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Posted by: James Adams Sep 11 2003, 12:40 PM

Hey guys, due to the recent request for heavier springs, I now have replacements available.

The RennShift takes about 7 lbs. at the knob to move side-to-side. I have found this to be well liked by many people, but some may prefer stiffer springs.

I now have additional springs available that increase the load to about 13 lbs. at the knob. The stock shifters I have measured vary a LOT, from 9 to 12 lbs. for the most part.

These springs can be used on one or both sides, and drop in quickly with the removal of 2 screws at the top of the shift housing. The original torx screws can be a bit of a pain, so socket-head allen screws will also be included.

I have used many different variations in my own car, and I like the lighter springs best.

If you want the heavier springs, send me a PM and I will send a pair out to you.

Posted by: seanery Sep 11 2003, 12:41 PM

James, I'm up for a set. Where do I send the $?

THanks,
-sean

Posted by: Brad Roberts Sep 11 2003, 12:42 PM

What was in what you just sent me ??

I think you will find only the tailshift guy's looking for heavier springs (more linkage to spring back than a sideshift car)


B

Posted by: James Adams Sep 11 2003, 01:00 PM

You got the normal ones, Brad. I JUST got the specs finalized and will have springs tomorrow to send out.

Sean, these are gratis for all past cutomers, and will be included (in the box) with all new RennShifters so the customer will have the option to use the ones they prefer.

Posted by: Brad Roberts Sep 11 2003, 01:07 PM

I teased a few people with ones you sent me. It should equal 3-4 more sales over the next week or so.



B

Posted by: TimT Sep 11 2003, 02:30 PM

James, after about 25 track days I can say Id like heavier springs. In the heat of the moment ive somehow got the shifter into the R-1 plane... not good when Im trying to grab second.

Ill pm with my addy.

Posted by: olav Sep 11 2003, 02:38 PM

I just installed my Rennshift and would like the heavier springs.

I guess I got used to the Weiltmeister spring kit that I added to my stock shifter and they just sprung the lever into second and away I went.

Posted by: ArtechnikA Sep 11 2003, 03:15 PM

preference thing i suppose --
i have a 911 (NO linkage to speak of...) and i want the heavier springs.

i have no trouble keeping the lever in the 4-5 plane, and i have no trouble upshifting 3->4 - the ergonomics helps you there. i -do- want the shifter to find its way back into the 2-3 plane when i am downshifting 4->3. i'm only a little concerned that i'll hit 1st (never happened, i don't think it will) but i have found 5th instead of 3rd a couple of times (chug - chug - chug).

donno - maybe it's that big heavy MoMo shift ball affecting the lever dynamics...

Posted by: brant Sep 11 2003, 05:34 PM

James,

I too would appreciate the heavier springs if its not a problem.

Do you still have mailing addresses or need these resent to you?

I would be COMPLETELY willing to pay for them..
at the very least let people send something to cover shipping costs?

brant mcclung

Posted by: campbellcj Sep 11 2003, 08:59 PM

I am really pleased with my shifter (18% sideshifter) so far with the original springs; but I only have a few hours on it and I'm assuming it might loosen up further over time? So
I suppose it would not hurt at all to go stiffer on the 1-R plane but I personally don't think I'd change the 4-5 plane.

I think it would be "more than fair" for us to chip in at least shipping costs, James.

Posted by: ArtechnikA Sep 12 2003, 06:49 AM

i agree, and have communicated with James offlist...

he did mention that he could use a few more cores, so if you've got a parts car with a few shifters banging around in the trunk, he can put them to good use reincarnated as RennShifters...

BTW - RennShift's PayPal address is paypal@rennshift.com so it's pretty easy to send as much as you want ...

Posted by: Kerrys914 Sep 12 2003, 08:01 AM

Please put me on the list for new springs. I will be installing my shifter this month

It seems like most would like the heavier spring so maybe that is the route I should go with mine.

QUESTION:
What is the downside of installing heavier springs?

Cheers
Kerry Herr

Posted by: James Adams Sep 12 2003, 08:17 AM

Good question Kerry. There is no downside to the heavier springs, except it gives a more "notchy" feel to shifting. But it does define the gates more, so I can see that it might be desired for track use. The heavier springs are more like the stock shifter, so if you are used to that then it may take some time to get used to the lighter springs.

I prefer the lighter springs, and the early feedback I received was positive on them.

The recent thread on this board was the first mention of wanting stiffer springs, so that is why I did not have them until now.

Posted by: Brad Roberts Sep 12 2003, 09:27 AM

Damn.. I just realized I owe you 3-4 cores.. damn.. no wonder I have so many shifters sitting around.

James... alot of people wont say anything to you about wanting stiffer springs. The reason I asked: I tested the WEVO shifter for over a month and the springs on that shifter "weakened" after several hundred shifts. Hayden told me straight out "it will get weaker with time".

Lets help him out and send him al the cores we have lying around.


B

Posted by: seanery Sep 12 2003, 09:38 AM

Brad, You've got the shifter from the white car up there. Either you can send it back or stick in the trunk and I'll ship it when I get the car back.

Posted by: Brad Roberts Sep 12 2003, 09:40 AM

Um.. why ?? Whats wrong with the shifter ?? Why would i send it back ?



B

Posted by: seanery Sep 12 2003, 09:42 AM

uhh, the core....uhhh, hello!

Posted by: ArtechnikA Sep 12 2003, 09:48 AM

it was great out of the box; i'm just trying to restore that feeling. donno if the spring weakened, or if they 'settled in' to their seats/mounts/whatever but they are definitely lighter today.

i'm expecting the heavier spring will lighten to the level the original ones were on Day One.

also - the inital upgrade was SO much better than the original that it took a little getting used to it. now that i am, i'm able to tell "it could be 'a little' better' :- ) ...

Posted by: Brad Roberts Sep 12 2003, 10:12 AM

Oh.. THAT shifter. Up until 2am.. then up at 7:30 am..


B

Posted by: campbellcj Sep 12 2003, 10:40 AM

James, I have one more core I could send in. I'd be glad to trade that for the 'spring kit'. I just need to get the f'ing shift knob off of it -- I think the PO of that shifter might have epoxied it on

Posted by: ArtechnikA Sep 12 2003, 10:58 AM

James will correct me if i'm wrong, but i'm pretty sure he just needs the forged ball from the 'business end.' so unless you really want to keep the knob for sentimental reasons, don't worry about it. i think James just heats the ball to loosen the epoxy, rips out the original shaft - whereupon they become landfill...

Posted by: James Adams Sep 12 2003, 11:51 AM

Yeah Rich, that's right, all I need is the bottom piece. The upper stick becoming landfill? Well, not yet, I just KNOW I will figure out a use for this box of bent, rusty, chrome tubes.

Yes, I really need cores. That is why I charge $40 (a little high for the price of an old shifter) for the core- I want it to be incentive to send me a core rather than the money.

BTW, if you bought a RennShift a while ago and did not pay the core charge but you have not sent me a shifter - shame on you!

Posted by: TimT Sep 12 2003, 04:11 PM

Jame I havent returned my old shofter, Im not sure if you can use it. It had a welmiester short shift kit installed. Is that still ok for a core? if so Ill drop it in the mail.

Posted by: James Adams Sep 12 2003, 05:23 PM

Yep Tim. I can use any form of shifter that was ever in a 914, short-shift, cut-down, whatever, it does not matter.

And if anyone needs my address, it's

112 Chaparral Ct.
Willow Park, TX 76087

Posted by: maf914 Sep 13 2003, 07:04 AM

With the Renn Shift, can you reuse the stock shift knob? I prefer the stock style with the shift pattern graphic. And, if so, how do you remove it from the stock shift lever and replace it on the new lever. Is there a crush sleeve or something like that involved? The Haynes manual shows a retainer of some sort, but I'm not familiar with it.

Mike

Posted by: ArtechnikA Sep 13 2003, 07:19 AM

yes, you can use the OEM knob if that's your preference.
the hot setup is to use an open-end wrench that just barely fits over the shaft (15mm?).
clamp the shaft firmly in a vise (damage is not an issue here since it will not be reused) and use a hammer (brass works well) to tap (escalating from 'rap' to 'bang' as needed...) against the wrench.

there is a crush sleeve that can be re-used up to a point; i have no idea if they're still available as replacement parts but i'd think so...

for a variety of reasons i like my MoMo shift knob that is just a plain ol' ball of polished aluminum with a mounting neck, but it's your car - use what you like.

Posted by: James Adams Sep 13 2003, 08:02 AM

Rich is correct, 15mm wrench and a hammer. The factory manual actually says to use a "locally made tool" that looks just like a 15mm open end wrench! It's easiest to do on the car before you remove the shifter, just don't get your face in the trajectory of the knob when it comes off!

The crush sleeve is available new for about $2.

The RennShift is designed to use the stock knob. You can see the stock knob is installed on the RennShift on the website http://www.rennshift.com

Posted by: campbellcj Sep 13 2003, 09:19 AM

LOL, the problem with this one knob+shifter I've got...is that I already trying pounding the CRAP out of it using the aforementioned wrench+hammer approach. It's either really jammed or glued on. I was hoping to save the knob cuz they are verging on NLA and prices for good used ones are inching up. I think the -repro- knobs are $80 now.

Posted by: ArtechnikA Sep 13 2003, 09:31 AM

okay, no problem...

today, you simply disassemble the stock shifter to expose the forged ball, heat it and the shaft to loosen the epoxy and pound off the ball using that wrench/hammer trick. comes right off once the epoxy is heated enough to break its chemical bond. (there will be smoke...) send the ball to James - it's all he needs.

some future day you deal with the shift knob, possibly by freezing the steel shaft real, real cold to shrink it and break the adhesive bond, or judicious heating to achieve the same effect, or cut the steel shaft off flush with the bottom of the knob and drill, ream, or EDM the steel out ...

Posted by: Rob Ways Sep 13 2003, 10:03 AM

I don't have a shifter yet but I'll send you an extra core I have.

Posted by: ArtechnikA Oct 3 2003, 06:39 AM

the new springs arrived yesterday, THANKS !
i have a weekend of car-stuff planned so i'll get these in the car for testing.

you mentioned Allen screw replacements for the Torx; i have a nice set of Torx drivers and don't expect a problem, but As Long As i'm in there doing it, i don't mind replacing the hardware too. please don't send me new screws - the springs was all i really wanted.

but of you could respond with the screw specs (size, pitch, length, grade), i'll pick up some Allen capscrews on my next trip to the hardware / FLAPS ...

THANKS AGAIN !

Posted by: Van914 Oct 3 2003, 06:53 AM

James,
I would like two sets for myself and one for Rich R. We each have your shifter and it is great.
Thanks
Van

Posted by: nein14 Oct 6 2003, 01:29 PM

Hi James
I can't stop raving about the shifter, it's just what the 914's needed. Put me on the list for the springs also.

Posted by: James Adams Oct 6 2003, 01:33 PM

Ok, I've got the latest people. And thanks Cris for the Paypal.

The screw size is 1/4-20 by 1" long.

Posted by: Jeffs9146 Oct 6 2003, 02:59 PM

Hi James

Can you send me a spring?

Thanks

Jeff

Posted by: James Adams Oct 6 2003, 03:29 PM

Sure Jeff.

Posted by: Jeffs9146 Oct 6 2003, 03:50 PM

Thanks James!

Jeff

Posted by: olav Oct 6 2003, 04:31 PM

James,

I got the new springs.

I noticed when I was replacing the olden springs that it is a compound spring set up (spring within a spring).

The inner springs of the olden set up don't seem to fit into the new spring set up.

Is this by design?

Thanks.

Posted by: olav Oct 6 2003, 09:05 PM

This springs are painted white, I wonder if the paint is preventing the passage of the inner spring.


hmmm

Posted by: James Adams Oct 7 2003, 06:44 AM

Don't use the inner springs with the new springs! It won't hurt anything, you just don't need it and they don't really fit.

I meant to get some web instructions up to refer you guys to, but with MUSR to get ready for I didn't have time.

Feel free to ask me if there are any questions!