(I did it on the top part of the channel, which leads to the knob's original position a bit loose. But you can easily fix it with a piece of tape. The knob will be loose in the left right position if you do that. Please be careful, not to cut too wide or too deep in the channels. Use the shift knob to test fit until you can slide it all the way down, snug fit. I used a 4-1/2' cutting disc (1/4' thick?) on the grinder and a 1-1/2 diamond cutting disc on the Dremel. Use an angle grinder with a cutting disc, line up the channel, and cut it with the same width and depth down the shaft. It's not difficult, although could be nerve racking pulling panels off.Ģ) Measure and cut 0.8' (20 mm) off the top of the shaft.ģ) To extend the vertical channels down (for the knob to sit lower), affix the shaft on a clamp. There are videos that you can find online. To say the least, it wasn't a pleasant experience using a swab to scrape them out!ġ) Remove the shifter assembly. I wasn't as careful and found a few metal fragments on my left cornea afterward. A word of cautions, wear protective gloves and goggles! PS. It'll be cheaper to buy a GT4 short shifter (~$350?). If you don't own an angle grinder and a Dremel tool, STOP, don't do this. The mod is not difficult, but does require some skills on power tools and safety precautions. I know you can use other knobs, but I like the original look. To change it, simply twist and unlock the shift boot (no need to take the boot out), then pull the knob up or down to the position you like. The nice thing about modifying your original shift shaft is that you can use either shift knob height: original height, or the 0.8' (20 mm) lower at the 'GT4 short shift' height. Special thanks to winter.zed for sending me the shift assembly for the mod! Or, if someone has one laying around, I can do that for you I may get a used shift assembly (981 424 010 00) on eBay and modify it shorter. I think one can modify the shaft easily by maybe cutting it shorter and make a grove lower on the shaft. This may be why some people have commented that the GT4's short shift kit is not a real short shift because the pivot of the shaft is the same, but just sits shorter / lower. +1 for Porsche's design for precise installation! (Maybe -1 for complication to put the knob together)Ĭ) I think the difference between the OEM GT4 short shift assembly (P/N: 981 424 010 20 non-GT cars have 981 424 010 00) is the length of the shaft where the grove is positioned lower for the shift knob to be installed lower. I guess this design leaves no error for the knob to be installed straight with the exact depth / height. The knob's shaft interface (part 2) has the necessary channels and clips to mate with the car's shift shaft. I'll try once I order some small lead balls.ī) the shift knob is installed onto the car's shift assembly shaft aligned and locked in by the 2 vertical channels and 1 ring like grove (see last pic). I doubt that would make a significant weight change. See pictures.Ī few observations for mods / improvements:Ī) you may put some small lead balls in - there's some space between the gear pattern cover and shift knob & shaft assembly.

2 small screws are used to lock the knob and the shaft interface together, then covered by the gear pattern face, and lastly locked by a snap ring at the bottom. They are quite intricately held together with alignment channels and snap-in clips. Shift knob is made of plastics in 4 parts - 1) the molded knob, 2) a shaft interface between the knob and the shifter shaft, 3) metallic gear shift pattern and 4) a locking ring to make the parts as a whole. Shift assembly on the car is slightly different in the GT4 (not sure about the GT3) - will explain later. BTW, the 718 manual knob is the same for 991, 981 and 982 cars (911 991 has 7-spd gear pattern). You can find videos on YouTube on removing the shift knob (like short shifter upgrade, etc). I won't explain how to remove the shift knob. Maybe the 'KISS' philosophy didn't happen in this shift knob design Here's how the knob works, and surprised to say, it's a pretty complicated design to put together.

Out of curiosity, I purchased a 991.1 shift knob and trying to see if it can be improved somewhat.

I'm somewhat neutral, but agree that it could be made beefier / heavier than plastics. I read many people dislike the OEM shift knob.

Bmw 6 speed short shift knob pics