How big a deal is this for a non-'89 930? I think I'd really like that 5th gear(I will be using the car for a weekly 90-min trip; mostly freeways), but what do you all think?

Why did Porsche wait so long to put a 5-spd in the 930, anyway?

 

Porsche waitied so long becuase the NA trannys weren't beefy enough to handle all the extra HP from our little turbo motors!

Putting a 5 speed, even a G50/50 (turbo) tranny into a 4-speed car is a pretty major deal. The mounts are different and don't line up and the 5 speed won't fit in the tunnel for starters. You need a shortened bellhousing tranny to start...

Anyway, there are threads out there on this conversion if you want to give it a go. I spent extra for the 5-speed (plus having the last of the best of a breed) but having driven the 4 speeds, it's not that big a deal. However, I'm glad I have my 5 either way!

Good luck!

 

I haven't tried the five speed..but there are merits to the four speed as well. Some actually prefer the 4 speed if the car sees track time. All I know is that many times I am driving on the freeway in third and don't even feel the need to go into fourth. Fourth feels like it is geared for fast highway driving. I would rethink the 5 speed swap, unless you really spend a great deal of time in rush hour traffic, then the four speed get's a little old. I believe theoretical top end in a 4 speed car(if you could pull to redline)is 197. Plenty of legroom there.
Rick
'78 930

 

If your car is stock than you can goto 5 speed to eliminate a lot of turbo lag. But many of us here like myself, ZCAT3(Bill) are more than happy with our 4 speed as our cars run and breath totally differently. Even the ImagineAuto boys feel the same way about the 4 speed. If you have enough power which we do, you dont need the 5 speed cause boost somes in so early and we dont waste time changing gears. We are always in the powerband. Hence, I'm very happy with my 4 speed.

 

I like my 4 speed, but I'm switching to a 8:39 ratio ring and pinion from Andial to make the ratios a little more suitable for in town and non-autobahn driving.

It will newter me down to a top speed around 160 MPH, but also give me the ability to smoke most of the competition up to that speed.