944/968 transaxles

[jonvo]

Out of the 944, 944s, 944s2, 951, and 968, which transaxle is built the strongest? Which ones have the shortest gears? I want to do a 968 swap in the future and I'm trying to figure out which transaxle to use. I like the acceleration of short gears, but I am also concerned about all the extra torque from that motor.

BTW, does the 968 transaxle fit directly into a 944? Assuming that I need to use the 968 torque tube.

[Brando]

944 Turbo trans be the strongest and with the highest gears IIRC.

The 968 does have a 6-speed though, if that's what you're looking for...

[Rasta Monsta]

I have a 951 LSD trans for sale. . .PM if interested.

[josephsc]

A 968 tranny swap is another major project all together. In addition to torque tube, you'll also need to figure out where to pickup speedo-sensor from. And I have heard there can be geometry problem with the spare wheel well (depending on what year model).

As for shortest gearing, lots of good info here: 924.org Transaxle page. But the 944na with the short 5th gear (MY: 1988) is as short as they get, but they are weak. I grenaded one within 5k miles of mating a 944na tranny to a 968 motor.

If I was to build from scratch and money was no object, I would look for a 944S2 LSD tranny -- strong as the 951 tranny and similar gearing as the 944na.

BTW, I'm parting an '87 with a 968 swap in the Bay Area -- give me a PM if you need anything.

[smokin_944]

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say it is the 951 S transmission because those are AOR transmissions that can handle 500+ horsepower (think well built SBC with 4 bolt mains or a full house stage 3 or 4 turbo engine). First and second gear are hardened in these trannys and they are LSD. You would have to swap parts out of the 968 tranny or the S2 tranny for them to hold up as well because the gears are not hardened. If you drop the hammer on a 968 or an S2 tranny, say bye bye. It really depends on HOW you are going to drive it. For the968 swap you could use the S2 or the 968 because you aren't near the danger/power limit. Thats my .02 cents worth.

[racer951y]

Originally Posted by josephsc

A 968 tranny swap is another major project all together. In addition to torque tube, you'll also need to figure out where to pickup speedo-sensor from. And I have heard there can be geometry problem with the spare wheel well (depending on what year model).

As for shortest gearing, lots of good info here: 924.org Transaxle page. But the 944na with the short 5th gear (MY: 1988) is as short as they get, but they are weak. I grenaded one within 5k miles of mating a 944na tranny to a 968 motor.

If I was to build from scratch and money was no object, I would look for a 944S2 LSD tranny -- strong as the 951 tranny and similar gearing as the 944na.

BTW, I'm parting an '87 with a 968 swap in the Bay Area -- give me a PM if you need anything.

In my S2 I dont like 4th and 5th. It does not seem it sit well with the output of the engine but that could just be me.

[jonvo]

Originally Posted by racer951y

In my S2 I dont like 4th and 5th. It does not seem it sit well with the output of the engine but that could just be me.

What do you mean by that? The gears are too long in 4th and 5th?

I have run a 944S2 transaxle behind a 968 engine in my track car since 2003--literally hundreds of track days--with no problems. The transaxle has a Guard GT Torsen and a short 5th gear. The 968 motor is built and puts out 280 hp, BTW.

[racer951y]

Originally Posted by jonvo

What do you mean by that? The gears are too long in 4th and 5th?

The car just seems like it would pull better with lower gears in those spots. The engine still wants to pull at 4700+ RPMS but the gearing lets it down I shift from 3rd to 4th and it is just drops the engine way out of the sweet spot and 5th is overdrive so not really a "race" gear.