$0.15 Gate Shift Kit for 915

[Won]

A picture is worth a thousand words:


That's the first trial. However, the double looped green band was putting too much pressure on the shifter (for my liking anyway) in fore-and-aft direction. So here's the revised version:


... and it doesn't interfere with the tabs or the lockout mechanism:


The blue rubber band is there as a "helper". The shifter doesn't "glide" over the rubber bands when moving in fore-and-aft direction, but there's plenty of stretch in those bands.

I can imagine this little trick has existed for a long time. I came across a "rubber band" reference by BlueSkyJaunte in Pelican archives from way back in 2001. Tbitz made a similar gate shift system using a spring here. I don't claim this to be "my" trick; I just wanted a visual reference in the archives. So next time you buy some groceries, keep those rubber bands and turn your ordinary 915 shifter into an awesome gate-shifter!

PS. Those with sharp eyes may have noticed the rips in the green band. Maybe it will last a couple weeks, perhaps even less. But really, it took me 2 minutes to put those on, and the rubber bands cost virtually nothing, so it's all good.

[Porsche virgin]

Very clever. And it is adjustable for tension! How do you like the "upgrade?" I'm taking my car to a DE this weekend. If I can find some rubber bands and a half hour of free time, I might give this a go!

[wide911guy]

.15 cents? and they say we're not in a recession.

[kach22i]

I'll stick with my spring loaded Seine Systems.

[kucharskimb]

i guess the other good things is when they do break and fall down in the shifter, they are nice and soft... but i do like the way you are thinking

[Palum6o]

have you found any particular grocery store produce rubber band better than others? Very clever indeed.

[pieterk]

Originally Posted by Won

The blue rubber band is there as a "helper". The shifter doesn't "glide" over the rubber bands when moving in fore-and-aft direction, but there's plenty of stretch in those bands.

Maybe try a little teflon or graphite powder dry lube?

[Gunter]

Instead of rubber, try this:
I used a very long spring (3-4mm diameter) attached it to the lever above the lock-out tab with a small hose clamp and then hooked it into the opening on the right side of the shift tower.
Just picture a small diameter long spring with a hook on the end for the window, and the other end attached to the lever above the lock-out tab.
It's all out of sight under the rubber boot.
Keeps it on the 3-4 plane and works good for 3 years now.

[Won]

Again, not my own clever idea, but thanks. I haven't done an extensive research as to what brand of produce comes with the best kind of rubber yet.

I thought about sleeving the part of rubber bands that touch the shifter with a bendy straw, but it works pretty well as it is.

I like Gunter's spring idea too. I may try it when I save up some money to spend, right now can't afford anything more expensive than $0.15

[scottbooth]

Careful with the bendy straw. That will double your cost of materials.

Interesting ideas here...

[JBO]

Gunter - I think I'll try your spring idea. Why do you need a hose clamp on the lever - wouldn't there be enough tension to keep it in place if that end is hooked around the lever above the tab? Just want to be sure I am visualizing the set up properly.

[ianc]

Great work; that should last a couple weeks at least. Then you'll be pulling off the boot again to dig out the bits...

ianc

[Jeff Hail]

Watch out you might take an eye out with that thing!

Actually I just wanted to say that. My Dad used to reiterate that one over and over when I was a kid. It must have worked because I still have four eyes.

[Mattcamp]

It's all fun and games 'til someone looses an eye................Then it's just fun you can't see.

[Gunter]

Originally Posted by JBO

Gunter - I think I'll try your spring idea. Why do you need a hose clamp on the lever - wouldn't there be enough tension to keep it in place if that end is hooked around the lever above the tab? Just want to be sure I am visualizing the set up properly.

Sure, whatever keeps the spring up there.
It takes some experimenting with spring size and tension.
It has to be a continuous,long, small diameter spring because it will rub on the edge of the shift plate.
I made a double loop to get the right tension.
Lube everything inside the tower with Moly grease; Moly sticks.

[BLEW911]

Wow! I tried Gunter's method with the spring today. It works fantastic.I cant believe I never thought of this. I used a universal spring I got at Pep Boys (the kind you might use for carb throttle linkage).I used a pretty stiff one, about 3/8" dia,1 1/2 to 2" long with an inch or two of straight wire on each end. I cut one end short to hookaround the hose clamp, then streched the spring until it reached the shifter plate, measured and bent a hook to hook thru the window. This left all the spring above the plate.
As I said the spring is pretty strong and it feels perfect to me.The shifter has a tight feel unlike the vague sloppiness we all get used to driving an older Porsche. I recommend this!!
The hardest part was getting the console up and that was easy. Total time: 20 to 30 minutes.

Don

[MattAlpha]

BLEW911,

A picture is worth a thousand words. Could you take another 30 minutes out of your schedule and take one or two for us and post them.

Thanks,
Matt

[MIK911]

Originally Posted by MattAlpha

BLEW911,

A picture is worth a thousand words. Could you take another 30 minutes out of your schedule and take one or two for us and post them.

Thanks,
Matt

Ditto. Would love to see a pic. My 1 beer buzz has impaired my 'visualization' skills of how/where this spring is supposed to go.

My $0.15 upgrade contribution (not my idea. I believe I read it here on PP yrs ago): spray aerosol silicone lubricant down into the shift linkage, for smoother shifts. I worked for me.

thanks

[BLEW911]

I made a quick sketch. If you can't recognize anything let me know and I'll take pictures for you guys.

[MIK911]

Wow. That's a masterpiece. Nice drawing. OK, now I got it. Thanks
Now I just gotta find the correct spring at PepBoys.

Thanks