A. Saslow

Hey everyone,

I've been reading the board for about a month now and finally decided to get into posting now that my hunt for a quality 930 has begun (talk about that later <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> ). I have heard countless arguments for the 4 and 5 speed tranny. I was wondering if anyone could give me the background and a true comparison of them. Which is faster on the strip? Which lasts longer under stress? Finally, someone told me that the '89 5 speed has no power in first. Is it so?
I am currently looking into a very beautiful '88 930 cab w/ 35k on it.

Best Regards,
Adam Saslow

Brent 930

While the 5 speed is geared lower since it's a 5 speed, I hear the 4 speed can handle alot more power and if your car is modified it's a better match. BUT, I also hear the G50 which is a 5 speed can handle more than the 915. This isn't a stock part on the 89' and would be expensive to do. So it just depends what you want down the road.

UDPride

I think if money isnt a problem and taking time to search isnt a big deal, the 5spd is probably better. Little more refined. But I wouldnt shy away from a 4spd if you found a very nice car attached to it. Id opt for the tranny with the nicest car attached to it and if it ends up an 89 5spd, thats even better. I can only speak of my own 4spd but the tranny feels like its right out of a race car. Big and bulky and sometimes awkward and heavy and finicky. Have to be careful and hit all the gears right. But it also gives the feel of big time substance. Like a mans tranny as if the pieces were made extra heavy to withstand abuse so if your wife secretly took it for a spin while you were at work and grinded the gears, youd still have a tranny left. Nowhere near as slick as my 5spd 951, but rewarding in a different way. Each shift is a THUD. Id personally feel uneasy trying to shift this car very fast. The throws are long and you definitely feel neutral on your way to another gear. Im REALLY getting to like the one less gear though.

ZCAT3

Adam - welcome to the board. This topic has been discussed quite a bit in the past. Try using the search funciton at the top. Here is a fairly recent and relevant thread:

<a href="http://forums.rennlist.com/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000813#000001" target="_blank">http://forums.rennlist.com/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000813#000001</a>

rickc

I have a short throw four speed, and the shift is relatively quick but sure. Having come from a previous five speed, I wouldn't trade the four speed for the world. Too many gears for a car that doesn't need the extra help in the HP department. On a modified car (how many 930's are stock?)It's tough to beat first gear with a 50+ shiftpoint in addition to cruising down the highway in third. On the track the four speed is very much at home. My opinion, personal preference.
Rick
'78 930

350HP930

I love my 4 speed 930 for all the reasons stated above but having a car with the high enough final ratio to go 200 MPH was useless to me.

In my closet is a new 8:39 ring and pinion (about 25% shorter than the stock unit) that is going into my tranny while I am doing my engine rebuild. Its certain to do wonders for the tall first gear and 10" clutch that have hindered me from many a dead stop and tight auto-x course.

Since I like the overall ratios between my gears, having them each be a little shorter will be exactly what I am looking for.

Brent 930

It will be way shorter from what I hear and unless you change your 4th gear you will be running 4k rpm at 75 mph!

Changing 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear is the best way to go but it costs around $4k, ouch!

Mine is still stock

Geoffrey

I have a factory 5spd car and have since shortened the 2-5gear ratio for a top speed of 175. The 4spd is big, balky, and hard to shift compared with the much better G50/50 trans. Although many say that the 4spd with its long gears is good for a turbo car with lots of power, I very much disagree. My car with lots of hp and the 5spd is very, very fast and the gearbox keeps the engine on boost with every shift. I just got back from Watkins Glen and I'm never waiting for the car to come on boost, it is always there. The shorter 5spd gearbox makes the car feel like it has 100hp more than the stock ratio 5spd gearbox. No disrespect meant, but I would never, ever own a 4spd car. This is of course a performance/track perspective. On the street it may be different, although I still like the 5spd on the street.

rickc

I guess that's why they have chocolate and Vanilla. It's very debatable whether the 5 speed is any quicker than a well prepped 4 speed all things being equal...street or track. I have little trouble keeping my engine in it's power band between shifts.
Rick
'78 930

Sameer

I love my 4 speed especially after my Ruf conversion. Always within power band during shifts. Gives very good in line acceleration which is all I want.

ZCAT3

There is no doubt that the 4 speed mates very well with a modified 930. Staying in the power band is really not an issue. At the same time, I have yet to come across a 4 speed that shifts anywhere near as smoothly as a nice G-50. On the track I think the 4 speed is great, around town the 5 speed is surely better (except for those residential streets where you never have to shift at all with the 4 speed). As far as 0-60 and quarter mile times, if that is your thing, I think it is a wash - the 5 speed probably gets you out of the hole quicker, but the 4 speed likely has one less shift to make.

Randy

If 4 speeds are superior to 5 speeds then why not use a 3 speed or 2? Logic dictates that more splits are better. It's got to be an apples to apples discussion. Stock ratios in a 930 trans vs. a G50/50, 5 speed is superior. Custom ratios in either, more splits will be superior. Is the distinction enough to justify the expense and hassle? Probably not, except for a small percentage of folks.

Geoffrey

You really notice the difference between a stock 4spd and stock 5spd in two places; When you start off from a stop, the 4spd is a very long gear where the 5spd is much shorter. The second place is every time you shift, the engine is kept right in the powerband with the 5spd. I'd bet my bottom dollar that if any of you who have a 4spd drove a 5spd for more than just a hop around the block would quickly change your mind. Sure, you CAN make a 4spd work, especially if you change 1-4th gear, but there really is NO comparison.

N421LV

Was there more than one transmission option on the '89 930s? I hear people refer to a G50 tranny and also a G50/50...are they one in the same or is one better (i.e. higher strength)?

Randy

They have the G50/50. Very different from your naturally aspirated types of G50 variants. Significantly stronger.