915 & G50 question

[grocery_grabber]

I have only driven an 84 911 with a 915 transmission. The 915 I drove had some sort of shifter kit on it, so it probably was quite a bit more accurate than a stock setup. However I was shocked how heavy the clutch was. Part of it was how the 911 clutch is anchored at the bottom which makes it different from other cars I've driven, and I wasn't used to that action. I've never owned an automatic car since my first one in '89....but even so I felt very uncomfortable with the heavy clutch and short pick-up. Is this just how they are -- or can you make the pedal easier to use?

I keep reading about the G50, but how does it "feel" to drive comparatively? Is the clutch feel any different?

[ivangene]

LOL!

when I got in my 86' it was like coming home! I hate the light numb feel of a hydrolic clutch....but I learned on a 64' GMC pick-up and had a lot of VW Bugs over the years

the bottom pivot makes heel/toe shifting a dream!!

yup - suck it up buttercup (kidding of course) this is how we roll!!

[sundevil64]

Ditto. I actually prefer the full linkage clutches like on my 64 vette. I like the feel. Although the hc is nice after a long day at the track. You'd hate the clutch on my mustang. It feels like one legged presses.

[G450X]

Once you get used to it, I think you will grow to like the mechanical "feel."

Your pedal bushings may be shot or the cable may need adjustment if it's "really" too heavy. Have you driven a well adjusted 915 to compare it?

If you think a 911 915 clutch is heavy, try my '79 Scout 345 with the T-19 4 speed.....

[Bill Verburg]

Much as I like 915s, when you compare apples to apples, ie a properly setup unit, the g50 shifting action is going to be much less prone to error and much more positive

[na2ub]

After I got my clutch replaced, it felt like a honda clutch. The mechanic even warned me that it will feel "light" because it is properly adjusted. He says lots of people think there is something wrong with it after he puts a new clutch in. I was amazed how easy it was to push. That being said, 15,000 miles later, it is starting to get more stiff.

[schumicat]

the clutch cable probably needed adjustment if it was really heavy. mine is about the same effort as a typical hydraulic clutch in a Honda or Mercedes. there is also an omega shaped helper spring which can lose its springiness, and a new one can reduce clutch effort.

[jmohn]

Originally Posted by schumicat

the clutch cable probably needed adjustment if it was really heavy. mine is about the same effort as a typical hydraulic clutch in a Honda or Mercedes. there is also an omega shaped helper spring which can lose its springiness, and a new one can reduce clutch effort.

If the "omega" spring (referenced by schumicat) was broken/not functioning the clutch would feel much heavier than normal. That said, all manufacturers clutches "feel" slightly different (heavier, lighter, engage differently, etc.), however, if functioning properly, the clutch on these cars does not feel drastically heavier than other cars I'm familiar with.

Jerry M
'78 SC

[ivangene]

Originally Posted by Bill Verburg

Much as I like 915s, when you compare apples to apples, ie a properly setup unit, the g50 shifting action is going to be much less prone to error and much more positive

and the opposite is also true...with some tinkering and upgrades a well sorted 915 is much less prone to errors :P

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by ivangene

and the opposite is also true...with some tinkering and upgrades a well sorted 915 is much less prone to errors :P

hahaha! You are living in dream land

[McLovin]

A properly set up and correctly functioning 915 clutch system is very light, and feels pretty much the same as a G50 clutch.

The catch is, almost no 915 clutch system (cable, all springs, clutch itself, correct adjustment, etc.) is functioning at 100% these days. They all have parts that are in varying stages of wear, out of adjustment, etc.

The G50 doesn't have that problem because it is self adjusting. So, barring some major malfunction, the clutch actuation system is always functioning at 100%, and you get far more consistent feel from car to car.

[ivangene]

and so goes the G50 / 915 debate

we have to agree to disagree because in the end the is NO right answer (unless you live in dreamland - la la world)

[KTL]

The 915 can be made to function better, but it's still never as good as a G50. Even beat up G50s shift as good as a nice 915. Not knocking the 915 necessarily (I currently have one of each, but not for long...), however it's simply that the G50 has improved the mechanical behavior of shifting and gear engagement.

The clutch actuation of the G50 is much better and less prone to wear problems. The only achilles heel of the G50 is its clutch fork actuation and sometimes the fork fingers. Otherwise it is almost flawless in operation.

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by KTL

The 915 can be made to function better, but it's still never as good as a G50. Even beat up G50s shift as good as a nice 915. Not knocking the 915 necessarily (I currently have one of each, but not for long...), however it's simply that the G50 has improved the mechanical behavior of shifting and gear engagement.

Might I suggest you try a 915 with dog box conversion.

[CCM911]

Pedal cluster rebuild, new cable, and light grease on fork shaft for my 915. Now the effort is so light that you can depress the pedal with your hand.

I would guess that the one you felt was not properly set up.

+1 on the ease of Heel-Toe with bottom linked pedals.

[lupin..the..3rd]

Originally Posted by grocery_grabber

I have only driven an 84 911 with a 915 transmission. The 915 I drove had some sort of shifter kit on it, so it probably was quite a bit more accurate than a stock setup. However I was shocked how heavy the clutch was. Part of it was how the 911 clutch is anchored at the bottom which makes it different from other cars I've driven, and I wasn't used to that action. I've never owned an automatic car since my first one in '89....but even so I felt very uncomfortable with the heavy clutch and short pick-up. Is this just how they are -- or can you make the pedal easier to use?

I keep reading about the G50, but how does it "feel" to drive comparatively? Is the clutch feel any different?

IMO 915 clutch is light and easy to use. The early G50 clutch is pretty heavy to push, and even heavier on the release. It's like you have to work extra hard to keep from just dumping it. Much trickier to modulate as compared to the easy and friendly 915.

[grocery_grabber]

I do live in dream world.

Thanks for the entertaining responses.

But all kidding aside, any M3 drivers out there? I'm comparing the theoretical clutch feel of my benchmark cars (an '96 M3 and an '02 M3) to an '88 911 (which I haven't driven). Thinking of buying an '88 but it's 2000 miles away which makes a test drive impractical. It is a beauty though.

[db_cooper]

Once the 915 clutch is correctly set up..it is not hard to use at all. Different than the hydo..but not an issue.

The beauty of the 915 is it is very light unit compared to a G50..like over 50lbs.

Offsets the A/C and accessories weight, for those that worry about it.

[RD911T]

I drove a nicely set up SC with the 915 back to back with a a nice 87 Carrera with the G50. The 915 clutch as much easier to modulate then the G50 as described above. The owner was surprised at how well I did with the G50 clutch as it is pretty abrupt and you have to really ease it out to keep from dumping it. Pedal effort was not high on either. I have a 97 540i 6 speed and the clutch is somewhat like the G50. I also have a 98 M3 and the clutch is more like the 915, but a lighter action. In fact it's quite a bit lighter than my 540i also. As far as shifting goes, the 915 is more old school like a VW bug. I little vague, but delightfully challenging. The G50 is more modern feeling like the M3. Hope this helps.

[plumb4u2]

my first couple days of ownership was a good learning experience, I stalled the car several times trying to get the feel of the clutch and the floor mounted pedals

I absolutely love the driving experience now

I feel that new owners of our OLD 911s sometimes think they should shift like a brand new car

I purchased my car looking for the raw feel of a 27 yr old car without power steering (oh do I love taking a on-off ramp at speed)


I would not concern yourself with the clutch, you WILL get used to it and love it