Porsche Transmissions over time

[DWBOX2000]

I am getting ready to do a road trip with my American muscle friends. They love to donut and peal out of parking lots. Not my thing bit whatever floats ones boat. Anyways, are Porsche tranny's typically less superior in terms of durability than their American counterparts though out the years ?

I'm thinking we are still in the USA where people like to burn rubber from complete stops. Maybe just as durable but different crowd. Just curious.

No I won't be converting to a donut king.

Thanks.

[scotricker]

I suggest don't try it. Our cars were not built for pop-the-clutch launches. But maybe once might work.

[DWBOX2000]

Not going to.

[wdfifteen]

Transmissions seem to have been Porsche's weak spot for decades. I know the Porsche syncros in my 519 could not put up with a quick shift even when new. The 741s had stronger syncrhos, but they were still Porsche-type. I've never had a 915, but the G-50 in my 911 still feels fragile even with the Borg-Warner synchros. I've never had recurring problems with a transmission in an American car or truck.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by scotricker

But maybe once might work.

I think three hard launches in 25 years of ownership for me.

They are very quick off the line given the whole weight distribution thing. You can pull most Mustangs/F bodies to 50 feet.

[LWJ]

The PO for my SC seemed to think speed shifting was cool.

I was the one who bought the new transmission, however.

Shifts like factory now.

[DWBOX2000]

I still say Por-sha between shifts in my 996. Probably unnecessary but habits are hard to lose.

[Nostril Cheese]

I think that most people learned that the shift linkage on 901 or 915 was so poor that you didnt really have a choice but to shift the cars gently. I learned to drive stick in a 914.

I was taught never to shift from second to first gear unless at a complete stop.

[Brando]

I wouldn't dump the clutch on anything older than a G-50 with LSD. Even when I had my Cayman I was gentle on the shifts and only dumped the clutch a few times. Of course, with drive-by-wire the results were anemic.

Just because the domestic car guys are dropping the clutch and doing burn-outs, doesn't mean the transmission is happy about it.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by DWBOX2000

I am getting ready to do a road trip with my American muscle friends. They love to donut and peal out of parking lots. Not my thing bit whatever floats ones boat. Anyways, are Porsche tranny's typically less superior in terms of durability than their American counterparts though out the years ?

I'm thinking we are still in the USA where people like to burn rubber from complete stops. Maybe just as durable but different crowd. Just curious.

No I won't be converting to a donut king.

Thanks.

I understand that the G50 is supposed to be darn near bullet proof. I was once told that they put G50s in race cars and they were bulletproof with slicks.

[John Rogers]

I don't believe it is the synchros but the shafts the gears are on and most of all the bearings. When I raced my 914/914-6 in some road and circuit races over in Mexico we did STANDING starts which is the international way to start. I was in the same class with supped up Hondas, Corvettes and even a Camaro with a 355 cubic inch NASCAR engine in it. Most of the cars would rev up to 5K to 6K and dump the clutch when the flag dropped! I could not do that with my 901 gear boxes and neither could the Camaro. I would get passed by half the field by turn 1 and then I'd start to pick them off one or maybe two a lap since I could out brake them, out turn them and with KQV gears and my JWest shifter get then on the turns! We did my gear box bearing once a year.

[smadsen]

I don't think the 901, 915, & G50 gearboxes break so much as they just start to operate poorly. Generally synchros, sliders, & some bearings wear out and need to be replaced. Of course with dedicated abuse they can break, but if you match revs on downshifts, pause 1 second on upshifts and change the oil every few years, they'll last forever. If you want to speed shift on the drag strip you need a Muncie rock crusher and a big repair budget.

Or get something with the PDK.

[Bigtoe32067]

The problem as I see it is weight transfer. An American car with the engine weight in the front of the car transfers some to the rear on hard launches and then the tires spin basically protecting the transmissions from excessive force
The 911 since everything is in the rear when you launch all the weight transfer goes over the tires and the traction is so much more then American car that there’s a lot more force felt in the trans therefore more possibility of damage.

[stealthn]

Manual or PDK?

Manual - no
PDK - it has launch control

My PTT launches like a rocket, I am more worried about the chassis torque than the tranny.