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Hi, I'm new to the forum and just bought a non-running 944S that I'm going to be working on bringing back to life over the next few months. I'm interested in swapping the stock short 5th gear ratio for a taller one from an earlier 944. Does anyone have advice on where to find an early 5th gear set? I understand some people with the taller ratio are looking to swap for the short ratio, and I'd be willing to swap.
That's the 0.778 ratio, correct? That would be about 3250 rpm @ 80 mph. I was a little more interested in the 0.730 ratio of the earlier cars, which would be 3060 rpm @ 80 mph, but that is still an improvement. Not knowing the torque characteristics of the 16V engine maybe dropping it that low on the highway isn't a good idea. What would you charge for that set?
Yes, that's correct. I am not sure you want a .73 ratio, that would really feel like throwing out a boat anchor. Another consideration is that the way 5th gear is lubricated in the S/2/Turbo transmissions is different from the eight-valve, normally-aspirated and may not work well for you. The opposite direction: early to S/2/T definitely starves the rear gears and bearings of oil -- seen the damage done. Unsure of your proposed direction.
I guess if there's potential oiling problems then I'd feel better with the S2 ratio that you have. Do you have a set with the needle bearings still installed? I'm a little worried about how much of a pain it is to swap just the gears out and put the bearing back together.
I should also add that I may not know exactly what I'm talking about, but what I mean is that I've seen the gear set removed with all the bearings installed and I'm not sure what happens if you have to reinsert the bearings, and IIRC there's some springs involved?
The needle bearings don't get installed, per se, in the shifting gear. It floats inside it, and you can reuse the one you already have.
The one challenge in swapping 5th gear for the 944S/2/T is getting the fixed (splined) gear off of the pinion shaft. For the later gearboxes, it frequently has a lot of interference, that is, very tight fit to the splines. This was not an issue with the earlier gearboxes. It can be difficult to get a gear puller safely between the gear and the gear carrier (steel center section). I frequently find myself removing everything from the gear carrier except the pinion shaft and the 1st/2nd selector rod, then pressing the pinion shaft forward to remove the gear. This can be done using a hydraulic press if its saddle is wide enough, or on the bench with a large puller as shown in this photo:
So on an S transaxle is it not really possible to remove the 5th gear set just by taking the rear transaxle cover off like you do in the earlier models?
So on an S transaxle is it not really possible to remove the 5th gear set just by taking the rear transaxle cover off like you do in the earlier models?
Yes and no. The only differences in the process are 1) the interference fit of the fifth gear on the pinion shaft, and 2) the use in the S/2/T of a hollow XZN-head bolt in the input shaft rather than the hex head M10 used in the earlier cars.
Yes and no. The only differences in the process are 1) the interference fit of the fifth gear on the pinion shaft, and 2) the use in the S/2/T of a hollow XZN-head bolt in the input shaft rather than the hex head M10 used in the earlier cars.
Ok well I'm always up for a challenge. Like I said I would like to either trade my short ratio for a long ratio, or just buy it if that is not an option. If you want to PM me to discuss the details of your S2 ratio that would be great! Appreciate all the good info.
05-30-2020, 01:17 AM
Looking for tall 5th gear ratio for 944S
