Transmission help

Whose past?

Buck Rogers?

Yup.  Cheesy 80's TV show.

Yup my typo VS - Vintage Speed.

Phil,

Sorry to hear about the tranny.  I have the Porsche 901 transaxle and I'm really happy with it. Fifth gear could always be taller but I have 20k on i since it was built in 2009 and its been solid. Not sure if the Audi engine would mat up for you but if my transaxle needed replacement I would be looking at the Subaru with the new ring and pinion.  PM me if you want to talk more or reach out to Henry to ask about the transaxle mount in your car to see which would be easier stick with the VW change over to a 901 or swap in a Subaru 5 speed.

Peter

Peter

I would love to have a 901 but they are probably 4 to 5 times the price of a type 1.  Builders also will not supply the core.  So you first have to find a core with an end shifter.  Honestly I think a 3.44 with standard gearing would be fine in anything less than a 200+hp 911 or Suby turbo car.  In that situation you probably need a more robust transaxle.  I don't think anyone has figured out how to put a Suby tranny in a rear engine car.  SAS uses the Suby tranny but that is mid engine, same configuration as front engine.

Phil,

I will dig back through my receipts etc but I purchased my Transaxle without a core for around $2100. The rebuilder went through the unit and also added a taller fifth gear.  If your happy with the 4 speed then stick with it there is no shortage of satisfied customers there and the price is certainly reasonable.

There is a company called Subaru Gears that makes a conversion kit to flip the stock subi transaxle for use in a rear engine applications. Here is a link to there site http://www.subarugears.com/ also check out Jack Raby's site http://www.aircooledtechnology.com/. 

If you decide you want a 901 let me know I can ask around the local club to see whats available. 

Peter 

Installing a Subie 5 speed tranny would be the ultimate solution, but (if I remember correctly) a converted Subie 5sp will run you close to $5000. 

Mind you, most 901/915 conversions would be in that $$ ballpark too.

Also, converting to a 901 (or 915) is FAR of easy.  I know, I'm having a 901 installed in my IM.

Normally, because of the high cost, I wouldn't consider it, but my mechanic got one for a great price and quoted me a killer price of $1500 installed!  On top of that, he took the tranny apart and changed some of the gears, to better suite my engine's characteristics.

A big expense when converting over to a 901/915 is the entire front shifting unit, which usually has to be changed to a 901/915 unit.  To keep the conversion cost down and allow me to use my vintage Speed shifter (which is a 4sp design) my mechanic installed a solenoid on the tranny, which locks out reverse unit the button by the shifter is pressed.

For those of you who aren't familiar with a 901 gearbox, reverse is where 1st usually is, and unless there is a reverse lockout it is REALLY easy to hit reverse when shifting from 1st to 2nd.

My 3.88 4-speed is fine and my funds are low.  I know this is crazy and financial suicide but I'm putting all 3 of my kids through college and med school.  I'm lucky to live in VA where I benefit from outstanding in state education. I'm also lucky that my kids are smart enough to get in these schools. In 5 years all of my kids will be gainfully employed and dad will get to keep his hard earned dollars.  My car will either undergo a rebuild or I'll build a new car.  My dream car is a stone grey IM outlaw speedster with all 911 pieces including a 3.6 L six and a 5-speed.  But honestly I think a nice stock 2.5 L 165hp Suby with a 3.44 4-speed would also be pretty sweet.

"My dream car is a stone grey IM outlaw speedster with all 911 pieces including a 3.6 L six and a 5-speed."

Phil:  I am thinking the same thing.  Not sure of the colour, though.

I think Howard B. needs to be careful out there -- everyone (including me) wants his car.  The true 1957 911 Porsche Speedster.  I can think of no sweeter a ride.

Meanwhile, Phil:  I am taking all of this cool tranny talk down, and storing it.  Also, I am happy that your "issue" was easily resolved.  Happy motoring to yu.  nd thanks for the rides in Carlisle --it was great to experience your unique car -- just sorry that I unwittingly screwed up your trans for a while . . .

CSP is it??

I have replaced the original black ball w/ a wooden one w/ Porsche crest -- matches w/ the Nardi a bit better, IMHO.

Guys.....Who the hell cares what color it is???

Anything but pink...

Funny how the color can make a world of difference.

Way back in 1990 I bought a new Nissan 300ZX.  It was a 'year-end' clearance and they had one car left for a much reduced price that I could just afford.

The one drawback was the color-a pale yellow.

I ended up buying the car, because I didn't think the color would matter much.

Boy, was I wrong.

I never warmed up to the color and was happy to see the car go after three years.

I traded it in on a 1993 Pathfinder (dark green) which I really loved and kept for 9 years.

To this day I still HATE that color.

Yeah, Ron, I have to admit I wouldn't be too happy with that either...