Sportomatic reliabilty

[layzee]

Well over the weekend the car has had its first engine pull, everything is going pretty well so far. Planned is valve clearances and replacement of seals and hoses. We found the cause of the major oil leak, which was the aim - it turned out to be the oil return tubes. All the heat exchanger nuts came off without any studs getting broken so that was a relief. Luckily we did it now as the MFI drive belt had a big tear in it and surely wouldn't have lasted much longer

I haven't read much here about the Sporto tranny - I realise it is disliked by many Just wondering though about the long term reliability of the system? Ours seems to be pretty trouble free at the moment, but I know many have done the conversion to the 915. Is it possible to add a slave cylinder in place of the vacuum actuator, then lock up the torque converter and fit a clutch pedal? Anybody ever heard of anything like this before? Just an idea.

Also when they do give out, what is the most common failure point? Anything to be checking while we have the motor out?

Thanks for any help.

[Bones]

If you want to 'improve' the sporto box make sure you have the valve adjusted for how quickly you want 'lock up' of the torque converter to happen. Otherwise I suggest you install a manual box . You should have a 4 speed sporto which should be fun and make for extra quick gear shifts even if the gears are a little longer . I've had my 'sporto' for eighteen years and it's had a gearbox rebuild and a replacement torque converter in 144.000 miles . I would say if you have a mechanic who knows this system it's as reliable as a manual box . In the late sixties it raced at Le Mans with no reliability problems .

[Fishcop]

Phil, if you do a bit of a search using my name there have been a few threads on the sporto. Basically (as you know) when they are working well, they are a terrific system. The problems that I have had have all surrounded the slave unit. This is a US$600 item and allegedly "non-rebuildable". I have rebuilt mine using truck brake parts (air brakes). I've had no other real problems to speak. I looked in to the idea of replacing the slave with a big solenoid set up to throw the clutch. As for "locking" the torque converter?.... I think if you're going to go to this kind of effort, it would be best spent on replacing the box with a 915.

I think today's main problems surrounding the sportos has been the neglect by Porsche since they stopped using the system. It is now both hard to get parts for and even harder to find someone who really knows these boxes.

I've promised myself that I will replace my sporto with a 915 when the time comes. Plus I'm intending to replace my 2.2 with something bigger, so I'll probably replace the whole package.

[layzee]

Fishcop, I've done a search and pulled up some of your threads sporto threads, thanks for the help.

You're right though, the system is great for regular driving; I quite like it.