murrayg

couple of Questions:

- is a S2 transaxle in a NA 2.5L 85 944 a good idea?
- is the S2 trans stronger than a NA trans or a turbo trans?

Thanks,
Gord.

Dimi 944

I have heard that the S2 trans performs really well with the 2.5L NA. It is stronger than the NA trans but not stronger than the turbo trans.

KevinGross

Bad idea: gearing is too tall for the eight-valve, normally aspirated cars. The gearbox is stronger for a number of reasons, including:

- wider teeth on the pinion gear
- thicker gear sets
- improvements to the differential design (both open and limited slip versions)

That said, the original gearbox *if* properly maintained works just fine, is strong enough for the car.

North Coast Cab

944NA 8v Tranny
10:36 (3.600)
16:34 (2.1250)
24:35 (1.4583)
28:30 (1.0714)
37:27 (0.7297)
9:35 (3.8889)

944NA 6v S2Tranny
10:35 (3.500)
17:35 (2.059)
25:35 (1.400)
29:30 (1.034)
36:28 (0.778)
12:42 (3.500)
8:31 (3.875)

Nominal differences
The 951 has the 3.375 FDR which makes it way taller.

Fara

I've heard good things about the Albins gear replacements for the 944, though I'm not sure about the details. Someone at a car club meeting was saying good things.

They offer replacement 3/4/5th gears (and a selection of different 5th gear ratios)
http://www.albinsgear.com.au/
http://www.albinsgear.com.au/productcatalogue.pdf

murrayg

thanks for clarifying NCC. The car is getting a 3L S2 engine this winter and I will do the transaxle swap before it goes away for the winter. Just because it's so easy, it'll give me a chance to confirm the transaxle is good (S2 donor car was not driven before being stripped).

J Berk

I can confirm that the differences are minor.

My LSD trans has been shelved for a while waiting for a rebuild (or the money for same).

I have had a 924S trans in my car for a couple years now with no ill effects. Been tracked and not babied....and it's just fine....both on track and at highway speeds.

I do want my LSD trans back (now sitting with a new/used LSD unit...on the shelf ) but this one is fine for the moment.

North Coast Cab

murrayg,
Good luck with the 3.0 swap. I did it last winter and had quite a few hurdles. The 14pin wiring diagrams are posted in a bunch of spots, bu t you also have to add the injector ballast resistor and engine ignitor. Not hard but becoming intimate with the schematics now will make it easier down the road.
Also, for what it's worth, the NA tranny can easily handle the S2 3.0 power so maybe the swap is not necessary.

Dimi 944

I agree unless you plan to predominantly track the car. I had a friend of mine who did the 3.0L conversion on his NA and his tranny lasted a year. But he tracks his car 10-12 events a year.

Btw, I am in the process of converting my NA to 3.0L.

odurandina

a loss of a bit of top end.

not that there was any to begin with.


od.

murrayg

Thanks for the good wishes NCC. Anybody here do this swap in an early car? I'm unsure where to locate the new DME, assuming you use the S2 wiring harness....or do you use the existing wiring harness and modify as required??