scott

Rot 911 · 05-24-2004, 12:31 PM

Do the shift kit and bushings first. I would also change out the tranny fluid and replace with Swepco 201. Then decide if you need to go any further. I think you will be amazed at the improvement.

chrisp · 05-24-2004, 01:00 PM

Been doing a lot of thinking abut this lately myself.

I have recently rebuilt my shift coupler. It had 120k miles on it. Substantial difference in taking out some of the play at the lever.

I put in Swepco about 10k miles ago and I did not notice an improvement.

Next up is a WEVO shifter and the ball cup bushing and the shift rod bushing.

I recently rebuilt my 3.0 and am now in search of insurance towards a misshift on the track. With all of my research I decided on the WEVO shifter. Some think Seine is good but for what I was looking for the WEVO was really the better option since another $4k rebuild is not an option in my estimation. I heard the Seine is nice but the WEVO is better since it replaces some of the internal parts that are normally sloppy. The Seine just adds the sping loading to locate the shift lever in the 3rd/4th plane.

For pure street driving, honestly, I would replace all bushings, change to Swepco and leave it from there. On the street I have no problem taking ym time and shifting slowly from 5th to 4th to be sure of proper gear selection. On the track things get a bit hazy at times and I need the added insurance should I try to select 2nd.

I can speak better to the WEVO points when I get mine installed later this week.

curmudgeon · 05-24-2004, 01:33 PM

Thanks for some quick replies!
Tranny fluid was changed with Swepco at 82,000 miles. I considered the Wevo shifter but couldn't justify the extra $300 over the seine and factory short shift kit. I may autocross this car some, but I have an S2000 that I love to autocross (and did one porsche club DE with it)! I do not plan to track this car. I will still shift slowly with the short shift kit-my main reason for it is to lessen the reach with my right arm (recent rotator cuff repair).
And to clarify-I have all these parts on order from Pelican and will install all at the same time-I just want to do them in the right order for the least headache when adjusting the coupler.
Any hints or tips appreciated!

astark · 05-25-2004, 07:43 AM

I just performed the same upgrade/maintaince on my 82 SC. Get Wayne's book, it is realy straight forward. I didn't replace the shift coupler, and regret it. Ordered WEVO coupler and will install it this week. The shifter feels much better (PO installed short shift kit). Take your time shifting, the 915 requires attention, but is great when shifted correctly.

Alan

qcwang · 10:38 PM

My advice for the coupler when I did mine a few months ago:

Mark the relation to each other of the shift rod and shift rod
coupler before uncoupling them. This saved me time in that I did not need to do any adjustment when reassembled. I took a piece of athletic tape and wrapped it around the male end of the shift rod coupler right where it met the shift rod. This showed me
how far to slide back on the shift rod when I reassembled it. Using a pen, I then marked how the two were aligned. This combo worked for me and no linkage adjustments were needed when I was done!

Oh about the order you should do them, my guess is do the order you describe above but switch the gated shifter and do the coupler last. If any adjustments need to be made, it will be made with the shifter portion all ready set to go and will most likely be the last thing you have to do if at all if the athletic tape and marker trick didn't work.

Good luck and have fun!!

RSBob · RSBob's Garage

Gorgeous car. I just did the bushings on mine and added a Seine. I seriously like the Seine.

curmudgeon · 05-27-2004, 05:15 AM

Thanks for the help and compliment! qcwang-if I plan to do the coupler after the seine, should I put the transmission in 3rd gear before I take the shifter out? Or does it matter as long as the coupler is marked as you suggested?

Scott

chrisp · 05-27-2004, 05:21 AM

I installed my WEVO last night. It's truly amazing. After taking the stock shifter apart I can see all the areas where the tolerances were either bad to begin with or have loosened up over time. When in gear the top of my shifter could move 1/2" in any direction without even thinking of coming out of gear. Now there is zero play at the lever. It really does feel like a modern gearbox...but you still have to keep in mind that the 915 doesn't like to be shifted fast.

JackT · 05-27-2004, 05:55 AM

The first thing I would do is the coupler. If it is worn, you will be shocked at the change in shifing. I would then replace your fluid with Swepco. It did not make a huge difference on my car but it did feel a little smoother. If and when you put a short shifter in, you will not feel a better shift, but a shorter shift. The short shifter makes the shift a little more notchy but the shift throw is more like more modern cars. It is my undestanding that the Seine will help you not miss shifts but is not going to make the feel of the shifter any smoother. I do not have it in my car so I cannot give personal experience. I do not have a problem missing shifts in my car.

qcwang · 10:35 AM

Hey Scott,

I'm not familiar with the seine and if there is any difference in assembly, but my guess is as long as the shifter is in third gear when you put it back together it should be ok. For me, if I remember right,I ended up putting it in first, taking it apart and putting it back with the shifter in first. I don't think what gear you use matters, as long as you put it back in the same gear. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

Hoepfully this helps and I haven't confused you!! :-)
Not an expert by far, but working hard on my "Weekend Warrior Mechanic-DIY" degree!! Ahh.... only a lifetime of weekend classes left before my diploma!!

By the way, beautiful car! I have the same 83 SC in what looks like the same color. Just with the black Fuchs.

Quincy

chrisp · 05-27-2004, 10:30 AM

Not sure if it's the same for Seine but the Wevo needs to be in third. Since it's spring loaded on either side of the 3/4 shift plane, if you have the gearbox in 1,2, or 5 the shifter will not line up on the chassis mounting holes. Not sure if 3rd or 4th makes a difference.

curmudgeon · 05-27-2004, 06:18 PM

Quincy-I'm awaiting the original black Fuchs for this car-coming from CA. I'm not a real fan of the polished wheels. Sounds like taking the shifter out in 3rd will be the way to go. Parts arrive next week! I found the seine web site and some instructions are posted there as well.
Thanks again
Scott

qcwang · 05-27-2004, 11:30 PM

Scott,

Reading chrisp's response. I think third gear is correct as I forgot you are putting in a spring loaded gated shifter. Mine is not gated so I ended up using first.

I have ruby red metallic paint (according to the old window sticker), if yours is the same this is how it will probably look with the black Fuchs. (My paint is not as nice as yours, lots of rock chips and little door dings when you look up close!)

Let me know how the gated shifter works. I may pursue that in the future.

Take care!!

Quincy