Madant26x

I recently purchased an excellent condition '89 951 with 50,000 miles on it and a 2 inch stack of maintence bills. So the car has had minor problems but has been kept up. Bought it from my Dad's friend.

Two days after owning the car the transmition broke. My mechanic says that he thinks a bearing went bad. Anyway the trans and limited slip were replaced 2 years ago and have 6,000 miles on them. The trans that was replaced in the car was from a Non-S Turbo, as was the limited slip. I therefore would rather buy an '89 951 trans and lsd than rebuilt this one. Does anyone know where I might be able to find a used '89 951 trans and lsd. Any advice would be appreciated.

Perry 951

Welcome to the community.

You have asked a very popular question. Some of us later model 951's want the S tranny with LSD.

Partshaven, tweeks, maybe 944ecology may have one, but last I checked, they did not.

They are a bit pricy for one with low miles. I would see what the hell happened in yours. Dosn't cost anything to crack it open and see. A $500 rebuild is cheaper than a $3800 tranny.

Terry S could probably point you in the right direction. I have e-mailed him for you.

mumzer

David Chen may still have another turbo s tranny available. last time i talked to him he had an 82K mile unit that he wanted to 2300...he might be negotiable a little...includes an oil cooler and limited slip.

call him at 408-251-9111. (this is the guy who put Grahams Gillies car together...)

Madant26x

Hey thank for the advice and help. I'm definitely going to take apart the trans to find out what happened, but I heard that it was not that easy, or as easy as other Porsche trans to take apart.

I'm going to track the car so I want the S trans and lsd that came with it, not the downgraded Non-S one. I don't even know why someone replaced the trans and lsd with Non-S spec. Anyway, I'll be doing the work myself even thought the car is at the shop so I should have a the extra money. I would even consider buying an '89 951 trans and lsd that wasn't in perfect condition and just get it rebuilt. But anymore adivce on where to find one would be very helpful.

Madant26x

Thanks mumzer

Madant26x

Anyone else have advice on what to do???

TonyG

I've got a 79.5K mile tranny out of my 1988 turbo. No LSD. Works perfectly.

I pulled it to put in an '89 LSD tranny.

$700+shipping from Los Angeles.

TonyG - 661.254.7107 if interested.

pig4bill

Don't forget to flush the cooler to get any metal pieces out.

cruise98

DH:

There is a low mileage Turbo "S" unit in the Rennlist Classifieds for sale.

You could find a non S unit and install the lsd from the current one or use a Guards/Quaife torsen style differential. There are several transmissions for sale with cooling loops but without lsd. I have one for sale myself. The main difference is the hardened first and second gears in the "S" unit.

I have an '87 5R unit and recently had it rebuilt. New bearings, synchros and seals were all that was required to make it like new. It had 152k miles and first/second never broke or even wore out of spec. If my memory is correct, second gear is part of the main shaft, so if it is broken, you have some expensive parts to replace and it would be less expensive to find a good used unit. Of course if it is broken you could upgrade the gears to the "S" spec. Several have done this instead of finding a used unit. There is peace of mind with a rebuilt unit versus used.

If you are going to do the work yourself, there are some VERY expensive tools required to set up the differential which makes one time DIY repairs cost prohibitive. I gave up when the total for tools alone went over $3,000 and sent mine to Broadfoot Racing.

Madant26x

Thanks for the info

cruise98

DH

You are welcome.

Check with Ian at 944online. Several months ago he had a factory remanufactured "S" transaxle for sale.

Sorry you have had this problem. It is unusual to see one broken with such low mileage. It had tranny work prior to your purchase too. Sounds like it has been shifted very aggressively or dragged raced.

<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

TonyG

BTW... I wouldn't put such a high value on a "Spec S" tranny. The "hardened" first and second gears, for what I can tell, don't make any difference. Especially with a car that's not putting out 350+ HP to the wheels.

I've had several, and have many friends, all with the non S transmissions, all with well over 330HP to the wheels, and with well over 100k miles on them, driven very hard, that have never had a problem.

If you're drag racing the car, or speed shifting the thing... then we're talking a different story.

Your best bet would be to get a regular transmission, and put in a Torsen type diff or aftermarket LSD unit. Then you can get exactly what you want.

The turbo S trannys are soooooo over priced it's sick. I bought one with 30k miles on it for 2k. I regret doing it. I could have easily built a better tranny for that kind of money.

Mike S.

DH Turbo S,

I don't have any experience with the following folks but they reasonable size players in used 944 parts:

George Beuselinck at 944 Ecology (845)658-9593.
Kirk at NPR (National or Nebraska Porsche Recyclers) in Tekamah Nebraska.

Put a post out asking for first hand opinions on anyone you are considering. Good luck. You'll find a used one. The aren't rare.

Cruise 98,

Can you share with us what was done/replaced in your rebuild and what it set you back?

Mike

rage2

[quote]Originally posted by TonyG:
<strong>I've had several, and have many friends, all with the non S transmissions, all with well over 330HP to the wheels, and with well over 100k miles on them, driven very hard, that have never had a problem.

If you're drag racing the car, or speed shifting the thing... then we're talking a different story.</strong><hr></blockquote>

*very* well said. I drag raced, speed shifted, drove it like I stole it my 951. Took a year to kill 1st and 2nd gear. Replaced the tranny (951 non S, no diff), moved the diff to the tranny, controlled my driving (no more powershifts, no more launches) and it's lasted 3 years so far with lots more rwhp's.

Madant26x

Thanks everyone for all the help <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" /> . I called a few places and found a used S trans and lsd that's in great condition, I was very lucky to find this as the guy told me he had 2 and by the time I talked to him the next day he informed me that he was mistaken and his partner had just sold the other one. So I am going to meet him today with my Dad. I'm getting the trans, lsd, and oil cooler for 1,700. They have 30,000 miles on them!!! I think that I'm getting a pretty good deal. Thanks again.