Vertex rebuilt program

TARGAJACK · TARGAJACK's Garage

Hy guys,

I am planning to rebuilt my transmission ( 915 ) on my Targa. With gears, synchro brake........ I am close to 4 000.00 in parts and mechanic time. Then I see the rebuilt program base on the exchange. 1 500,00 $$ @ Vertex.

Any Pelican tried this way.

Thank you

RoninLB · 01-20-2009, 04:14 AM

only my opinion

Gary Fairbanks from NE US has a post in porsche PANO classified routinely. He is well respected nationwide and is even recommended by a high end NW US 915 track re-builder. Also Wevo recommends him to eastern US guys sometimes. He's a class act.

There are a few great re-builders in the NW US that many pelicanheads use.

and there ain't no way of doing a high end rebuild for cheap.

arbita1 · arbita1's Garage

I forgot the core charge but I'm willing to bet after they open up your core, you won't be getting much back. So that $ 1,500 will go to $ 3,000 easily.

Paulporsche · 01-20-2009, 05:42 AM

About 17 years ago I bought a rebuilt transmission from Vertex. It cost about $1300. I used it for about 70,000 miles. When the R&P went on it I bought a newly rebuilt one from someone local who had had the dealer rebuild it, and was subsequently looked over by a noted engine rebuilder in this area who had built the engine in my car. So far I feel both experiences were good.

Porsche_monkey · 01-20-2009, 06:10 AM

I sent you a P.M.

Matt Monson · 01-20-2009, 06:33 AM

Can a 915 transmission rebuild be done for under $1300? Sure, under the right circumstances.
Labor: $850
Gaskets: $50
Synchros: $360 (1st through 4th, no 5th)

OR

Labor: $850
Gaskets: $50
Synchros $180 (1&2 only)
Dog: $190 (1st gear)

There's two ways to your $1300 rebuild. The problem is that 95% of the time the gearbox needs more than that. It often needs a 1/2 op. sleeve. In my shop we always do the carrier bearings just on principal since as a pair they are only another $80.

Then there's the condition of the case bearings. And does the case need work because the bearing race has hogged it out and it no longer fits snug in there. What about reverse since it's not synchronized and takes a beating in many of these cars? Needle bearings? etc. etc.

A $1300 rebuild is a just to get you in the door price. It's not what I would call a shady practice. It's just a very optimistic way to pitch the customer. In my shop we refuse to nail even close to a hard price until we've got the box apart on the bench. It's the only way you really can do it and be fair to both parties. I will guesstimate for you based on your description of symptoms but it's always a range like $2000-3000.

Also, given your location I will definitely give a +1 to the Gary Fairbanks endorsements. He does good work and quick turn around. He rates are very reasonable and he won't upsell you into things that you don't need. He's a very good option to consider, though the border can be a little tricky. If some of our Canadian members can suggest a similar sort of guy up there without crossing the border it may be a smoother transaction for you.

Nine, Frau! · 01-20-2009, 07:06 AM

From what I have read on this site, I would box it up and send it to John Walkers Workshop.

Porsche_monkey · 01-20-2009, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

If some of our Canadian members can suggest a similar sort of guy up there without crossing the border it may be a smoother transaction for you.

All good points. The $1,300 price is likely a floor.

And I PM'ed him a Canadian option.

yelcab1 · 01-20-2009, 08:26 AM

I bought a Vertex rebuilt unit 15 years ago for my 84, and it worked out well. Good guys and they stand behind their product.

A few weeks ago, I decided to do my own rebuild on the 915 for the 80SC, and it costs $600 for parts with 1st and 2nd dogs, 1st and 2nd synchro rings (They still look new, because I always double clutch), and a $50 set of gasket. There could have been more done, but I chose not to do it. The sky is NOT a limit.

Superman · 01-20-2009, 08:33 AM

John Walker is the guy I trust.

djpateman · 01-20-2009, 08:57 AM

I think Rudy Bartling in the Toronto area might be a good man to talk to. He was racing Porsches in the late 1960's.

Paulporsche · 01-20-2009, 09:51 AM

Rudy is the person I was referencing.

Porsche Head · Porsche Head's Garage

I bought my 915 from vertex ~5 years agao and probably only put ~12k miles on it, it has been in for paint and many upgrades which keep it off the road a fair bit.

I asked for an aluminum cased (later) 915 with early gears (specially a .72:1 5th) and 7:31 with a posi, all for around 1,500. I am happy with it except for some slight 5th gear whine, was not too bad until I installed a Wevo shifter whic put load. I changed the tension springs in the shifter and is ok now, still slight.

When I went to install it it requred diff spline drive shafts from a 930, they were helpfull in assembling these as well.