Short shift upgrade...which kit do you recommend?

[2porscheguy]

Dear Fellow Pelicanites!:

I have a 1980 911SC Targa and I am considering performing the short shift upgrade sometime this fall/winter. I am quite certain that there are numerous threads on this topic but...which kit would you recommend? I understand that there are basically 4 kits available (as listed by our host)....the Porsche Factory Kit, the Weltmeister Kit, Wevo, and Rennshift Jwest......by all means, do please inform me!

Sincerely,
Alex

[RSTarga]

I'd go with either the Factory Kit or the Wevo depending on your budget and how drastic you want to go.

[fifftyninevwcab]

i have a wevo and it sucks ,not saying they all do just the one i have . good luck .

[ivangene]

factory

[Oh Haha]

If budget is of no concern, the Hargett is the way to go. Next in line would be the WEVO.

The factory is the best bang for the buck, IMO.

The Weltmeister is ok but it's on the low end for a reason.

Be sure to check/replace all of the bushings associated with the shifter and linkage to get the most out of whichever version you choose.

[trak ratt]

Factory '86 "kit"
Have used one for years on my '82 and now the '84. Very pleased with the way it has worked.

[88 Club Sport]

I have the Factory SS in my track car and I am happy with it. Make sure you also do all of your bushings, front and rear to get the most out of the upgrade.

That said, if you have money burning a hold in your pocket, go Wevo.

[2porscheguy]

fifftyninevwcab, what "sucks" about your Wevo short shifter?.....just curious...

Alex

[dicklague]

If you think the WEVO is bad.........well my guess is your bushings, coupler and maybe even trans need fixing.

I have the factory shifter with new bushings and wevo coupler. Have enjoyed it for 6 years or so......and the trans is good as well.

I had the weltmeister and was glad to get rid of it. The design is not as good as the factory short kit.

[Joe Bob]

Love my WEVO....but the rest of the linkage needs to be in good shape.

[Facey]

love my WEVO

[911pcars]

I use the factory short shifter. However, in defense of the Weltmeister unit, the most common user complaint has been the increased effort required to shift - bordering on uncomfortable notchiness. This is due to the very short shift lever which I suppose they designed to further reduce the shift throws (34% versus 24% for the factory SS). An arm with a 36" sleeve length is also required.

A shift lever extension makes the WM unit much more usable:

Unmodified versus modified Weltmeister Short Shifter:


Installing a 5.5" lever extension does a couple of things:
1. Reduces the effort required to shift
2. Brings the shift knob closer to the driver and steering wheel

I've added a similar 3" extension to my factory short shifter and the net difference between the two units is nil. In addition, shifting effort with both short shifters now feels no different than a standard shifter.

The caveat is that extending the lever loses some reduction in shift throw distance. However, IMHO, the more convenient shift knob location and reduction in shifting effort makes this modification worthwhile.

A link to more discussion:
Yet Another Shifter Thing

Sherwood

[Walt Fricke]

I like the factory short shifter with the Seine Systems alteration to spring load it in the 3/4 plane (as the Factory finally started doing on its products way later than I think it should have).

The factory SS shortens the front to back throw, but not the side to side. Having to move your hand the old distance right to left to select the plane you want is helpful, as missed shifts are a result of not being in the desired plane, not a result of any fore and aft motion.

[winders]

Originally Posted by Walt Fricke

The factory SS shortens the front to back throw, but not the side to side.

How does the factory short shift manage this? You are saying the lever ratio is changed fore and aft but not side to side. How?

Scott

[ivangene]

yippy...a shift tower show and tell....

here is mine: home made
as for the complaint about the wevo, I am working on the side to help him out. as far as I can tell from our conversations he has a wevo coupler and a stock shifter....we are working thru it thru emails

[LJ851]

Very nice, Ed. Do you have an extra kit you want to sell me?

[ivangene]

I have most of it (the spring and longer pin) ready

the "gate" and tab are not ready, they are 304 SS and a PITA to cut, if someone was to get excited I could make one

the "kit" is pretty involved to install...I notch out the side of the housing to allow the long pin out the side and drill 2 holes for the spring, while its apart I work on the factory parts to smooth out the operation.....there is no money in this because Seine does it already but i sell the parts for about $100 if you are interested

(sold 4 already locally where I did the install )

my email is my ID name @ msn dot com

[LJ851]

I'm excited. Sent you an email.

[Vincent Hill]

Originally Posted by 911pcars

I use the factory short shifter. However, in defense of the Weltmeister unit, the most common user complaint has been the increased effort required to shift - bordering on uncomfortable notchiness. This is due to the very short shift lever which I suppose they designed to further reduce the shift throws (34% versus 24% for the factory SS). An arm with a 36" sleeve length is also required.

A shift lever extension makes the WM unit much more usable:

Unmodified versus modified Weltmeister Short Shifter:


Installing a 5.5" lever extension does a couple of things:
1. Reduces the effort required to shift
2. Brings the shift knob closer to the driver and steering wheel

I've added a similar 3" extension to my factory short shifter and the net difference between the two units is nil. In addition, shifting effort with both short shifters now feels no different than a standard shifter.

The caveat is that extending the lever loses some reduction in shift throw distance. However, IMHO, the more convenient shift knob location and reduction in shifting effort makes this modification worthwhile.

A link to more discussion:
Yet Another Shifter Thing

Sherwood

From the man who know this best there is simply not an Idea out there that for the money makes the a 911 Porsche shift better than the Seine SHifter gate. Then add the 2 inch extension and nothing feels better either! I am glad you picked up the ball and now everyone can easily get the 2 items needed to not miss a shift (SInce I installed my Seine) and no effort at all to shift. The added throw also makes the Shift gate a little wider which also makes it harder to miss a shift!

[2porscheguy]

Gentlemen, thanks a bunch for your information on this topic....all input is much appreciated!

Does anybody have any experience with the Jwest Rennshift kit?....haven't heard Boo on that install!