Hi I'ved got a '73 914. Had tranny rebuilt; replaced shift bushings, but shifting is still vague & sloopy. It is much better than before, but I'm still not happy with it. I've been looking at shift kits online. The two that catch my eye are the WEVO & the Rennshift. If anyone has had experience with these, or has has any other ideas how to tighten the shift gates I would appreciate the help.
Thanks, Tom

Tom,
This is my third 914 and I always hated the vague shifting on these cars, but loved the driving in them, so when I got this one I was determined to find a way to get it's shifting better. New good fitting bushings are a must and what made mine so much better was the rennshift. I know it is expensive, but it was the best modification I have made to my 76. I haven't tried any of the others, so can't comment on how much they help the shifting. Proper adjustment is fairly critical also.
Tom

Another one to look at....

http://www.cableshift.com/914/914%20page.html

Haven't seen that one before...anyone tried it?

Rennshift. Get the linkage kit too. It rocks! 1st quality stuff!

Mine is all stock and one of the best shifting Porsches there is. Get ALL the bushings replaced, make sure everything is lined up proper. No need to spend a ton of money to have a nice shifting 914. Don't take my word for it, ask Dr Evil. Ask him how my car shifts.

I have the Rennshift and the Patrick Motorsports bar and firewall solution.
http://www.patrickmotorsports.com/part/572/
http://www.patrickmotorsports.com/part/595/
It shifts so tight now I can feel the clunk when it goes in and out of gear versus the vague feel of the stock shifter. And yes I had all new bushings prior to the switch over.

If you don't want to spend $500 you can make a better custom rod setup. J West used to make an awesome kit, but no more. You can make your own with some rod, U Joints and an extra bushing. My system shifts awesome. I considered going with a cable but it shifts so nice why spend the money. I also bent my rod around my oil pan. Some installs can use a streight rod. I built this for under $100...

Here's the rod...

Click to view attachment

Click to view attachment

Here is the extra bushing in the L bracket.

Click to view attachment

Honestly, if it is rebuilt, it should shift pretty well with only a little bit of room for improvement.

Which bushings did you replace? How is your stick shifter? There are bushings in it that wear and are seldom replaced.

I think that there are still things needing addressing. I have owned a few of these, worked on several, and they always shift damn good when I am done with them. I hope there is an easy fix.

Im most of the way through building new linkage for my car, it's on the car and shifts great, i just need to finish dust boots.

I have a whole thread dedicated to it over on the club site, it's too much to copy, so here's the link

http://www.914club.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=269369

Good luck

I have had many 914's since 1978 and yes I replaced all of the bushings, however maybe the shift rod wore down over the last 25 years. I tried several new firewall bushings and it was still sloppy. At that point Thomas recommended the spherical firewall bearing. He shaved down the shift rod to fit. It made a world of difference. The Rennshift was just icing on the cake.
A better condition shift rod that fit the stock firewall bushing better probably would of also made a big difference. I agree there shouldn't be any slop in that bushing.

I have one ordered. Should be here next week. I will let you know how it goes.

I have a Rennshift unit on my tail-shift trans..... has always worked fine for me.

... although I am afraid to drive a side-shift car with proper bushings. THAT would reveal all of my shifting shortcomings! For now, I don't seem to miss any shifts.... that's good enopugh for me.

I agree my 914 shifted so well [ all stock stuff ] when I brought it to my mechinic

he couldn't believe it >


go figure , but yes 1st still leave's alittle to desire but it's all good .

I think tranny in good shape. I replaced bushings at tranny and at firewall. nothing in front of them. Stock shifter seems ok, but has a fair amount of slop even when in gear. I think main problem is me because when I go slow hit shifts almost every time. Looking to make life a little easier for me.

You cannot speed shift a 901.

The shift fork mechanism has some play in it internally. You will never get rid of all the slop.