Automatic transmission

Razorback1980 · Razorback1980's Garage

In my younger years, I had a Porsche 944. My daughter was young then but is growing up now and will be turning 16 soon. When I asked her what car she wanted....well you guessed it, she wants a 944. We have a little bit of a problem with her driving in that she like to accelerate very fast and she tends to drive faster than she should, so I'm a little nervous...okay a lot nervous. My daughter has cerebral palsy and her left side doesn't work as well as her right so he is wanting an automatic transmission. So, here is my question...Has anyone owned a 944 with an automatic transmission and if so, have you had many problems with it or seen an tendencies with it at all? My limited mechanical abilities allow me to rip apart a 5 speed fearlessly, but I won't go near an automatic. But her driving a five speed with her left arm functionality and especially the acceleration problem make me tend to want to get her an automatic.

Thanks for any information you care to share....

Tom

Moneyguy1 · 11-11-2005, 09:31 PM

I had a 1977 924 with auto for a number of years. Never had a problem with the transmission. My wife liked to drive it, it looked good and wasn't fast enouogh for anyone to get into trouble with it!!

Razorback1980 · Razorback1980's Garage

Thanks Bob. Do you know if the 924 had the same (or very simiilar) transmission as the 944?

Tom

Techno Duck · Techno Duck's Garage

My first car was a 924S, automatic. Same box that was in the early and late 944's.

They are pretty slow, 0-60 is about 9+ seconds. Thats not to say it will stop someone from exceeding the speed limit however. The transmission is actually pretty good, shifted smoothly and never had problems with it on my ~70k mile car. Its made by Audi im pretty sure.

The only big complaint i have with it, the car was a 3-speed with NO overdrive. Which means it turns a fairly high RPM at highway (60mph) speeds. I think it was about 3000k rpm at 60mph (give or take a bit). Its noisey, and you are always left to wonder if you could be getting better gas mileage.

Brando · Brando's Garage

My first 944 was an automatic. It seemed to get above operating temp easier than most other 944s. If the flex-disc is starting to go bad bring cash. It's not cheap.

Razorback1980 · Razorback1980's Garage

Well, the acceleration factor was something I assumed. It's also been my experience that automatic transmissions pull the engine more and therefore get less gas mileage not to mention the overdrive issue. I've also heard of the flex disc problem and I know about that cost which isn't a good thing but then again, neither is a new clutch. You have all been very helpful and I thank you very much.

Tom

livewirevoodoo · livewirevoodoo's Garage

I have one now, for a little over a year, an '87 with about 85k on the dash. Everything said above by others above holds true. Most dissapointing is the high RPM at highway speed. But during my 10 mile commute back n forth to work during city traffic i have no problem. It drives fine, and the second or so that is added to the 0-60 time, well... the 944 isn't a beast off the line anyhow, so you aren't missing a whole lot. On average i get between 20 to 22 miles per gallon.

Have kept all trans fluids and filter fresh and havent had an issue with the gearbox yet. Real sluggish while cold though. From what i've read here when someting breaks with the trans its usually cheaper to buy another used transmission and replace than to fix. Thats something to keep in mind. Another thing is that random parts (outside of the trans) different between auto and 5-speed (radiator, speedo, some others) so part prices/availability aren't *much* different or harder to find, but might not be as straightforward.

Oh yea, and there is the expensive flex disc issue.

924RACR · 11-12-2005, 05:05 AM

I just picked up a 924S auto cheap... it's very pretty (great way to go for inexpensive but good shape, 924S's are worth less than the same age of 944, and autos even less) but the damper is shredded. A new damper is $900 from one of the big parts houses. Yuck.

Clutch kits are now going on ebay for $400 min. I'm planning to convert this one, but I've also heard that one cost-effective option Tom Charlesworth et al are now playing with is just put on a clutch kit without actuation. You'd need to swap the starter ring gear, but other than that it sees feasible, not to mention half the cost.

As for details on the trans: the 2.0L 924 had an Audi/VW 3-speed auto, my first 924 was one of these, and I can vouch for the lack of nuggets and high revs on the highway. On the plus side, you were right in the powerband and locked up when cruising, so passing was easy, even with that little 2.0L.

I'd thought that the 924S/944 trans was a 4-speed Mercedes unit, like the 928. OK, no, you're right - I just checked the manuals. Well, that sucks! It's probably still the VW unit, then.

One more note on buying autos - from what I've seen, it's pretty hard to abuse the engine with an auto, so you're probably more likely to end up with an engine that hasn't been abused as compared to buying a used stick car.

Moneyguy1 · 11-12-2005, 06:29 AM

Add to the different parts..the half shafts are also different, but the CV joints are the same.

XxKHxX · 11-12-2005, 11:03 AM

i own at 944 84' automatic. the flex disk went...and it cost about $1800 to fix. other than that, autos are pretty slow on the accel and downshifting is slow. they only have 3 gears compared to the 5-speed.

Razorback1980 · Razorback1980's Garage

Did you have the flex disk put in or was the 1800 just for parts? I can do a lot of things myself as I used to do the drag racing circuit on a national basis with an 8.5 second car I built, so I can do a lot but it's been mostly with American cars. As I said before, I had a 944 a few years back and did some work on it. The most I did though was replace a bent valve in the motor because I took it to Texas World Speedway and stripped the teeth off the timing belt. It was a five speed and I put a lot of miles on it (around 225000) but I really didn't have to do much other than what I screwed up at the race track so I wouldn't say my mechanic experience is real high with a Porsche....yet. I can't imagine where that girl gets that need for speed or acceleration. This forum is great, you all sure have a lot of knowledge about this car. If I buy the one she is looking at, I'll be asking for all this good information some more. Thanks to each of you for sharing. Your kindness is appreciated.

Tom

Razorback1980 · Razorback1980's Garage

Hey Livewirevoodoo, you brought up some good points I hadn't thought of about some parts being different such as the radiator. Appreciate the help

Tom

livewirevoodoo · livewirevoodoo's Garage

Razor - Depending on where you go, the flex disc is anywhere from $650 (vertex) to $900ish (pelican). The rest (around a thousand) is labor. In all honestly, I have never even seen the write up for a flex disc replacement to see how involved it is. I think it clocks in somewhere around 20 hrs of shop time though.

Which brings up an interesting question of my own. I know there are some current (and prior) auto owners here. Has anyone attempted a flex disc r&r themselves? Or atleast have a high level overview of the steps involved? Thanks.