Recently had my car up on a lift, and it was noticed by someone quite knowledgeable about 944s that I didn't have this part installed on my car. On the 944, this part is a plastic tube that goes between two holes in the front casting(s) of the transaxle. On the 944, the shift rod passes through the tunnel created by this part at the front of the transaxle, thus keeping this area of the transaxle better sealed to the enviroment.
As far as I have been able to tell, from others that know the 968, and talking to Porsche parts, the 968 transaxle never used this part. Can anyone on this forum confirm that the 968 either did, or did not use this part (or a similar replacement part to fit the 968 transaxle)?