ubercooper

I've known for a while that my 2nd gear syncro is on the way out, and with the cold weather its just a matter of time before the *CRUNCH*. My parents have generously offer to help me out in this matter in paying for 1/2 of the bill. My transmission, as a whole, has already had ALOT of tear because its the one that ate the stock clutch and has been driven on with a half-dead syncro. I am considering a few options and I'm uncertian which one to take.
Options: (price is somewhat relevant)
1. replace syncro, if the rest goes than Im fuch'd
2. replace tranny
3. replace with 968 tranny

Im not sure how much more replacing the tranny as a whole opposed to just the syncro would be? I do know the 968 tranny would put a $3000 whole in my wallet (prob. too much $$)

Thanks for the help
-Seb
(looks like I'll be needing a bigger tree this year!)

badcoupe

You might be able to find a used trans reasonable. I've rebuilt several of these trans and It's not that hard but time consuming plus parts can add up. The 968 trans is nice but you'll have no speedo as well as some other quirks that make it really only a good idea for a track car. Watch ebay pelican and here for a trans, that would be your best and quickest route considering the trans can be changed in approx an hour by someone who's experienced

ubercooper

I do belive I forgot to mention I would not be doing the labor myself, there are a few local shops that I belive will do a good job. So, the 968 tranny idea is out. So my mechanic(s) should be able to do most of the work within 1-2 hours? If thats the case I might ask them to put a short throw shifter on.
-Seb

Mike C.

1-2 hours to replace the 2nd gear synchro? Even if you take the tranny out of the car for him I can't believe it could be done that fast. There is major disassembly involved to get to synchros 1 through 4.... gearbox must be opened, forks removed, grears and bearing pressed off.... re-assemble, reseal case... Hard to imagine less than 12 hours imho.

ubercooper

I think he was talking about the tranny as a whole, not the final drive or syncros.

Mike C.

Yes that makes more sense....

944CS

what gear oil are you currently using in that trans?

ubercooper

I am not sure, but I highly doubt that it would fix the grinding of 2nd gear, its not just grinding. The whole gear lever must be jammed into 2nd otherwise it will go into neutral.
its the oil the PO used, but the PO was a PCA member and 930 spec racer so I trust his judgement.

harrisonrick

Try double clutching until you get the syncro fixed, it may help prolong the life and lessen the need for ramming it into gear.

If you're going to spend the money, I'd rebuild your existing gearbox as a used one could be 1K away from failure. I think you roll the dice on a used one, IMHO.

You might want to source the parts yourself, that would save you the markup shops will add on to your costs. I think syncros run like $35 each, plus whatever else is needed. Could save you up to 20% on parts anyway...hope this helps.

PS...make sure the mechanic has actually worked on a 944 before. That will save you $ too.

944CS

well if he used Mobil 1, as a lot of people do/did, then that could explain why your synchro is bad

Mike C.

I don't think the Mobile 1 ruins them, it just prevents them from doing thier job. Synchros need some friction to do what they do. I'm pretty sure the Mobil 1 'over-lubricates' them. I've had good results with Red Line synthetic 75W-90ns in my non-LSD tranny. Shifts into 2nd with a cold transmission are far better than dino gear oil or Mobil 1. The 'ns' means no friction modifier is added (whcih is needed for LSD).

944CS

well, the Mobil 1 prevents smooth engagement, which prematurly wears out not just synchros, it also encourages grinding of the collars. I have noticed the same smooth shifting when cold with MT-90, have not used the 75-90 NS yet.

harrisonrick

The syncros are made of bronze, and something in the Mobil 1 synthetic oil caused them to deteriorate or not engage properly. That's what I heard.

Mike C.

Forcing it past the synchro may cause damage to the dogs (the things that actually move - the gears do not slide past each other). That is what you hear when it grinds - not the bronze synchro. Maybe long term exposure to M1 does something to the friction surface of the sychro beyond over-lubing it but it certainly doesn't happen quickly.

ubercooper

I never force it more than is required to, but if I do not take the 2-3 seconds and slowly nudge the rod into 2nd gear, it will grind reguardless of 2x clutching or rpm's.