short shift kit

[914kit]

i was wondering the pros and cons re placing a "short shift kit" on a 73 2.0
any thoughts
also where can i buy the kits
-j

[Rouser]

The big argument against short shift kits? That they're mainly installed to speed-up shifting (a.k.a. Honda Envy) on a Porsche transmission that doesn't like to be shifted quickly. On top of all that, you're talking about 26+ year-old trannies (with associated worn gears), and neglected linkages with worn or rotted bushings.

If you're heart is dead-set on installing $99 worth of short shift kit, you're going to have to clean-up/rebuild the entire linkage system (and even give the tranny a once over) just so you don't exacerbate any marginal (or hidden) problems you might already be noticing (nicking reverse on 1-2 shift, crunching 1st, vague shifter, etc.). There're replacement bushings available (both Teflon & brass) from PP and other sources; one individual on this site has lathed out (and making available) a whole set of brass bushings; I'd recommend that route, to be sure.

In my own personal experiences (I've been classified as an Old Fart; believe me, I've driven a crap-load of cars, Detroit, Rice, and Euro), I've found that Style & Rhythm, Ying & Yang, negates any improvement made with short shift kits, on at least cars made before The Great Flood.

[Kevin Powers]

i can not atest to the advange with a sideshifter. but when i had a tail shifter in my 72 i did all of the bushings with noted improvement. after installing a weltmeister i noticed a vast improvement, not for the sake of banging gears.crisper shifting esp 2 through 5 both up and down. what i would not recommend is adding the stiffer spring set.you have to really have to bear down on the stifter stop plate to engage 1&r.

[John Rogers]

I agree that the short shift kit is not needed with a 901 transmission. They are made to be shifted smoothly and precisely and not necesarily fast. Use the $$$$ for bushings and the heavy spring kit which is very worthwile. Good luck.

[J P Stein]

I have a short shifer in mine.
I agree completely with Mr. Rogers recommendations.......except I like it and would do it again.

Rice envy?.....heh, heh.....OK, guilty.
I shift mine quickly at AX.......*after* it's warm. Kinda' baby it on the street. Haven't tried a power shift and have no plans to......prolly make it, tho.....it's got the "feel". Tried it with a 915, once......nope.....no harm, no foul, just wouldn't go into gear.

Some of us old farts have a few tricks left over from the 60's....or think we do.

[sweater914]

i got one, i replaced all the bushings to, the shifts are short but at the expense of accuracy, the tailshift 901 has a personality all it's own, it varies with the car, learn to shift it well and things will speed up, there's been more than one occasion when i wanted 4th gear, thought i had 4th gear and found 2nd(i caught myself before i blew up the engine), if you're driving on the street i'd keep it stock, autocross/racetrack time counts

[Pritchard]

I have a short shift kit installed and I cut the shift lever off about two inches when I put it all back together. I like it. The shift throw is much shorter than it was when stock. I don't shift fast though. The 901 tranny dosn't like that. I also have new bushings. They made the shifting much easier, and dare I say more precise?

David Pritchard

[914kit]

ok but where do i get one?

[sweater914]

i thought pelican has the kit?

[Paul_Heery]

The only place to buy it is Pelican. It's right here:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/9144/POR_9144_pedals_pg2.htm#item14

[anthony]

Don't forget to ask for the 15% off price match with the other PP.