5-3 Miss Shift on a 3.2, what are we looking at here?

[PorscheGuy79]

My father called in from Road America with some unfortuneate news...

What kind of damage are we looking at on a 3rd instead of 5th 100+ mph miss shift? Car drove for 1-2 turns before giving up on the power. The car is on the way home from the track but at field lookover shows now external visual damage.

Engine is a very low miles 3.2, MSD ignition, SSIs, Steve Wong.

Jim Richards, do you dare tell Marc!

Im thinking bent valves? What can we check? What can we look for?

Thanks guys. My father is still in good spirits, we will have some fun ahead of us!

[k9handler]

ouch! Sorry to hear the news...good luck with whatever comes of it.

[jester911]

Any idea what you revved to.

[PorscheGuy79]

Originally posted by jester911
Any idea what you revved to.

Not my car, my fathers. He didnt mention which makes me think he didnt see it the tach when it happened.

[RLJ]

The second thing I would buy is a Seine Systems gate shift kit. Back holed my motor one time.They do scream when you back hole em' :-) I was lucky the motor wizard built enough extra in to her that noting was hurt, Luck guy, huh?

My guess is you bent some valves. If your remember, how fast does your car go at red line in third gear. Maybe you didn't over spin it as bad as your think. I have seen one other do this and all that happened was he needed to run the valves.

Good luck,
Randy Jones
1971 911 "Iris"

[Zeke]

Originally posted by RLJ
The second thing I would buy is a Seine Systems gate shift kit. Back holed my motor one time.They do scream when you back hole em' :-) I was lucky the motor wizard built enough extra in to her that noting was hurt, Luck guy, huh?

My guess is you bent some valves. If your remember, how fast does your car go at red line in third gear. Maybe you didn't over spin it as bad as your think. I have seen one other do this and all that happened was he needed to run the valves.

Good luck,
Randy Jones
1971 911 "Iris"

2nd that. Especially when you said it lost power, But to lose power after another turn baffles me....... maybe he just thought it had power in the next turn. I heard the tinkles of a dusted motor on the straight at Streets of willow. Kinda sickens you.

Time for a compression test.

[Dantilla]

Rod bolts?

[Rick V]

Ouch! isn't that called money shifting? I would think some valves/rockers keep your fingers crossed for pop!

[Elombard]

I have heard the common overrev issue for 3.2 is rod bolt stretch but I would not think the first thing you would notice is loss of power... maybe they stretch and the pistons hit the valves. I would think you would hear some banging?

[bcr4d]

Believe it or not, I did the exact same thing yesterday. Someone cut in front of me and I braked hard and downshift thru the gears. When I hit third, I was at about 90 mph. I should have paid closer attention. Anyway, I was able to push the clutch in right away. I was on my way down S.C., and I kept on going. I logged 900 round trip and it still ran like a scared dog. I hope it isn't that serious. Good luck.

[dentist90]

My 3.2 will only go 150km/h (94 mph) in 3rd @ 6250rpm. That works out to 42 rpm per km/hr, or roughly 66.5 rpm per mph. Depends on which ratios you have and G50 v 915.
Anyway, max speed for my 915 in 4th is ~190km/h. Assuming I missed from 4 back to 3 at this speed I could conceivably spin the motor at
190 x 42 =7980rpm for as long as it took me to say Oh Shucks and get back on the clutch. So we're probably looking at 7500-8000 rpm.
Question we have to ask is what is the safety margin built into these motors. 8000 is a lot of rpm if we're not talking about a Honda S2000.
Is it at all possible that the clutch could be the weakest link in the chain? I don't know the answer, but start with compression check. Any valve ticking sounds at idle now?

[dentist90]

It just dawned on me... your DAD tracks a 911? I wish my dad and I had that much in common! 'course I'm old enough to BE your dad. Let us know what you find w.r.t. damages.

[Jandrews]

I did the exact same thing to my RS motor...4th to 3rd instead of 5th at approximately 120 mph on the track. Only required one test (compression check) to reveal 8 bent valves. Costly mistake. You never shift quite the same after an experience like this.


JA

[CharlesJones]

I mis-shifted into 2nd when I was redlining in 3rd and going for 4th, and bent the exhaust valves. When I did it the engine ran on for the rest of the straight and another bend - it only stalled and wouldn't start again when the revs dropped. I think that is what sometimes happens when you bend valves - the engine continues to run whilst still at high revs.

I don't know whether you stretched rod bolts or not - I think if you have a US motor this is more of an issue due to the heavier pistons, but for Euro motor you might be okay. My rod bolts have been okay after my mis-shift, so far - I just needed to replace the exhaust valves.

I would definately recommend the Seine Systems gate shift kit - I fitted one after my mis-shift, and it has made the shifting feel much more positive.

[Quicksilver]

Originally posted by Dantilla
Rod bolts?

If he exceeded 7 grand it has almost certainly reduced the preload on the rod bolts. If it didn't spin a bearing it is lucky. The rod bolts need to be replaced though.

Hopefully the reduced power is from bent valves. That is a relatively inexpensive fix.

A compression test and cut open the oil filter looking for bearing material would seem to be the next step.

[Chulo]

Originally posted by PorscheGuy79
My father called in from Road America with some unfortuneate news...

What kind of damage are we looking at on a 3rd instead of 5th 100+ mph miss shift? Car drove for 1-2 turns before giving up on the power. The car is on the way home from the track but at field lookover shows now external visual damage.

Engine is a very low miles 3.2, MSD ignition, SSIs, Steve Wong.

Jim Richards, do you dare tell Marc!

Im thinking bent valves? What can we check? What can we look for?

Thanks guys. My father is still in good spirits, we will have some fun ahead of us!

I had a chance to speak with him right after it happened, and he took it all like a champ - let's hope its not that bad. He did appear to be in good spirits. Tell him I said hi, and go 3.6 this time (he'll get the humor).

[Kevin Stewart]

Wow sorry to hear it, I think you should pass on the short shift stuff and put a wevo shifter and a wevo gate it will stop the problem with crazy vw shifter. I just put a wevo shifter in, you know when your in third and you know when your going to 5th, Regardless I wish you guys luck, Kevin

[vanwyk4257]

Matt, If your dad is anything like you (and I'm pretty sure he is) he'll look at it as an opportunity to upgrade his car! I hope the damage isn't too serious.

[livi]

Sorry to hear about your dadīs misfortune, Matt.

Hope it works out to a minimum bill ! I accidentally miss shifted into first when going from second to third. First week of owner ship. The sound was horrible but I threw myself on the clutch so fast I donīt think I hurt to much. Have not had any troubles since.

Good luck !

[Jay Auskin]

Matt, that suks. The fact that you said the engine was losing power is an unfortunate indicator there's some work to be done. Knowing you're dad, I'm sure he's taking it in stride.