which 911 gearbox?

Hi
I am considering using a 911 box onto my 1641 air cooled.

Dont know whioch particular year that I would need though.

Can anyone help?

thanks
Paul

Paul,

The early trans is a 901, then the 915 followed by the G-50. The later 915 has an electonic speedo drive which can be helpful. E-mail me at tindian@surewest.net and I can give you more details.

Dave

Paul, why are you considering a 911 transaxle??? Do you already own it or is this something your going to purchase??

While I like idea of a 5 speed - with a near stock 1641 engine you'll have wrong gear ratios with a 911 box and its costly to changed them. Plus install is a tremendous amount of work - added to costly Porsche gear box and possibility of it needing a rebuild. You've seen the install instructions at Aircooled.net I take it. Your $ would be better spent in a larger engine (1915-ish) unless you just want to build right arm stength stirring the gears.

914 can be used too and is cheaper - especially ideal if using a T4 engine.

http://www.germanlook.net/forums/showthread.php?t=9153

A tranny from a 912 will probably be the easiest to use. The later 915 gearboxes are too large & heavy to use in our cars. I know, I've tried. It's alot of work & really not too much gain.

FYI, the 901 transaxle was used in the 911 Porsche 1964 - 1971 (4 and 5 speed models)

The 901 was also used in the 912 1965 - 1969 (4 and 5 speed models)


The 901 was also used in the mid-engine 914 4 cylinder and 6 cylinder cars 1969 - 1976 (5 speed)

The 915 transaxle was used in the 911 1972 - 1986
and was also used in the 1976 912E

The 915 had a mechanical speedo pick up until 1975 then they used an electronic speedo pick up

Anything after 1987 (G50/G64) is just too damn difficult to try to fit into your car

The 901 with a 4 speed had a traditional "H" pattern
The 901 with a 5 speed had a dog leg pattern (1st gear was back and to the left) 2nd gear was where 1st gear would be on a modern multi-speed manual trans.

Starting with the 915 transaxle, 1st gear was forward to the left and 5th gear was forward/far right (traditional pattern)

Early 901 transaxles had appropriate gearing for your small engine but, having an expensive transaxle and a tiny engine will only make you unhappy. Why not spend the money you'd spend on the 911 transaxle and installation and put it into a larger engine and a built up VW transaxle. And, you'll have some money left over.

OK thanks for your comments guys.

I would prefer a 5th gear for motorway use.

If its a lot of agro and cost I won't bother tho.

A lot can be done with a VW transaxle. To facilitate freeway driving, then a 3.88 or 3.44 ring and pinion will slow the engine down enough to act like a 5th gear.

VW engines like RPM's mainly to keep them cool. If the engine isn't turning enough RPM's at speed, then it's not producing enough air to keep the engine cool.

Berg 5-speed.
Very little modifications needed to fit.
Gearing to your specs.
Very expensive ($5k) but worth every penny in my opinion.

Paul said:

"OK thanks for your comments guys.

I would prefer a 5th gear for motorway use.

If its a lot of agro and cost I won't bother tho."

Paul,

A VW 4th gear is overdrive. The 5th gear in a 901/915 box is just about the same overdrive. The extra gear in a 5 speed box just splits the rpms over a wider range and helps to keep you in the power band longer.

Unless you want to spend a bunch of money or your looking for less rpm at freeway speeds keep what you have.

I think the 915 box is a worthwhile mod and easy if you use the bug@5speed kit.
Cost is far cheaper than the Berg 5 speed, and stronger.

Not all have a LSD so look for this when buying. As noted some are 4 speeds

i have a customer with a 901 box for sale , i converted it a year ago to a five speed its a 68 912, 4 speed. bill

Any idea on a price for that 901?