G50??

calereeves · 10-23-2001, 08:33 AM

I hear good things about this tranny, but I know nothing abut it. What are the advantages of it, where did it come from(what cars) and where/how much can I get my hands on one??? are they the same size as the 901-915 trannies with different internals, or are they completely different??
Thanks,
Cale

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

I'm sure I'll get corrected here, but I have a G50 in my '87 Carrera, so here goes. The G50 came with the 1987-89 Carreras -- I don't know anything about the 964's. I've heard (but never driven one) that the 915's had some synchro problems, which were corrected with the G50. I also believe the G50 is capable of handling a lot more HP and its clutch is hydraulic -- 915's were cable. Mine has 75k miles on it and drives beautifully. I haven't driven too many Porsches other than my own. But my tranny has a very nice, large feel too it. I've heard some people complain that the '87s have a bit of a growl to them, which was later corrected with some sort of sound-channeling shaft. Mine sounds great and I love it. I guess the best rule is to buy the newest 911 you can afford, with the exception of a few quirky years.

stlrj · 10-23-2001, 12:12 PM

One thing I have noticed on all the G50's I have tested is the amount of effort it requires to operate the clutch. I was under the impression that it should be much easier with the redesigned hydraulic clutch.

Because of that, I much prefer the light feel of my 915 clutch over whatever improvements the G50 might offer.

Joe

Jack Olsen · 10-23-2001, 01:21 PM

The G50 is not interchangeable with the 915. Porsche redesigned the torsion bar setup to make room for the new, heavier, transaxle. To put one in a pre-87 car requires significant modifications (either cutting, welding and coil-overs or a short bellhousing from Patrick Motorsports). The G50 is a better box, but putting one in is probably not worth the dollars.

------------------
Jack Olsen
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nostatic · nostatic's Garage

most of the clutch pedals in G50-equipped cars have felt lighter to me (compared to 915's), but I think it also depends on the state of the clutch...I drove an '88 with a clutch that was stiff as all get out (ready for replacement). In fact, the 993 has an even lighter clutch pedal (more assist), but I drove one of those the other week that felt like crap (totally shot). So I think it depends on how new/adjusted the clutch is.

I found that the main difference between the 915 and G50 was how much attention I hd to pay during shifting. The G50 will go into pretty much any gear no matter what you do, whereas the 915 you had to know the car and with some, have a slight pause before going into the next gear (or you could always double clutch). But again, it depends on the state of the car. ymmv.

Hellgate · 10-23-2001, 01:59 PM

stlrj and Nostatic mentioned G50s tend to be stiff. That is the case if the shift fork bearing is toast. The factory used a roller bearing that will crush fairly quickly. The solution is a bushing. The G50 also uses a rubber center to mount the clutch. It will dry rot and explode. When it does explode, chunks of rubber can jam the clutch. The solution here is to upgrade to a spring mounted clutch, Turbo type. With these fixes the '87 to '89 clutch is great.

Also, the G50 has been used on many different years. Including 964s, 993 and I think the 996.

Best,

Pete

calereeves · 10-23-2001, 04:22 PM

Jack,
I am not putting this in an early 911, I'm putting it in a (I know....*gasp*) 1968 VW Beetle. I am developing a "very fast shifter" that I was going to use with the 915, but found out that it doesn't like fast shifting very much. The part about the larger bellhousing, coulnt you just use another bellhousing or is it all one piece like the 915? How much would one of these G50s cost me?? and where could I look for one?
Thanks,
Cale
Also, to adress the problem of torsion cutting, I could put an airbag suspension, right?

H20911 · 10-23-2001, 05:22 PM

It will take a lot of $$$$ to do what you are planning. expect 5k+ just to get a trans and clutch that is in good shape.
add a custom flywheel.... hyd pedal assembly coil overs.....axle mods...shifter ....etc.

my guess is that you will have an easy 8-10k into it before you know it. That is if you do all the fab yourself.

we are going way back to my Baja Buggy days here(early 80's)..... but didn't Rino? or someone make a trans that the was drag race stuff that could get a bug into the 9's that would be the way I would go if the option were still around.

good luck

calereeves · 10-23-2001, 05:44 PM

wow!! Thats WAY more than what I'm planning on spending! Thanks, I'll look into the Rhino trannies and see what I can find.
Cale