Is my shifter normal ?

Aurel · Aurel's Garage

Hi Friends,

Here is a quick and stupid question: my shifter is spring loaded to the right, for accessing 5th and reverse, but not to the left, for 1st and 2nd. So, it is not spring-centered, and has a sloopy feel.
I thought this was due to age, from ethier dead or absent springs (the car is a 78 SC). But this morning, I openened the mechanism, and found out that apparently, this is the way it was designed.Can other 78 SC owners confirm this please ?

Thanks
Aurel

78`SC Targa

Tyson Schmidt · 03-16-2002, 11:32 AM

Yes. The shifters from '73-'86 have the same attributes as yours. Wevo makes a kit for racing that adds a spring loaded 1-2 gate to help prevent 5th-2nd downshifts by mistake. Unfortunately they cost $300!!

DANNOV · 03-16-2002, 12:23 PM

Yes, it is poorly designed. Considering the geat automobile that the 911 is, the design of the shift mechanism was an anticlimax. Your best bet is to install a factory short shift and a Robotek unit, coupled with some fine adjustments to the coupler. It will cost you about $400 to get it working in an acceptable fashion. Once you complete this mod it will be a sweet shifting car.

Aurel · Aurel's Garage

Ok guys,

Thanks for confirming me that my shifter is normal. I will live with it, just replace the bushing. After all, the non-trivial shifting is part of the charm of the 911 !

Aurel

DANNOV · 03-16-2002, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Aurel
Ok guys,

Thanks for confirming me that my shifter is normal. I will live with it, just replace the bushing. After all, the non-trivial shifting is part of the charm of the 911 !

Aurel

I have owned my 911 for several years and the less than perfect shift mechanism finally got to be a pain in the ass, definitely not charming. I have owned VW bugs that shifted better. If you intend to keep your car for any reasonable period, I recommend the modifications. Believe me, the shifting can be improved and the car can be much more enjoyable.

jwetering · jwetering's Garage

Charming shifter feel indeed.

I've just had a complete transmission overhaul, and have replaced both shifter bushings (there's one that supports the shift rod as well as a cup on the bottom of the lever). I also replaced the coupler, although I probably didn't have to. I'd have to say that my trans shift about as good as it ever will, and as good as any 915 out there.

Do I LOVE the feel ? No I guess not, but I can certainly live happily with it. It sure doesn't balk like it used to. As a by the by, a friend of mine has a 1984 Carrera, and his (stock) 915 shifts incredibly crisply. It's wierd.

Be aware that there is a large Allen nut on front of the shifter tower (facing toward the gas tand end of the car) that can be used to adjust the tension on the shift lever fulcrum. Tightening this nut will impart resistance on the side-to-side movement of the lever. Little known fact that!

Regarding short shift kits...I don't think I'll go there. For better or worse, I think the long shift is "charming". That's purely my opinion.

Good luck adjusting that shifter, and just remember that the BMW guys use those snick-snick transmissions of theirs purely as a crutch.

Early_S_Man · 03-16-2002, 10:29 PM

The early 915 shifters did NOT have the Allen bolt and locknut for adjustment of the tension ... just a roll-pin, like the rear pivot! It would not be too hard to retro fit one to the early shifters, just as it would be feasible to add a spring mechanism to 'mirror' the one on the reverse-5th gear side!

I now have three 915 shifters, thanks to eBay ... my 1973 original has a BAE short shift kit, a design predecessor to the Weltmeister that is practically identical! The two recent acquisitions are identical SC and early 3.2 shifters with the tension adjuster. The more worn SC shifter will get a factory short-shift kit ... so, I will have all three versions to play with and compare!