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Posted by: kyhunting Jul 20 2009, 11:03 AM

Racing application. Who is using a gated shifter? Which one? Do you like it? Is it worth the expense? I've been fighting with shifting issues.. like finding 2nd when looking for 4th. Last episode ended with broken rocker arms. I've adjusted and replaced everything from the shifter to the solid trans mounts. It will do fine and then all of a sudden I've found second instead of 4th which results in a over rev. I have concentrated on my shifting and can't find a correlation to what causes this to happen. Any suggestions would be appriciated.

Thank you

David

Posted by: john rogers Jul 20 2009, 11:30 AM

Rennshift

Posted by: SirAndy Jul 20 2009, 10:55 PM

http://www.jwesteng.com/


http://www.jwesteng.com/porsche/914/rennshift_914.htm



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


Andy

Posted by: HAM Inc Aug 26 2009, 04:37 PM

Go JWest, young man!

Posted by: grantsfo Aug 26 2009, 06:56 PM

I went with the linkages from JWest. Very nice and it cleaned up my shifting problems.

Posted by: carr914 Aug 27 2009, 09:34 AM

Definately RennShift

T.C.

Posted by: zymurgist Aug 27 2009, 10:06 AM

I put a Rennshift in my 911. Best money I ever spent on that car.

Posted by: ChrisNPDrider Aug 27 2009, 03:36 PM

+1 on Rennshift
I read elsewhere about extreme racin 914s that would have detectable chasis twist to the point that shifting in corners was super tricky. Not sure what level your 914 is at, if you are on race slicks, big HP, but no cage or chasis re-inforcement. I just AX, and the Rennshift makes finding the right spot purdy easy. The springs keep the shift lever in that 2-3 plane, getting anywhere else takes effort. Not a true gated shift solution, but a great improvement.

Posted by: scottb Aug 27 2009, 04:01 PM

i too have the rennshift along with the linkage and couldn't be happier....

Posted by: SirAndy Aug 28 2009, 12:02 PM

I have that problem. I have a cage, but it's not tied into the shocktowers. When i'm on sticky slicks the chassis will flex enough to cause binding in the shift linkage when trying to shift while cornering.

Andy

Posted by: HAM Inc Aug 30 2009, 03:12 PM

I think the reason for that is the engine/trans rolling on soft motormounts causing the linkage to bind at the firewall.

Posted by: kyhunting Aug 31 2009, 07:56 AM

Found the problem. Clutch cable tube that runs thru the tunnel had broken loose from the welds. When it is loose it raises up about 2". This allows the bottom of the gear shift lever to come in contact with it. This feels like the normal far right stop you would have when shifting into 4th. I have also installed the Rennshift and I believe it is going to be good.

Posted by: Randal Aug 31 2009, 01:45 PM

I had solid mounts at the transmission and still had the 2nd to 5th issue, under hard G's in autox. Especially during a slalom where you are very busy.

I can't think of any situation at the track that would be as extreme, so prolly ok at the track.

Posted by: HAM Inc Sep 2 2009, 09:14 AM

Randall I use to think that the binding was in the tranny itself. But subsequent testing and some design changes to my shifting system led me to the conclusion that the binding is at the bushing at the firewall.

What's moving and/or flexing to cause this is still a matter of debate (I'm not sure myself, though I think in the case of lesser G force induced binding it is likely soft mounts)
Whatever the case may be I think it is relative movement between the chassis and the drive train causing the link to bind at the firewall bushing, not in the tranny itself (it about has to be one or the other).

Posted by: Randal Sep 2 2009, 10:16 AM

I'm thinking my problem is a bit different from yours Len. I was able to shift, but with chassis movement, even with a full cage (but no tie down to shock towers) I would get 5th instead of 3rd. Even though I was being as careful as I could pulling the shift lever back straight. No question this exercise was right in the middle of a corner with substantial G forces.

When this happens in a competitive autox, your run is over.

Question: Are the u-joints that Renn offers used at the firewall or in front of the transmission? Do they replace the firewall bushing?

Posted by: grantsfo Sep 2 2009, 11:55 AM

Issue I was seeing was misalignment in hard turns when shift was on entry or exit. Hillclimb was the worst. And it seemed that issues happened the most as car was unloading from exit of a turn.

I went to firmer mounts and the previous mentioned linkage. I left my stock shifter in place and never had an issue again. I expereinced issues at the track prior to these mods. T2 at Infineon was a constant problem. Never had any issues at Laguna Seca put there were rarely any shifts under load at that track with my gearing.

Posted by: Randal Sep 2 2009, 02:01 PM

T2 at Infineon led me to build a lockout to keep from going from 4th to 1st trying to get 3rd.

Posted by: J P Stein Sep 2 2009, 04:22 PM

I have no problems now that my trans is a 2 speed. The 2/3 shift is a snap, up or down. It works everytime you have the guts to steer one handed. This leads me to believe the problem is in the 'H' crossover during which the shift rod rotates ....too much rotation gets ya the wrong effin gear. The in/out movement is
only about .3 inches between each of the 3 positions at the trans. If I had a solution for this I'd tell ya. J.Wests shift console mod may do the trick....but I aint gonna pony up the bucks he wants for it on a maybe. He can also keep his shifter.....that is a solution to a non-problem.....IMO.

Posted by: HAM Inc Sep 3 2009, 08:28 AM

The Rennshifter rocks and allows for a creative person to design a gate that incorporates a reverse/first lockout that bolts to the top. This is key to consistent, fast shifts. (Was for me anyway.)
The console mod is the absolute cats meow. It is easy to install and makes a world of difference when coupled to his linkage. Can you say precise?!
I will say that in my experience with JWest that there is no "maybe" with his products, or his character. He sells first class goodies and if something doesn't work as advertised (it will) I would bet money that James will make it right to your satisfaction.
You just doen't have to go around with a crappy shifting 914!

Posted by: bam914 Sep 3 2009, 11:37 AM

Stock mounts and shifter work great in my race car. No missed shifts ever. I do not think I could drive a 914 that had a really good shifter in it.

Posted by: HAM Inc Sep 3 2009, 12:56 PM

Blake you can drive anything! You've already proven that. And if you did drive one with the upgrades I think you'd hate going back!

The single most important part of the equation is having a well built gearbox with lots of expensive new parts. Blake built mine, and combined with the afore mentioned upgrades my 914 shifts better than my E30 BMW, which was the best shifting car I'd ever driven.

Posted by: grantsfo Sep 3 2009, 09:12 PM

Put over 200 HP and race slicks on your car and I think you might have a differnt opinion. My car shifted great with DOT tires and 100 HP too. LOL!

And best shifting car is MX5 with six speed. Short positive shifts. I didnt mishift that car over 30K miles over mountain roads, AX and track days.

Posted by: bam914 Sep 4 2009, 11:19 AM

I have. My first race car was an EP 914. I had about 170hp and slicks. Never missed a shift.

Posted by: grantsfo Sep 4 2009, 01:05 PM

Put that car config through enough load and unload senarios and I think you might find a few little issues with a 200 HP plus car with a a stock shifter. Like I said I never expereinced issues at Laguna Seca or really anything at Infineon with my stock setup. However going into tight uphill turns at a Hillclimb and Infirneon T2 is one of those uphill turns that just misaligned things enough to force misshift.

Remeber I'm a guy with 200K miles and 32 years of shifting 914's too so I thought I was losing it as I have never touched reverse going into 2nd gear. My co-driver expereinced same issues and he was pretty agile shifter who rarely mishifted his 914.

But alas it all went away when I upgraded linkage from tunnel back. Perhaps it was due to fact rear of my car was not rienforced in anyway.

Posted by: neilca Sep 4 2009, 01:59 PM

Hey Len and Blake try shifting left handed!

neil

Posted by: bam914 Sep 4 2009, 06:33 PM

I have seen your car before but it was when it was being built. I have since seen pictures of it. I am sure it was not easy at first.

Posted by: J P Stein Sep 6 2009, 09:23 AM

Too many reports of his 1st gen shifter coming apart......he may have made that right, I never heard. I don't like outfits that have customers do the R&D on a product.....There are a few fellas that do the customer R&D trick. I got no truck with it. Even if it is made right, it wastes time & effort.

Posted by: HAM Inc Sep 7 2009, 12:47 PM

You need to get over that! Every company with a great track record in motorsports does it. From the top auto manufacturers down to the after market parts suppliers. Some rely on it more than others, but the truth is the best ones make improvements based on user feedback.

I can't say much about the early JWest goodies (never used any), but everything I have personally used from them has been top-notch.

I still say that if you have to guide your shfter to make an accurate shift, then you are not shifting as fast as possible. If you have to think about it then it will be a distraction, and slower. Thinking about guiding the shifter on down shifts while braking and pointing the car puts you at a disadvantage to the competitor who can concentrate solely on braking and turning. Just my .02 cents.

Posted by: SirAndy Sep 7 2009, 01:26 PM

I have one of the "1st gen" JW shifters. Been using it for 5 years or so.
Never had a problem with it.
Andy

Posted by: J P Stein Sep 7 2009, 02:55 PM

No, I don't.
When I pay money for a bit, it should work as advertised for a reasonable length of time. If I fuck it up, I acknowledge it.....which is much more than can be said of too many vendors. Maybe that is why my car don't break and it's about at the top of "it's " game. How's yours? . I use "proven" parts....I'll take a shot in the dark once in a while, but not often....but not those made from a sow's ear & priced like a silk purse.

My shifter has been workin' fine for 35 years, Andy. Get back to me when you can say the same.

Posted by: Randal Sep 7 2009, 05:20 PM

Not my experience, but I was using the shifter in extreme situations. I think if I'd put his "tunnel back" assembly in I might have had a different opinion (fyi it wasn't available then).

And I agree with Len, if you have to think about the upcoming shift the mechanics just aren't right.

I wonder how much time I lost at Infineon in the Beast (fyi with a stock shifter) when I had to double clutch the 4th to 3rd shift - every time very carefully letting out the clutch and testing that I had indeed got the transmission into the correct gear.

Posted by: HAM Inc Sep 8 2009, 08:59 AM

Pretty good I'd say. 5 wins a 2nd and a 3rd in FProd competition this year and first in SARRC points (my first full season of road racingBTW). We suffered our first failures Sunday at Barber when our stock fan exploded when taking the checkers in qualifying (first in class, first overall none-the-less). Fixed that and was driving away first overall in the race when an ignition box crapped out.
We had no issues Sat and took the pole in the rain and first overall in the race also in the rain. Not to bad, I think, considering my first lap ever around the joint before qualifying was that morning on a bike.

So yeah, we have our shit together.

Posted by: HAM Inc Sep 8 2009, 09:02 AM

Randall that cost you a lot of time. I know, my first race at Rd Atl in a 914 was just like that. I parked the car for a year and fixed it so that non-sence didn't happen anymore. Next, time at Rd Atl I was 3 seconds faster!

Posted by: J P Stein Sep 8 2009, 09:44 AM

One's shit should be all in one place. Sounds like you're doing well.

In a couole hundred AXs (2 drivers) I have had 2 electrical failures that caused me to miss passes over 8-9 years. I make no claim for having my shit together. Were I to say that, God would surely punish me. I consider myself lucky and the harder I work at it, the luckier I get so I'll keep skinning cats my way.

Posted by: Randal Sep 8 2009, 11:39 AM

So what is the difference between the end to end Rennshift and the Wevo?

Posted by: turboman808 Sep 8 2009, 04:15 PM

Gonna order the Rennshifter once I get all the other issues sorted out with my transmission. Wevo is fine but for a race car I think the rennshifter is a better choice.

They both have there own versions of the reverse lockout. Rennshifts is very clever while the wevo solution is very flimsy and you hit it a few times coming out of 5th to get 4th and it's gonna be destroyed. Replaced the lockout and it broke again in a few weeks.

Really hope I got this issue solved soon. So tired of dealing with bad shifting.

Posted by: grantsfo Sep 8 2009, 04:23 PM

I love it when dedicated AX guys with cars designed to stay in 2nd gear start talking shit about shifting. ...What? ...3rd gear about what once or twice a year? And have you ever used 4th or 5th gear?

Track driving that many of us in the Paddock have expereince with subject cars to much more stress. Shfits in one long track weekend easily go over what a typical AX driver in properly setup AX car would see in 2 years of full schedule of events with 2 drivers.

Posted by: J P Stein Sep 8 2009, 05:20 PM

Any car is overstressed with your fat ass in it. I've had enuff of your shit to last me a lifetime. In my reamining short time on these lists, my replies to you will not be this cordial.

Posted by: grantsfo Sep 8 2009, 07:08 PM

Thats a fact! My biggest failure mode in race cars? Seat mounts cracking.

JUst saying a good AX car like yours sees nothing but 2nd gear 99% of its duty cycle. Bet clutch cables on your car last a long time!

Posted by: SirAndy Sep 8 2009, 10:36 PM

According to that logic (older is better) you should throw away half of the parts on your car NOW ...

Andy


PS: So, exactly WHEN is it long enough to be OK? Apparently, 5 years is not, so what is it? 10? 20? 35? WTF?

Posted by: Randal Sep 8 2009, 11:53 PM

Guess no one knows.

Posted by: J P Stein Sep 9 2009, 12:03 AM

Spend some time rootin' around in the guts of a trans and the bits leading up to it . You'll find that by its self the shifter is just something to move these aft bits around and has *little effect in ensuring that they go to the right place*. It's just a lever on a ball. It has adjustments side to side & fore & aft....you want a 500 buck lever, be my guest. The fun starts at the shift console. When ya figure out how/why/why not.... things work , then we can talk.....this would require gettin' dirty.

As I wrote, the JWest console just may be worthwhile. The rest of the stuff is a fishing lure to me.

Posted by: SirAndy Sep 9 2009, 01:23 AM

Hmmm, interestingly enough, i just drove a bone stock 914/6 with the stock tailshifter the other day.

The guts of the tranny are the same than on mine. Again, according to your logic, my setup with the rennshifter should not have any significant improvement over the stock 914/6 setup.

Even with all new bushings etc. the stock setup felt like stirring a pot of dough. Trying to find a gear in a hurry (think shifting fast at the track) is like playing russian roulette. Sooner or later, you'll find the wrong gear.

I'm sure with enough time and effort, you can come up with a solution that does not involve a JW unit or WEVO unit and then you can brag about how much cheaper you got your setup.
That is, if you don't value your time invested.

To me, the JW setup is a solution to a real problem.
Andy

Posted by: J P Stein Sep 9 2009, 06:36 AM

Rooting around in a tailshifter leaves me stunned that it works at all.
That internal mechanism is Rube Goldberg at his finest.

Posted by: HAM Inc Sep 9 2009, 08:51 AM

No doubt! Track use does require a lot of shifting. No idea what the AX guys go through (never done it) but this past weekend at Barber I shifted no less than 15 times/lap. 15 lap race=225 shifts in 30 minutes! I ony flubbed one shift the entire weekend, and that was when my foot slipped off the clutch. Consider that this was a double event with 15minute qualifying sessions and you get the idea that the shift system better be up to snuff.

JP the stock shifter does get the job done, but I'm not sure how you would gate it and that is critical for fast, consistent, and repeatable shifting. Without travel limits along the H you are putting a torsional strain on the long linkage. That contributes to binding and inconsistent shifting, plus missed shifts. Aside from eliminating the need to guide the shifter when going down to 3rd and twisting the linkage when going up to 4th, the gate prevents grabbing 1st when going from 4th to 3rd, or reverse when going straight from 4th to 2nd.

Posted by: HAM Inc Sep 9 2009, 08:52 AM

Randall I am only familiar with the JWest linkage. I do not know what the difference is.

Posted by: Randal Sep 9 2009, 11:19 AM

No doubt you shift a bunch at the track, but as with all things it's a matter of degree when you compare an autox run to a track session or race. By degree I mean one missed shift at an autox and your finished. On the track this can also be the case, but typically it isn't.

Posted by: J P Stein Sep 9 2009, 11:20 AM

DP

Posted by: J P Stein Sep 9 2009, 11:22 AM

WEVO does not make a shifter for the 914,901. They do make one for the 911, 901.
Looking at Dr. Gary's WEVO for his 914, 915 it is a very nice piece.

Posted by: Randal Sep 9 2009, 11:24 AM

What's the weight penalty?

Posted by: HAM Inc Sep 9 2009, 11:26 AM

Yeah that makes sence. I imagine that in a short solo run (AX) you have to be flawless to get TTOD. I got lucky when I flubbed my shift as I wasn't being pressured in the braking zone. If I had, I would have likely lost the position. Sometimes one mistake is all it takes in any form of motorsports.

Posted by: J P Stein Sep 9 2009, 11:47 AM

I'm not sure, but I think the 915 is around 25-30 lbs heavier. The 901 is 75-80lbs, surely someone will know the 915 weight. Gary wrote a large check to have that puppy put in his car.

Posted by: grantsfo Sep 9 2009, 06:10 PM

Ahh Yeah that shift off the line from 1st to 2nd is tough. A good AX car doesnt get shifted out of 2nd at all in 95% of events. JP's car "shifting" at an AX.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_nANXY8KBs&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eyoutube%2Ecom%2Fuser%2F69turbo912&feature=player_profilepage#t=45

I can just say JWest linkage did wonders for my car and the stock kinkage that I replaced was relatively new. Brad and I installed it in about an hour. It helps to have two people for linkage install. Its not gated but shifts are much more positive. And I did hundreds of shifts flawlessly each weekend I went to the track with the JWest setup.

Honestly shifting 901 with Jwest was nicer than my cable shifted Boxster.

Posted by: J P Stein Sep 9 2009, 07:14 PM

Ayup, only one up & one down.....2nd & 3rd.....just like we planned. You'da been at least 2-3 seconds back with your fat ass & fat car....partially because you would have shifted 4-5 times......chump.

Posted by: Randal Sep 9 2009, 07:15 PM

I think you are totally missing the point Grant.

I wasn't talking about a 6 cylinder, where you rarely see 3rd, I was talking about my 4 cylinder where 3rd is used frequently. If you miss the 2nd to 3rd shift, because your right in the middle of a corner and on the rev limiter and have to shift, your done for that run.

The point being that the RennShifter, at least the generation I have, doesn't correct this issue. Maybe with the "new" back end stuff it would.

Posted by: J P Stein Sep 9 2009, 08:26 PM

Grant misses the point regular like. The humorous part is he doesn't realise it and feels it necessary to run his mouth.

Posted by: Joe Ricard Sep 13 2009, 07:33 PM

Since I am suppose to maderate this place. Both of you sut up.


There done my job gud huh?

Posted by: grantsfo Sep 17 2009, 10:24 AM

...Guess you didnt get the "subtle" hint about properly setup AX car not using 3rd.

Gated shifter isnt going to solve key issue in my "uneducated" opinion. Properly setup 4 cylinder with 7500 RPM redline should be able to be geared not to use 3rd in over 90% of aX in our area. Dedicated AX car should be setup this way. My six was dual use and I still had decent AX gearing with 7200 RPM redline. I just had a huge torque hole below 4000 RPM that you wont have with a T4. What slowed you down in AX events was not mishifts as much as the act of shifting so much. When you shift you are coasting and you have added distraction of hand being off the wheel at times when all concentration should be on entry or exit of a corner.

JP got it right with his car. Nice broad torque band, decent redline and gearing that allowed high 65 MPH plus passes. We were all signficantly outclassed by his car at 2008 Shootout.

Your car truly has potential to be a great AX car if you can get topend issues worked out with motor and get better 2nd gear in that thing.

My Boxster is geared just like a 914-4 with its short tires and limited redline so now I'm a shifting fool. I'm not looking for gated shifter I'm now looking for ECU that will lift my redline to 7500 RPM. I'm losing tons of time due to shifts compared to my old 914-6. Larry S was lauging watching my car at Alameda and said I was shifting more than a 914. LOL! While all that shifting feels cool it is slower.

Gated shifter is still cool idea but given defined purpose of your car would hate to see it continue to be hampered by too short 2nd and not high enough redline.

...and you will want the backend linkage stuff for Hoopa. Corner loads on those 10% grade uphill turns do strange stuff to stock linkage.

Posted by: BKLA Sep 17 2009, 12:12 PM

In building my track car (that I AX once in a while) I used both the rennshifter and the JWest linkage setups. I used porsche sport mounts up front and the solid urethane rear trans mounts.

setting the rennshift springs to center on the two/three horiz. axis, I have learned to let the springs push the shifter for the one/two upshift and the four/three downshift. Yes, I am still methodical (read: slow) in my shifts as the 901 was not designed for speed shifting, but I found that the shifts are clean and without drama. I only missed a shift once on a track day when I pulled from four to three and got one. I pulled rather than letting the spring push...

I like the setup. Crisper, cleaner shifts compared to a stock system with new bushings. I like the 2.7 with the 901. Feels like the mid '70's!!!

However, If I was going to a 3.2 or bigger, I would go 915 with the WEVO. Lots mo' money, but worth it.

Posted by: Joe Ricard Sep 17 2009, 08:35 PM

Proper AX car 2nd gear only IS NOT a proper AX car.
I can bang 7500 rev limit on most courses around here. 3rd gear (flipped ZD) and I roll 6000 RPM plus on most of the straight bits.

Posted by: JWest Sep 22 2009, 10:32 PM

Made about 100 1st gens over 5 years ago. About 10 of them (after 50 were in use) had a bad weld because I farmed out some work.

I'm not sure how that translates to having the customer do R&D.

Posted by: J P Stein Sep 23 2009, 02:36 PM

I work in QA. A 20% failure rate of a bit after getting out in the world would get me fired, but my company would still be in deep shit.
Does it "translate" now?

Posted by: Downunderman Sep 23 2009, 02:59 PM

I have found that a side shifter with a good universal at the firewall and some decent bushes and a couple of extra Weltmeister lock out springs is about as good as you can get. You can then do 4th to 3rd with confidence, and 5th to 2nd and 4th to 2nd. Although i try and avoid the latter two, sometines it happens in the heat of battle.

JP, what 2nd are you using? It doesn't seem to launch very well.

Posted by: JWest Sep 23 2009, 04:21 PM

It must not be fun to live with such an angry attitude.

You really seem to have a big personal problem with me for having never met me or purchased anything from me. Unfortunately people will believe your made-up stories of products you have never used (stated in your past posts) being unnecessary - so I am forced to tell my side. I would prefer to let my real customers speak for the product (which they do), but you have to on something that you have no experience with. Not sure why that is.

QA and R&D are not the same thing - I'm tying to chase your insults as you shift them. The design was robust and had no issues - a mistake was made in production and a single batch got out the door and was dealt with. Yes, the QA was lacking - I (well, actually the customer) cannot afford to do NDT on this level of parts and neither can anyone except in your business. The car will not fall out of the sky and kill a large number of people if a part fails.

You can't compare the aircraft industry to any that produces something that an individual consumer can afford. Car companies have high failure items delivered to the customer all the time and the companies issue a recall and fix it (if enough people can prove it well enough).

This is all moot, as I changed the design 5 years ago, removed the chance of any similar issue with a different design and production processes, and have had no issues in over 500 shifters sold.

Posted by: HAM Inc Sep 23 2009, 05:51 PM

I calculated that this year in my 4 weekends of double events in our F-Prod car (901 side shifter) I shifted 1,737 times. I only flubbed two shifts. One when my foot slipped off the side of the clutch pedal, and one when a HHR SS blew by me going into turn 6 at Rd Atl. (damndest thing! The guy was fast but eventually blew the thing up in a fiery explosion right in front of me. Click the link if you want to see my in-car of it) I thought the HHR was going to flip and I completely lost my rythm and forgot to shift entering turn 6. Not really flubbed shift but it counts as shifting related mess-up.

That's a lot of fast shifts with my JWest goodies and no issues. The man sells quality stuff!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JVLy2fsq0M

Posted by: J P Stein Sep 23 2009, 06:11 PM

Well, I didn't have an attitude before, but I do now, partner.

Which "made up story" are you writing about?

The one where I heard that your stuff fell apart? There are tons of products that I have never bought because of that very reason. I must be stupid....a guy should never trust his friends, eh?

Now you've confirmed that some did indeed fall apart, but it wasn't your fault.....you should'a used "bad gas".in the weld machine.....at least that would have been funny. But no, you get all indignant about MY attitude. As a defense, that won't cut it but it takes a deep intellect to come up with it.

Posted by: JWest Sep 24 2009, 09:23 AM

As typical on the internet, I'm probably misinterpreting or reading things into your posts that are not there. I'm sorry for making it personal if that was unwarranted. Here is my view (right or wrong):

The story is the one that you tell of my stuff not being any better than stock despite the fact that you have never used it so you have no basis. If it is just what you have heard, then tell those friends to post their problems with my product - second and third hand knowledge posted on the internet is always useful, of course .

My problem with your posts is that you keep giving your opinion of how well my stuff works in operation (not that you heard about failures), but you have yet to try it and have no first hand knowledge. If you had a real interest in my product, you could have asked me if I ever had any issues with failures and what had I done to resolve it (I have real answers and solutions, not excuses like scum companies who don't care and keep selling trash that you seem to be grouping me with).

Instead, you just make passing "it does not work as well as stock" comments every time the subject comes up. This is the first time you have told the reason why you have a problem with my shifter.

I hate to continue this, but you keep changing your angle - first it does not work right, then it was designed by the customers, then it was bad QA - I keep chasing your comments.

I know that this does not come across in my posts as I am trying to defend against what I believe you are saying that is not accurate, but I have a lot of respect for you. I would have been honored to have you test my parts in the pre-release stages and give your opinion if you were local to me. That is why I continue to reply - I am surprised that you would make a blanket "does not work" comment about a product based on heresay and I want to get to the bottom of it.

I said I made a mistake - I admitted it above and dealt with it.

Summary (as I see it):

I've had 6 1/2 years of shifter sales, (5 1/2 onthe current product with no issues). I screwed up because I was behind on production after the first 6 months, and I fixed the issue with production changes and with the customers. I really fixed it after a year with a redisign that was better and more reliable to produce.

You don't trust my product because you heard about a failure, but you really don't know the details. I believe I have made them clear.

Oh, I think the guy used "no gas" in the welding machine - looking at the break after it occured - full of bubbles - couldn't tell from the outside but they broke right away in use. My mistake for farming out work to a "pro" and relying on the weld alone. Lucky for me it was just a small catch-up batch. I used a pressed pin to take the load and a weld just to hold it together after that. Later revised design does not use a weld that can fail, so I don't have that risk at all.

Posted by: SirAndy Sep 24 2009, 11:53 AM

And here i thought i was the only one getting in epic pissing matches!


Either way, i'm very happy with my 1st gen J-West shifter that apparently "does not work" and should have broken 5 years ago.

I'm also very happy with the J-West shift linkage package. Works for me. But what do i know.
Andy

PS: And i was actually there when one of the old shifters broke. Somebody correct me if i'm wrong, but if i recall correctly, James took care of that.

Posted by: J P Stein Sep 24 2009, 12:41 PM

Just so we have it clear. I have said and will continue to say that your shifter is not worth the cost TO ME. The same is true of your shift console fix....TO ME.

During the build of my car, I found many vendor parts that were worth the cost TO ME. Wevo, Tarett, Sheridan, Triad, Guard....yada. Your bits were not among them. The cost effectiveness is just not there.....TO ME.

I don't recall saying your stuff "does not work...."as I am quoted, but I will say
and you can quote me: " I ain't willing to spend the money to find out". Your price
for fixing the all of the 901 shifting "problems" is about the same as a brand new Guard TB diff. .

I'm done with 914s & this thread. I'm sure you can carry on.

Posted by: BKLA Sep 24 2009, 01:08 PM

its unfortunate that this thread went this direction.

It really comes down to this: All of the people (at least those posting opinions) who have installed the JWest Shifter alone, or the JWest Shifter and the linkage are happy with the improvement (perceived or actual) over the stock design.

Was it worth the money? Again, speaking only for myself and others posting who installed and use the products - yes.

Posted by: HAM Inc Sep 24 2009, 01:31 PM

.

Posted by: zymurgist Sep 24 2009, 01:37 PM

Worth every penny. My 911 came with what the PO called a factory short shifter, but shifting was like stirring a pot of spaghetti sauce until I installed the Rennshifter.