old man neri

So I wish to replace my shifter cables. I have essentially 2 options. Goal being to eliminate slop and not have the cables break and leave me stranded.

Option 1)
Numeric cables and shifter combo
$1200ish USD

Option 2)
Updated Porsche Cables
Updated Porsche bracket and Pivot lever
Function-First ball bearing retrofit kit
$1350 USD

Option 3)
Numeric cables.
Ben Auto Design 1.0 short shifter and side lever.
$1000ish

Option 4)
Numeric
Function-First ball bearing retrofit kit
$1000ish.



All are expensive and I am hoping to find someone who has tried different ones but I am not sure such a person exists. I'd like someone to tell me 'I like the Numeric over the Ben Auto because of _____'. I know any of these combos will be better over the stock setup.

andy7777

Option 2 without the FF kit, replace the stock shifter with GT 3 OEM shifter. No NVH, much crisper shifts. Did it in two 987s, a 987.1 and 987.2.

No experience with the Numeric cables or shifter, read too many posts about people who couldn't get it to function without noise. That said, many people love them. I wanted to fix the slop and reduce the risk of a broken cable, and the OEM solution worked out well for me.

ekam

I would go this route also. What's your mileage? How do you know the shifter is actually worn out? Do the cables first and go from there.

Mathman

I went with option 1 and it's been great for me.

old man neri

220KM. It's just got play in the shifter, I would like to eliminate that play if possible. I feel like replacing the cables because I know they are a weak point and I don't feel like being left stranded somewhere. Just bought the car.

andy7777

My used Boxster had about 42,000 miles when I got it and a ton of play. After about 10,000 miles I went the OEM route that essentially fixed it. I think it was all in the cable.

The Duke

18 months ago I took the Andy7777 route and installed what he described. I did this because I wanted an improvement in what I had (10+ year old OE cables. 36K miles of slop), https://rennlist.com/forums/987-foru...l#post18078103

After ~8K , I am mostly happy. .

RJ80

My 987.2 was optioned with the factory short shifter (option code XCZ). I believe it still has the original cables and everything feels nice and tight. All these complaints about slop makes me wonder if my cables were replaced by a previous owner, of if the short shifter is masking the worn cables.

I'd probably replace with the improved OEM versions, given the option.

old man neri

So I did more research and parts searching. I found a cheaper source for the Porsche cables/levers than Pelican, so that helps. I found out the difference between the standard shifter and the GT3 is just metal bushings but both still have the plasitc side piece. Seems the FF Shift Right kit in a stock shifter is better than a GT3 Shifter. The factory short shift kit has all plastic bushings and would still need the FF kit. All that is to say is I will go with factory upgraded cables and either 1) stock shifter with the FF kit or 2) Ben Auto SSK with their metal side piece.

Spyder_2011

Agreed with this, I installed the 997.2 GT3 shifter which utilizes metal bushings and it eliminated the vast majority of the slop in the original shifter. The original shifter feels ok for the first 7500 miles and then the plastic bushings start to wear a little resulting in slop and a very cheap feel. When it comes time to change my cables I’ll go with the new updated Porsche cables and the updated mounting bracket. I’m not keen on introducing NVH into the cabin and I have to believe Porsche addressed the snapping cable issue with the new design.

Dave in Chicago

Another vote for the OEM cables and the GT3 shifter. Did the shifter myself at 80,000 miles, the cables got done along with the clutch at 100,000 miles. Now at 140,000 miles and plenty pleased with both.

No experience with other shifters and cables. I kept mine stock as it is daily driver street car. Not a fan of added NVH. Had a race car, no one else in the house wanted to drive or ride in it.

Frankly, I think the stock design is pretty reasonable for a cable setup. Miss my 944/968 linkage. Clicketty click it was.

The Duke

I got my parts from Suncoast, which is often cheaper than Pelican and always cheaper than my local dealer.

As long as you're going all in, I'd suggest you consider the upgraded bracket and lever. The former angles the cable end differently, which is reported to give this set-up a longer service life. The latter removes a rubber gasket, which contributes to a more mechanical feel to the linkage.

old man neri

I live in Canada. Suncoast is utterly ridiculous when it comes to it's shipping charges as well they use UPS which has a bad habit charging even more ridiculous brokerage fees. Lastly, I find their website garbage. I can't seem to put in a Porsche part number in their search engine. I am going to use a combination of Pelican (ships USPS prices are so so), Rock Auto (ships UPS but all fees are at check out), and a new to me site call 'Rose Passion' (good reviews, surprisingly cheap for P-parts, and I believe ships French Postal Service). I am also about a 2 day and 1 ferry ride road trip away from the nearest dealer.

I am going to do that. I believe it is mandatory as I don't think the updated cables work with the old lever and bracket. At least that is what the Porsche 'Katelog' leads one to believe.

Van Larson

I opted for #2 with oem short shift. Pleased as pumpkin pie esp after a little break in. Crisp, direct, bolt action, no slop, bo NVH issue.

McSwine

I've got the OEM SSK and OEM upgraded cables as well and have been totally happy with it. But I just had my almost 15 yr/old transmission fluid changed and that made a noticeable difference as well.