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Numeric vs Function First vs Ben Auto Design Shifters
I picked up a 2008 Boxster RS 60 Spyder back in December and love everything about it except for the stock shifter. I read dozens of threads and decided to stick to OEM and installed the Porsche 997 SSK (First DIY project on this car). It was an immediate improvement over the 15 year old stock shifter with its worn plastics. But, it's still not as crisp and tight as I want it to be. The shift action is still a bit vague, especially going from 2-3 and I don't enjoy the side to side play when it's in gear. Probably should have started this thread and took some more time making the right decision before dumping money into the OEM SSK, but oh well.
Now I am trying to find the best shifter for my needs. This is a weekend only car and will be 100% street driven.
Everything I read about the Numeric shifter points to it being very mechanical and a good choice for heavy track duty or 10/10ths driving. I want the shifter to be smooth and mechanical at the same time if that makes sense, so that the feel is similar to the rest of the car's interaction points (steering, brakes, clutch, and seat). I am not sure if Numeric will fit the personality of my Boxster, as it's not an all out GT or track car.
FF recently started offering a short shifter with ball bearing mechanical lever pivot in addition to their SRS kit, which pretty much eliminates all plastic except for the shifter housing. This is what I am leaning to and probably should have gone this route considering it's slightly cheaper than a new OEM SSK. I have to decide between the black (10% shorter than 997) or the blue (23% shorter than 997, but a little longer than oem SSK at 33%).
I get the feeling that this kit will offer the experience I am after. Which is a refined mechanical shift, not too short of a throw, without any fore/aft or side-side play, but without being overtly mechanical/raw like the Numeric.
Ben is producing his own shifter and side lever instead of modifying the blue eBay SSKs, so this is on my radar. This is the most value oriented option and seems to offer a similar experience to FF with a few exceptions. The shifter sits a little higher, but OEM boot and **** still work with it, not sure how I would feel about the raised shifter ****. And it only comes as a short shifter with a 33% reduction in throw, similar to the OEM SSK.
I am mostly ruling out the Numeric shifter because I just feel it will be too much for a street car and what I am looking for. I am having a tough time deciding between the FF and BAD shifter kit. Hoping to get some opinions on this over discussed topic.
I have numeric cables and the ebay shifter. I really like it but it has some parts that I know aren't going to wear well for the left right portion of the shift mechanism. Aluminum on Nylon...one is going to "win" over time and introduce slop.
I plan on adding a bens side lever once that happens.
I also added a Rosewood and birch 917 style **** and I LOVE THAT . It adds a touch of class to the interior that I felt the oem shifter did not do.
I will do the Numeric cables eventually, that's why I am thinking combining that with Numeric shifter is too much for a street car. I hear the ebay shifters are very notchy going into first and second gear and the throw is a little too short. This is what worries me about the Ben shifter setup.
When I went through all this I decided to pass on the numeric cables and just get the updated OEM cables. Although, I recently read a post of the updated OEM ones breaking that is giving me a big of thought.
I did full Numeric shifter and cables on my 987.1S which is solely driven on the street and it was one of the best mods I did to the car. Definitely not too much for a street car. It takes some adjusting to get it set up perfectly, but once you do, it is great.
When I went through all this I decided to pass on the numeric cables and just get the updated OEM cables. Although, I recently read a post of the updated OEM ones breaking that is giving me a big of thought.
Yup, if i go with Ben, then I would purchase both the short shifter and side lever. I have read that about the updated OEM cables as well, so even with the NVH concern, I'd rather have the peace of mind of using the Numeric cables.
I did full Numeric shifter and cables on my 987.1S which is solely driven on the street and it was one of the best mods I did to the car. Definitely not too much for a street car. It takes some adjusting to get it set up perfectly, but once you do, it is great.
Some people say it's too much and some say it's perfect. As with all things, I think it's all about personal preference. I really wish I could drive any Porsche with a Numeric shifter installed atleast to really get the feel for it.
01-25-2024, 05:25 PM
Numeric vs Function First vs Ben Auto Design Shifters
