rennshift install, anyone need to see this?

[James Brown]

Just purchased a rennshift shifter, anyone need the play by play of the install? (with pics) Straight forward I think, let me know, it's on the way from rennsport...

[Tsunamiboy]

I installed a Rennshifter in my 73 teener. That 901 transmission shifted better than when it was new! High quality product and a very easy install. Make sure you replace all the bushings in the linkage for the best results.

I would install one in my SC but the 915 transmission was expertly rebuilt and shifts like new. "if it ain't broke don't fix it".

[TimT]

The rennshift swap is easy..

That 901 transmission shifted better than when it was new!

How many out there have shifted 901s when they new.....Oh and they can account for it lol

[tobluforu]

Originally Posted by James Brown

Just purchased a rennshift shifter, anyone need the play by play of the install? (with pics) Straight forward I think, let me know, it's on the way from rennsport...

Go for it as I just installed one and I think the instructions can be improved upon. It's easy to install, but I think there could be better "how too's" when it comes to changing the throw, shimming the springs, etc..
Right now I'm trying to adjust the coupler, and Jb responded to my thread that using a bugee cord to hold it far left works great. I guess you could add that as well?

[Scooter]

Everybody loves pics, so I say go for it. This is a technical forum after all. Thanks in advance for your input.

[Tsunamiboy]

in 1979 I wanted to buy a new sports car so I drove a 1975 914 with only 2000 miles on it, a new MGB and a 124 Fiat Spider. I didn't buy the teener because of the long throw of the shifter and it didn't feel crisp. I ended up buying the spider which turned out to be a fantastic car.

I sold the spider in 1983 to buy a 1959 356A. Even with the funky shifting of the 356 (I wish the rennshifter was around in 1983!) it changed my chemistry and I have never looked back.

[SpeedracerIndy]

Go for it, I would love to see how your install goes compared to mine. I installed one and had quite a bit of trouble at first getting it adjusted. I could only get it to go into either 1,2,3,4 (no 5th or reverse), or 3,4,5,R (no 1,2). It turned out to be bad bushings in the shift coupler. I replaced that with a Stomski Racing Precision Shift Coupler and it cured everything. It seems that the Rennshift needs a very tight bushings to be able to adjust properly. Well worth the effort though, because the difference in shifting is amazing.

[joe payne]

Originally Posted by James Brown

Just purchased a rennshift shifter, anyone need the play by play of the install? (with pics) Straight forward I think, let me know, it's on the way from rennsport...

Hey James, I just purchased a Rennshifter yesterday so it should be here in the near future. I am very interested in seeing a very straight forward with pics installation. I read the other directions and think they're making it seem more difficult than it really is. My car is a 78SC. I just replaced the bushings in the coupler this weekend out of necessity because they were toast and lost all ability to shift. (that was fun). So I'm going to pass in the tricked out coupler at this time and use the like new one. Really looking forward to the Rennshifter!!Thanks, joe

[tobluforu]

Originally Posted by joe payne

Hey James, I just purchased a Rennshifter yesterday so it should be here in the near future. I am very interested in seeing a very straight forward with pics installation. I read the other directions and think they're making it seem more difficult than it really is. My car is a 78SC. I just replaced the bushings in the coupler this weekend out of necessity because they were toast and lost all ability to shift. (that was fun). So I'm going to pass in the tricked out coupler at this time and use the like new one. Really looking forward to the Rennshifter!!Thanks, joe

Ok, here is what you do, do not change it out of the box unless you are racing and want the reverse lockout feature. With old shifter in car, place it in third gear and remove shifter. Drop new shifter right in, clamp it down, etc. Now pull it out of third gear, and put it into third a few times. It should slide right in with out it moving to the left or right, if not adjust at coupler. Drive car and if it does not feel right, adjust coupler. The slightest turn at the coupler, left or right makes a huge difference with this shifter.
Just read my post again and I have to start proof reading before I post while at work.

[DRACO A5OG]

What the Duck? where are the purty pictures

[joe payne]

Originally Posted by tobluforu

Ok, here is what you do, do not change it out of the box unless you are racing and want the reverse lockout feature. With old shifter in car, place it in third gear and remove shifter. Drop new shifter right in, clamp it down, etc. Now pull it out of third gear, and put it into third a few times. It should slight right in with it moving to the left or right, if not adjust at coupler. Drive car and if it does not feel right, adjust coupler. The slightest turn at the coupler, left or right makes a huge difference with this shifter.

Wow! That sounds as easy as putting a Hurst shifter in my VW's back in the day.
Can I assume you have a 915 transmission? My current shifter is bolted underneath the carpet, so do I just slide the shifter under from the side of the carpeting and bolt it down? I checked out the two pics of your car. VERY NICE!
More pics of your car..Thanks for your help too.

[tobluforu]

Originally Posted by joe payne

Wow! That sounds as easy as putting a Hurst shifter in my VW's back in the day.
Can I assume you have a 915 transmission? My current shifter is bolted underneath the carpet, so do I just slide the shifter under from the side of the carpeting and bolt it down? I checked out the two pics of your car. VERY NICE!
More pics of your car..Thanks for your help too.

Yes, it's as easy as that. When I first got mine I over analyzed it, the hard part is the coupler, and getting used to pulling it over to first because it sits in the third and fourth gear position. I mounted mine on top of the RS carpet. It’s basically the same shifter you have on the outside, it’s the inside that is changed-pretty much plug and play, but it took about another day of off and on driving to get the coupler the way I wanted it. It’s a ***** adjusting with a roll bar and being 6-3.