550 Special Ed. Short Shift

[Tool Pants]

Peter called me yesterday to say Stevens Creek had the 550 special edition. There has been much speculation as to the 15% shift throw reduction claim, and how it is done.

You can tell just by looking the shift lever has been shortened. No standard shift lever and shift knob sits that low.

There is no B&M/Porsche short shift kit in there.

Peter holds the pen while I take the picture.

Then I go over to parts. The shift tower for the special edition has its own part number, which is different than a 2003/4 Boxster S. Time to get out the hacksaw.

[Tool Pants]

All you need is a hacksaw and a grinder.

Local owner Danny did this years ago when he cut down a B&M shift lever. A real short short shift.

Place your orders now.

[mrmickeymouse]

I broached this subject on another board, but received no input. I have studied the geometry involved in the B & M shifter, and it seems like they have done exactly this but sell it.

Can it be this easy, does it really make a big difference, does it actually making the shifts shorter, geometrically yes, but actually ?

Please, let me know, I sit with hacksaw in hand,

Any downsides....

:unsure:

TIA

Scott

[Tool Pants]

B&M works by changing the pivot point of the shift lever. The oem normal Boxster lever pivots in the center line of the journals. The B&M pivots above the journals. Both the B&M and oem shift levers are the same length.

The 550 does it the old fashioned way - the length of the lever is reduced by about an inch - it still pivots in the center line of the journals just like the normal Boxster lever.

The shift throws on the B&M and the 550 are shorter - they just go about it two different ways.

The EVO short shift does it a third way - the bottom of the lever is extended with a part/extension bolted on the end of the lever.

[mrmickeymouse]

It seems like they accomplish the same task in a different fashion, but they both operate correctly, I am to assume.

If the stock shifter is shorter does it interfere with anything, bat wing etc.... any input is greatly appreciated, this hack saw is getting heavy.... :D

[wingless]

Are those jelly doughnuts?

[Abe986S]

In an earlier post it was pointed out where to cut and where to grind to make your own short shifter. It appears that on the end of the Porsche and B&M shifter it is tapered and looks to have a groove cut in it. Does this need to be re-created after cutting it off.

Thanks!

Abe

[Tool Pants]

The groove is what holds the standard shift knob in place. If you have one of the optional shift knobs then it is held in place with a set screw and the groove is not necessary.