drnick

this has been on my list of things to possibly do for quite some time and although ive not completely made my mind up i seem to be getting closer. ive got a list of parts needed and even gone as far as contacting breakers yards to look for parts but i still have a few questions which im hoping you guys can help with. here is the parts listed on the nichols site:

transmission
flywheel
bell housing
torque tube
rear cross member
brake pedal
shift lever and trim
modify firewall

clutch kit
intermediate plate
short shaft
guide tube
pilot bearing
clutch arm
pivot bushing
clutch slave
clutch master
clutch lines
shift coupler
forward ball socket
shift rods

and here are my questions: 1) how much time is saved with the engine out?

2) will i need a different bellhousing for the 1992 GTS auto engine?

3) which of the above parts are better sourced as new components?

4) will the mechanical LSD in my 86 auto go across into a GT box?

if only that green GTS in erkas post were RHD and painted orange with recaro buckets and uprated suspension, sports exhaust, etc etc etc...

Lagavulin

Everytime I see your car I'm thinking, I just LOVE that color!

drnick

lag, it gets a LOT of attention!

FlyingDog

That is an awesome color! Have you flared the rear fenders or is that an optical illusion?

Sorry about being OT, I can't help with the tranny question.

Blown Beast

I have done this convertion...not by choice, but due to someone running a stop sign and totaling my first blown beast....It is alot of WORK. 1. You need the engine out to do the clutch hole in the firewall and attach the hoses. 2. You need a manual bell houseing. 3.Only the clutch pack and pilot bearing. 4. No. 5 You will need a clutch pedal,your master cyclinder is your clutch cyclinder and you just cut the hose barb on the bottom and slide the hose over it. Remove kick doun switch, rewire back up lights,change wire harness, and dash gauge cluster. Good luck.

Vilhuer

It might be as easy to convert LHD to RHD as it is to convert from auto to manual. Both require welding the firewall but part list for RHD conversion could be shorter or at least cheaper.

As your beast is so much modified already there's no point in trying to use only 928 parts. So why not install MB 5 speed automatic or Corvette 6 speed manual instead? Think of all the possibilities these modern boxes have like paddle shifting the automatic etc.

drnick

erkka, i wouldnt think it to be cheaper converting left to right hand drive - not with the dash involved and i think the wiring harness as well - sounds difficult?? as for upgrading the existing transaxle with non porsche, again, i bet thats not easy but you go first and prove me wrong! the advantage of using the porsche parts i think is the comparative simplicity.

blown beast, i was wondering about the clutch master and how it would be possible to fit it around the engine if left in place. i think i read that getting at it is nearly impossible. as for the bell housing and flywheel, are they the same between GT - GTS? shame about the LSD not being transferrable, i wonder if all GT boxes ship with either PSD or LSD?

matt, those are GTS arches... ive got a slight case of GTSitis as the plan is also to add a GTS engine shortly. as the engine will be out of the car it would seem the ideal time to convert the transmission if im going to do it.

any opinions on what clutch to use, i understand there is the choice between single and dual disc. also i see phil threshie is offering an upgrade and lightweight flywheels - anyone have experience with these parts?

slate blue

Nick the bellhousing are exactly the same manual and auto, see landsharkoz for more info on this conversion, that is were I got my info.

Cheers Greg

drnick

having glanced at some pics in the workshop manuals the differential looks remarkebly similar between both auto and manual transmissions. you would imagine from looking at the pics that there was an equal chance the LSD is transferrable.

Vilhuer

Difference in bellhousing comes from twin vs. single disk clutch, not from manual vs. auto gearbox. Parts count depends on which clutch you want to use.

AFAIK manual vs. auto LSD is same within same model year but there were few changes over the years. Someone please correct if it isn't so. Not sure exactly when these occurred other than LSD to PSD in '90.

LHD to RHD doesn't seem so bad to me. What you'll need is piece of firewall, dash, headers, wiring, some mounting hardware and assorted small parts. Change is certainly doable in around same time and money as auto to manual conversion.

drnick

if i can put a bolt in the PSD and still drive on the street then that would be the way for me to go. as far as the clutch goes does anyone have a recomendation, stock from porsche or aftermarket?