Budget for a transmission rebuild

[tdskip]

Drove a car with possibility today but the gearbox was on the way out and shift linkage was near unusable.

What sort of ballpark (understand you can't know for sure until you open up the gearbox) cost for a throughout gearbox rebuild should I be factoring in?

Thanks guys.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Depends on who does it. It can cost $4K for a real thorough job by a pro shop. There are folks who specialize in them who can get it into half-decent shape for $500 (reusing a lot of stuff!) or into pretty good shape for about $2K. Dr. Evil teaches a DIY course and occasionally takes that show on the road, so you can do the job yourself for just the cost of parts. (Which ain't cheap, sad to say.)

Fixing the linkage can go a long way to making the car drive decently, and that's a lot easier and a lot cheaper.

--DD

[effvee]

Hi, any more info on Dr. Evil? I bought a 915 trans, knowing one of the sliders were bad. I don't know of the ratios in this trans, I will need to know the ratios first for my type IV engine. If you would share more on Dr. Evil and his classes, that is if he still hold them would be great.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

The Doc goes by another name around here (Mike and then some numbers?). He's just getting out of med school, but he has traveled a number of places and given trans rebuilding classes. You can find a number of posts from him about those on the 914world BBS. I don't think he has any So Cal trips lined up soon, though.

--DD

[tdskip]

Great info guys - I think that points to buying a car with a decent transmission :-)

[effvee]

Originally Posted by Dave at Pelican Parts

The Doc goes by another name around here (Mike and then some numbers?). He's just getting out of med school, but he has traveled a number of places and given trans rebuilding classes. You can find a number of posts from him about those on the 914world BBS. I don't think he has any So Cal trips lined up soon, though.

--DD

Dave do you sell any shop manuals on 915 trans? Not 901s, if so can I do a will call

[vwracer719]

check out Rancho Transaxles ask for mike or shan. im sure they can give a good price on a transmission.

VW Transaxles and High Performance Transaxles and Transmissions | About Rancho Performance Transaxles

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

The manuals we have for the 915 trans are 911 workshop manuals. The ones for the 911SC contain 915 info; the Bentley is good, while the factory manuals are quite expensive. I'm not sure how they compare, as I don't have a 911 factory manual to compare to.

I didn't realize that Rancho did Porsche transmissions too. Interesting! They're a known quantity in the VW world, so they may be worth a thought.

--DD

[Matt Monson]

I will recommend Rancho for any of the vintage Porsche proprietary gearboxes including 901,911,914,915 and 930.

If you're considering rebuilding your 915 yourself, all you really need is to find Pete Zimmermann's 915 rebuilding blog. He pretty much covers it all.

Dr Evil did his tranny clinic this last weekend in Denver.I believe it's the last one he's going to be doing. I heard something about him training an apprentice who is going to continue his rebuilding services but not the touring clinic. I think he's starting his residency now that school is done or something to that effect. I am sure that one of the 914world regulars will correct me if I've got the story wrong.

Regards,

Matt Monson
Guard Transmission LLC

[effvee]

If you're considering rebuilding your 915 yourself, all you really need is to find Pete Zimmerman's's 915 rebuilding blog. He pretty much covers it all.


Hi, where can I find the Pete Zimmerman's' rebuild blog? Is it on this site?

I also have a 1974 type one trans I had planed to rebuild myself, by transplanting the internals of the trans into a Rhino gussetts case. I'm using a Quaife ATB diff carrier, I jumped the gun by thinking that the new 3.44 r&p would fit my Quaife ATB, which it won't.

I am still thinking about having all four gears ratios increased for a daily driver. The Berg 5th gear addition is just to much money.

If I can find where the Zimmerman's blog is I'll read it.

Thanks.
effvee

[Matt Monson]

Porsche Wiki

Click on the 915 tag on the left and it will bring up all 9 tutorials in order.

[effvee]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

Porsche Wiki

Click on the 915 tag on the left and it will bring up all 9 tutorials in order.

Now that's what I'm talking about.
Thank you very much, as much as possible I like doing/learning 'how to" for myself.

[TFI]

With good used parts, a rebuild for a 901 will cost less than $1200.

I flew out to Dr Evil's earlier this year so he could train me to take over doing the rebuilds. I'm also working on cable shift setups, and doing the CV axle safety bolts.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

I will recommend Rancho for any of the vintage Porsche proprietary gearboxes including 901,911,914,915 and 930.

If you're considering rebuilding your 915 yourself, all you really need is to find Pete Zimmermann's 915 rebuilding blog. He pretty much covers it all.

Dr Evil did his tranny clinic this last weekend in Denver.I believe it's the last one he's going to be doing. I heard something about him training an apprentice who is going to continue his rebuilding services but not the touring clinic. I think he's starting his residency now that school is done or something to that effect. I am sure that one of the 914world regulars will correct me if I've got the story wrong.

Regards,

Matt Monson
Guard Transmission LLC

Will that make his apprentice my grandson? I trained Dr. Evil....

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by tdskip

Drove a car with possibility today but the gearbox was on the way out and shift linkage was near unusable.

What sort of ballpark (understand you can't know for sure until you open up the gearbox) cost for a throughout gearbox rebuild should I be factoring in?

Thanks guys.

It all depends on what you want to do, and how bad the tranny is...

If you are willing to buy a used transmission for about $100-200, then you should be able to put one good one together for the cost of the tools and the gasket kit, assuming that 1st gear is OK on one of the units. If not, figure another $420 for a first gear slider.

Porsche 914 Transmission - Page 2

You can salvage good synch rings and sliders from 4th/5th and usually 3rd gear.

If you can't afford the 1st gear slider, I have used a dremel to re-point the slider with reasonable success.

[effvee]

Hi, I have a 915. I really don't know much of its internals. I do know when I bought it, the seller stated the shifter was stuck. Is there any way of tell what the ratios are besides taking it apart? I'm told the 912 had some great ratios, but I do have a 915.

[red-beard]

There are some guesses that can be made based on the transmission markings. There should be a 915/XX near the serial number.

[Richard Casto]

Originally Posted by red-beard

Will that make his apprentice my grandson? I trained Dr. Evil....

My long lost grandfather! How are you doing!

Mike let me and at least one other person do apprentice work with him. Mike just started his residency and is on self imposed exile with respect to transmission rebuilds. I started up a rebuild business earlier this month. You can find me here...

BlueSkyMotorsports.com

Richard Casto
Blue Sky Motorsports

[red-beard]

Did you inherit my tools or did Mike make you buy a set?

Mike should have been on self-imposed exile about 4 years ago...

[Richard Casto]

He kept his tools. I believe he wants to keep his options open for the future.