Bryan

Does anyone know if a 968 transaxle bolts into a 944 with the "late" style transmission mount (the '88-up single mount above the transaxle)?

I can envision potential issues with the torque tube, axles, mount, shift linkage, and speedo sender (although electric speedo in the '88 car).

Anyone done this or know the do's and don'ts?

Thanks,

Bryan

Dave

I don't know all the details but FWIH you also need the torque tube and possibly the bellhousing/clutch/flywheel. The 968 gets its speedo from the ABS computer so you'll have to get creative on that.

Z-man

Why would you want to do that? IF for the 6-speed, then IMHO, it's not worth it.

-Z.

Matt H

Z-Man, I have a friend who swears by the 6-speed on the track. I dont know if it is worth it on the street (his speedo still doesnt work) but I have heard great things about it on the track.

It does work but the cost of the conversion is more than most NA and even a few 951s :>) Dave is right about the speedo.
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mmmbeer

100% perfect fit. Exept the 968 gearbox have no speedo output. On the early 944's with two mounts you need some improvising, but no problem. How come people speak of things they know nothing of?

The 968 has a shorter torque tube due to the larger bellhousing, the gearbox is exactly the same.

Matt H

Who said anything other than what you said. I think all of us concur that it does indeed fit. Therefore, who was speaking of things they know nothing of?
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mmmbeer

Maybe I got this wrong, or...? I understand all exept the "FWIH" part

Z-man

Matt: how often does your friend use 6th for the track? Most of the time, I'm between 3rd and 4th gears (3rd is good to 80mph, 4th is good to 120 in my car), and very rarely do I get into 5th. (ex: Watkins Glen & Pocono are places where I use 5th).

If it's the gear ratios, then isn't the 944S2 gearbox similar in gear ratios to the 968 gearbox, minus the 6th gear?

Bottom line for me: you don't need to get a 6-speed to have different ratios. Heck, custom gearing for a 944 may be cheaper and more complete than shoe-horning a 968 transaxle into the car.

More of something isn't always the best answer (except for horsepower! )

-Z.

mmmbeer

Exept for the high price/value of the 968 gearbox it is superior to the 944 NA gearboxes in all ways. Although gear ratios are a very subjective issue.

The 968's sixth gear is about the same as the S2's 5th, a bit slower actually. Thus giving you 6 gears for the same area as you get 5 in a S2. That means quicker acelleration and maintaing about the same highway cruising rpm. That canot be done in a 5 speed.

Matt H

You can hit 6th on the backstraight at TWS, since that is his home track I would say often enough :>)

I believe the ratios are different from the 968 box to the 944S2 (I would have to check but the info is at home).

He is in the repair business and got the box incredibly cheap (connected the 3.0 (which is being prepped now). Wouldnt that be nice?

mmmmm- he is right you do need the bellhousing/driveshaft. And the speedo is run from an ABS sensor not from the box like the rest of the 944 series.
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ErichCS

hey guys!
Has anyone on here actually done this to their car? Either a 951 or an N/A. I have seen both(968/944) transaxles and as someone already mentioned the dimensions are the same and the they are interchangable. Cept(pretty sure) for the half shafts or CV joints which ever you prefer to call them.

But my question is who has personally do this, as i would like to hear your thoughts on the differences...
Thanks!
-Erich

mmmbeer

This is not true!!
You only need the torque tube if you go for the 3L engine which have a larger belllhousin. Which part of "the gearboxes are the same" do you guys not get?

You could put the 968 gearbox in a 83 model 2.5L if you wanted to. The gearboxes are exactly the same proportions. I have two of these gearboxes in my driweway and an S2 in the shed. I have personally done this job. There is no doubt. Check my website for pics. Have you guys ever seen a 968 gearbox?

Added: The right driveshaft length varies from the early cars (same as 968) to the S2. I do not know if the 85.5-88 models have the same lengths as S2 or early 944 and 968.

Matt H

The *dimensions* of the BOX are the same, that is all. The one I helped install was on a 3.0L converted 951. My fault for making the assumption those parts would be needed on the 2.5L. You could put it in anything if money permits. Must be nice to have 3, wanna give me one?
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mmmbeer

The box is what we were talking about.

The 968's are in use, but the S2 box is for sale. I quess shipping and our 24% VAT would make it a bit expensive for you americans.

Matt, look above. Did you not see what Dave wrote??

Bryan

Here's the "why" part of the equation.

I have an '88 euro-spec 944 with the cute little euro bumpers, no AC, no sunroof, cloth interior. Total stripper and I love it to death.

I recently transplanted a 3.0 liter S2 engine into it. The car now runs like a champ but the short '88 gears are not really taking advantage of the S2 torque and the thing is spinning like 4K rpm on the highway.

I've made the charts on the '88 trans, the S2 trans, and the 968 trans, and I think the 968 gears are the way to go. Plus you can get the torsen limited slip which really puts it over the top.

I don't want to say "money is no object" here, but clearly I'm not in this for economical transportation.

Gotta do some research on the speedo sender issue though - it sounds like it might actually be easier to put the 968 box in the '83 like mmmbeer said - mechanical speedo drive from the front wheel. I'll do some research on this part of it.

But good to know the rest of it is plug and play. The '88 torque tube is compatible with the S2 3.0 M44/41 engine in case anyone is wondering.

Bryan