CyCloNe!

Hey guys I was wondering if it's possible to make a 2 or 3 piece torque tube and drive shaft so that way changing the clutch would be easier. I was thinking cut the tube towards the front and make it so it has a mid section that could be removed and just bolted tightly. The section would not be where a bearing would rest. Then cut the drive shaft and make it out similar to the back end towards the trans that has the coupler and do something like that to the front end as well.

Just wondering what your guys thoughts are... I figure that by sectioning of the drive shaft it would be weaker but would it still be strong enough to handle 300whp or more... if so then it would be a more realistic upgrade and save time/money for clutch replacement.

I just thought this would be easier than finding a 968 and transfer everything over needed over. Maybe it would be easier to find a wrecked 968 and take the TT and modify it for the 951. Dunno just wondering what you guys think.

Reimu

but.. after the first time how often do you change clutches (unless you screw up somewhere)

CyCloNe!

^ very true it really isn't that common that the clutch or tube bearings would need to be replace often. I was just curious in the since of making something realistic that would be beneficial

Cole

Honestly, the clutch is not that hard to change once you notch the bell housing.

You have to remove the transmission on any car to change the clutch and the location of the transmission on the 944/951 actually makes this part easier. Then all you have to do is slide the TT back.

I changed my clutch, rebuilt my TT. Couple of months later I had a clutch fork break. Only took us 2 hours to get the fork out and put a new one in. Once you have done the job and notched the bell housing so you don't have to mess with the sensors the job is actually pretty quick.

944V8inDFW

Only about 2 things:
1) Time at a machine shop
2) Money you pay them

V2Rocket

not worth it IMO, its not even that hard to do the clutch, it just takes time which makes it seem worse

n_hall

notch the bell housing?

CurtP

For the speed and reference sensors. From the factory, they're individual holes. To get the bellhousing off, you have to remove the sensors. With the holes notched, you can remove the bellhousing without removing the sensors. It makes adjusting the sensor air gap easier when you have it apart too.

Cole

The long slot used to be a hole. You just cut the end of the hole out so that the bell housing can come off without messing with the sensors?

60Driver

I agree that it's probably not worth it. If you were going to make a segmented drive shaft, your biggest challenges would be devising connectors at the end of each segment with the shear strength to withstand sustained loads as well as surges of power during hard accelerations. You'd need that; and you'd need it to fit inside the torque tube.

The other issue you'd run into with a segmented drive shaft is balancing. You would have to be precise with your connectors, ensuring they were symmetrical. You'd probably also need to weigh and balance the hardware you use to connect the shafts together to ensure no excessive vibration in the drive shaft.

Any cost effective solution for a segmented drive shaft, in my opinion, would probably result in more frequent maintenance intervals as you replace damaged segments.

Darwantae951

I agree, and also to gain access to the shaft connectors, you would have to remove the transmission anyways. After that, you're almost there.

944Ross

The hardest thing for me was on my '86, the foam around the shifter was in like-new condition, and it made getting the shifter rod out of the way a real PITA.

A 3-pc crossmember kinda solves the clutch issue in a different way, and gives you other benefits.

ernie9468

[QUOTE=n_hall;8646456]notch the bell housing?[/QUOTE

+1 on that ,will save you a lot of hassle cutting the end of the hole.

n_hall

why did i not think of doing that while it was off.

i guess i'll have to remember it for the next time it comes off.

thank you

Black Sea RD

A connector already exists with the 928 two part drive shaft system for all 928 5speeds. Standard Porsche part and it is very robust for it's intended purpose.

Biggest trick is to manufacture the two part drive shaft, modify the bell housing to be able to drop the clutch through the bottom like the 928, and modify the torque tube to allow access to the two part drive shaft connector to move it out of the way like the 928.

We have given this a lot of thought since we are making new drive shafts for the 944 and 928 models, but we are uncertain of the market feasibility of doing this kind of system since it will be expensive.

And how often do you do a clutch job anyway...