915 HD Side Cover & Bearing Retainer?

[widebody911]

My car goes in tomorrow for a transmission rebuild. It's been suggested to me that I get the PHII HD side cover and bearing retainer. I'm on a budget, and trying to determine if it's absolutley necessary.

The purpose of these parts is to prevent ring and pinion failure, but I'm not sure how common that is. I don't ever recall a post on Rennlist or Pelican to the effect "My R&P failed!"

I have a 3.6L and track the car maybe once a month. These bits would add almost $700 to the cost of my rebuild.

Here's what PHII has to say:

The original side plate has a tendency to flex under; if it flexes
enough, it will result in a ring and pinion failure. (expensive
repair!) The original bearing retainer is a 2 piece cast unit that also
has a tendency to move around under load resulting in premature wear of
the bell housing, thrust bearing etc. Our HD unit will prevent this
from happening ultimately saving $$$ in bell housing repairs.

[dean]

Thom,

I heard this also from a Gillian or something on this site. He had a 930 with a 915 and recomended the upgrade. I figure that if my ring and pinion blows up I would get another complete 915. That is the cheep prick in me.

On a side note what pressure do you run? My stock one is slipping so I just bought a HD unit from Kennedy Eng. Products. That should fix it.

Sorry I couldn't help more

[Tyson Schmidt]

They are quite necessary. Without them, it is only a matter of time. Just ask Jack Olsen.

Think about it this way. You cheap out now. You blow the ring and pinion. You get another 915, knowing it will happen again. Only a matter of time. This one blows up too. You now realize you have to build it right this time.

You now also realize that 2 915's died unnecessarily in the process of getting to where you should have been in the first place.

[widebody911]

Originally posted by Tyson Schmidt
You now also realize that 2 915's died unnecessarily in the process of getting to where you should have been in the first place.

Think of the children!

Ok, I'm ordering the bits tomorrow (sad checkbook emoticon goes here)

[Tyson Schmidt]

Lol! You crack me up Tom. Yeah, I know "died unnecessarily" is a bit mellowdramatic, but it gets the point across.
Glad you're doing it right. I've never regretted doing things right the first time. I've definitely regretted cutting corners!

Good luck Tom.

[Jack Olsen]

A 915 is a terrible thing to waste.