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Navigation » Dorkiphus.net > Technical & Track Disussions > Porsche Technical Discussions » 986/987 6 Speed Shift Cable Mechanics

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05-12-2014, 06:31 PM #1

Join Date: Sep 2013

Location: DC
N0tt0N Posts: 4,359
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986/987 6 Speed Shift Cable Mechanics

Mike (RV4Flyer) and I had a great time Sunday spending Mother's Day together . Saw some REALLY cool toys at his place (but I'll let
him tell that story)!

Since we could not find one on the interwebs, one of the things we thought would be useful is a clear explanation and mapping of the
shifter and cable connections on the 987 6 Speed. Note: the 5 Speed has the transmission connections on the same side so they are
somewhat different. The 986/996/997s have different cable configurations (the two cables cross each other in the 987s). That said, at
least the information at the shifter is the same across all four models.

A shared understanding is essential in order to remain an 'effective team' when installing after market cables that require adjustment at
both ends of each cable. One guy handles the Top (T) position inside the car at the shifter and the other guy handles the Aft (A) position
underneath the car at the transmission. Some will prefer one position over the other. Few normally configured males can handle both T&A
simultaneously. In any case, especially with the cables crossed, you've got to get your signals straight.

The shifter works by positioning the ends of two cables in the passenger compartment in precise locations such that the other end of the
two cables change levers on the transmission.

987 G87.21 6-Speed

The following diagram shows how the longitudinal motion of the shifter (pushing it forward <yellow> or pulling it rearward <blue>)
creates a corresponding, though opposite, movement in the right cable <light blue> at the shifter. This in turn creates a matching
movement of the other end of the cable on the LEFT side of the transmission. This cable as three distinct positions that correspond directly
to the forward (R-1-3-4), middle (N), and down (2-4-6) row position of the shifter in the H pattern.

The lateral motion of the shifter (pulling it to the left <green> or pushing it to the right <red>) creates a corresponding, through
perpendicular, movement in the let cable <light green> at the shifter. Left moves the cable rearward while right moves the cable forward.
This in turn creates a matching movement of the other end of the cable on the RIGHT side of the transmission. This cable has four distinct
positions that correspond directly to the far left (R), left (1-2), right (3-N-4), and far right (5-6) column positions of the shifter in the H
pattern.

Moving on the shifter from left to right and from forward to rearward (R-1-2-3-N-4-5-6) of the H pattern, the icon in the top middle shows
the shifter position and the position of the cables in the front at each of the available positions. The position of the cables at the
transmission are identical but since they cables cross they are on opposite sides of the car, left-to-right, hence the crossed arrows. The
image on the left corresponds to the rear left connection at the transmission (connected to the front right longitudinal control cable). The
image on the right correspond to the rear right connection at the transmission (connected to the front left lateral control cable).

Reverse

1st Gear

2nd Gear

3rd Gear

Neutral (Centered between 3rd and 4th Gears)

4th Gear

5th Gear

6th Gear

Hopefully this explicit mapping will be useful to anyone upgrading or replacing their shifter cables. Good luck!

__________________
Martin
2011 Cayman S (Track Car) - Hardtop Blechster
2006 Cayman S (DD)
2016 Mazda CX-5 (Her DD)
2002 Boxster S (Gone) - Ragtop Blechster - Pura Patina!

Dorkiphus: I buy it for the articles

Last edited by N0tt0N; 07-21-2014 at 07:57 PM. Reason: Original Post only for 987 6-Speed - NOT 986

05-13-2014, 05:50 AM #2

Join Date: Jan 2014

Location: Gaithersburg
RV4Flyer Posts: 312
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Nice mapping Martin and thanks for your help the other day.

I switched out my stock cables for the Numeric cables and swapped my stock sloppy shifter for the GT3 shifter. The GT3 shifter has a 15%
shorter throw, metal bushings and feels solid. The plastic bushings in the stock shifter are worn enough that you can see it slopping
around. The Numeric cables are silky smooth unlike the stock cables so the shifting is effortless and precise. The cables also look like they
are produced by a cable manufacturer that also makes aircraft cables similar to the ones I put into the planes I build so I'm anticipating
not having them break like so many of the stock cables do. These are the toys Martin mentioned.

05-13-2014, 07:22 AM #3

Join Date: Dec 2004

HoodPin Location: Monrovia, MD
Building a Worm Hole..... Posts: 10,144
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Nice write-up!
__________________
- Tony P.

Currently
- 1984 944 #159 RacyCar
- 1989 944S2
- 2012 Cayman R (also the wife's)
- 2000 Boxster S (the wife's)
- 1979 RX7 LeMons time-waster
- 2017 F350 (tow monster)

Gone but not forgotten

- 1986 944 (under new mgmt)
- 1991 944S2 (in car heaven...)
- 2001 Chevy Suburban 2500 (FIL's beast now)

"Keep your eyes on the road and your hands upon the wheel." - The Doors
(Practice + Practice)^Practice = Unconscious Competence

07-22-2014, 12:20 PM #4

Join Date: Sep 2013

Location: DC
N0tt0N Posts: 4,359
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986 G86.20 6-Speed Cables

The original post applied only to the 987 G87.21 6-Speed configuration and has been edited to make that clear. Sorry for any confusion!

986 G86.20 6-Speed

The following diagram shows how the longitudinal motion of the shifter (pushing it forward <yellow> or pulling it rearward <blue>)
creates a corresponding, though opposite, movement in the right cable <light blue>, called the 'Shifter' cable by Porsche, at the shifter.
This in turn creates a matching movement of the other end of the cable on the UPPER RIGHT side of the transmission. This cable as three
distinct positions that correspond directly to the forward (R-1-3-4), middle (N), and down (2-4-6) row position of the shifter in the H
pattern.

The lateral motion of the shifter (pulling it to the left <green> or pushing it to the right <red>) creates a corresponding, through
perpendicular, movement in the left cable <light green>, called the 'Selector' cable by Porsche, at the shifter. Left moves the cable
rearward while right moves the cable forward. This in turn creates a matching movement of the other end of the cable on the LOWER
RIGHT side of the transmission. This cable has four distinct positions that correspond directly to the far left (R), left (1-2), right (3-N-4),
and far right (5-6) column positions of the shifter in the H pattern.

Moving on the shifter from left to right and from forward to rearward (R-1-2-3-N-4-5-6) of the H pattern, the icon in the top middle shows
the shifter position and the position of the cables in the front at each of the available positions. The position of the cables at the
transmission are identical but since they cables cross they are on opposite sides of the car, left-to-right, hence the crossed arrows. The
image on the left corresponds to the rear left connection at the transmission (connected to the front right longitudinal control cable). The
image on the right correspond to the rear right connection at the transmission (connected to the front left lateral control cable).

Reverse

1st Gear

2nd Gear

3rd Gear

Neutral (Centered between 3rd and 4th Gears)

4th Gear

5th Gear

6th Gear

Enjoy!

__________________
Martin
2011 Cayman S (Track Car) - Hardtop Blechster
2006 Cayman S (DD)
2016 Mazda CX-5 (Her DD)
2002 Boxster S (Gone) - Ragtop Blechster - Pura Patina!

Dorkiphus: I buy it for the articles

01-26-2017, 03:13 AM #5

Join Date: Jan 2017

Location: MD
phy6 Posts: 1

Hi, just wanted to say this thread is awesome, especially the G86.20 post. I'm doing an engine swap with this transmission, and just
noticed my longitudinal shift needs to be inverted. Luckily there is enough material on the bottom side of the counter weighted lever that I
think I can fit a new pin.

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