Does anyone actually prefer the 915 over a G50?

[Hans Batra]

I can't remember the name of the book, but I was at Barnes and Noble the other day, and one author wrote "...the 911, with the G50, shifts like a Camaro".

regards,
Hans
83 SC

[mwbaum]

I absolutely prefer a properly working 915.

[defcon65]

I don't know about prefer, but most 911s have the 915 and they get rebuilt more than upgraded to the G50. It doesn't shift as smoothly as a Honda gearbox, but does fine if you can shift and clutch deliberately. I've never shifted a G50 so I can't compare.

[Vipergrün]

I prefer the 915, more viceral, raw feel. The G50 feels too disconnected to me. Then again, my 915 is pretty well dialed in...

[carrera84]

I do.

The G50 is heavier, makes annoying rattles and eats up more hp.

Edith:

... and a repair or a new clutch is nearly double the price.

[ianc]

With my cars, the 915 seems to shift more smoothly when it's cold, and gets worse after warming up. The G50 is very balky when cold, but gets much smoother after warming up.

I know that sounds strange, but that's the way it is with mine. Neither is new, so it may be due to wear vagaries. Since most driving is done after warming up, the G50 would seem to get the nod for me.

Another factor to consider is the clutch 'feel'. All 915's have the cable clutch, and all G50's have the hydraulic clutch. The cable clutch has a longer throw, but more feel. The hydraulic throw is much shorter, but it's more difficult to really feel the exact point of engagement, and smoothness can suffer as a result. The effort is also a little higher with the hydraulic clutch since the throw is shorter.

The G50 does rattle. It annoyed me to begin with, but you get used to it quick. HTH,

ianc

[charlesbahn]

I love the 915. It's raw and untamed. It's a hoot. Of course, it takes practice.

[jwerion]

I have a G50 in my race car and I prefer it because it can handle the abuse and HP better but the main reason is that it shifts faster than a 915 and lowers track times. It heavier and I am to happy about that. I supose a tricked out 915 with a Wevo dog gear setup and all the other trick parts from them may be the way to go and I have been looking into it for my race car.

[paulweir]

I love my mag case 1977 915 with LSD. It works great and its very light and easy to work on compared to a G-50. I run my car on the street and it handles my 370 HP 3.5 RSR engine's 269ft lbs of torque fine. I have run my engine up to 9200rpm many times and its held up fine. I have always used a stock early 1970's all aluminum pressure plate I found used for cheap. Its been in there for 15 years and I've never needed a new clutch disc and I drive my car hard. The setup has about 40,000 miles on it now.

[MOMO3.2]

Yes, definitely...everyone that does not have a G50 prefers the 915.

[ChemMan]

Originally posted by charlesbahn
I love the 915. It's raw and untamed. It's a hoot. Of course, it takes practice.

Exactly how I feel.
Mike

[moazam]

Once you've learned and gotten used to a properly working 915 transmission, it's a nice thing. The main issue I had with the G50 (when I finally got one) was that the clutch replacement cost was higher.

I dunno, I always figured it's good that the 915 has all these 'negatives' against it because I could walk up to a seller with a 1986 Porsche 911 and say "Oh no, this has the old transmission! You gotta give me a discount!".

[911nut]

Originally posted by defcon65
It doesn't shift as smoothly as a Honda gearbox....

Since when did Honda become the freakin' standard for smooth gearboxes (and cold air conditioning and all the other things that are supposedly better than any other car)? I've had plenty of domestic vehicles that kicked the crap out of my 915 for useability, starting with my '70 big block Corvette.

[avalad2]

how about the 901? definitely not like a honda, but raw. That's all I've driven so far. How does that compare to the 915?

[herman maire]

I agree.

The only reason I would consider a G50 in a 915 car is for a serious HP 500HP+

The 915 in my 73S really, really surprised me. Once I got used to it, the only slow shift is 1st to 2nd ( just because 1st is geard really low) once in 2nd man it shifts fast. It preety much comes down to how fast I can move the stick.
And this is a stock gearbox, I cant imagine a WEVO box.

Also love the feel when shifting gears and clutch
I even liked the cable clutch in a old VW rabbit I unfortunately had to drive.

[herman maire]

Originally posted by 911nut
Since when did Honda become the freakin' standard for smooth gearboxes (and cold air conditioning and all the other things that are supposedly better than any other car)?

HAh...
I second that .
I think the title for smooth shifting, indestructible, manual transmissions
goes to BMW. I am biased thought.

[Bill Verburg]

I've got both, stock they both were nothing to rave about,

The 915 absolutly needs zero clearance bushes, zero slop coupler, sharp syncros, and a factory short shifter.

The same sort of thing is needed on a G50 only its a lot more expensive to get it done, RS shift linkage, RS shift rod, steel syncros, lt wt flywheel, hard trans and engine mounts.

[c2 rower]

ianc said, "With my cars, the 915 seems to shift more smoothly when it's cold, and gets worse after warming up. The G50 is very balky when cold, but gets much smoother after warming up."

Mine 915 is the same way. Is that a sign that the synchros need a freshening up?

[ThePointman]

I would say the only negative thing is the warm up. Once the tranny oil warms a bit my 915 shifts like a dream. Its all about learning your particular car and allot of patience.

[ANTONIO]

I absolutely second Momo's opinion., Antonio.

Originally posted by MOMO3.2
Yes, definitely...everyone that does not have a G50 prefers the 915.