PSA Easy Upgrade: Ben Auto Design Shift kit

[Tom_N]

Hi all. I've had my 2004 911 40 Jahre since January of 2023. My first Porsche, it hasn't disappointed except for one thing: the "stick in a bucket of mud" shifter feel. After some research I bought the Ben Auto Design short shift kit and side lever and installed them last week. It took a full day but I went at it slowly. Nothing was very difficult and no special tools were needed. (A stiff plastic upholsters tool and a small mechanic's hook did help.) I won't go into specifics as the vendor (Uniwerks Design) and PCA have good kit installation and center console removal videos. I will say to make sure that the c-clips on the screw caps are pushed against the shifter housing before tightening the screw cap screws; if you don't the screw caps will be able to slide back and forth in the housing when shifting. Also, while the instructions don't say so, I greased the internal slide pocket of the side lever as the factory unit had been greased.

The difference is night and day. While not quite up to the shifting of my Honda S2000 it is worlds better and has changed the character of the car for the better. I didn't realize how severely the slop of the factory shifter worsened the driving experience until now. I can't compare this shifter to others, but I think that any of the several well known brands would give similar results. That said, I can't recommend the BAD shifter and side lever enough.

PS I have no affiliations with Ben Auto Design or Uniwerks.