Shifting into High Gear - How JWest Engineering Revolutionized Air-Cooled Porsche Shifters
Introduction
If you’ve spent any time behind the wheel of an air-cooled Porsche, you know the magic: the raw, tactile thrill of driving, the unmistakable roar of that flat-six engine, and those knowing glances from onlookers who get it. It’s a list of highs that could go on forever. But let’s be honest—there’s a downside too. Chances are, you’ve wrestled with a loose, sloppy shifter that feels more like a 1960s farm truck than a precision machine. Or maybe you’ve gritted your teeth through a stiff, short-throw shifter paired with some cringe-worthy synchro noises from the gearbox. Either way, that part of the experience doesn’t quite match the “best car ever” vibe these air-cooled classics deliver.
Thankfully, one guy—a tinkerer with a passion for Porsches and a genius for transmissions—decided to fix this problem once and for all. And trust us, he nailed it. Read on to discover the best air-cooled Porsche shifter on the market today!
Meet James Adams
Meet James Adams, the brilliant mind and passionate gearhead behind JWest Engineering. His love for air-cooled cars started early—picture a young James in 8th grade, tinkering with a VW Beetle as his project car! For a school science project, he rewired the Beetle’s entire interior—pretty impressive for a middle schooler, right? That passion for cars naturally led him to Porsches, where a unique opportunity sparked something special. James got his hands on a 4-speed gearbox from a 912 and a 5-speed from a 914, then worked his magic to combine them into a custom 5-speed unit for his Beetle. Along the way, he crafted his first fully custom shifter—a game-changer that laid the foundation for JWest Engineering, launched in 2003.
James’ first Porsche was a 914, and from there, he was hooked. Today, he cruises in a stunning, hot-rodded 1981 Guards Red 911SC. You’ll often spot him at Maverick Region PCA events, chatting about cars, geeking out over transmissions, and getting feedback on his innovative designs. Read on to learn how James’ lifelong passion turned into the top-tier aftermarket components JWest is known for!
JWest Engineering
JWest Engineering kicked off much like PMB Performance—with one passionate Porsche enthusiast at the helm. James Adams was a regular in the early online Porsche communities, diving into forums, swapping car stories, and answering tech questions. One day, a post caught his eye: a guy with a 911SC complained that his rudimentary short shifter was so stiff and short-throw that his wife refused to drive the car. James, never one to back down from a challenge, got to work. His mission? Design a shifter with a street-friendly throw and adjustable spring tension for the perfect feel. The result was the first Rennshift—a game-changer that was too good to keep to himself.
What started as a one-off project sparked a full-fledged business. Two decades later, the Rennshift has only gotten better, and James now offers a range of top-notch aftermarket products. Read on to see how his passion for precision keeps driving JWest forward!
The Rennshift
Wondering what makes the Rennshift so special? Great question! If you’ve driven a 901, 911, or 915 Porsche, you’ve probably noticed that vague, imprecise shifter feel. The Rennshift is designed to fix that, delivering a crisp, deliberate shift every time. Got a 930 or G50 car? No worries—Rennshift has units for those transmissions too!
Older Porsche gearboxes, with their floor-mounted shifters, can feel like you’re rowing a boat—first to second, second to third, it’s a long journey. Plenty of short shifters try to tighten things up, but here’s where the Rennshift stands out. While many performance shifters cut the throw by 40-45% for lightning-fast shifts, they often overstress the synchros in 9XX gearboxes. Those long throws in the original design give the synchros time to do their job smoothly, with minimal friction. Chop the throw too much, and you’re forcing gears, wearing out the gearbox, and dealing with a stiff, notchy feel.
The Rennshift takes a smarter approach. It shortens the throw just enough to eliminate slop, keeping every shift smooth and intentional without taxing the synchros. Plus, it’s adjustable, so you can dial in the perfect feel for your driving style. Read on to see why the Rennshift is a game-changer for air-cooled Porsche enthusiasts!
Let’s talk about that dreaded word in the air-cooled Porsche world: “floppy.” Not exactly the vibe you want from your shifter. The Rennshift’s spring-gated design puts that problem to rest for good. Its clever spring system keeps constant tension on the stick, eliminating unwanted wobble and giving you confidence in every shift. Better yet, you can tweak the spring tension to match your driving style—whether you like it firm or a bit more neutral.
Pair that with the Rennshift’s shorter, synchro-friendly throws, and you get a driving experience that’s pure precision. No more guessing if you’re in neutral or second, no more missed shifts from a vague shifter. At PMB Performance, we’re such big fans that nearly every classic Porsche leaving our shop—beyond just oil changes or carb tune-ups—has a Rennshift installed. Even Eric, our owner, runs one in every one of his air-cooled Porsches. Trust us, we’re hooked on these shifters! Read on to see why the Rennshift is a must-have for your Porsche.
Other Jwest Parts
With the legendary Rennshift in his lineup, has James Adams been resting on his laurels? Not a chance! The man behind JWest Engineering has been busy crafting a range of must-have products for air-cooled Porsches. Take the JWest headlight relay—a game-changer for G-body 911s that’s practically a rite of passage for owners. Then there’s his lineup of precision parts, like the shift coupler, 914 motor mounts, adjustable 911 throttle bell crank, and more, all designed to keep your Porsche running as smoothly as it deserves.
But here’s the really exciting part: JWest is now producing AppBiz products! If you’ve been in the air-cooled scene for a while, you know Bob from AppBiz—the go-to guru for 911 RS door cards, carpet kits, vapor barriers, and other top-quality interior parts that are tough to find.
Ready to upgrade your Porsche? Click below to explore the full JWest Engineering catalog and snag these awesome parts for your ride!
