915 vs G50 - Can I handle it?

[Guest]

Hi, New here as you can see and I'm after input on the driving differences between the 915 and G50 box's.

I've bought a little runabout for day to day and I'm in the process of selling my 996 C4 to make way for an SC or 3.2 or CS as an every other day car!

If I go for the SC or the 3.2, as opposed to the CS, then it will be a project in recreating a cross between a CS & car I saw in 911 & Porsche World in August....article entitled "Border Patrol".....after I've enjoyed it for a while!

My reading suggests that the 915 are difficult to drive fast but lighter......My ego says I'm a good enough to handle the 915 but my girlfriend says thats crap!!!!!!

Looking for any input and experiences especially from you folk who've driven both and especially anyone who's sprinted or hillclimbed with either or both, AND used the same car as an every other day road car!???

Thanks in advance from a newby.....

 

[Guest]

Hi, Jimbers. I've just bought a 1986 3.2 and am in love all over again. When I start her up each time, I almost wet myself. it's such a glorious sound... but that's another story.

Being a wrinkly (63) I've had maybe 40 or 50 cars, half of which were sports cars (MG Triumph, Jaguar, 944's etc) and I have to confess the 915 box (on mine at any rate) is about the notchiest one I've come across - it sure ain't the fastest box in town. Not that I mind (it doesn't interfere with my driving pleasure) but I would not like to try one on a track day.

My advice would be to get a drive in each. No one's comments can substitute for that

 

[Guest]

Condition is all important too. A well adjusted 915 is a nice box.

 

[Guest]

Hi, Glasgow (takes me back to my student days at Gilmorehill, 40 odd years ago).

My neighbour has a 911SC and I suppose he might know, but where can I get some more info on adjusting the 915 box?

 

[Guest]

Hi, try this technical article on Pelican Parts' website:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/911_shifting_improvements/911_shifting_improvements.htm

Cheers
Malcolm

 

[Guest]

Jimbers

The G50 is almost good! It looks like a modern gearbox, and when you use it, it feels ok. Its only ok though. The 915 looks like it belongs in a tractor. In fact thats probably where it came from! It is as notchy as is possible. The throw is ridiculously long, and it takes real skill not to crunch the gears changing down from fifth to fourth. Stirring porridge comes to mind, I don't know why?

But, the 915 is glorious. It is lighter, and given practise the gearchange can be smooth, if not particularly fast. I have owned SCs and 3.2s with both boxes and the 915 is my favourite. Every gearchange takes concentration, and thats how it should be in an older 911.

 

[Simon Davidson]

I bought my 3.2 SSE with a knackered 915 gearbox (it only had 1st 3rd and 5th working) and had it rebuilt by JZ I have now done 10,000 miles with the new gearbox and cant see that any other box would be better. Just did a track day on Sunday and was pushing hard thru the gears and down shifting as fast and hard as the engine would allow. I didnt catch it out or misplace the shifter once, I am not the maddest of drivers but until I read this thread I never even considered the gearbox as an issue.
I guess an old worn 915 is bad but what is an old worn G50 like - maybe the G50s handle the high miles/old age better.
As ever drive the car and make your mind up based on individual condition.
Regards Simon

 

[Guest]

You can read what you like into the fact that I am a G50 owner, but if you search hard enough you will find that the consensus of opinion is that a good 915 box is fairly good but that a G50 is better. You can make a 915 perform perfectly adequately. The simple things that must be refreshed and accurately adjusted are the linkages. These are DIY projects or easy jobs for specialists (read not too expensive). The best short-shift kit is the Porsche one and this will reduce the throws a little - but, crucially, not too much. There are many good aftermarket products designed to make the gate more precise and/or to spring load the gearlever into the 3/4 plane. The big danger on the 915 is the 5th to 2nd downchange - or should I say moneychange. The cost of the aftermarket parts (all available from the US) is USD500+. These are popular products and are highly recommended on the Pelican Parts BBS. If the 915 was perfect, I would suggest that the market for these products would not exist. Draw your own conclusions and search on Pelican for a wealth of information.

The G50 is a thoroughly modern gearbox, although I admit it can be a little notchy. Once warm though the notchiness disappears and when really going for it you can make fast and precise changes. Remember, the G50 is essentially the same box that was used for the 964 and the 6 speed 993. It also has a hydraulic clutch which is lighter than the 915 (and larger diameter I think).

Considering how small the price difference is between 915 and G50 cars, I would look for a G50 but if I found a nice 915 I would buy that. The amount you wold spend to get an average 915 to change like a G50 would be more than the initial purchase price differential. The only downsides to the G50 are that the gearbox is physically heavier (50+lbs but the G50 cars have a 1mm thicker rear torsion bar and 21/22mm swaybars both of which are desirable) although the change is not heavier and that the clutches are more expensive to replace because parts are more expensive.

As recommended above, drive two cars and see what you think. Only the most partisan 915 owners would struggle to admit that the G50 is better, but a good 915 may be perfectly acceptable to you.

RB

 

[ClubSport 911]

I very recently had the pleasure to drive a LHD (well set up) Italian sourced 3.2 Carrera with 915 gearbox, and was mildly surprised / stunned about the quality of the change. I was not expecting it to be so easy. Of course, this is no Ford Fiesta 1.1 Popular, but it was good.

It had a (Porsche ?) short-shift kit fitted, but went through the box very well.

As people with (non-rebuilt) G50's might well admit, this box can have a tendancy to baulk, but this can sometimes be fixed with good lubricant. My advice. Drive the car. If it shifts well and you are happy, then be thankful. ! []

Rgds

 

[Guest]

Both my SC, and 85 3.2 had 'difficult' boxes. The worst part being in the 3.2 when doing late braking into a roundabout, and changing from 3rd to 2nd, and it baulked ! Two handed gear changing, anyone ? Steering ? All down, I believe, to the fact that the earlier boxes had separate syncro gears (from the racing type boxes).

The other problem I found with the 915/G50 was that the latter had an hydraulic clutch, which made it harder to 'feel' the biting point, it being much more on/off. Still not sure if I prefer it, even after 9 G50 years.

 

[Guest]

Richard

I don't disagree with what you say. The G50 box is more modern, the clutch has a lighter feel, and it makes changing gears easier. However I believe that many drivers who race their older 911s prefer the 915 because it is so very much lighter, and has more "feel".

 

[plhorner]

ORIGINAL: shelby

in reality the only problem i encounter is the shift from first to second or third to second on occasion, is this an adjustment problem?.

Shelby,
That sounds exactly like my gearbox!! I've had mine re-built, we even changed the appropriate syncro's but the change quality is only marginally better (I would add that the reason the box was rebuilt was a failed gearbox oil pump). I would initially suggest a change to Swepco oil in the box, this can be sourced from Berlyn Services and is highly recomended for the 915. Failing that, I find that with a little experience I can now drive around the problem with a little blip of throttle on the down changes. 1st to 2nd change just can't be rushed, I just live with that.

Cheers,

 

[Guest]

Phil just highlighted the difference IMHO. You drive around the common problems of the 915. You don't have to in a G50.

Also, as I said above, you can spend money to make the 915 into a pretty good gearbox. The racers like them because they are lighter than the G50. The extra weight of the G50 is something you can never get rid of in a race car. I frankly doubt that racers prefer the feel of the 915 though.

At the end of the day, I actually think the 915 is just fine. My last 911 had one that was worn, ill-adjusted and about as bad as a 915 gets, but I justified it as character and drove around its deficiencies. I never thought "I must get a G50 because this 915 sucks". Objectively, now that I have my G50, I prefer it - by quite some margin.

RB

 

[Martin Perry]

That's interesting! I've got a 1982 SC and have exactly the same issue changing into second, although mine is worse going up than down.

To add my ha'penny on the 915 debate, I've found the box needs some getting used to (long throw, off-set 'rest' position for the lever), but once over that it's got a very sweet change and the only nothchiness on mine is second. Still, I've yet to drive a G50 car.