Factory Short Shift or Weltmeister - Which to Buy?

[911nut]

Now that my shift linkage has been rehabbed with new bushings and my clutch cable replaced I'm ready for the next step - the short shift kit.
I've heard lots of positive things about the factory kit and one negative opinion on the Weltmeiater kit (the kit shortens the side-to-side throw in neutral as well as the shift motion). There's a notable difference in price so I'm looking for the educated opinions of my fellow Pelicanheads on which one is the best buy. Which one do you guys recommend? Thanks in advance.
Paul Brewer
'82 SC

[Thomas Owen]

In the one 911 that I installed a Weltmiester in (1980) I went back to the original shifter within 3 months. Extra force required to shift.
In the 911 that I installed a factory short shift in (1978), it stayed in the car.
I think alot of it depends on the condition and how well your 915 is shifting now.
My vote goes to the factory ss.
Regards.

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

Weltmeister has never been famous for the highest quality. Cheaper than the competition in various areas, yes, but not nearly as good. I have the factory short-shift kit and it works just fine.

Stephan

[tmctguer]

i am very happy with the factory short shift kit (with a robotek). i do not have any experience with weltmeister. it was more expensive, but i felt it was going to be more precise for my transmission. this may be entirely untrue, but that drove my buying decision.

[ART C.]

I recently put a Weltmeister in my '71e. The resulting shift pattern is very short, and high effort. I think after a while it will become comfortable and natural. So far I like it as opposed to the very long stock shift pattern.
I am still getting used to the
R-2-4
1-3-5 pattern!
Have fun. How much is the factory kit?

[gregk1]

I have a 70 914 it is the worst thing to shift. The PO said they put a short shift kit in it. The one with the small block you glue to the braket that holds the long rod to the gearbox. I bought the kit that has the plate under the shifter on top of the tunnel Is it a better kit than the one that just has the small block and the peg you weld your shifting lever to. I haven't installed it yet. I know the 914 tail shifter is not the best shifting thing. And am limited to what I can do to it. I want to sell it and it shifts so bad I dont think any one would buy it because it's so bad. How much is the factory kit? I'm in need of one for my 66 911 also

[john walker's workshop]

neither, if you like easy shifting.

[911nut]

Art & Greg,
Per our host's catalogue the factory kit is $129 and the Weltmeister kit is $99. I've seen the Weltmeister kit for as low as $70 in other catalogues.
One of the many things that I've learned by lurking on this board is that when John Walker talks, I'm listening.

[widebody911]

Factory. I think there's only $30-$40 difference in price.

I've driven both.

The factory one won't give that super-short boy-racer feel that the Weltmeister does, but you don't want or need that with a 915.

Also, the factory one comes with all new bits 'cept the bushings. I suggest replacing the bushings while you're in there, it adds maybe $15 to the total cost of the project.

[bob tilton]

john walker,
can you please explain? i have a welt ss kit sitting in the corner waiting for installation. my mechanic with 30 years in the p repair business said the same thing although there are plenty of fans of the short shifter. tx.
bob
68 L waiting for tranny rebuild

[pbs911]

I guess I will be the sole individual who is happy with the Weltmeister SS. Never tried the factory SS, but I have absolutely no complaints about the Weltmeister. Good, smooth shifting from my perspective. My transaxle has about 60K on it FWIW.

[911nut]

Originally posted by widebody911
Factory. I think there's only $30-$40 difference in price.

I've driven both.

The factory one won't give that super-short boy-racer feel that the Weltmeister does, but you don't want or need that with a 915.

Also, the factory one comes with all new bits 'cept the bushings. I suggest replacing the bushings while you're in there, it adds maybe $15 to the total cost of the project.

Thom,
Is your objection to the Weltmeister too much gear clash? (like when you push in the clutch when stopped and don't count to 3 before selecting 1st gear).
I did replace my bushings last year but the tab was more like $50. It was money well spent, though.

[Steve W]

I've tried three different kinds of short shift kits, specifically the original one which was just a replacement stub for the shifter, the Weltmeister, and the factory short shift. The first two function similarly, the factory's is a little different. Logically one would think the factory's is better because of all the misc. springs, bushes, and brackets. But which is better I think really depends on your transmission's idiosyncrasies. Of the first two kits, the Weltmeister is better. The difference in the factory kit is that it includes a replacement plastic bush which limits your shifter's side to side throw. Since the Weltmeister does not have this bush, your left throw into 1st or 2nd, or right throw into 5th and reverse, is not limited by the bush, but the linkages inside your tranny. I now have the factory shift kit in my car, but I think my car shifted easier into 1st and 2nd with the Welmeister.

That said, 915 transmissions were not meant to be shifted from gear to gear quickly. It breaks the syncros to do so, which is why the factory created such a long throw in the shifter originally. This is why some people will tell you all short shift kits are junk.

[tobluforu]

I have the welt. in my 72 and it works fine. But, there is no way I can shift FAST from 1st to 2nd with out grinding gears. So, I do not do it. So, it may be a short shift, but it sure as hell isn't a FAST shift. Second to third and 3rd to fourth is great though.

[widebody911]

My objection was the super-stiff action coupled with the super-short throw. I guess if you drove one every day, you'd get used to it, but it required very patient, careful shifting. I think the "built-in" delay of the longer factory shifter helps.

FWIW, I always put it in 2nd before I put it in 1st.

Originally posted by 911nut


Thom,
Is your objection to the Weltmeister too much gear clash? (like when you push in the clutch when stopped and don't count to 3 before selecting 1st gear).
I did replace my bushings last year but the tab was more like $50. It was money well spent, though.