Transmission rebuilding service in New Jersey

[jimtweet]

I am sure there are many of you guys out there looking for this service. That is the reason for this thread.

I recently started yet another build and my 79 915 was in need of a full service. As most of you already know Gary Fairbanks has retired and is no longer doing any transmissions. To me, this was a huge blow as Gary was somewhat local and had done my last three transmissions.

My major concern was keeping my transmission local, I did not want to get into crating and shipping etc,...I also like to see the work performed and inspect at some point.

Some of the prices I was getting from shops were just absurd and not realistic.

There is where Jerry's comes in. Jerry's is a local porsche / VW / Volvo / BMW shop that has been around since the 70s. Jerry used to service my dads 914 in the 70s and has been around a long time.

At first, Jerry did not even cross my mind, as I thought most of the work he does is day in and day out maintenance.

I stopped in to talk to him for a bit and his eyes immediately lit up. Said he started his business building transmissions and engines. Said its been quite a few years since hes been in one, but no problem.

I dropped my tranmission off monday morning at 9am, Jerry called me at 3pm to come and inspect the guts as he had already taken it apart. He showed me what was bad and what needed replacing. Gave me a price for the parts right away. Tuesday morning my parts came in, Tursday afternoon he asked if I wanted to take a look at the guts before it was buttoned up. Wednesday morning I picked my trans up at 10am.

Jerry said he absolutely loves doing these and wish he could do more. So I thought I would put Jerrys information up here for anyone else looking.

Jerry's European Car Repair
Transmission Shop
Address: 7501 Maple Ave, Pennsauken Township, NJ 08109
Phone856) 662-0841

[Joe Bob]

So, what did the tab run? What needed replacing? Did he check the intermediate plate bearing? Consider using the WEVO plate that holds the shafts like the G50 and 930 trans especially if you have a high output motor.

Maybe a gate shifter? I love spending other people's money.....

[Matt Monson]

Just make sure he uses genuine German OE parts and not Rauch and Spiegle synchros or teeth. If he's been out of circulation he probably doesn't know that there are bad parts in the aftermarket.

[jimtweet]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

Just make sure he uses genuine German OE parts and not Rauch and Spiegle synchros or teeth. If he's been out of circulation he probably doesn't know that there are bad parts in the aftermarket.

I saw all of the little boxes and bags the parts came in, they were all OE parts.

[jimtweet]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

So, what did the tab run? What needed replacing? Did he check the intermediate plate bearing? Consider using the WEVO plate that holds the shafts like the G50 and 930 trans especially if you have a high output motor.

Maybe a gate shifter? I love spending other people's money.....

You can PM me if you want a price, its hard to say as everyones tab is going to be different, but 3 syncros rings, two dog teeth, and one slider, reseal kit.

I see no need for side plate or anything of that nature with a 220 hp motor. I run Wevo shifter and coupler. That is enough for me.

Yes, if you are referring to the bearing that sits kinda in the middle of the trans, sorry I do not know all the proper terms. He said that was ok.

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by jimtweet

I saw all of the little boxes and bags the parts came in, they were all OE parts.

Good answer. An old skool OEM is best guy.

Is this your 74 hot rod that was for sale? You keeping it? I think it's a fabulous car.

[jimtweet]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

Good answer. An old skool OEM is best guy.

Is this your 74 hot rod that was for sale? You keeping it? I think it's a fabulous car.

That car sold a long time ago and was shipped back home to Germany!!!

Onto the next.

[Joe Bob]

Originally Posted by jimtweet

You can PM me if you want a price, its hard to say as everyones tab is going to be different, but 3 syncros rings, two dog teeth, and one slider, reseal kit.

I see no need for side plate or anything of that nature with a 220 hp motor. I run Wevo shifter and coupler. That is enough for me.

Yes, if you are referring to the bearing that sits kinda in the middle of the trans, sorry I do not know all the proper terms. He said that was ok.

Not talking about the external side plate. I am suggesting the use of the internal IM plate that keeps the bearing from getting egg shaped and hand grenading 2nd gear. BTDT.....yes PM me the tab. Always curious on rebuild prices.

New parts? They still available from Porsche? I had a hard time finding a matched 2nd gear. Tyson when he was TRE saved the day.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

I love spending other people's money.....

I called Gary Fairbanks over 15 years ago. I was freaked out about the cost of replacing worn gears before I knew that street 911 transmissions, driven by a wimp, don't really wear badly. To reveal my ignorance, the basis for the call was that it was not easy to slide into first gear while moving.

Gary replied, not knowing the full story, with "What's wrong with replacing worn gears with good used gears?"

[jimtweet]

I did not have any gears replaced as all of my gears were in great shape.

[0396]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

Just make sure he uses genuine German OE parts and not Rauch and Spiegle synchros or teeth. If he's been out of circulation he probably doesn't know that there are bad parts in the aftermarket.

If I may ask, what are the concerns with the Rauch and Spiegle brand, QC?

[gsxrken]

Did not know Gary retired. Damn

[Spumato]

Yes! Nice work. I think a good transmission overhaul with the correct parts should run between $1,800 - $2,000 at a minimum considering the steep amount of labor and various issues that can be encountered with dog teeth being worn and/or synchros that need to be replaced. And the costs can only go upwards from there. If you paid somewhere in this ballpark, I would say you received a great deal.

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by 0396

If I may ask, what are the concerns with the Rauch and Spiegle brand, QC?

Wrong size and heat treat/materials issues. A Pelican member, who owns a reputable NE shop actually had their synchros Rockwell tested when they showed premature wear on several race cars. They were roughly 20% softer than the German ones.

On the 915, their loaded dimension is often too small and beyond the wear limit so they can't generate enough friction to grab the slider. Most mechanics say they just need to break in, but that's not it. They are too big, so they pinch too tight inside the dog teeth.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

On the 915, their loaded dimension is often too small and beyond the wear limit so they can't generate enough friction to grab the slider. Most mechanics say they just need to break in, but that's not it. They are too big, so they pinch too tight inside the dog teeth.

I have heard this and we discussed offline, Matt. Third gear balk after rebuild.

"Needs a few hundred miles to break in"

[Dan J]

Good find Jim These guys with real experience are fading fast

[E Sully]

Jim, I met you at Gary's shop a few years back when you were picking up your transmission. What a great guy. My neighbor called Gary over the summer about a 356 transmission. Gary never mentioned being retired.
As to Bob's comment "What's wrong with replacing worn gears with good used gears?", Gary told me the same thing. He said sometimes the good used parts worked better than the new ones.

[Matt Monson]

My understanding is Gary no longer offers shipping. If you can drop it off and pick it up he will do it. Local service only.

[onboost]

Originally Posted by jimtweet

I saw all of the little boxes and bags the parts came in, they were all OE parts.

Jim, what fluid did you decide to go back with?

Matt, is there still the raging debate over which works better in a 915.. Redline or Swepco?

[jimtweet]

Originally Posted by onboost

Jim, what fluid did you decide to go back with?

Matt, is there still the raging debate over which works better in a 915.. Redline or Swepco?

all 4 of my porsche transmissions run Swepco. I never had a problem. Its a little tight on cold days until it warms up, but then shifts like butter after a few minutes.