Feedback on FD Motorsports

[RetiredRider]

Fister-Dipietro (FD) motorsports sells a sport shift kit that replaces the angular joints, shifter lever and shift fork. These are based on the RS. The angular joints are replaced with heim joints. Can anyone give feedback for this kit? It is for a 1990 964 C2.

[tonypai]

Mark and Darin are both great guys to work with. Two thumbs up.

I have bought from them the Fister Stage 3 exhaust, golden rod and the SSK. All top notch and worth the money. Eliminates the sloppiness in the gear box.

[Bill Verburg]

I have their ssk in my 993 it works as advertised. It is a less expensive copy of the factory RS kits. I would heartily recommend it.

You may not need the shift rod part as 964 used an RS type heim joint oem, pull your tunel covers to check.

The rest of the kit is pure factory Rs parts. Give them a call to discuss your situation. They are good guys.

[MCIPSERIC]

they are the best. very helpful.
I have the SSK, golden rod, XL rear drop links, and stage 3s.
They also supplied my KWv3s, RS shifter, and Alum E Brake handle.

[oliver88]

I'll add to this old thread...terrific guys to deal with!

[Opo]

Good guys and very helpful

[Traveller]

Originally Posted by RetiredRider

Can anyone give feedback for this kit? It is for a 1990 964 C2.

Probably OK, but I have seen the SSK on a local 993ers C4 and due to the AWD aspect of it (driveshaft), it did not fit well, even though they supposedly make a kit for the C4.

[FisterD]

The fitment for an SSK on an AWD car is tight. We use the factory RS shift lever (modified) in our FD Motorsports SSK. Our kits work very well and we have lots of them installed on many AWD 993 C4s and Turbos, and even more 2WD cars. It requires much less modification to the tunnel cover than just using the factory RS lever.

As for the 1990 964 C2 that was originally asked about, our 2WD SSK works fine, but requires a modification to the round holes in the shift box for the slider tube. You will need to modify the hole to accomodate the later model shift box bushings. This allows you to raise the shift tube as needed for the 2WD SSK install. Sometime in '91 Porsche switched to the oval hole design which requires no extra modification.

FYI: The original poster RetiredRider purchased our SSK and installed it and is very happy with the results.

Here are some pics of the extra modification only needed on the '89-'90 C2:

If you have any questions about install, please feel free to contact me directly at fdmotorsports@comcast.net

[Traveller]

Originally Posted by FisterD

Here are some pics of the extra modification only needed on the '90 C2:

Can you show some pics of a C4 with the drive shaft and shifter in place.

I'd still like to understand why he had to pound the tunnel cover outwards with a hammer to get whatever needed more clearance, to clear.

[Traveller]

Originally Posted by 92964cab

it helps to understand the shift mechanism in a C4 first
maybe read up?

How is it different from a C2 and a pic is word a thousand words.

[FisterD]

Originally Posted by Traveller

Can you show some pics of a C4 with the drive shaft and shifter in place.

I'd still like to understand why he had to pound the tunnel cover outwards with a hammer to get whatever needed more clearance, to clear.

Are you familiar with the differences between the shift box in a 2WD 911 versus a AWD 911?

[Traveller]

Originally Posted by FisterD

Are you familiar with the differences between the shift box in a 2WD 911 versus a AWD 911?

In the C2, yes and in detail as I had the tunnel cover off this past summer, cleaned up the area and had the boot off to check things out.

But I haven't had the chance to see the the tunnel in an AWD. How they cram a drive shaft and shift mechanism in there, I don't know. How thick is the drive shaft?

On my C2...

[FisterD]

We are currently working on an AWD DIY install that will be available on our website shortly. I am not on the shop computer so hopefully this will help explain it.

A 2WD 911 ('91-up) has a shift box that allows you to move the center tube up, by flipping the bushings on each end of the tube 180 degrees (see pic #4 above). This is for the geometry of the new RS short shift lever and allows the bottom of the lever to stay above the tunnel cover with no modification. It also raises the shift knob a little higher than stock. Again, we use the factory RS lever, and this is how it designed. We modify the bottom of the lever to accept our joint instead of the factory ball/plastic cup connection.
On an AWD car, the shift box is part of the torque tube. The tube in the center houses the front drive shaft, so it can not be moved up as in a 2WD car. This means the tunnel cover will need to be modified on an AWD car to install the factory short shift lever. Previous to the FDM SSK, people where modifying the tunnel cover a lot to get enough clearance. With our SSK, we have improved upon the clearance issue and it now requires very little modification for clearance.

[Traveller]

Originally Posted by FisterD

Previous to the FDM SSK, people where modifying the tunnel cover a lot to get enough clearance. With our SSK, we have improved upon the clearance issue and it now requires very little modification for clearance.

Darin, is that why the socket head cap screw is ground down...to provide as much clearance as possible (pic)?

I'm going to have to get under a C4 or TT to fully get the picture.

[FisterD]

Yes. That is why the bolt is ground down, for clearance. We had an issue with the joint on Paul's SSK (your pic) and have him taken care of him.
Here is the bottom of the latest version of our AWD ssk. I can't believe I don't have any pictures of the shift linkage under an awd car at home. Sorry about that. The shift box is actually cast into the torque tube, so it is a bit different than the 2WD version.

[Traveller]

Originally Posted by FisterD

Here is the bottom of the latest version of our AWD ssk.

Hey, where did you get the idea to use a shallow head socket-head cap screw.

Looks much better and provides a tad more clearance.

I'll see what I can find for pics on line regarding the AWD. Now you know why I take so many pics when I work on my C2; they come in handy at times.

[FisterD]

Thanks Alex. Actually it is the same bolt as before, we just grind it differently with the new joint. I think I need to invest in a new camera....my current camera and photography skills are a bit lacking

[Traveller]

Originally Posted by FisterD

Thanks Alex. Actually it is the same bolt as before, we just grind it differently with the new joint.

I don't have your assembly in front of me, but you can buy shallow fasteners...it might save you time.

Originally Posted by FisterD

I think I need to invest in a new camera....my current camera and photography skills are a bit lacking

Tip...Canon S95. Damn small and takes incredibly good pics as well as 720 HD video. Lighting is everything, so outdoor pics are generally better.

Indoor shots with camera flash...a few examples... 1 and 2. I'm now using aperature priority to get more depth of field...downside is longer shutter times and camera shake if not using a tripod. Those shots don;t do the camera justice. Outdoor shot (northern Italy)

[superglide]

Don't have the SSK on my C4S yet, but after my excellent experience with them on the EXCELLENT sounding exhaust hack, I would feel confident working with them on any of their upgrades. A fine change from experiences with some other after-market outfits...