Beethoven

Gentlemen,

thank you so much for your input. I do indeed believe the groaning is a clutch sound (not brakes), and it disappears at higher revs. In any case. It doesn't feel like there actually is anything grinding, so I'll try to keep the revs up.
Coming from driving "normal" stick shift cars, one does have to relearn how to drive, particularly in the city: not ride the clutch, break with the engine, disengage clutch at red lights, hit the gears at their respective rpms, etc. That makes even driving in the city fun.

Beethoven

fluid15

Beethoven - great choice in car. In the automotive world the 911 stands out, and I personally think the 3.2 Carrera is a gem. And a triple black in good condition is killer when detailed.

Stuttgart951

If you can isolate the sound to the clutch/trans area - its a safe bet that its normal. The G50 Carreras are infamous for "transmission noise."

My car is no different - although the feint sound only rears its head at low RPMs, out of gear, with the clutch engaged (pedal up).

Couple other things you may consider doing right off the bat:

Flush brake fluid, refill with good stuff (most use Super Blue)

Drain and change gear oil - Mobile 1 seems to work best in the G50 - made a big difference in shifting when cold on mine.

MikeF

Beethoven,

Sounds like you found a winner....congrats. To add even a bit more fun to your drives, start using heel/toe when downshifting. Enables you to match revs to prevent lurching and helps keep the car planted when downshifting aggressively. Just gotta get used to being on the brake and gas at the same time while shifting. If you struggle with it...your brake and gas pedal height are adjustable for fine tuning. Practice on the street and you'll really be ahead of the game when you take her to the track for the first time.

Oh yes....I use Mobil 1 15w50 in my 74000 mile Carrera with no leaks what-so-ever. Burning about 1 quart per 3000 miles max. Not sure why others suggest avoiding it....modern synthetics have additives to prevent leakage common when they first came out.

kenshi

I have the same car. Love it.

I use Dino Castrol 20/50. No leaks, no smoke and i do not feel bad changing it as often as i like. Every 2000 miles so far for me, do not like my oil getting dirty...and it is kinda fun to do.

alf

Beethoven

Stuttgart,

yes, that's exactly when the sound occurs, and it clearly comes from the transmission/clutch. Glad to know it's nothing abnormal.

MikeF,
can you spell out the sequence of movements in heel/toe for me?

What's the nature of the shift points on the odometer? They are clearly lighting up very early (at about 2500 rpm) except for fifth gear.

Thanks for all your input,

Beethoven
'88 911 Coupe

78Targa

Not sure if we are talking about the same thing, that is the shift light, but that is only *suggested* for optimal fuel economy. My 944S has that (but not the SC) and it will come on pretty early if you aren't giving it much gas. It won't come on in fifth as there is nothing to shift to. Normally it lights up when the computer chip thinks you should shift to get the best gas milage in relation to acceleration. Notice if you hit the gas when it comes on (staying in the same gear) then the light goes off, as it assumes you are accelerating enough to warrant that gear. Same think if you let off completely, as it assumes you need the engine braking as you are slowing down. There is really no reason to follow them other than gas milage.

Seeing that you are interested in heel-toe, if you want an excellent book to read that is not too heavy but still gives excellent information on performance driving tailored to the Porsche Experience, pick up the Porsche High-Performance Driving Handbook by Vic Elford <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0879388498/qid=1057951892/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-3675014-3747266?v=glance&s=books" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0879388498/qid=1057951892/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-3675014-3747266?v=glance&s=books</a>

It is a great book by an even better driver. Great racing stories and will get you in a performance driving state of mind. You'll defintely want to sign up for a DE or at least an autocross after reading it. Congratulations on your purchase!

T-Bol

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Stuttgart951:
<strong>The G50 Carreras are infamous for "transmission noise."</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Infamous means NOT famous.

MikeF

B-

Regarding heel/toe....do a search either here or on Pelican...lots to read.

Briefly, you are matching revs when downshifting. Imagine you are carrying a lot of speed coming up to a corner. You brake hard with the ball of your foot while, at the same time, reaching over to the gas pedal with the other side of your foot to elevate the RPM's so that when you let out the clutch in the next lower gear, the car transitions smoothly. You then nail the throttle going through the corner...thats the real fun part.

Takes some practice but well worth it. Sign up for a DE...you'll get plenty of instruction and more fun than you've ever had with clothes on!

Mike Scott

From the online Merriam-Webster dictionary:

Main Entry: in·fa·mous
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin infamis, from in- + fama fame
Date: 14th century
1 : having a reputation of the worst kind
2 : causing or bringing infamy : DISGRACEFUL
3 : convicted of an offense bringing infamy
- in·fa·mous·ly adverb

Being one of the many blessed with a G-50 that groans under load at low RPMs, I don't know if I would characterize as disgraceful, but it's not a sound you'd expect from a Porsche and I do get occasional weird looks from people when it happens. Sort of like automotive flatulence

Stuttgart951

Hehe Mike, went to Dictionary.com to do some cutting and pasting but it appears you beat me to it. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

Christian S.

The G50 "I'm going too slow, give me some revs old man" transmission noise is something I seem to remember from my 924S and 944S2 days as well - a hydraulic clutch symptom perhaps?

There's something very mechanically reassuring about it once you've got used to it - none of this remote silent Japanese treatment, where for all you know the transmission could be operating a hundred miles away.

I regard it as a timely reminder that I ought to have planned my journey better and avoided the damn traffic jam I'm currently stuck in - and a spur to find those open roads where the only gearchanging will happen at 4500+ revs......