The Porsche 915 transmission is pretty much universally recognized as a transmission with terrible shifting. There are a lot of little "fixes" out there and I decided to try one of them. My biggest issue isn't the tractor-like shifting quality, it's the fact that I have to pull both shoulders up off the seat and basically reach under the dashboard in order to hit first, third, or fifth gear. So a short throw shifter? Definitely something I want. And something I ordered. But it reuses some parts, and these parts are in about the same condition as the rest of the car - They could use a lick of paint and a bit of cleaning. Today's task? Get the shifter base clean and ready for re-use. It doesn't make sense to install the carpet just to remove it again when I do this, right? Order of operations!
Here it is in all its glory:
And here it is removed:
The only part I'm gonna be reusing (aside from the bolts) is the base. So, a quick rinse, a 320 grit scuff, and a bit of tape later...
Oh, did I mention that the top plate for the short shifter is black? So it's a full color change from the natural aluminum. First a super light coat:
Then a second, slightly heavier coat:
And after a final coat, I sit it on some brown paper and let it chill for the next several hours.
Once the paint's dry enough, I added the shifter to the base:
Then connected the top plate:
Attached the shifter.
I left the old shift tube bushing in place. It seems to be in "okay" shape, and it was a PITA trying to get the conical screw out to replace it without stripping the screw. I had to adjust the shift tube a number of times. If I put the shifter into the position I want, I couldn't get out of fifth gear because of the reverse lockout. So I just kept moving it farther and farther forward until I hit the minimum point, and called that acceptable. From running it through the gears in the garage, it seemed to work. It still doesn't put the shift knob in a comfortable position, but it isn't practically under the dashboard anymore. In the photo above, the shifter is in fourth gear and the seat is in its normal position. The throw is significantly reduced, so it's like front vs. back of knee instead of shin vs thigh. I called it a success and when I took it for a test drive the next day, was blown away at the difference. Definitely a worthwhile modification.
Speaking of the next day, my seatbelts and carpet arrived. So, it's finally time to get the interior looking spiffy!