meiwah98

I cannot find a good '89 930 slant to purchase. Secondary choices would be to buy an '86-'88 930S. Can a 5 speed G50 be swapped into these cars? I read somewhere it is too expensive (meaning not worth it).

Not even sure if finding a G50 is easy or difficult either. Should I just find a less desireable '89 930S that came with a G50 and restore it? Not sure what path to take. Really want a 5-speed in a 930.

Mark Houghton

Yes, my understanding is that the swap can be done (I don't know why it would be any different on a slant vs. standard 930), and yes it's expensive. Many here have done the swap, and many here prefer one over the other.
If you're familiar with the feel of a stock 4 speed in a 930, then I guess the only way to decide would be to beg a ride from someone that has installed the 5 speed. Personally, I like the tall legs of the 4 speed. Things come on so fast in these cars that IMO the 5 speed isn't needed.

meiwah98

I've seen so many posts that have different opinions of G50 vs. 4 speed. Both valid points, but for some reason I thought having a G50 is a "different" experience...whatever that means. Unfortunately, I don't have access to a G50 other than talking to old(er) Porsche mechanics. Most say they are great, bullet proof, blah blah....

I have an '02 996, but that's a 6 speed. I have driven a friends '92? 993 4 speed, and thought it was okay, but only did a city drive, no freeway driving to really get the "feel" for the car.

Maybe we should poll? G50 vs. 4 speed on a 930 (model years approx. 1984-1989)? Is a G50 "different", "better", "not as good?"

Thanks.

Mark Houghton

It doesn't sound like you've driven a stock 930. It - of course - wouldn't be anything like a 996 or a 993, regardless of the number of gears. Ya gotta jump in a 4 speed 930 first and go from there. With the 4 speed, you just stand on it and it pulls and pulls and pulls up to redline, while the other guys are shifting like mad to keep up.

Search here or search on Pelican and you will find an evening's worth of reading on the topic. We seem to be a polarized group on this topic...but then, I've never driven a 5 speed either and might just fall in love with it!!!

pu911rsr

I owned both and the G50 conversion is very nice, it's a ton money If I had to pay to have it done it would not be worth it. Your are better off buying factory G50 turbo, that way you'll get your money back when you sell.
Phil

Noah930

The bellhousing lengths are different on the 4-speed and 5-speed boxes, so it's not a direct swap, from what I've read. I seem to recall people recommending you budget $6-10K for the job. Obviously, no FHE.

Guns951

Stick with the 4 speed, if the gears feel tall, get more power. With my setup the 4 speed gearing is too short at times...its all relative to power output. You have to remember the 930 box was used for the 934s and 935s...so with about 300 hp more than a stock 930, the gearing feels just right.

schnele

I have had both though with different power levels in the same car, I am putting down 562 at the wheels and given how much I spent for my G50/50 I would stick with the four speed, especially since the box I sold was very well sorted. I $13.2K to Patrick Motorsport for a G50/50 with a Paul Guard chromoly differential, the box has all the good stuff like motorsport actuators and synchros. When I got the box brand new the main shaft was not properly machined and when installed and driven it would pop out of third gear under load, I had the box opened up at Speedwerks and that was repaired. The install will likely run six grand if you are not doing the work yourself including the installation of a new pedal box etc. for twenty grand you can do without the extra gear and do like Gabe says and spend it on more power. I can tell you that my car shifts beautifully and the gearing is great since I have a true turbo box the G50 from the Carrera is much shorter.

Guns951

^^ His word is gold, seen his car, love his car and learn from what he speaks.

meiwah98

drmatera

since switching to EFI I haven't given a 5sp a seconds worth of thought

GTgears

The 934's and 935's also almost always used an 8:41 versus the stock 9:38 r/p set. That's close to 20% shorter right off the bat than the street car. Then the race cars had all manner of alternative ratios that could and would be fitted just like we see in a modern Cup Car. There's really no comparison that can be made between a stock geared street car and any of the old motorsports vehicles.

However, all of those things that used to be fitted in the racecars are readily available these days in the aftermarket. We have just finished a run of 8:41 r/p sets with Ricardo and have been cutting alternative ratio gears in our own factory for many years now. And while this stuff isn't cheap, a built 930 box is still gonna be cheaper than a G50 conversion on one of these cars.

Furthermore, given how collectible 930's are becoming as a vehicle, it may not be a smart idea to go cutting the chassis and altering the torsion tubes, thereby compromising the originality of the vehicle. For some people that won't matter, but in the long term, a car with a G50 conversion is likely going to bring less money than an unmolested 930, and the $10k you spent on the conversion is something that will never get pulled back out of the car when it comes time to sell. If you're gonna own the car forever, then originality be damned and make it exactly what you want it to be. But if you're considering yourself a 3-5 year 'caretaker' of the vehicle before you pass it on to the next guy it's something to think about beyond the basic idea of what drives better a G50 or 930 gearbox?

If I can provide any advice on gearing or other things related to the gearbox, please don't hesitate to ask.

Regards,

Matt Monson
Guard Transmission LLC

Bruce M.

I have a 78 930 with EFI (Motec), 500+ to the wheels and a G50 tranny with a Wevo short shift kit.

I much prefer this over stock--just the hydraulics improve shift feel, the Wevo kit is great, and in my opinion the bone stock 4 speed unit felt like a sloppy school bus shifter in comparison.

But do I prefer it 12+ grand worth? Probably not. Glad I did it in the sense that it's better and it's paid for, but I'd hesitate before going through that again.

Mark Houghton

Boy, you've called that one right!

schnele

I am in agreement with Bruce, hey I started my project back when I "was rich" it is like the saying goes "how do you make a small fortune in motor-sports?" you start with a large one. I love having the G50/50 it is taller and more robust than the G50 but if I had to spend the money in today's economy hell no it won't go. Bruce and I had many conversations prior and during my build, he has a very nice car, if you want a car with the five speed and EFI find one that has already been done, go over it with a microscope and strike a deal.
Thanks for the kind compliment Gabe, I think your car is my car's "Mr. Hyde" so wicked invocation of a demonic alter ego.