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Posted by: SirAndy Apr 6 2007, 03:14 PM

got my JWE (JWest Engineering) Side-shift linkage kit yesterday and spent some time today to go through the instructions etc.

the parts are super nice and look plenty strong. i think it will work great.

i'll be posting pics of the install!
Andy

http://www.jwesteng.com/porsche/914/linkage_914.htm

Posted by: So.Cal.914 Apr 6 2007, 03:23 PM

A bit pricey but it sure looks bitchin, can't wait to hear how it works for you.

Posted by: grantsfo Apr 6 2007, 03:29 PM

Sexy! ....but why would you want your 914 to shift like any other car? Arent vague long shifts part of the car's character?

Posted by: SirAndy Apr 6 2007, 03:39 PM

you know, it's funny, but i was thinking the same thing.
ever since i drove my first 914, i kinda like the feeling of it.

it's like playing a slot-machine. you never know what combination (gear) you're gonna get!
Andy

Posted by: Aaron Cox Apr 6 2007, 03:40 PM

jerry woods or j. west?

Posted by: SirAndy Apr 6 2007, 03:42 PM

oops, JWest Engineering !
Andy

PS: edited first post to deconfuse the confuzzled ...

Posted by: TINCAN914 Apr 6 2007, 04:05 PM

James West, he has all the kewl toys...
I really like that dillinger up the sleeve thing..

Posted by: Aaron Cox Apr 6 2007, 05:28 PM

andy, any thoughts about using the 'APEX' sealed joints to replace the U joints? i remember SRP selling them to replace the shift coupler just aft of the tunnel.

Posted by: SirAndy Apr 6 2007, 05:42 PM

honestly, i don't see any reason why ...
Andy

Posted by: James Adams Apr 6 2007, 05:45 PM

While Apex joints are "cool" there is not a space issue in the shift linkage to warrant their use.

The u-joints I provide are sealed at the individual bearings (just like the joints in a traditional front-engine/rear-drive drive shaft) which work great in a harsh environment).

Apex joints are not as strong radially due to the reduced diameter of the cross shaft.

Finally, unless you used a creative attachment method, an Apex joint at the front location would make assembly of the rod/bearing/boot difficult.

Posted by: Aaron Cox Apr 6 2007, 05:49 PM

good to know, i didnt know the kit had sealed bearings. that was the only reason i suggested a covered apex joints.


cool stuff james!

Andy - get it installed and report back. if its anything like my rennshifter, time to start saving.


James, i know when running a 4 cyl car with a header, you cannot use the cover boot at the shifter, will this kit clear a header?

Posted by: James Adams Apr 6 2007, 05:55 PM

I just make some holes in a factory shift cap, so if the header does not clear the stock one it won't clear mine either. Seems like a pretty poor design to me - time to get a Tangerine system.

Posted by: Air_Cooled_Nut Apr 6 2007, 06:51 PM

I agree, that is SPENDY! However, JWest has quality products so you get what you pay for Looks like a nicely engineered solution. Can't wait for pictures!!!

Posted by: SirAndy May 12 2008, 09:16 PM

here are the installation pics, as promised ...


the firewall bushing:






the shifter console piece:






and all done:




you can find a complete installation pictorial here:

Part 1: http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=72363&st=0

Part 2: http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=72775


Andy

Posted by: retrofit May 13 2008, 01:11 AM

Andy

What kind of feedback can you provide us re the shift linkage product?
Curious how the "feel "is? I have never driven a 914 with the JWest shifter or linkage. Put me in the drivers seat with your insight...
Allen

Posted by: Phoenix 914-6GT May 13 2008, 01:18 AM

I can tell you I really wanted to do this but he didn't have any at the time I needed it. I have the Patrick Motorsports setup. Though it works very well, and I am adding the rennshift to it, I wish I had this system. My shifting now is tighter than any 914 I have ever been in and the J west system is designed much better with making it imposible to bind and no slop what so ever. The Patrick system does not have the second joint but has a brass bushing that can bind if not aligned perfectly.

Posted by: lonnie152 May 13 2008, 10:22 AM

Several months ago i bought and installed JWest Shifter. Unfortunately several other repairs kept me from driving car until a week or so ago. While i replaced linkage bushings and stuff at the same time i installed the shifter, i was very impressed how much better the shifting was with the JWest Shifter. Before the shifting was between bad and terrible now it is very good to excellent. To make this change i spent around $550 (total) and went from a car only i could drive to one that anyone could. yes, i would do it again.

Posted by: James Adams May 13 2008, 12:13 PM

Hey guys, I've got parts coming in again for the linkage kits - I was not sure I wanted to continue production but I had enough requests to convince me to continue.

It will be a couple weeks before they are on the site again. I'm planning to sell a minimal version without some of the pieces, the existing setup, and a package deal with the shifter.

I might offer completed units if people send me their parts - not sure if I want to deal with that one, though.

Posted by: ericread May 13 2008, 12:23 PM

And why would I want that??? I have enough trouble keeping the car to myself as it is.

Posted by: SirAndy May 13 2008, 01:28 PM

like night and day ...

i just test drove a original /6 this weekend, hadn't been in a tailshift car in a while, almost forgot how much fun this was

i have both, the rennshifter and the linkage kit. the rennshifter alone, with new bushings for the linkage was a huge improvement. the springloaded shifter gives everything a much more precise feeling. you actually know where your gears are.

adding the shift linkage kit really tightened everything together. there is ZERO slop in the shifter now. it's precise, just like any new car would be.

however, i believe it's impossible to make the 901 shift like a modern transmission. even with all these upgrades, you'll never be able to shift as fast as in a 2007 GT2.
you're still going to use a 35+ year old transmission.

i believe that both products combined, the rennshift and the linkage kit, will get you as close to a perfect shifting 914 as it will ever be possible with a 901 transmission.
Andy

Posted by: James Adams May 28 2008, 10:02 AM

The linkage kits are now available again with a few new options.

http://www.jwesteng.com/porsche/914/linkage_914.htm

Posted by: Vacca Rabite May 28 2008, 12:34 PM

I am tempted...

Will this work with a Euro Race header installed? Let me know.

Looks can be deceiving, but it looks like I would have header pipes running right where the shifter bar goes. ??? I dunno.

Zach

Posted by: McMark May 28 2008, 12:37 PM

Shift bar is custom. You have to weld in a piece. Andy used a straight piece. You can use a stock piece.

Posted by: seanery May 28 2008, 12:39 PM

The kit looks awesome James!

It's making me want to get going on my 914 again! LOL

Posted by: James Adams May 28 2008, 01:09 PM

The shift rod will be above the header, but the u-joint will be close to the rear header pipe on the Eurorace system. The rear shift rod may need to be extended forward to move the u-joint into the space between the two left header tubes.

Posted by: scottb May 28 2008, 03:29 PM

i now have my linkage installed (was done along with the $5k motor). i had previously put in the rennshift.

i am very pleased with the combination. i agree with andy's comment that this is not a 2008 transmission but as close as you will get with the 35 year old gear box we have to work with.

that being said, i have a 4 cylinder with a side shift which is a different installation process than that which andy had with the 6 due to the shape of the shift rod. there are more issues to accomodate with the curve and the engine support bar.

ed (ejm) may pipe in here with his comments as he was the one to put this sucker in for me (and very well might i add) as i don't have any welding skills.

i would highly recommend the entire system.

cheers,

scott

Posted by: r_towle May 28 2008, 08:52 PM

James, or anyone....
Is someone making a replacement steering shaft ujoint???
I replaced everything, including new bronze steering rack bushings and new bearings....now I have a slight click in the steering u-joints...

I need two, perfect, NEW, not used, ujoints.

Rich

Posted by: rdauenhauer May 28 2008, 09:54 PM

This is what Im curious about. You still end up with a curved R. shift rod on a /4 w/side shift ?

Wouldnt a straight rod be preferable for the function of the u-joints?
Is the eng X bar the issue?

Posted by: James Adams May 28 2008, 09:59 PM

No, the engine is the issue. The real solution is to install a six .

Sorry...
The kit eliminates half of the bends in the factory tube, and what is left does not flex much. You end up with a solid snap into gear rather than the mush of factory linkage.

Posted by: James Adams May 28 2008, 10:01 PM

Dunno, the u-joints I use are the same diameter and spline, but are a little longer so they won't interchange for the steering.

Posted by: brp986s May 28 2008, 10:15 PM

I bought a new one from porsche last year - $100. It produced a pronounced bind in steering so I took it out and put my crappy ol' joint back in which works fine. Go figger. If you put in rack spacers you might get a click.

Posted by: partwerks Oct 31 2010, 06:36 PM

I'm wondering if the shift rod linkage part of it, will work with a Subie conversion as the shift rod goes under the cradle that the engine sits in and has some bends to go under it, if this setup will work?