Aircooled Dave

True. Ideally one would rework the entire gearset to make the ideal transmission. While it's less than ideal, the 1-2 shift for the street is probably OK for most people. Yes, you do drop off the powerband pretty badly, but unless you're drag racing it doesn't really matter. I spend most of my time in 2/3/4 and sometimes 5 around town or up in the hills. 6th is only for long highway stints and for that matter can be left alone.

Personally, I think the spacing is just awkward overall. It feels like Porsche just geared it for a specific efficiency/rpm to meet US requirements, but neglected the actual gear-gear spacing to a large degree as a result. I wish they had just made a close-ratio 5spd gearset and added a tall 6th for cruising/economy at speed.

Like most things in life, there isn't really a magic number that works for everyone since the use case and associated needs can vary. That said, if budget is unlimited and/or you're racing then fixing all 6 gears in some fashion makes sense. For a budget/street build, I still think the 3/4/5 change is the best value. Granted, I don't have this setup, but if/when the transaxle is rebuilt this would be the course I would take based on the data available.

matt777

I probably posted this earlier in this thread but I have a regeared box with a lower 2nd (2.4) and 5th is in 6th. I like everything except I would like a taller top for the highway (0.857 instead of 0.921). Its just a street machine.

michel j

+ 1 The biggest issue for me is the gear noise that will result after a re-gearing process. I have been told by the experts that all aftermarket gears will whine.
In my opinion, that is unacceptable for a street car.

matt777

I'd have to look back to see who made the gears in mine but the only whine is decel in 2nd sometimes. Its really a non issue for me. There are way more compromises with a LWF.

Analog Theory

Mine is also regeared 2-6 and I added a proper LSD. Motorsports gears do whine but I don't find it intrusive at all although I did opt for the euro 6th which is a factory gear (no whine). Perfect since that's really the only one you'd notice it (long cruise). Big dollar mod yes but totally transformational in terms of real world drivability. Nice and tight down low (1-5) and a usable 6th.

993KT

Holy thread resurrection! Perfect timing though, as I have been edumacating myself on this. Seems to me the G50/21 gearing would be pretty close to ideal for a mostly weekend street car. I wouldn't mind a even lower 2nd, but I can't get the rest to spread out nicely. Wonder if it is cheaper to just buy a new G50/21 instead getting it custom regeared...

NP993

If you're going to spend the money on a re-gear, why not go RS? /21 is such a tiny step away from the /20, seems like it's not worth the $$$.

993KT

For a street car without a 3.8, the 1st and 2nd in the /31 are too tall. Bill had experience with that.

Bill Verburg

There are lots of gearing threads, Here's another one

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

Indeed, aftermarket gears make a little more noise than factory ones, depending on the ratio. Factory gear teeth surfaces are fully ground for noise reduction and most aftermarket ones are not. Strength or durability is not affected either way.

If one wants a totally silent transmission, one simply buys factory gears, however thats a VERY expensive proposition.

Everyone's ears are different and I always counsel anyone concerned about gear noise to take a ride in someone's car with Guard gears to hear this for themselves to see if this is really an issue or not. This is really FAR better than listening to opinions from experts or anyone else for that matter.

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

+++1!

Damonr

I have a 95 with an early G50/21, stock flywheel, 19" wheels, and street use only. My only complaint is the larger rpm drop between 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. My 1st gear feels like a granny gear even with the taller 19" wheels. I am tempted to try a G50/31 1st and 2nd in my 21.

I love the lower rpm drops between 3-4-5, what a pleasure to drive. My 6th gear is also ideal for cruising the freeways (.8205).

This is a great thread, interesting to hear other perspectives and ideas, thanks.

993KT

Hasn't seen any re-gearing discussion for a while now. Let's beat this dead horse more

Driving up a steep hill in SF the other day and smoked the crap out of the clutch. Who puts a stop sign at the top of a hill! Probably boiled the hydraulic fluid and it feels like there is air trapped in the clutch line again >

Anyway, the point is that, I definitely do not want the taller first gear from the RS. With a car that see quite a bit of normal street driving, I think the first feels pretty nice. A factory G50/21 with LSD is about $10k (with core charge). A custom gear set is probably in the same ball park but there is the whine to deal with.

405

what can you expect to pay for a setup like this with labor included? dont have to change the 1 and 2. this set up sounds like it would suit my wants well..

JM993

Not in my experience. I have a g50/31 with a stock varioram 3.6 and LWF. It's fine on the street - even starting off on hills. As a bonus, 1st gear is now useful for more than just starting off.