Interesting debate..... short or long throw, the gear change need only be as fast as the driver moves the lever. Clutch work, timing, respecting the syncros and feeling what the gearbox is doing are the true factors, as 'Nesslar' seems to be saying. But Hey Guys? How about my question about the length of the shift handle? My stock one is about 11", the Weltmeister is 7". That's a shortER-shifter on top of a short-shifter. What is WM up to with that? Can you measure your's (shifter handle-OK?- not that thing I'd rather not hear about). How about the WEVO you recommend? How tall is that handle? jvmcnair

The "Tech Info Center" tab at the top of this page will open to a series of articles. The 4th one down in the "transmission" section, or whatever it's called, just scroll down, contains pictures of the 911 stock and short versions.
The higher pivot point where the shifter is "pinned" is key, enabling the shorter throw from one gear to another, that and the handle is a bit shorter as well, getting it out of the way from a more forward seat position.

Thanks Nessler, I'll check that out. And yes I realize the longer length below the pivot is what shortens the shift. The spacer plate is there to equalize the angles involved inside the tunnel. I thought this would be easy as I've done most of the work on this car for 35 years but these aftermarket "engineers" tend to be out of touch with these older cars. Like I say, the WM lever is a Full 4" (that's over 30%) shorter than the stock one and I will feel like a monkey reaching it. It will be well below the level of the seat. I can't seem to comm with Weltmeister as apparently they have been swallowed up by Performance Products who is part of .... who knows....? jvmcnair

Wevo
 

this is a wevo on a '78 930. the CROWN ROYAL bag protects the red knob. coupling and all bushings were also changed. shifts like a new car.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1301246352.jpg

That car looks nice. And aren't those bags handy?! I don't know if the tunnel beneath that console box is much diff than my '71 but the top of that shift handle is way higher than even the stock handle on my '71. If I were to install this Weltmeister it would be 2-3" below the level of the seat corner. Also a Wevo @$600+, plus some additional part is not well-spent for me as there are other higher priority needs :<) jvm

I can't picture your shifter being that low. Here is a 71 I found from a google search and my 81 with an SCRS shifter.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1301261726.jpg


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1301261771.jpg

That second photo looks like the tunnel is the same as my 71. As for the shifter being 'that low', Bob, U R about half right. That '71T looks about like mine did with the original seats and the shifter in that one looks like the original handle. Now picture it with a handle 4" shorter and you will "see" the Weltmeister. Also the bolsters on my new seats are higher and the stock shifter is right against the corner in first. Speaking of picture, I'll take some for a later post. Thanks for helping. jvm

Ok - that explains it. The bolsters.

A properly "tuned" shifter mechanism is all that is needed to make a proper 915 work as it was designed. A short shift kit increases the shifting effort and will ultimately accelerate the demise, in some way, of a 20+ year old trans with thousands of mile on the clock.

OK, ok. But the basic Question IS: "Why is the handle of this new Weltmeister shifter so short??!!" Has anyone installed one of these? Was it only 7.5 inches long? If so, did you like it that way? jvm

And ...... oh yes; mine is not a 915 is it? 1971 is a 901, is it not? I think the 915 with it's newer, improved, shift linkage is more precise, so it is a more satisfying "experience" to drive. jvm

1971 and 1970 were neither. They were type 911. Nothing beats the true road racing shift pattern of a 901 or 911. :p

Ahh, ok. I must admit that I've never liked feeling around for first-gear plus the poor idle of the MFI at a stop sign or light. I must be driving to much in town and should get on the open road more often. BTW all: this evening I was looking more closely and I think one of the cross pins with the lockout springs has broken or the circlip has.... I'll keep you posted. It is something to look out for. jvm