B & M Shifter

[jcphx1]

I installed a B & M short shifter in my 2000 Boxster S over the weekend. The shifter travel from 1st to 2nd is reduced from 4.5 inches to 3 inches. Install is reasonably as per the instructions.

Shifter feels very solid but takes more effort. Getting into reverse is much more difficult. Anyone have any ideas why?

Thanks,

JC

[Tool Pants]

That is the trade-off of a short shift, unless you did not put it in properly. Try it for a while and see if you get use to it.

[LVDell]

You may very well need to adjust the shift cable for reverse.

[duffs4]

I had the same experience with mine, the B&M is much more notchy than stock. I've definately gotten used to it over time.

[John V]

My '00 S came with it installed and I've gotten used to it, but WOW it's balky when the temperature is below 40F. I'm going to change the fluid to the Redline cocktail but I'm not expecting any monumental improvements.

[luckey]

I had the same experience with mine, the B&M is much more notchy than stock. I've definately gotten used to it over time.

The short shifter definitely changes the feel. It feels more mechanical and stiff, but you lose the gentle "cutting butter" feel of the Porsche stock shifter. It's a trade off, and I'm still not sure which one I like better. If you don't have a short shifter and are thinking about getting one, you can test drive a bmw z4. I personally think the z4's standard shifter has more of the mechanical feel that you get with a short shifter in the Porsche.

[mytoy986]

I too installed the B & M on my 98. It's much more notchy, but frankly I feel it's worth the trade off!!!!!

[John V]

I too installed the B & M on my 98. It's much more notchy, but frankly I feel it's worth the trade off!!!!!

Any of you guys that upgraded, do you still have your stock shifter assembly?

My '00 S needs to go back to stock, but the previous owner didn't include the factory shifter assembly so all i have is the B+M that is currently installed.

Thx, :beer:

JV

[Loren]

I too installed the B & M on my 98. It's much more notchy, but frankly I feel it's worth the trade off!!!!!

Any of you guys that upgraded, do you still have your stock shifter assembly?

My '00 S needs to go back to stock, but the previous owner didn't include the factory shifter assembly so all i have is the B+M that is currently installed.

Thx, :beer:

JV

During the B&M install you break the old shifter bushings and reuse the housing. Porsche does not sell just the bushings - only the whole assembly.

[John V]

I too installed the B & M on my 98. It's much more notchy, but frankly I feel it's worth the trade off!!!!!

Any of you guys that upgraded, do you still have your stock shifter assembly?

My '00 S needs to go back to stock, but the previous owner didn't include the factory shifter assembly so all i have is the B+M that is currently installed.

Thx, :beer:

JV

During the B&M install you break the old shifter bushings and reuse the housing. Porsche does not sell just the bushings - only the whole assembly.

Loren,

I didn't install the B+M, the car came this way. I know nothing of how the B+M is installed. I haven't ever taken it apart to look at it.

Are you saying there is no easy way to revert back to stock at this point? I guess I can pull the shift knob and boot tonight and see how things are arranged in there but without a stock assembly to compare to it might be a waste of time.

John

[Loren]

Might I ask why you need to go back to stock?

Doing so requires you to replace the whole shifter mechanism.

Here is a link to what the original looks like.

original shifter mechanism

[John V]

Might I ask why you need to go back to stock?

Doing so requires you to replace the whole shifter mechanism.

Here is a link to what the original looks like.

original shifter mechanism

I'll be competing with the car at the DC ProSolo and the car needs to be in a factory stock condition to be legal. Now if this short shifter was a factory option, then I could legally leave it in. But I do not believe that to be the case. Basically I need to find someone who is willing to switch the entire shifter mechanism with me.

Thank you for your input, Loren. Very helpful as always. :notworthy: