Replacing My Tired Old Shifter! Improving The Center Console! Porsche Boxster 986!

We continue our journey on this Porsche Boxster 986 from taking it from a rough condition to being disassembled and no longer functional as a safe item that someone would describe as a car, let alone a Porsche. I do the whole thing calmly and with endless hope and good humor. Well, I’m not very bright so that’s my nature. This time then, I’m going to try to do something about my sloppy old shifter on my Porsche 986 Boxster and replace it with a brand new Porsche 997 manual gearbox shifter! Supposedly a better throw and better stability! I say supposedly because the chances of my ever experiencing it on my car if I use my own mechanical talents to get the job done are somewhere between slim and ‘don’t be so stupid’.
As ever, the usual disclaimer applies: I might get the job done. MIGHT. This is a video that you MIGHT be very pleased that you watched. About one in very hundred videos on my channel produces a video like this. I haven’t produced a hundred videos yet though but that’s definitely going to happen one day. I will say that this Porsche Boxster IS getting better and better and further away from decrepitude. All thanks to me! There. I jinxed it. Watch along!
You can download all my Porsche model guides at www.jayreadyoutube.com so go and take a look there, OK?
Why not follow me on Instagram too? I am a CAR guy first and I get around so take a look at the reels and pictures that I take because you might like them! Also you get news on my own Porsche, my MG and other life events there before KZbin! Look for jayreadyoutube on Insta now!
#porsche #boxster #986

[@tjautocross]

Great job Jay!!! This car is looking incredible.

[@JAYREAD]

Thanks!

[@hallamring2036]

Another great upgrade Jay, way to go. If you get tired of all that scuffed up 'soft-touch' on the center console you can sand it down and restore it with SEM primer and paint designed for plastic. Years ago, I painted mine red but black works well too. I used black on the doorsill plates and could not tell it from factory.

[@JAYREAD]

Thanks! It looks Ok now that I got rid of the ashtray. Maybe I’ll do that one day!

[@ManinaGarage]

That looked like fun 🤩 it seems like we ALL should be doing this upgrade? Nice work Jay 🙌

[@JAYREAD]

Cheers Finn! Yes, good fun and a useful mod!

[@sche10]

Holy cow - I’m the Hundredth comment! I really enjoy your videos, thanks 👍 So, I’ve got a 2002 S version of the one you had (brilliant black) and a 997 shifter collecting dust in my garage for over a year and watching this video got me to the starting line. Most helpful was your recounting of your feet on ether side of the passenger compartment getting enough purchase to get the gear shifter off the stalk! You weren’t kidding!

[@JAYREAD]

Hahaha! Glad it helped and thank you for the nice comment!

[@martinespinosa]

Just bought the same shifter. Looking forward to install this. Thanks!

[@JAYREAD]

Nice! I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on it when you get it in!

[@garynorman5179]

Really getting to enjoy your journeys with the Porsche.

[@JAYREAD]

Thanks Gary!

[@samuelseager6785]

Thank you for posting this. I didn't know that an aftermarket ashtray was available. I will be buying one now.

[@JAYREAD]

My pleasure! Much better than an ashtray isn’t it?

[@eboucher19682103]

Looked easy ! Well done Jay!

[@JAYREAD]

Thanks Eric!

[@simonf7623]

This was strangely therapeutic. Great content

[@JAYREAD]

Thank you!

[@jaapthieme6561]

Nice Job Jay all done yourself!

[@JAYREAD]

Thanks Jaap!

[@viperautovalet4479]

Good video what is the part no for the new little cubby tray as I want to replace my ash tray.

[@yongkim777]

Thanks Jay good video!👍

[@JAYREAD]

My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@8hoffa]

Fantastic Video!

[@JAYREAD]

Thank you!

[@johnrb9397]

Great work! Nice Aqua Terra!

[@JAYREAD]

Thanks and thanks!

[@SacredSteps]

Thanks for doing this. Love seeing the Green Flash!

[@JAYREAD]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!

[@SacredSteps]

@@JAYREAD I have an 01 986 and your videos inspire the tinkering!

[@JAYREAD]

@@SacredSteps Haha! I hope you are better at it than me!

[@lunabouch]

Jay you never disappoint with your attitude about trying anything. I have to say your DIY attitude has given me the motivation to do a few DIY. Took off the front bumper and cleaned the radiators properly and added some mesh to mitigate any large debris in the future.

[@JAYREAD]

Thanks! That’s the spirit! I find that things aren’t nearly as hard as you think they are going to be… right up to the point when, on some jobs, one discovers that find that one’s ambition is far greater than one’s ability!

[@hawkinsjd11]

I fitted the B&M shifter to by 986 S. It makes a huge difference. I only have one issue though. Finding 3rd can be a bit tricky under normal driving conditions. When I am in Speed Racer mode it cycles properly.

[@JAYREAD]

I never thought a simple mode like this would make such a difference but it has. So much nicer now. With third, I let the spring do the work rather than guide it too much and then it works just fine!

[@boffam00]

You got away with uninstalling the shifter while it was in gear and installing it in neutral. You then had to yank the cables somewhat to get them to fit. If you have shifting troubles, you’ll have to uninstall in neutral then use the alignment tool again.

[@JAYREAD]

Ah! This is helpful. Thank you!

[@richarddamico9894]

Great video!

[@JAYREAD]

Thank you!

[@BRLaue]

Great video per usual. I like how you leave in the tricky bits, it makes it more like my efforts only yours seem to go a bit smoother. Did you consider the Numeric or the GT3 shifter before deciding on the 997 one?

[@JAYREAD]

Thanks very much! Yes, I did, although I didn’t want to convert it into anything too hard to use but rather something akin to what the car was like when it was new.

[@johnmclaughlin1688]

Taking the fear of working on Porsches away one job at a time. Kudos!

[@JAYREAD]

Or making it much worse! Haha!

[@jdkroh]

nice update!

[@JAYREAD]

Thanks!

[@the1beard]

Nice job 👍

[@JAYREAD]

Thanks!

[@jonathanscuttful]

Recenly did this upgrade on my Boxster, like night and day definelty the best bang for your bucks upgrade. I had to modify my nylon bushes, not enough space to get the circlips on, a quikc grind and sand allowed enough play to fit them. In all took me a few 3-4 hours and that included cleaning up years of dust/fluff/fag ash that had fallen between the cracks of the console.

[@JAYREAD]

Nice!

[@viperautovalet4479]

I bought this 997 short shifter for my 996 .1 today. I fitted 3 months ago a eBay special. It has failed all the roller bearings in the housing collapsed. Hoping this will be good as it was not cheap.

[@JAYREAD]

It worked really well for me and seemed to be just as well built as the original if not better. I hope it works out for you. ❤️

[@chriswharrier3571]

When you compared the two shifters (<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="727">12:07</a>) should the green tee-shaped plastic part get swapped over?

[@JAYREAD]

This is a good question.

[@TheEddysGarage]

Please try someone’s Boxster with a Numeric shifter. OMG it is next level. I just did a comparison video on the 986, 987 like you bought, Porsche tequipment short shifter and the Numeric.

[@JAYREAD]

Haha! I will watch your video!

[@ruairioconnell8040]

A rather basic question - does a shifter from a 6-speed 997 work with a 5-speed 986? Does the shifter have specific positions that need to be set or adjusted, or is all of that driven by the transmission itself via the cables?

[@JAYREAD]

I don’t know if a 6 speed shifter would work but then a 5 speed shifter is fairly cheap so not sure why you’d do that? Otherwise, it’s just a question of connecting the cables to the shifter which is relatively easy. HTH!

[@bardebbesen2365]

So, the boxter has a 5 speed. The 997 has a 6 speed. And it just fits?

[@JAYREAD]

Yes sir!

[@mrgmrg9943]

Did you have to re program your gear selector? Mine won’t shift out of park unless car is off

[@JAYREAD]

Mine was a manual.

[@marcusWKG]

Appreciate the video, well done! Any experience between this and the short shift kits? I find the throw quite long and like yours mine is probably a little worn/loose. Cheers!

[@JAYREAD]

Thank you, Marcus! I don’t have a lot of experience with very short throw shifters. The 997 shifter that I fitted is about 10-15% shorter throw than standard and it’s much tighter now. I’m pleased because I didn’t want a short throw really, I just wanted precision. It’s not perfect but it’s a lot better! Thanks for watching!

[@marcusWKG]

@@JAYREAD cool, appreciate it, just toying between a rebuild kit and the 996…price is about the same.

[@JAYREAD]

@@marcusWKG my pleasure. Flat 6 Motorsports do a good rebuild kit if you might go in that direction. flat6motorsports.com/collections/996-transmission-drivetrain/products/function-first-shift-right-kit-996

[@marcusWKG]

@@JAYREAD cool thanks, this is what I was looking at…they look similar, though this can be a plug and play solution and save some time…loving your vids!

[@mdub048]

I am fearing for the upholstery the entire video. 😮

[@JAYREAD]

No worries! #safety

[@earlbridgewater9950]

Isn't the 997 shifter a 6 speed manual how does that affect ? Love your videos

[@JAYREAD]

Thanks Earl. Not all, no. This was a 5 speed and it just reduces sloppiness so that it feels nice and tight and then reduces the throw by, I think, 15%. Ridiculously easy little mod that just makes it feel a bit more special. Thanks for watching!

[@timinclt7895]

Nice work! Why not paint the console when it was out?

[@JAYREAD]

Thanks! It didn’t need it after the ashtray was out and replaced. Looks fine!

[@aboyandhisdog]

Very nice, Jay! Say, have you heard from James M.? I suppose that he went back to the Old Country for his FiL's funeral, but I've not heard a word since. Emailed him but no response. Any light you can shed on this? Thanks! -Tom

[@JAYREAD]

I have! He’s fine!

[@gumpster66]

Thanks for the vid, great info... Found the part on PartsGeek for $360. Where did you get yours? Cost? I've got a '04 Boxster S 6 speed

[@JAYREAD]

Nice! Gosh, I think Pelican Parts but I don’t remember the price. Pretty sure it was a similar price though.

[@gumpster66]

@@JAYREADI just got mine in the mail. The prior owner threw in a complete shifter assembly he had bought but never used. So I’ll be able to assemble the new shifter prior to even touching the car.

[@gumpster66]

@@JAYREADI ordered a short throw shifter that’s all metal except for the bushings.

[@silviomorales6523]

Hey what kind of cup holder is that in your center console?

[@JAYREAD]

I think I got it either at Suncoast Or Pelican Parts!

[@MrDesmonick]

It may already be in the comments, but your camera constantly shifting focus makes it hard to watch. Otherwise, another enjoyable video 👍

[@JAYREAD]

Oops! Sorry about that Nick. I’ll be more careful next time!

[@BeePee1503]

Fascinating to watch you triumph over your omnipresent British Pessimism!

[@JAYREAD]

Hahaha!

[@boffam00]

“English” pessimism…self-effacing and a little twee. The Irish are fatalistic, the Scots realistic, and the Welsh just break into song.

[@garythecyclingnerd6219]

Surprised you didn’t get the Numeric racing shifter. Those are bullet proof

[@JAYREAD]

They’re the best. They’re also twice the price! 🙏

[@danrook5757]

I’m surprised a car runs with so few problems after looking at all the engineering

[@JAYREAD]

Ha yes! Me too! Especially one that is being looked after by me!

[@alcantara3071]

How much have you spent on this roach?

[@JAYREAD]

Not as much as on your Mum.

[@alcantara3071]

@@JAYREAD haha.

[@alcantara3071]

@@JAYREAD Cuban cockroaches are green and have been found as far north as South Carolina. As I recall, you bought this roach in the Carolinas. Makes sense. You've spent considerable time and money on this turd. I guess you can expense it all as a cost of your "channel".

[@JAYREAD]

@@alcantara3071 Glad you are watching! It helps the revenue on my ‘channel’ so I can spend it on ‘your Mum’.

[@alcantara3071]

@@JAYREAD Why don't you prep it for the track and show us that you can actually drive rather than being a poser?

[@thefosterfam]

"Wrenching channel" 🤣

[@JAYREAD]

Hahahahahaha!

[@Schlipperschlopper]

Sadly soon all combustion cars and trucks including classics will be banned from public streets in entire EU and Scandinavia :-( In Germany the Green Peoples Party gave order to shorten fuel supply from 2025 on by reducing all conventional fuel stations to only one state operated central gas station per city or county. Car washs will be forbidden too because they are climate killers, now they want to slow down all the gas station pumps from 20 litre per minute to 2 litre per minute...From 2027 on in the EU certain car spare parts will be banned too....as exhaust systems, turbo chargers and even some engine and gearbox oils...California and New York will do the same from 2027 on.... So no investments should be done in oil burning cars any longer....They even created a new kind of crime here, called emissions and smoke crime.!!! (BABVVEN & TEBBVEN & BEFVO laws)!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@JAYREAD]

My God, that’s a depressing read!

[@Schlipperschlopper]

@@JAYREAD EU is turning into a dystopic shithole

[@Ashkatchit]

Where did you buy the shifter

[@JAYREAD]

Pelican Parts!