First Dive of 915!

[Fishcop]

Just thought I'd share my observations after changing from a sportomatic to a 915 manual gearbox.

I picked up my car 5 years ago with a dodgy sportomatic keeping the purchase price right. I had every intention of yanking it back then, but in the end I made some repairs to the sporto and it ended up running like a charm for the next 5 years.

A year ago, hankering for more power, I built myself a 2.7 RS engine and had every intention of mating it to a manual... well I proscrastinated and decided to run the sporto until it broke. Six weeks ago it broke... Not an expensive repair - but I considered it an omen and put the feelers out for a manual.

Thanks to Pelicanite Bill Douglas who had a RHD SC wreck, I made a deal for a 915, ancilleries, pedals and shifter... It was a bit of a saga getting it through Australia's anal customs service, but I'm smiling now.

The install wasn't too bad. Pedals, clutch cable and shifter all bolt right up. The dramas I had related to drive shafts and their compatibility with flanges. Fortunately Bill sent me SC driveshafts and I only had to change the stub axles at the swing arm.

FYI the stub flanges are all that need to be changed, you can leave the hub in place (thus saving the wheel bearings) as the splines are the same from 69 to 83. You cannot swap CVs on the axles between the 100mm SC CVs and the earlier 110mm CVs as the splines are different.

I still need to change speedometers (electric), and I haven't wired up the reverse switch as the wiring and plugs are different.

I drove it properly for the first time today

Pretty different to the sporto! It spins up quicker, and the 5 gear ratios are better suited to my engine than the old 4 speed sporto. It cruises at 60mph at 400rpm less than it used to. I nearly stalled it a couple of times due to forgetting to press the clutch at a stop I still need to get the coupler just right as I'm snicking 3rd and 4th in some changes, but I've got to say that it's not near as bad as I've seen some people write. I changed all bushes from shifter to coupler, and although I think I now know what people like about the Seine Gateshift addition, I'm more than happy with the shifting.

I think the only issue I have now is the shagged gearbox mounts that are so soft, I can move the gearbox by hand easily. I believe Wevo will be the answer!

So am I happy? Yes! But I do miss the convenience of the sporto in traffic, and the ability to be lazy about gear selection... I think I'll be a bit slower around the track until I get used to it and no more left foot braking... for a while.

So there's my thoughts... Thanks to Bill Douglas, Grady Clay, Hayden Burvill (Wevoid), and the other Pelicans that have helped me immensely with my project!

Cheers

[Matt Holcomb]

Hmm, I like the idea of left-foot braking on the track ....

[Walko]

Matt,

You wouldnt know what to do on a race track. Lend me that 3.0RS and I might try and find out myself what a race track is like

Michael

[Fishcop]

Yeah, the whole "drive it like a go-kart" was a lot of fun. Left foot braking certainly settles the car mid-corner too. I'm sure I'll get good at it again, and I've certainly got the "feel" now... my left hoof knows how to modulate pressure much like my right.

How's that car of yours coming together Michael?

[Walko]

slowly i was made redundant on 4 oct 05 however i start the new job on monday so have extra $ to play with. have been out looking for new company porsche today.

Michael

[Matt Holcomb]

Originally posted by Walko
Matt,

You wouldnt know what to do on a race track. Lend me that 3.0RS and I might try and find out myself what a race track is like

Michael

When are you going to come down to Melbourne to show Matt Stoupas and the rest of the PCV "superstars" how to drive?