Shift coupling!

[ClickClickBoom]

Hey,
I have been chronicling my adventures in Pcar ownership of the MidYear that no one wanted. I have been having issues getting 3rd gear when the car is loaded up in braking or coming out of a corner. I know, I know, what can I say, I like trail braking and and doing goofy stuff just to see the cars reaction. Well I decided that after the Seine Systems Gate shifter the next to last leg would be to replace the shift coupler with a more positive replacement, a Stomski Precision shift coupler! You might be amused at the condition of my OEM coupler bushings:


The other side:


Coupler installed:


I know the boot is missing, the entire job took only 3 hours, about 45 minutes to replace the coupler, and 2 hours of playing GTA Vegas on HYW 9. I was going stupid fast, loading the chassis trying the coupler, shifting under load when I came up on a Viper, he saw me coming fast and pulled over. Thanks buddy, I hit into overtime GTA mode and started running through the gears, he could close on the straights but the Pcar would embarrass him in the corners, lost him easily going uphill, home court advantage! He pulled up at the stop sign and was amazed that a Porsche that old made him look like he was driving a mini van. MMMMNNN Viper for lunch, tastes like chicken!
BAAAHAAAA
eric
P.S. I marked the coupler position and put the boot back on, its easier to fine tune the coupler position without the boot on. Everything all buttoned up and my shifting is better than all my previous Japanese Cars!

[DG624]

I was looking at the Seine Systems gate Shifter...how does it work and does it improve the shifter movement? I changed to the factory short shift kit and replaced the rear bushings but the 3-2 downshift is still difficult. The SS gate Shift is much cheaper the WEVO Gate Shift but does it work as well?

[jcsjcs]

I have the Seine Shiftgate. It did not improve shifting performance really - but it does add more confidence around not ending up in the wrong gear at the wrong time.

Going into 1st and 2nd is now spring loaded so you know when you are doing it (similar to shifting into Reverse.)

It is a cheap solution and goes in pretty well - but I still have my eyes on the Wevo unit and replacement coupling.

I have had my transmission rebuilt, replaced the shift coupling bushings, tried various transmission fluids - and am now pretty happy with shifting.

I think the Wevo coupling and shifter will take me all the way to pure bliss - but funds are tight right now.

Also just adjusting the coupling can have a HUGE impact. Other than rebuilding - that was the biggest impact for my car. (And I put it off for about 1 year after being wrongly told that it was adjusted correctly by TWO Porsche shops.) It takes TLC and patience - which most shops just don't have.


(Also note that Seine will blueprint your shifter for you AND has detailed instructions on how to do so... The add costs starts to get too close to the Wevo - but it's an interesting idea.)

[ClickClickBoom]

Hey,
The Seine makes it more difficult to go to an unwanted gear, ie 5th to 2nd instead of 4th. The spring loading of anything other than 3rd, 4th is insurance and might add 2-3 nano seconds to the shifting process. I will add some stiffer trans and engine mounts to the mix soon enough. It is weird to no longer have any slop in the shifting linkage. Very nice addition to the car, +4 for effect and a 3.5 banana job, maybe a 3 banana job if you read some instructions!
eric

[scotricker]

How did you choose Stomski instead of Wevo? They are both available from Pelican at the same price. Wevo is highly regarded here on this forum, but I had never heard of Stomski before your post. It looks good, but any significant differences ? I am considering upgrading the coupler, but keeping the original stock shifter.

[Wil Ferch]

Look what I say here a few years back, response #13 ( and later)... in this thread.

If there are any more solid answers, would appreciate hearing them--->

Stromski Shift Coupler a Winner

[ClickClickBoom]

Wil,
While those universals look similar, they will require some fabrication to make them work. I have a fabrication shop in my backyard, I bought the Stomski. It is like I tell my customers, if you can buy it off the shelf it will almost always be cheaper than paying me to do it. I take my own advise, and save the fabrication time for unobtanium projects. When I look at the Stomski and others, the $200.00 is way cheaper than reinventing the wheel myself.
At any rate, I really like the improvement that the off the shelf item provided.
eric

[Wil Ferch]

For those of us who have fabrication skills and time on their hands, and perhaps even enjoy a project to do.....it *still*might be nice to know the answer. Seems we're still not any closer.

The core coupler...aircraft quality at that.... is the same at 1/3 price. Leaves a lot of room for tinkering with it yourself. I'm not saying everyone should or wants to go this route....for others it might makes sense to pay a 300% premium and simply get on with it....understood.

[ClickClickBoom]

Wil,
My point is where those A/C pieces from Aircraft Spruce look similar, they are different. The Stomski looks like the grooved end is unique to the Porsche shift tube, and the end on the transmission fits snugly on the tranny shaft. I would use the stock coupling and turn some bronze bushings to replace the plastic ones that gave up the ghost. If you really got the need to fabricate cut the end off of the stock coupling and replace the center with an easily source able universal.
eric

[ClickClickBoom]

Wil,
Here is how I would do the Aircraft Spruce version:
MS20271-B8 $96.35
This is the 1/2" model, the stocker coupling has a tranny side diameter of .580, and the splined shaft is .580ish.
You will need to bore the one end out to .580 and the other end also to fit the splined shaft. I would chill the splined shaft in the freezer and heat the coupling in boiling water, slip the 2 together and drill for a roll pin to prevent pull out. Assuming you have a lathe and appropriate tooling shouldn't take more than a few hours and wouldn't be as nice as the Stomski, but go for it and let us see how it goes, Oh yes don't forget to make the replacement coupling the same length as the stocker. I always appreciate fabrication projects.
eric

[rusnak]

I'd guess your engine mounts look like those shift bushings

[ClickClickBoom]

On the short menu!
eric

[tobluforu]

I have the stomski and have it it for around 10 years now without any issues. Back then it was cheaper then the wevo. I also had a viper, and there was no way my old porsche could keep with that beast.

[DRACO A5OG]

Will this mod really improve shifting?

I have recent rebuild trans and welded tight a sloppy shifter shaft connected to the factory short shift kit via a wrench.

[James Brown]

Draco, this mod made a tremendous change in the shifting feel of the car, And, any of the aftermarket couplers (wevo, stomski, ect) work better than a worn stock one!

[bfunke]

You could also buy a new one from our host. exact same as original except bushings are round 914 type vs elongated 911 type. Did this in my care and greatly improved my shift feel.

[ClickClickBoom]

Originally Posted by tobluforu

I have the stomski and have it it for around 10 years now without any issues. Back then it was cheaper then the wevo. I also had a viper, and there was no way my old porsche could keep with that beast.

Come on up to my neck of the woods, bring your Viper. 2nd and 3rd gear twisties, connected by 1000rpm straights. There are very few straights for the Viper to get its teeth into and plenty of 2nd gear corners, in my favorite sections. I am sure he could have walked me on the upper section, but then again anybody with the ability to press hard with their right foot could have too.
My shifting is crisp, much more value than I would have thought! A must do!
eric

[rusnak]

I have both the Stomski coupler, and the Wevo. There really is no difference between the two. The Wevo has an all around heavier feel, and that extra heft lends to a perception of quality.

They are both superior to the factory coupler in terms of shift precision over TIME. A new factory coupler will hold it's own, but we all know that it will get worn out in a few years of heat and use. If you have a short shifter, then I feel that either one of these couplers is a natural must have. They both increase interior cabin noise quite a bit if you have an open top shifter with no boot.

[DRACO A5OG]

Thanks Rusnak,

I think this will be on my wish list :-)

So far with Kendall 80W90w/LSD, I can't complain she's never shifted so smoothly, I always thought it was a 911 thing to grind if you don't take a half a second before shifting.

J