time for our first Modifications!

just purchased B&M Short Shifter, EVO Shift Link and Clear Side Markers from site sponsor BumperPlugs - which should arrive in the next few days! as excited as i am about installing the Short Shifter myself, the directions are a bit daunting to a novice like moi.

anyone want to get dirty?

i will bring the beer (or wine, etc.) and drive out. if you are thinking of a short shifter/EVO link yourself, this would be a great time (*smile*) - they are both on sale at BumperPlugs, and we could do a double install. fun!

i realize there are also great Mod Shops in the Bay Area i can take Lottie to for the install, but i would like to get in there with some pliers and such and take a poke around.

help anyone?
*Elise

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Hi grrlsix,

Just a couple of words about my experience installing the B&M shifter (which I did w/ the help of my neighbor)....

If you're a novice like myself when it comes to working on cars, budget a few hours to do it ... I'd say it took me a little over 5 hours or so, for the following reasons:

- I'm a novice at working on cars, so naturally I work slow.

- I had to run to the store and get some tools (more on that below)

- A couple of steps are a REAL PITA and took a while... namely fitting the shifter back on the car when everything was installed, and also breaking the plastic bearings/fasteners that hold the old shifter in place (that took considerable amount of time till we found the "right" way to break them off).

- I was very anal about following instructions to the tee (i.e. organizing the screws per step, sometimes taking pics, etc)

- I broke one of the plastic fasteners when trying to remove the metallic-looking border around the center console (there's no real reference points to where all the plastic pieces snap-in). In general it took some time for me to try and find the reference points for all the snap-on pieces.


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Other notes about tools, etc.
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- The instructions from B&M were fairly accurate and straightforward, though I did have the CaymanClub articles up on my laptop for image references. The club articles are extremely helpful. Also, I was not able to remove the shift boot without having to first remove the shift knob. it's just a bit tricky for me. So removing the back of the shift knob was something I did extra that is not in the B&M instructions.

- Make note of the position of the shifter/shift boot when you remove it (I took pics)... because when you put it back you have to line up the boot properly. If I remember correctly, you turn it 90 degrees clockwise to "unlock" the boot, so be sure to have this right when it's time to put it back on. it took us a while to have it lock properly since we have to push down and twist at the same time.

- Wear safety goggles! It's prolly assumed for every project. But definitely wear a pair when trying to break the plastic fastener thingys that hold the old shifter in place.


- If you want to remove the shift knob, make sure you have the right small torx wrench to remove the it (now this is NOT required, but makes things easier to see. Look at the articles section). I had a torx wrench set, but this one is very small and I didn't have it in my set. So it was just an annoyance to have to run to the store.


- use a chisel ... this was by far the most effective way we found to remove those pesky plastic things holding the old shifter. I was trying a screw driver, knife, sharp wire cutters at first, but it was very slow. Luckily my neighbor suggested this. Again, watch out for flying pieces, and stay away from you car (or other people) when doing this.


- JB Weld (epoxy) ... I partially bent/broke one of the plastic fasteners (on that metallic-looking console border) while trying to pry it loose to expose the shifter. I think it may be good to have this handy, just in case. Once I found the reference point for the snaps, the other side was ok. Again, I was being extra careful but still managed to damage the snap. I've always had some JB Weld sitting around the house.


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Unfortunately my next few weekends are booked solid with work and vacation. But I'll try to dig up some pics of the install.

Good luck!!

Come on over. I'll help you put that thing in. But it may take you a while to drive to CT.....

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you are amazing - thank you for this advice. i will be certain to take heed of your thoughtful instructions... it always helps to have more pictures and tips and i very much appreciate your input here!

i am a bit nervous about it, but am excited to have something about the car that will be my handiwork. the parts arrived yesterday and are so beautiful (bright blue and red.) shame i cannot get a clear center console...

i will not be working on this for a least a few weekends, so no rush on the pictures. if you like, you can e-Mail them to: grrlsix AT gmail.

thankyousomuch!

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...you going to the Croctoberfest?
*wink*

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Hi, I was also planning on getting the B&M shifter, but what is the EVO link? Do you need to get that to go with the short shifter?
Any info is welcomed and appreciated.
cya

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Aka Wani = Red Croc
Formely known as "The Kloser".

if you look on bumperplugs.com, you will see both parts listed together. the shift link is a metal part which replaces the plastic Porsche shift link.

more detail anyone?

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I've read that the shift link isn't necessary on the newer cars (987). This was made to correct a weakness in the older models (986/996) where that part was prone to breaking. I am pretty sure that's not necessary on a 987. I'll do some searching and see if I can find where I read that, unless someone chimes in sooner to confirm or deny.

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