Need help identifying 915 tranny code
 

Hi all,
Last night I went to look at a 915 tranny a guy was selling for $400. According to him the trans was recently rebuilt from a '78 SC that was involved in an accident. The tranny itself looks fine, but that's just the outside. I can't tell the difference between the colors of magnesium and aluminum (not yet, anyway) unless they're side by side, so can anyone tell me what they can about the tranny code (number) 915.301.301.0R? Thanks!

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Jeff
1976 911S Coupe

Jeff,

That is just a raw casting number. The transaxle serial number and type number (of the form '915/xx') are stamped near the drain plug on the underside. Both of those numbers will positively ID the production year and original gearing from the factory!

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa
1992 Dodge Dakota 5.2 4X4 parts hauler

D'OH! Thanks Warren! I'll go home (yeah I already bought it) and check what the number is and post it. Would those codes also say if there's a factory LSD installed?

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Jeff
1976 911S Coupe

[This message has been edited by Rufblackbird (edited 10-04-2001).]

Ok...I'm home, and here's what it says:

915/67 12 73D 4268

So...was that guy honest, or did I get the Shaft? Thanks!

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Jeff
1976 911S Coupe

[This message has been edited by Rufblackbird (edited 10-04-2001).]

According to my "Red Book" that's a 915 tranny from the '84 RoW Carrera. I suppose it's possible that it was fitted into a late '83 SC too.

Jeff,

It is a ROW 1983 transaxle, and the '12' between type number and serial number DOES indicate a limited slip differential!

8:31 ... 3.875:1 ring & pinion

1st - 11:35 ... 3.1818
2nd - 18:33 ... 1.8333
3rd - 23:28 ... 1.2608
4th - 29:28 ... 0.9655
5th - 38:29 ... 0.7631

The limited slip is worth 2.5 times what you paid for the whole transaxle!
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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa
1992 Dodge Dakota 5.2 4X4 parts hauler

[This message has been edited by Early_S_Man (edited 10-04-2001).]

Jeff? "YOU DONE GOOD!" Paul

An `83 915 with LSD for $400?!? You lucky dog.

-Eric

"12" means factory LSD? HOLY *****!! SWEEET!!

Thanks Warren! I just hope the LSD is still in there!

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Jeff
1976 911S Coupe

Jeff,

If you turn one output flange ... and the other one turns the same direction, then you have an LSD in there!

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa
1992 Dodge Dakota 5.2 4X4 parts hauler

When I put car in nuetral and turn wheel both turn in same direction. When car is in gear and turn wheels (by hand) they spin in opposite directions. Is this right?
Thanks

No 85Euro, I think your like me and just have the open diff. The wheels are supposed to turn the same as stated in Warrens post.

Shawn

Umm...Warren, does the tranny need to be in gear for both flanges to turn the same way, or does it not matter? If it does, how do I put it in gear? Thanks!

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Jeff
1976 911S Coupe

Jeff,

It doesn't matter whether it is in gear or not. If the flanges turn together, which means they aren't free to turn independently, then there is a limited slip, and it is doing its' job!

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa
1992 Dodge Dakota 5.2 4X4 parts hauler

Awww....crap. The flanges turn the opposite way. DOH! So much for getting more than my money's worth. Well, as a recommendation to folks in Hawaii, do NOT buy anything from a guy named John Mayers Jr.! If you've got a tranny with limited slip and you take it to him to rebuild, he will take it out and keep it!

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Jeff
1976 911S Coupe

I just talked to a porsche tech at dealership about my concerns about if I had limited slip. He says put car in nuetral and spin driver side wheel. If other wheel spins in same direction it is LSD. I told him that when I put it in gear and do this, (although I dont remember if I spun the driver side wheel or the passengers)that the wheels spin in opposite directions. He stated that if it was factory installed it is 40% LSD and that mine could be worn a little. I guess I will try the burn out method when I get home from work tonight.

Hey Jeff, like I stated in this post earlier, when car was in gear wheels spun opposite. In nuetral they spun together same direction. Did burnout test this morning (on gravel) and left two distinct marks. So maybe you do have LSD in your tranny. I hope so.
Joe

Thanks Joe, I guess I'll have to either drop my trans and put this one in, or I'll have to open it up and see!

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Jeff
1976 911S Coupe

915 trans
 

You thought you had gotten a supper deal when the serial number indicated it originally came with a limited diff. But when you found out you JUST got a good used open diff. transmission as I sold you, and for only $400. You bad mouth me?
Very Unfair!
I sure people reading this will see the weakness of your compliant.

Jeff if you have any questions or unresolved issues with me please contact me and lets talk about it.

Aloha to all,
John Mayers