Back to the world of Porsche! Bought a "86 951 -w/ blown transaxle

[ditch68]

Hi, there.

I have been a Pelican off and on for a while, started out with an 88 924S, sold that for a Frankenporsche 1965 912 with a 911 engine....well, that was not the right car for me, so I later sold it.

But I just could not live without a Porsche, and the 951 has always been my goal.

SO...

I just bought a 1986 951 for a song, knowing the ring and pinion is shot. The rest of the car is pretty clean and solid, 107000 miles. Timing belt is getting done immediately, as I don't have a 100% date of replacement (just a "I think about 20,000 miles ago", which may as well be 100,000 as far as I am concerned without a record to prove it.

So, my first question is are there any major issues with plopping a N/A transaxle in it until I can source another 951 LSD trans (if that is what is in there in the first place) I found a shop with 3 takeout N/A transaxles for $295 apiece.

I have read up all over on the trans swap, I can easily handle it (I am an aircraft mechanic by trade).

I LOVE this car, it is the Porsche I have wanted since High School, and it is a keeper. For real, this time...LOL.


Looking forward to being a regular here.

Thanks!

Jeff

[ditch68]

...and for the record, I am in Tucson, AZ. Love to meet nearby Pelicans!

Jeff

[Catamax944]

looks good , should be fine with the na gearbox for a while and pretty fun to drive with the shorter gears. Never seen though an '86 with airbags before...?

[very~worn~944]

Nice find! What are you looking to pay for a tranny? I have my 86 951 roller in my garage that I'll be parting out. It has a factory LSD tranny with cooler loop. I am in the Bay Area, Ca- 95008 for shipping ideas

[kdjones2000]

Jeff,

Nice looking car - it looks to be mostly if not completely stock.

I have a non-LSD "UY" transaxle from an '88 951 if you are interested. I am right off of I-10 in SE Phoenix, so not too far from you.

Cheers, Keith

[ditch68]

I wasnt sure what year the airbag was offered...hmmmm.

Yeah, I was hoping the N/A would work, the ratios will be more like the close ratio box in my 911, that was FUN!

Id love to talk about your LSD, send me a pm or email. Even if I get the N/A trans, I want to have a correct LSD waiting in the wings for it.

Kieth, same to you, shoot me an email or PM...I think your turbo trans may ne my best bet in the near term.

Jeff

[Rasta Monsta]

I have a 951 LSD, no cooler, in a crate (V8 project never happened), I would be willing to sell.

[ditch68]

And yes, I am pretty sure the car is 100% stock besides a K&N air filter.

[jcommin]

You could call:

944Ecology and see if they have one to swap
Ian at 944 online for a swap

rebuild it for about 2K with Kevin at Catellus Engineering or
NicK Miller who lives in Indiana

[Eric 951]

Nice car. The airbag wheel was definately added probably from an 87. The turbo script is on the wrong side of the decklid--possible re-paint?

Anyways--car looks nice, you won't regret the 951(see my sig).

[p-talk]

Excellent! I saw that on the local Craigslist. I am in Tucson as well. Hope the car turns out well!

[ditch68]

Thanks for all the ideas re: the trans. Shouldn't be a problem getting what I need to get it back on the road.

As far as the airbag is concerned, is that a self contained unit, with the accelerometer in the wheel? I mean, is the airbag likely functional if it was swapped in?

And yes, definite repaint. I noticed the turbo script before I even saw it in person (ad pictures). Paint is horrid, needs a complete repaint, very oxidized on the roof and hood. I crawled all over it and found no overt evidence of collision repair.

Needs some little stuff like the sunroof drive gears (did that job on my '88 924S), tempermental headlight/parking light switch, highbeam switch, and little defects here and there.

Really can't wait to drive it!

P-talk, yes, Craigslist! We should meet up at some point.

Jeff

[ditch68]

Well, I have to be fair and honest. The car ( most certaiinly the nigine compartment) did NOT look like this when I brought it home. I spent an easy and loving 6 hours cleaning and detailing with a toothbrush and countless rags and specific cleaning and preservation products.

The good news is that it was just dirty, not greasy or corroded.

Just a fantastic car that lacked that "pride of ownership" that makes the difference.

I can, and will, provide all that.

Truly loved cars have the mechanics sorted, the cosmetics addressed, and the overall appearance and performance makes this obvious.

Im that guy, and the car will certainly be all it can in my care.

Jeff

[PAUERMAN]

I've got 3 open diff 951 transmissions available. All 3 have the cooler loop and are in good working condition.

$350 and I'm in Mesa.

[xsbank]

What would you do with a used transmission? Certainly change the oil - would you open it up for a look-see or just offer it up to the car and go for it? I may be faced with this in the future, maybe this winter. Another thing, Torsen or Quaiff?

Congratulations on your new acquisition - best year!