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gearbox fix options

DavidL

Active member
My gearbox has developed a bit of a whine of late. I had the g/b oil cooler replaced with one from Augment about this time last year (you can't really get OEM ones now) and just prior the whine started. It hasn't really got worse but its very annoying. Obviously it had new oil (swepco) then. I imagine having done 250K+ miles it's just a bit worn and if the box oil level dropped I don't imagine that helped either.
So what are my options regarding rebuilding or replacing the box? It does have the LSD option which I wouldn't want to loose but do these wear?
The only LSD box on ebay is £1k and off a 220 - does it make a difference, ratios different etc?
Thanks - its a 1990 250 turbo SE
David
 
I don't think swepco and LSD go together. A bit pointless now, maybe, maybe not, but i've ran my box almost dry after a cooler failure and it has been spot on ever since after replacing cooler and refilling. These boxes are remarkably strong and I would have a bash at refilling with a good fully synth g/box oil and try it for a bit. The LSD will be fighting the slippy swepco qualities. Similar to not using molyslip or the likes with a friction plate LSD.

Stuart
 
Hi Dave

I note you say that Swepco was the oil being used, now I tried this oil after my rebuild due to all the bumpf that I had read on the various forums shouting it's praises. I think it lasted a week in the car before I asked my son to remove it and put back normal 75/90 oil. Gear change was awful, stiff and clunky, to sum up, the gearbox hated it. Now my gearbox is the later LSD from an 89 turbo car with the strengthened internals so not the 86 box, I destroyed that many years ago with a bad gear change...lol. On removing the swepco we were horrified to see the tell, tell signs of wear by the microbe-metal particles showing in the oil, something that I was not expecting after such a short time. I immediately dumped the Swepco including the fresh stuff still in the can and went back to standard oil. For the next change I may try 'Redline', I've only ever heard good things about this oil, I'm afraid that I won't take the chance with swepco again, once bitten twice shy and all that....


Pete
 
Clarks Garage has an excellent chart (http://www.clarks-garage.com/shop-manual/trans-04.htm) giving gear and final drive ratios for 944 transmissions - best if you know your build code but you can deduce from model year and delivery destination e.g. US, Canada, Japan and Switzerland are identified as "different" - appears that everyone else got the same ratios, etc.
Upon closer inspection - it looks like US, Canada, Japan and Switzerland get a slightly "longer" 5th gear - probably to improve fuel mileage numbers - but otherwise the same.
 
I used Silkolene Silktran synthetic 75/90 when I changed the oil in my LSD gearbox a few thousands miles ago. No issues to date.
 
DavidL said:
My gearbox has developed a bit of a whine of late. I had the g/b oil cooler replaced with one from Augment about this time last year (you can't really get OEM ones now) and just prior the whine started. It hasn't really got worse but its very annoying. Obviously it had new oil (swepco) then. I imagine having done 250K+ miles it's just a bit worn and if the box oil level dropped I don't imagine that helped either.
So what are my options regarding rebuilding or replacing the box? It does have the LSD option which I wouldn't want to loose but do these wear?
The only LSD box on ebay is £1k and off a 220 - does it make a difference, ratios different etc?
Thanks - its a 1990 250 turbo SE
David



250K is Impressive and not unusual that it's playing a tune.

I know someone (North West) that can split it down, check it and rebuild.
It'll be 3.375 FDR same for both Turbo models I think ?

I 'm not sure if the LSD Plates if worn can be replaced? all the bearings can.
It would be best to get it split and checked before you
take a chance and buy another that you know nothing about it's history, better the devil you know maybe.

Another option is to buy a cheaper N/A box for £200 + and then buy a New LSD (Plate or Helical type) Guard, Quaife, Wavetrac etc..
Although the ratio's will be shorter (3.889) which would give you more acceleration and less top speed which you may not want?

R



 
Know owner,Lee quite well-he's a PCGB member in R13-really great enthusiastic guy & very helpful
 
Thanks. I'm led to believe that gearbox rebuilds can get expensive. Pinion bearings have been mentioned. I am considering a new box as an option but it could last 10 years or 10 minutes.
 
DavidL said:
Thanks. I'm led to believe that gearbox rebuilds can get expensive. Pinion bearings have been mentioned. I am considering a new box as an option but it could last 10 years or 10 minutes.



New Box you mean another 2nd hand one rebuilt, or even yours rebuilt?
You'll have a guarantee of some sort from a reputable gearbox builder, I've never heard of any scenerio's of a rebuilt one lasting ten mins
or any short space of time.

Where are you based?

R

 
Sorry, I mean a replacement but used box. I would expect a rebuilt one to last but I imagine it would cost an appropriate sum, anyone any idea how much, to remove, rebuild and replace?
I'm just outside Swindon
 
DavidL said:
Sorry, I mean a replacement but used box. I would expect a rebuilt one to last but I imagine it would cost an appropriate sum, anyone any idea how much, to remove, rebuild and replace?
I'm just outside Swindon



I paid £600 for a rebuild which I'm not sure exactly what was included apart from one bearing was slightly worn
and I said replace that as well ! (That picture shows you my Gearbox Internals the old diff and the new Wavetrac LSD)

I used a Guy up North in Preston,

Closer to you is Neil Bainbridge in Westcott (Buckinghamshire)
http://www.bsmotorsport.co.uk/history.asp

He has a brother also that specialises in Gearboxes but he's up near me in the North West i think?

Also try Jon Mitchel (JMG) is at Wimbourne Dorset

http://www.jmgporsche.co.uk/index.php/modification

I'd imagine with removal, refit and rebuild etc...dependent also on your LSD it's a £1000 Job

R
 
David

I'd definitely go down the rebuilt route - You'll probably find that once a (half decent) gearbox rebuilder gets it apart there will only be minor replacements needed on bearings and synchro rings. The 944 LSD gearboxes are very strong (ISTR 1st & 2nd gear are hardened ?). All parts will be available from an OPC - most of your cost will be labour,

Mark Fish engineering in Harlow did an excellent job on mine, http://markfish.co.uk/

Chris
 
Chris, Do you recall what it cost?
I've had a ball park figure from a known porsche specialist and based on my very loose description the quote is quite a lot of money. Now that may turn out to be incorrect (which would be my error not theirs) but it concurs with the figure suggested by my local indie.
David
 
Can you not remove and refit yourself to save some labour? I had a jap import box rebuilt a few years back which cost £550
 

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