aftermarket shift linkage components Options

[jmargush]

Does anyone have any experience with the various aftermarket shift linkage components?

More specifically the bronze shift console bushing and the J West rear ball coupler?

I know Tangernine's system seems the best option but looking for lower cost alternatives.

Are they worth the investment or not much better than stock bushing?

[Montreal914]

The JWest rear coupler is a nice aluminum replacement of a stock part with the same functionality, it will not improve your shifting, unless your stock piece is damaged. You can replace the cup bushing that snaps on the gearbox ball lever.

The bronze bushing at the gearbox rear shift console will allow you to enjoy shifting without having to replace that normally plastic bushing every so often. It may improve your shifting a little. One issue you may face is wear in the bore where the plastic (or bronze) bushing fits into making the bushing itself sloppy in the housing.

The firewall bushing is an improment because it is tighter on the shiftrod compared to the stock bushing, and it will not wearout like the stock plastic does.

The double supported system initially comercialized by JWest (NLA) and now by Tangerine is a great improvement, obviously coupled with the firewall bushing.

The cheapest solution is to replace all bushing by new ones, even plastic, and make sure your shifter assembly and knuckle at the bottom is also slop free. When everything is in good condition, shifting isn't so bad afterall. That being said, the Tangering double U-joint is a great improvement. If you are handy, you can make your own for less. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smash.gif) I did mine.

EDIT: Looks like Shivers provided the link in his post below. Fun little project with immense reward. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

[Geezer914]

I replaced the linkage with all Tangerine linkage and bushings. Toped it off with a J West shifter. Expensive, yes but the shifting is smooth as silk, no more hunting and grinding finding the right gear!

[GregAmy]

I replaced both of mine with Chris' Tangerine setup. Very happy with it.

But if I didn't want to spend that coin, I'd creep up with it like this:

- Step One, new bushings/bearings everywhere. Rear coupler bushings/cup, bushings in the joint, new firewall bushing, all of them. This will give you at least half, if not 3/4 of the improvements from a worn-out system.

- Step Two, instead of the plastic one, replace the firewall bushing with Tangerine's version. This gets you another 10-15%

https://tangerineracing.com/shop/ols/produc...ift-rod-bearing

- Step Three, maybe build your own joint as suggested above. It is an improvement of the stock one.

- Step Four, get Chris' shifter adjustment tool. Makes the job a TON easier:

https://tangerineracing.com/shop/ols/produc...-alignment-tool

- Step Five, go the full Tangerine. Spendy but it fixes everything.

https://tangerineracing.com/shop/ols/produc...ift-linkage-kit

I never felt the compulsion or need to get the Rennshifter. I've driven one with a fully up-to-spec system and it didn't come across to me as any better than an up-to-spec system with the stock shifter, properly adjusted with Chris' tool.

https://www.jwestengineering.com/RennShift-...930914_p_1.html

Personally, I would choose Chris' shift linkage, firewall bushing, and adjustment tool with stock shifter over the Rennshifter. But that's just me...

[Shivers]

The Tangerine racing set up is nice. If you are handy
there are people here that have made their own.
You’d still need the bronze bushings, actually two.
If interested I got a lot of good info from this build,
used some of it in my own set up. Shift linkage

[914werke]

Keep in mind to apply that kit you have to permanently alter your shift console.
I bought one when James was still making them & couldn't bring myself to saw off the mounting ear. Figured there was a better way.
I was right (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

[SirAndy]

Does anyone have any experience with the various aftermarket shift linkage components?

More specifically the bronze shift console bushing and the J West rear ball coupler?

I know Tangernine's system seems the best option but looking for lower cost alternatives.

Are they worth the investment or not much better than stock bushing?

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...c=70331&hl=

Damn, i can't believe that was almost 20 years ago.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[mepstein]

I bought the rennshift kit (now tangerine) and a renahifter. Great piece of kit. Modifying the shift console didn’t bother me. I have no plans to ever go back to stock but if I did, used consoles are available.

[porschetub]

Does anyone have any experience with the various aftermarket shift linkage components?

More specifically the bronze shift console bushing and the J West rear ball coupler?

I know Tangernine's system seems the best option but looking for lower cost alternatives.

Are they worth the investment or not much better than stock bushing?

The stock bushes aren't a great fit ,reason being they have to be under size O.D. just to fit in their locations ,the Tangerine bulkhead and the console bush cover that issue , the slop is then gone , the Tangerine complete system is next ($$$) level IMO.
It wasn't practical for me to import so I built my own one, used buggy supply sealed uni's front and rear and fabbed the holder for the second rear bronze bush as a secure bolt on to the original console.
The end result is a notchy nice positive feel when shifting ,you really know you are in the gear you selected if set up well .
You can use the stock shifter ball bush ,Tangerine bulkhead bush and the bronze rear one you will be well pleased, cheers.

[porschetub]

Does anyone have any experience with the various aftermarket shift linkage components?

More specifically the bronze shift console bushing and the J West rear ball coupler?

I know Tangernine's system seems the best option but looking for lower cost alternatives.

Are they worth the investment or not much better than stock bushing?

The stock bushes aren't a great fit ,reason being they have to be under size O.D. just to fit in their locations ,the Tangerine bulkhead and the console bush cover that issue , the slop is then gone , the Tangerine complete system is next ($$$) level IMO.
It wasn't practical for me to import so I built my own one, used buggy supply sealed uni's front and rear and fabbed the holder for the second rear bronze bush as a secure bolt on to the original console.
The end result is a notchy nice positive feel when shifting ,you really know you are in the gear you selected if set up well .
You can use the stock shifter ball bush ,Tangerine bulkhead bush and the bronze rear one you will be well pleased, cheers.

[mepstein]

I replaced both of mine with Chris' Tangerine setup. Very happy with it.

But if I didn't want to spend that coin, I'd creep up with it like this:

- Step One, new bushings/bearings everywhere. Rear coupler bushings/cup, bushings in the joint, new firewall bushing, all of them. This will give you at least half, if not 3/4 of the improvements from a worn-out system.

- Step Two, instead of the plastic one, replace the firewall bushing with Tangerine's version. This gets you another 10-15%

https://tangerineracing.com/shop/ols/produc...ift-rod-bearing

- Step Three, maybe build your own joint as suggested above. It is an improvement of the stock one.

- Step Four, get Chris' shifter adjustment tool. Makes the job a TON easier:

https://tangerineracing.com/shop/ols/produc...-alignment-tool

- Step Five, go the full Tangerine. Spendy but it fixes everything.

https://tangerineracing.com/shop/ols/produc...ift-linkage-kit

I never felt the compulsion or need to get the Rennshifter. I've driven one with a fully up-to-spec system and it didn't come across to me as any better than an up-to-spec system with the stock shifter, properly adjusted with Chris' tool.

https://www.jwestengineering.com/RennShift-...930914_p_1.html

Personally, I would choose Chris' shift linkage, firewall bushing, and adjustment tool with stock shifter over the Rennshifter. But that's just me...

Its a very good plan with the caveat that the shifting is only as good as your weakest link. If your transmission is worn out, no amount linkage upgrades will fix it.

[Shivers]

Does anyone have any experience with the various aftermarket shift linkage components?

More specifically the bronze shift console bushing and the J West rear ball coupler?

I know Tangernine's system seems the best option but looking for lower cost alternatives.

Are they worth the investment or not much better than stock bushing?

The stock bushes aren't a great fit ,reason being they have to be under size O.D. just to fit in their locations ,the Tangerine bulkhead and the console bush cover that issue , the slop is then gone , the Tangerine complete system is next ($$$) level IMO.
It wasn't practical for me to import so I built my own one, used buggy supply sealed uni's front and rear and fabbed the holder for the second rear bronze bush as a secure bolt on to the original console.
The end result is a notchy nice positive feel when shifting ,you really know you are in the gear you selected if set up well .
You can use the stock shifter ball bush ,Tangerine bulkhead bush and the bronze rear one you will be well pleased, cheers.

Saved money and had a blast building it. I just used steering parts for my parts car, had the shaft inside the steering column turned down to use for the shift console rod.