88 911 with G50 hard to shift when cold

[green912]

Ok, so I know that I probably will have to replace the gearbox oil, but I want to know what other people have done.
My first winter with my 88 911 G50 LSD and the first couple of shifts in the morning and I have to leave extra time with clutch in to ensure a clunk-free gear change.
This "propensity to clunk" lasts for about a mile or two on my commute and then the gearbox oil is "moving freely" and shifts like butter as normal.

I've heard that swepco is good, and I would like other's advice on fluid used.

I really appreciate the knowledge base here and I want to be a good custodian of this car because it is very important to me personally.

The previous owner was a WWII veteran and passed at 94. The opportunity to own his 911 was not one I was going to pass on.

I have checked the gearbox oil level and it is as it should be.

THanks and I look forward to your suggestions.
Kevin

[dtxscott]

Swepco is better for the 915.

For the G50, Mobil Delvac has worked for me. It fixed the cold morning clunks.

[OffCamber00]

Redline 75W90. Use the "NS" if you don't have an LSD.

I have used this in my 88 for years and it works very well.

[MMiller]

I also use the Mobil 1 product..

However when cold my G50 is "a little stiff" in 1st and 2nd until it gets warm. This is true for summer or winter.

Mike

[green912]

Any chance the wise ones can tell me how many quarts, I'm on the road and don't have much time to drill down and research how many quarts for the G50 with LSD.
thanks
Kevin

[wildcat077]

My 89 G50 is hard to shift as well until it warms up.As far as oil quantity goes,i usually purchase 4 liters at each gearbox oil drain or when i drop the engine and i have some left over ...

Cheers !
Phil

[boyt911sc]

Originally Posted by green912

Any chance the wise ones can tell me how many quarts, I'm on the road and don't have much time to drill down and research how many quarts for the G50 with LSD.
thanks
Kevin

green,

A gallon (less than 4 quarts) of gear would be sufficient and you would actually need around 3.5 liters to refill. Last month when I did a gear oil change, I was having difficulty getting Mobil Delvac gear oil and ended up going to the local Porsche dealership. It turned out that they didn't sell gear oil at the parts department but was willing to give me some.

Tony

[mpetry]

Since nobody else mentioned it - make sure your clutch is bled. The G50 has a hydraulic clutch - if it is not releasing fully you can get a resistance and clunk sound when shifting.

[Hnichols]

As others have said, stiffness from first to second when cold is normal. It's there even when I double-clutch.
The clunking might be something more, however, but I'm not sure. Do you get it with any of the other shifts, second to third, third to fourth, etc.?

[onewhippedpuppy]

The mechanic that rebuilt my engine, installed a shortened 5th gear, and installed my LSD recommended Amsoil 75w/90 for the G50. He said he's normally not a member of the Amsoil cult but that their gear oil is very good. I haven't changed mine yet, it's on the to-do list.

I won't worry too much about slow and notchy when cold. I'm yet to drive a manual gearbox car in the winter that wasn't a bit clunky until warming up.

[Justin@Athens]

Kendall, also Brad Penn makes a 75-90w tranny fluid.

[john walker's workshop]

my '87 shifted hard 1st/2nd with swepco, 1st thing in the morning. a kendall swap made a noticeable difference. it's not just for earlier syncros.

[dan88911]

+ 1 for the Mobil Delvac it worked well for me.

[KFC911]

I've tried several including Mobil, Amsoil, and Redline, and have just learned to live with a 1-2 "knotchy" shift when she's cold. I '"baby" her on the first couple of shifts, and when it's REALLY cold, I'll pause in neutral and double clutch for the first couple of times ...works for me. I only have issues from 1st to 2nd and it disappears before I'm out of the 'hood...nature of the beast .

[Richwro1]

+1. On redline n/s. for non limited slip g50. Shifts great cold or hot.

[green912]

well that was nice of them!

[green912]

Originally Posted by mpetry

Since nobody else mentioned it - make sure your clutch is bled. The G50 has a hydraulic clutch - if it is not releasing fully you can get a resistance and clunk sound when shifting.

Thanks, I will check that too.

[green912]

Has anyone tried the fully synthetic royal purple gear oil in the G50? Is it OK with the LSD?

[mdnuojame]

stiffness from first to second when cold is normal. It's there even when I double-clutch.

[mystro]

I am running Royal Purple in everything now. My tranny shifts like new even in the (28 degree) cold. I have used Amsoil in all my other toys but now I am all Royal Purple.

Originally Posted by green912

Has anyone tried the fully synthetic royal purple gear oil in the G50? Is it OK with the LSD?