ready to take the 915 plunge!

OK, I am ready to have my 915 trans rebuilt. I have done (in the past) some VW engines and tranies and inspite of the V8 email trail, I do have some experience with the big blocks ( I swear i will not put one in my 84 Cab)Now here is where I need advice. I live in Southern CA and have read in this BB stories about Motormeister in LA, they seem prety good and fair priced. I hav also looked at Vertex in Florida. I don't know if our hosts at Pelican supply trans, will use them for the new clutch. Any feelings out there between Motomeister and Vertex. I can drive the 915 to motomeister but will have to ship it to Fla with Vertix. Thanks for the help

Steve Larson
'84 Cab

Steve,

If you mean by 'have done' that you have replaced synchros and bearings in a VW transaxle, then why don't you take a shot at the 915? Get the Bentley book, and the second set, Vol. 3-6, of the factory service manuals ... the section 3 is one of the four binders, the largest of the entire set. A press will be needed, and I suspect the 12-Ton Harbor Freight model would work just fine. The tools to replace dog teeth (two different sizes) are less than $100, but you might not even need the one for 3rd-5th gears' version.

One thing is certain, if you 'do' your own transaxle, you already 'know' the trouble spots that need careful attention. So, if you are having trouble with 1st and 2nd gears, I have serious doubts that some mysterious problem is going to 'show up' after you are finished, as opposed to 'rolling the dice' with a rebuilt unit that came out of someone else's car ... which is what happens with 'exchange' rebuilt units!

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

I recently purchased a 915 rebuilt transmission from Vertex (and exchanged my old one). My friend and I installed it. Initially I was unsure about the tranny because was difficult to shift into some gears. But, now that I have driven it about 500 miles it shift very well. Their prices were very competitive I thought. I paid something like $1,050, which included one-way shipping. I also purchased the clutch and flywheel from them.

The only problem I had was that they credited my credit card for the core, instead of mailing me a check. You see, I paid for the tranny with a money order (they charge I think 3% for credit card orders), but in error they credited my credit card which they had on file from a previous order. They were not easy to work with in getting that corrected and I might hesitate to use them again because of the ordeal. I hope this helps.

I had Vertex put in an exchange/ rebuilt 915 (my clutch had been replaced 2yrs prior).
Cost inc labor $1,500.
They did not replace the Shift Bushings/ball cup but I found that an easy project! and very cheap!.
It is a MUST! as you will really appreciate the benefits of this
Tranny was stiff for first 1,000 miles (mostly highway) but would probabley be 500 miles around town.
Hope this helps