stevekat

What is involved in installing a 944S2 LSD Transaxle in a 968 six speed, as I'd rather have a 5 speed for DE and want the shorter final drive. I was looking at the PET and it does not look like the transaxle mounting flange casting on the torque tube is the same for the 944S2 and the 968.

The 944 transaxle has a section that rises at the top of the mating casting and has two holes or idents up there. This area does not exist on the 968 transaxle housing. The 968 transaxle appears to have only four bolts or studs to secure it. The 944 case looks like it may have more fastening holes and/or positioning pins. I think I can see where four of the primary holes could line up between the two.

If in fact they work together, with the irregular shaped mating surfaces of the 968 vs. 944 units, does one have to deal with the fact the surfaces do not mate perfectly...does weather get in there? Should one fabricate a thin plate between the transaxle and torque tube castings, as a seal of sorts to keep out the elements? Does anyone already make such a part?

The first photo is a 968 transaxle, the second two are 944 transaxles.

Kyle Donley

I believe you will also need the torque tube from the 944 to make it work. The S2 torque tube has some additional plates welded to it to keep it from twisting. I dropped a 951 engine into my S2 and had trouble mounting the waste gate because of them. If I were you I'd try to get the torque tube from the S2 if Porsche thought it need additional bracing then it probably does.

I think the bell housing from the 968 should bolt up to the torque tube from any 944. If anyone knows for sure please correct me.

By the way do you want to trade? Just kidding your too far away to make it worth while for either of us.

Scootin159

While I'm by no means an expert on the matter.... I have heard before that the 968 bell housing is a little 'longer', thus mandating the use of a shorter torque tube (as is found in the 968).

I'm curious to find out...

Techno Duck

As far as i know the flange on the 968 transmission bolts up directly to a 951 or n/a 8v's torque tube. The shape is different, but all of the bolts line up. Im not sure exactly what the difference is with the S2 torque tube though.

Im pretty sure you will also need one or both rear CV joints, the shift lever (the physical part you shift with) aswell as the shift rod (Which connects the lever to the linkage).

This is what i figured out from when i was researching a 3.0L engine swap into my 8v, so my memory might be a little foggy.

Jfrahm

Please let us know how this goes. I have been dreaming of an LS1 swap in my 968 and the Turbo S trans I have squirreled away might be a lot better for that application.

AFAIK you want to use the 968 torque tube (the 944 ones are too long) and 944 Turbo axles. The 968 axles are different L/R, the 944 axles are the same.

No idea if you need different shift linkage or anything like that.

The speedo is a nonproblem as it is read off of a wheel sensor in the 968.
-Joel.

Techno Duck

The 968 torque tube is only necessary if you are using the engine side 968 bell housing. The bell housing is much larger due to its 2 piece design (making a clutch job only 4hrs or so).

Because this is going into a 968, im pretty sure you can directly swap the S2 transmission in as long as you replace the axles and shift lever and linkage units from a 8v 944, 951 or S2.

special tool

I will swap my 75,000 mile AOR code Turbo S ( LSD/oil cooler) transaxle for any 968 LSD, if anyone is interested.

stevekat

From what I am gathering, the shape of the case casting/mating surfaces of the 968 6 speed Getrag G44 transaxle unit is different from those of the 944 85.5/951/944S2, but that even with a different shape of the mating surfaces, the four primary mounting holes line up and are sufficient for attachment. For installation, one also needs 944 85.5/951/944S2 axles, shift linkage and shift rod. Plan on retaining the 968 clutch, bell housing and torque tube that allow easier clutch replacement. If there is any contradictory or further info or detail, it woud be appreciated.

Also, would like to find out if the transaxle cross member support needs to be replaced/swapped as well.

If anyone has fabricated a thin shield to go between the two to keep out elements, or knows of one that is available, would be interested to hear about how that was done/where available.

All of the responses in the thread have been much appreciated.

boost feen

hey Steve I know Kevin Mann and Mike mitchell have both used 968 transaxles in ther 951 race cars with late 951 and S2 torque tubes! They like you said had to use thin sheetmetal with holes cut into it to mount to the bolt holes and keep debri out. As far as using a 944 transaxle on your 968 you might have to use sheetmetal or you might not depends, you will need the one longer axle from the 944, and all the shift linkage including the shift rod from it. The mounting brakets are different so switching the whole thing is a soulution or you can take your 968 one down and attach the S2 mounts to it! Nothings hard if you have all the right factory stuff?

stevekat

I had to make a decision quickly on the 944S2 LSD transaxle (should be an 083F.) I informed the seller I am passing because after thinking about it, I liked less and less the idea the transaxle and torque tube do not mate properly, though they are compatible. If anyone is interested in this unit, you can PM me for the sellers email. His price is a very reasonable $1400 plus shipping. He represents it has a total of about 75K miles. He mentioned he has had another inquiry. Thanks for the contribution of great info to the thread, I think it shall be a good reference.

josephsc

IIRC, PorscheG96 used to have a 951 tranny in a 968.

I'd be interested in the 944S2 LSD tranny myself, but I'm sure my wife won't allow it....

luckett

PorscheG96 told me that you need the shift lever, shifter linkage bar, and one shorter axle.

W.Bruckner

Resurecting thread.

Looking to install 944 transmission in 968 pending 968 rebuild because of pinion bearing failure.

Info found online is very complete but one aspect is not unanimous: some say the 968 shifter rod can work with the 944 transmission (provided the shifter linkage is 944), others say it must be a 944 rod. Anyone got a definitive answer to this? I'm not sure if the rod can be swapped out easily, looks fairly involved (surely dreadful if the torque tube and rear suspension must come down!)..

Thanks!

67King

Trying to recall from when a friend put a 968 gearbox in a Turbo. The torque tube can stay. The 968 one has a larger hole for the shifter rod due to the 6 speed needing a wider path to travel. Don't believe the rod was changed, as the tube wasn't removed. Seems that there is something with the set screw, though. I think that the 944's tube is threaded, but the 968's shifter rod is, so your bolt may thread through both, which would make installation a PITA. But a lot of guys who race 968's run 944 S2 flywheels (single mass), and thus the 944 torque tube and all that stuff.

mwc951

Oh my! Special Tool!! LOL!!