Weltmeister Short Shift Kit

[dsforton]

I'm thinking about getting this kit for my '76. Is it worth it? Big difference? Disadvantages? My brother had a bug and he installed the SKAT short shifter in it and it was a pain in the a$$ to drive (hard to find the gears). Does the Weltmeister cause any problems? Thanks

Danee

[chrisreale]

Never tried it, but this question came up a bit ago and the consensus was that it sucked. Do a search and you'll prolly find it. I wanted to put this kit on my car, but I said F it, I like the shifting!

[Joe Bob]

The Welt kit works well. Both on the side shift and tail shif models. Nothing like the bug ones.

However, IF you put one on, make sure all the bushings in the shift linkage are good or have been replaced. Bad linkage with short shifts will tend to magnify any problems. This shifter will NOT make bad synchros or other problems go away.

[bludden]

The PO put one of these on my car, and I have not tried a "normal" one yet so I can't compare.

But I feel that the shift mechanism on these cars has a bad enough reputation that a short shifter is probably not that great an idea. But it does work, so putting it in shouldn't kill it!

[J P Stein]

This does come up fairly often.
Prolly the best way to make a decision is to try out a car that has one and see if you like it.

I have one installed on my car, but ulf is indisposed at the moment.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

It will shorten the throws, but if you use the short-shifter to change gears more quickly (and ain't that the whole point??) you'll find yourself "beating" the synchros a lot more often. And that will (after a while) magically cause little shreds of metal to start wandering around inside your transmission case....

--DD

[red-beard]

First - Let me state that I do not have a short shift kit, but I have disassembled several late and early shifters.

#1. The Early style shift - all by itself - even with brand new springs, bushings, lockout plate and lockout springs - is a peice of crap. I think more than 50% of the problems with shifting on the tailshift models actually comes from the shifter itself. My 914/6, with the shift rod locked in place, with a pair of vise grips, the shifter still moves around, even with brand new shifter bushings (The internal ones under the lockout plate). I think the short shift kit fixes the main slop issues of the poorly designed early style shifter.

#2. The Late model is definitely improved. The entire mechanism in the shifter is better, along with a better shift fork system in the tranny, shorter distance and about 1/3 of the links and places for slop to occur. I am not sure a short shift kit will do much here. However, I do agree that increasing the shift speed, will most likely end up creating premature contact with the sliders and dogteeth, creating wear.

My vote:

Tailshifter - give the short shift kit a try
Sideshifter - Look for all the slop you can find first. Spend the $45 on rebuilding the shifter spring and 2 internal bushings. If it still isn't to your liking, then try a shortshift kit...

James

[Mike D.]

I know some of you will probably shreek at this but...

On the side shift linkage, we used to take the hinge piece at the bottom of the shifter, this is the L shaped piece that has a bolt through stick and a clamp to the bar going back to the firewall...anyway, take this and on a drill press put another hole above the existing one. Put it back together using the new hole which lowered the hinge and thus giving more throw with each shift.

IE - short shift and $free ninty free$

-Mike D. - CSOBOC

[dsforton]

James, My shifting isn't sloppy at all. What I want to do is make it easier to drive. The shifting in my '98 Passat is alot shorter and easier to drive. I know that's not something to compare to a 914, but it's just easier. I dont necessarily want it to make quicker shifts, just to make it easier. 99% of the time when I drive my baby, I take my time shifting, making sure I dont grind the gears. But yes, I admit, Everyonce in a while, I like to get the blood pumping in it and I do shift faster sometimes, but usually I baby it (except when a Nissan 240 pulls up to the line ). What I really was wondering is if the 914 short shift kits are the same as the bug ones. The bug ones are so freakin hard to drive, that even when you take your time you miss the gears or stick it in the wrong one. I was wondering if the 914 act the same. Maybe I'll just go out and buy one, try it out, and if I dont like it, I'll just get rid of it.

Thanks guys for all the input and help. I appreciate it.

Danee

[bludden]

I'm in a similar situation - I have a 2k2 Beetle, and shifting it is about the easiest thing in the world to do. However I can tell you that short shift kit or no, when my 914 novice enthusiasm kicks in and I attempt a quick gear change, more often than not I am rewarded with an embarrassing grinding noise (2nd) or a stubborn refusal to finish the throw (4th).

So I work to enjoy the car in gear...

[red-beard]

Sounds like you need some tranny work......

2nd gear sounds like it needs a new synchro band. Not sure about 4th from the description. It may need "the works".

James

[bludden]

Well, I know for a fact I need 1st gear synchro; can't put it into 1st unless I'm stopped. I really think that 2nd is more of a problem with my foot and the clutch pedal, related to my years of cushy modern clutches. It's such a quick path up and to the left a bit. And 4th...If I dont make a "limp" throw, that is, let the shifter go to the right and even a bit down, it will not usually be able to be pushed up into 4th. This seems more like linkage slop or something like that.

But this winter I'll have the transmission opened up for the 1st gear stuff so maybe I can have a closer look.

Thanks for the advice though James. As a novice owner/mechanic, the stuff you and the others post here has been invaluable to my enjoyment of the car.

Brian

[red-beard]

Yup, before doing anything internal, replace all of the external bushings. Next look at the shifter. THEN upen up the tranny.

James

And when the tranny is fixed, you still have all the new bushing, etc! Happy shifting!

[914timo]

Mike D., I looked the parts you were talking about and that sounds good idea. Just wonder how close the bottom of the tunnel is the shifter. Is there really enough room??

But, if you have done it, I have to believe it is possible. Could you tell if it is worth the effort ?? Does it relly work ??