AM I BEING CHARGED TOO MUCH FOR A REBUILT 915 TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH?? INPUT PLEASE.
 

Hi all,

I hope everyone is doing well. My '85 Targa is in the shop after I had trouble keeping the car in first gear.

Anyhow, turns out I need to open the transaxle and replace first and second gear synchro rings. My wrench told me this would run about $1500, which sounds pretty reasonable? Can you guys out there confirm this? I've only had the car 6 months, so I'm not happy about the situation.

Also, Warren advised me to replace the clutch, even though the car only has 50K on it (original), mainly to spare myself the extra cost of doing it down the road. My wrench says that would be about $900-$1000 more. So, we're talking about $2500 all together. How does that sound? I'm in the NY area.

THANKS SO MUCH,
JON
'85 TARGA

Does this sound right? YOUR INPUT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.

It sounds like a fair price if you were getting a completely rebuilt transmission. But you're not.

As a comparison you can get an exchange on a completely rebuilt 915 from Vertex for $1000. A complete clutch package for your car is around $700. Labor to R&R the transmission and replace the clutch parts would be around $500.

He stole my answer! I can't imagine an additional $900 for doing a clutch when the friggin tranny is already out of the car!! You can get a Sachs power clutch kit from Perf Pro for $450.

Right, YOU -can get a clutch from Performance for $450. Unfortunately when you bring a car to the shop they don't charge you mail order or internet prices. They have to make a profit $$$ (and they usually do).
So if they charge you $700 for the clutch, and 4-5 hours labor @$70/hr... well it sounds about like $900-$1000.
That's better than 15 hours of labor 12 months down the road when the clutch fails.

And while you can get a rebuilt tranny from Vertex for $1000/ You'll still have to R&R it yourself, or pay someone else to do it. Then what happens when that Vertex tranny turns out to be "not so rebuilt"?

This is why people DIY. Labor adds up, and retail parts prices can be out of hand.

Who has had their 915 synchros and clutch replaced by a shop recently? What did you pay?

------------------
Dan Tolley
1987 911 Coupe
http://www.cheaterswayside.com/911/gallery.asp?sort=0&userid=294

i was quoted $1K just to replace 1st gear on my 901. may go the vertex route and have my dad help me. i'll take my chances on a not so good rebuild from vertex at those rates.
bob
'68 911L

Had mine rebuilt at TRE for around 2700, which included the clutch. So yeah.

if you are not mechanically inclined spend the money

If you are some what spend the money on the tranny, and wait till the clutch goes out and DIY. I did it myself...first time I took an engine out of a car...most complicated thing I had done before that was an oil change, heat exchanger switch and turbo tie rod upgrade...

If you are mechanically inclined do everything.

You will have to spend some dough on tools and such, but it is worth it...and the clutch is pretty straight forward...and you will get to know your car alot better...

it upgrade my 82SC clutch with a uprgrade sports SACHS clutch I spent about 600...

I agree with "82SC". Before I did the clutch on my '86 I'd done brake pads on my VW Rabbit. Leave the clutch alone if it measures out OK.
IMO replacing just syncros is a bit "penny-wise pound foolish". The syncros are only 1/2 the wearing parts. The old slider will wear out you new syncros faster and the tiny burrs on the slider..well don't get me started. If I was going to send my tranny out to have it rebuilt (on the East coast) I'd send it Gary Fairbanks in Conn. I buy all my tranny parts from him and I've only heard good things about his work.
As for Vertex, if you can't say anything nice...
Chris

$1500-1800 is what i quote for a complete rebuilt trans. including r+r. the price can vary depending on how many parts are needed. it's only a guesstimate until it's apart and inspected. being the engine is already out, the time to replace the clutch and have the flywheel machined (always), couldn't amount to more than an hour. i charge $600 for the clutch parts and labor in this situation.

JohnW did the work on my '78SC, and the final price including clutch (as he has specified) was around $2,300.00. Couldn't be happier unless he had added Swepco... ;>

Jw

The old saying does apply here: you get what you pay for...

-Wayne

Hey all,

I can't thank you enough for the feedback. As many of you know, I'm not much of a DIY guy. My tools are very limited (hammer, socket set, screwdrivers. I'm more of a "semi handi-man than a DIY guy). I've changed the oil, and that's about it. Anything else, without the proper on hand assistance and guidance would only cost me more in the long run.

Anyhow, I talked to my mechanic again, at length. He has advised me that he would need to fix the proper portions of the first and second synchros, but he's not sure about the severity of the rest of the transaxle yet, as he hasn't opened it up yet. If the rebuild will not be so extensive, that portion will run about $1200 all together, and up to $1500 if more extensive.

Additionally, he's advised me that he will install a new Sachs Power Kit Clutch for about $650 or $700 more, which will include R&R. Furthermore, should he need to do unforeseeable work, he'll let me know.

So, we're talkin about approx. $2200 max (I hope). My wrench offered to have me over when he splits the transaxle in order to familiarize me with the procedures involved. I am definitely going to take him up on his offer. Thanks to you guys, I was able to "sound" like I knew what I was talking about. He has reassured me that he won't be replacing ONLY bad parts in order to get the car running again. He will make sure that I will "never have to deal with this problem again" as long as I own the car.

I hope he's right. Mighty strong words. All I ask is that it "lasts another 25,000 miles or so, until I get my use out of the car", and opt for new 911. He says, "no problem." He's a good guy, and seems to be working with me more at this point. He knows it's not my intention to take $$ out of his pocket. I just don't want to give him all of mine either.

Anyhow, continued input will be greatly appreciated. PLEASE KEEP GIVING FEEDBACK ON THIS.

THANKS AGAIN,
JON

Hey,

Sorry, I mean "opt for a NEWER 911" (like an 89 or something. Old style, better tranny).

JON