side shifter Options

[icer9]

I realize that this is likely a simple question, but can someone explian the difference between the side shifter and standard factory setup?

[pcar916]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) The side-shifter is considered the more precise system. That's because it has fewer parts over a shorter distance and goes into the transaxle directly on the side rather than traveling to the back of the transmission first.

In the tail-shifter the shift rod is longer and moves with levers and cams located on the back of the transaxle housing. All those parts have more wiggle-factor in them and make for a pretty vague shift pattern, even when it's in perfect working order. The tail-shifter has more pieces at the bottom of the shifter inside the car as well.

That's because the early 914's and 911's had a ball and socket there, which reversed the right/left movement from the later 914's. That was to keep the shift pattern the same over all years from the driver's perspective.

[icer9]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) The side-shifter is considered the more precise system. That's because it has fewer parts over a shorter distance and goes into the transaxle directly on the side rather than traveling to the back of the transmission first.

In the tail-shifter the shift rod is longer and moves with levers and cams located on the back of the transaxle housing. All those parts have more wiggle-factor in them and make for a pretty vague shift pattern, even when it's in perfect working order. The tail-shifter has more pieces at the bottom of the shifter inside the car as well.

That's because the early 914's and 911's had a ball and socket there, which reversed the right/left movement from the later 914's. That was to keep the shift pattern the same over all years from the driver's perspective.

great, thanks. Was this an option, standard, or conversion?

[Tom_T]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) The side-shifter is considered the more precise system. That's because it has fewer parts over a shorter distance and goes into the transaxle directly on the side rather than traveling to the back of the transmission first.

In the tail-shifter the shift rod is longer and moves with levers and cams located on the back of the transaxle housing. All those parts have more wiggle-factor in them and make for a pretty vague shift pattern, even when it's in perfect working order. The tail-shifter has more pieces at the bottom of the shifter inside the car as well.

That's because the early 914's and 911's had a ball and socket there, which reversed the right/left movement from the later 914's. That was to keep the shift pattern the same over all years from the driver's perspective.

great, thanks. Was this an option, standard, or conversion?

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

70-72 was a tail shifter - which was great & short throw when turned around with the tail forward in the 911s/912s, but was a bit like scratching your left ear by reaching over your head with your right hand, rather than reaching up with your left! ... if you can picture that analogy ..... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

In 73 the factory converted it to a side-sift linkage for the rest of the run through 76 MY. So any 70-72 with a side-shift is a conversion, but all 73-76 side shifts are factory standard.

Basically any early tail shifter can be converted to side shifter, & in fact my 73 transaxle was rebuilt with the 73 innards in a 72 914/11... case (the original case was too worn inside. Look at Dr. Evil's video & the other info. noted above for more details.

BTW - If you're wanting to keep your early 914 as original for collectibility or concours reasons, then keep it tail shift but redo the bushings (& rebuild the transaxle if needed) to "tighten up the action.