AndyK

I would never buy a 968 that had a 6-speed option code, but a 5-speed tranny! Sell the 968, keep the 5-speed in whatever 951 you get.

ian

I actually think the gear ratios would be a very good fit for a stock 951. Now if you are talking about seriously modified 951's, well I think the 5 speed box is actually better because the longer gearing gives you a chance to really build boost.

As far as loosing some top end, I don't think thats an issue at all. The Stock 951 is geared to 185 mph @ 7000 rpms, with the 968 box you would be limited to 175 mph at the same rmp level. I don't think I would really need to worry about that at the track.

As far as selling the 968 and using the profit to buy a 968 transaxle, that might not be a bad idea. But they are very hard to get a hold of, and very expensive.

Jfrahm

I think you would have a car that is worth

$(value of car) - (the amount of parts and labor to put a 6 speed back in) - (a WTH factor of a grand or so)

But the bottom price would be supported by the people who would want an affordable 968 despite it being an odd duck. Maybe $5500-$6000.

And the 951 would not be worth a lot more either.

It'd be way cheaper to just part the 968 completely or leave the 6-speed in and not cast a cloud over it. A 5-speed 968 would be "Story Bound" as they say in the used car biz (I'm told.) Most buyers do not want to hear a story about why this car is different (missing parts, repainted, broken and unrepaired, etc.) so it becomes much harder to sell.

-Joel.

Luis de Prat

Matt, can you elaborate on that? Granted 944s outnumber 968s by a lot, but the 944 has proven to be a far more popular track car than the 968 overall. Not to mention 951s. It would seem that turbos are longer-legged performancewise than NA cars -the 930 had 4 gears until 89 and many track people actually prefer them to the 5-speed.

ian

Matt,

This too has crossed my mind. In the not so distant future I hope to pick up a certain 951 (if my VW sells) and at that point if the 968 isn't sold I'll have both sitting in the driveway begging to be toyed with.

ian

I think there are a couple of things keeping the number or 968 track cars down, the biggest issue is the one you hit on, production numbers. There are so few of them out there, with just 2700 coupes imported to the states (some of which are tips) its hard to have them showing up in droves at the track. Also look at the costs. If you wanted to go racing, and needed a car you could get spare parts for, then you would stay with the '44. Put a 968 into a wall and good luck hunting down bumpers, hoods and fenders.

That said, the 968 is very nice track car. My last instructor had an m030 968 coupe that was very impressive and very close to stock (r compounds and big reds being the only upgrades). The torque of the 3.0L and the variocam make for a nice package. The downfall of the 968, well they had grown to be quite portly in those years, and there is a lot of mass to move around.....

Z-man

Ian: does your 968 have LSD or M030?

Peckster

I'd just buy a 968 tranny and sell the other. Lot less hassle and probably not much more money.

ian

Z,

The 968 is non M030, and it does not have LSD.

mdex

The 4 speed 930 fell out of the power band on the track between shifts... the best track option was a close ratio 5 speed.

The ratios in the 951 are fantastic for the track, I rarely find any problem gearing so I would rather spend money on power rather then the 6 speed.

A quick question... does the 6 speed weigh more than the 5 speed? If so how would it affect the balance of the car?

ian

Given the size of the two gear transaxles I would guess that the weights are very similar. I was under the 968 this weekend checking things over and with out pulling out a measuring tape I would say they are within an inch or so of eachother.

But this is just eyeballing it and I could be way off....

dave120

A 968 with a 5 speed in it is one that would be tempting to sell my S2 to buy....

I'm with you though Ian, a few months back I passed on a gold/burgundy 89 turbo that was PERFECT besides being the wrong colors. You have to look at the thing everyday...I still have the S2 If that turbo was black I might have had a lot more trouble making that decision...

BruceWard

If you are going to do some tranny mods get one with LSD! LSD will make a much bigger difference than an extra gear.

My 968 is my daily driver. I autocross at least once if not twice a month and regurally hit triple digit speeds on a clear, flat and open ring road around the city. I would be perfectly happy to only have the first five gears. The sixth does little more than provide a little more fuel economy and the top ten mph before becoming drag limited.

Here is a graph that should be helpful

mmmbeer

-The 968 Turbo S used a 6 speed transmission with 75% lsd.
-The sixth gear of the 968 trans is the opposite of a long highway gear, it is very close to the 5th gear and even lighter than most 5speed's 5th gear.
-The 944 S2 and all turbos would get faster overall accelleration with the 968 tranny, highway cruising comfort is another story.
-Pinion bearings are VERY blown out of proportions. Sad for those affected, but very unlikely to be a problem with your 968 gearbox. Since only a couple of hundred cases have been registered.
-Weight difference: minimal.
-LSD and gear ratios/extra gear are two very different stories and cannot be compared.

The only downside with the 968 trans is that it is not optimal for high speed cruising, it is made for quick accelleration all the way to top speed.

Regards:
Eirik Kvello-Aune
www.944968.com

Peckster

Mmmbeer, what does your 968 weigh now?