tempest411

Hello,

I'm at a point where I want to think of putting together a transaxle for my project. The engine will be a plain-jane 8V NA, but I'd like to put something together that is more robust than the transmissions they came with, which from what I've read have a reputation for shredding their ring and pinions. I think I've read somewhere that an S2 ring and pinion will swap in, though this was one anecdotal account only, and I've been unable to confirm this. I'd be inclined to just try and find an S2 transmission, if that's an option.

I haven't gotten a chassis to put anything in yet, but the plan is to get something between an '82 and 85/1. I also won't be tracking it, but I need it to be solidly reliable as a daily driver.

Any suggestions are much appreciated!

Rick

Van

I think it's very unusual for the NA transmission to have a ring and pinion failure with just street driving. All the failures I know of have been on the track or with turbo/V8 engines.

An S2 transmission will bolt in to the car - but the actual S2 ring and pinion will *not* fit in a NA transmission housing.

Tiger03447

Chck out Retro Automotive in NH..I think that they have a couple of S-2's trannys..but you may have to do some mount changes/mods to get it to fit.....
Good luck Tiger 03447

V2Rocket

My NA's r/p grenaded just cruising on the highway at 70mph, having already covered 60 out of the 80 miles I had intended to go.

That was my car's original trans and it would have had less than 80k miles on it at the time.

I fitted a 951 trans as replacement and am happy with it, but I might go to an S2 unit for the high diff ratio for easier street driving.

Dimi 944

Sorry to hear for your troubles. You cannot use a S2 pinion in a 944 2.5L NA transmission because it is longer and thicker and not all the gears can be fitted.
90% of the failures I have seen of the R&P are due to failing pinion bearings and not due to the R&P integrity.

I can help you with any transmission choice you might be interested in. I have a good ASG transmission from '89 944 that I can open and inspect. I also have a good S2 transmission thay I can further inspect. Let me know via PM or email.

tempest411

I've read enough stories about NA cars losing their ring and pinions just like this that I consider it as an inevitibility with the stock transaxle.

Dimi, I have sent you a pm...

Dougs951S

The same thing happened to sausagehacker, he diff pooped the bed while he was going 70 on the interstate. It was the original trans, it does happen.

odonnell

It was stupid because it locked up the rear end and sheared the splines on the torque tube (trans side) and cracked the bellhousing in two places. I'm probably an idiot for replacing everything with NA parts, but a parts car practically fell into my lap.

bordin34

My N/A rear diff exploded when I was taking off from stop sign slowly. One tire spun on gravel then dead hooked on the pavement. Then I tried to drive home about 1 mile. However my trans had obviously been opened and poorly repaired before.

Arominus

a 944S transaxle is also an option, the ratios are similar to the NA and its beefed up on the same transaxle platform as the S2/turbo transaxle. Its just not beefed up as much as the s2/turbo. They should be a little bit cheaper to source than the S2 trans.

333pg333

The 944 S has a smaller/weaker r&p than the S2 for reference.

Arominus

I stand corrected, I thought it was part of the lmproved transaxles. Apologies.

tempest411

I understand that the S2 transmission is slightly taller in the first gear and final drive, but with 3.5:1 vs. 3.6:1 on 1st, and 3.875:1 vs 3.889:1 on the final drive, I don't think I could miss it that much. I may even appreciate it as I do a lot of 50+ mile drives around the S.F.Bay Area.

Dougs951S

It is, its still beefier than the N/A box which I consider to be just barely adequate (porsche agreed too!)

V2Rocket

In pure street driving where you have chances of straight-line speed the 951 box will make your 944 faster than a standard car (contrary to popular opinion)...also other cars like 05/06 Civic Si

You can hit ~72-75 in 2nd gear depending on tire size whereas the 944 would be well into 3rd by that point.
1st goes over 40.

The only downside is that you have to be a little gentler on the clutch to get the car rolling from a stop because there is less gear advantage. But being able to drop to 3rd or even 2nd to pass someone on the highway is awesome.

You will like it.