Stock 993 Gearing - Why all the complaints
#1
Stock 993 Gearing - Why all the complaints
What is the matter with the stock 993 gearing? I see lots of people talk about re-gearing their cars or complaining about the stock gearing. Is this just for track? I would love to have details on how people are driving their 993s and what problems they see along with what kind of post re-gear experiences people are having. I won't be changing my transmission any time soon, but it is an interesting topic.
For city driving (I live in Seattle) the thing I notice is that first is a little short so it feels like you have to rev it up pretty high to drive around at slow speeds where you don't want to be in second and lug it. I feel like with slow speed corners I have a choice to downshift to first and go around a 90 degree city corner at 4000-5000+ rpm (which kind of makes me feel like a jackass revving my engine- which is weird because I don't feel dumb reving it in any other gear) or lug it a bit in 2nd. Sometimes I just coast to avoid this jk
Second is really sweet for all around town and acceleration and is my favorite gear (maybe 3rd, but I don't get to kiss 6k in third as often around town ). 4th is great for highway, I don't use 5th unless I am going downhill slightly or at high enough speed to keep the revs up. 6th is pretty much wasted on me unless I am driving down a pass.
Thanks!
Mike
For city driving (I live in Seattle) the thing I notice is that first is a little short so it feels like you have to rev it up pretty high to drive around at slow speeds where you don't want to be in second and lug it. I feel like with slow speed corners I have a choice to downshift to first and go around a 90 degree city corner at 4000-5000+ rpm (which kind of makes me feel like a jackass revving my engine- which is weird because I don't feel dumb reving it in any other gear) or lug it a bit in 2nd. Sometimes I just coast to avoid this jk
Second is really sweet for all around town and acceleration and is my favorite gear (maybe 3rd, but I don't get to kiss 6k in third as often around town ). 4th is great for highway, I don't use 5th unless I am going downhill slightly or at high enough speed to keep the revs up. 6th is pretty much wasted on me unless I am driving down a pass.
Thanks!
Mike
#2
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You answered your own question I think.
The G50-20, as fitted to all manual transmission normally aspirated cars sold in North America and ROW cars beginning some time during calendar year 1996 (not sure exactl which month the changeover was made), has the fairly large gap from 1st to 2nd as you mentioned as well as overly long 3rd through 6th ratios. The ROW G50-21, as fitted to ROW cars until the switch some time during 1996, was much better matched to the car.
The G50-20, as fitted to all manual transmission normally aspirated cars sold in North America and ROW cars beginning some time during calendar year 1996 (not sure exactl which month the changeover was made), has the fairly large gap from 1st to 2nd as you mentioned as well as overly long 3rd through 6th ratios. The ROW G50-21, as fitted to ROW cars until the switch some time during 1996, was much better matched to the car.
#4
The G50-21 has a taller 1st gear then? Does this negatively affect overall acceleration? Is there anywhere I can see a chart that compares the engine rpm/speed at each gear for the G50-20 vs the G50-21 gearboxes? What are the subjective differences around town and at highway speeds? I have read that 1st is not easily changeable compared some other gears in these transmissions. I have a 95 C4, is my gearing different than other 993s? I have heard the C4 has the same drivetrain as the turbo but I am not sure if that is true.
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Bill Verburg will likely chime in shortly, he has put together some great comparison charts of the various gearboxes offered in 99s and other Porsches. You could search his threads to find them as well (I'd post some links but I'm travelling etc).
The gearing of your car is identical to all normally aspirated, manual transmission, North American spec 993s.
The gearing of your car is identical to all normally aspirated, manual transmission, North American spec 993s.
#6
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Agreed, Bill Verburg will show the gearbox vision, but up front, If ya have the means go for it.
The gearbox swap was the single greatest enhancement $$ to my normally aspirated MY98 993 C2S, however this was performed waay back in the day when only expensive; Yr. 2000.
I suppose today's gearbox expense has both feet on stupid money $. But hey,,, how many times.....
When driving/living at the specific output robbing altitude of 8,500ft (Vail) and that's 4 months out of the year, the shorter ratio's soften the altered drive character brought on by this significant output loss. NA output loss by altitude is approximately negative -3% for every 1,000ft of elevation.
When driven/living in the ATL area the gearbox never fails to put a smile on you're face. "Gawd dam that's just right!".
Give it time, Bill Verburg will provide the clout.
The gearbox swap was the single greatest enhancement $$ to my normally aspirated MY98 993 C2S, however this was performed waay back in the day when only expensive; Yr. 2000.
I suppose today's gearbox expense has both feet on stupid money $. But hey,,, how many times.....
When driving/living at the specific output robbing altitude of 8,500ft (Vail) and that's 4 months out of the year, the shorter ratio's soften the altered drive character brought on by this significant output loss. NA output loss by altitude is approximately negative -3% for every 1,000ft of elevation.
When driven/living in the ATL area the gearbox never fails to put a smile on you're face. "Gawd dam that's just right!".
Give it time, Bill Verburg will provide the clout.
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#11
Race Car
The G50-21 has a taller 1st gear then? Does this negatively affect overall acceleration? Is there anywhere I can see a chart that compares the engine rpm/speed at each gear for the G50-20 vs the G50-21 gearboxes? What are the subjective differences around town and at highway speeds? I have read that 1st is not easily changeable compared some other gears in these transmissions. I have a 95 C4, is my gearing different than other 993s? I have heard the C4 has the same drivetrain as the turbo but I am not sure if that is true.
First gear and most of the 2nd gears are not removable simply on the G50/64 2x transmissions.
In the C4's you have a G64 transmission, which has the same ratios as the C2 ie G5021 = G6421 and G5020=G6420. The Turbo has the same 1st, 2nd and 3rd as the G50/64 21 but the last 3 ratios are taller.
#12
#13
Race Car
#14
Drifting
I'd never go back to stock gearing. In fact, if I sold my car that would be a major obstacle to buying another one down the road. It is an expensive upgrade. Like many mods I don't know if most prospective buyers would value the upgrade or pay up for it.
#15
Nordschleife Master
funny as I read the post I was just about to type "you answered your own questions".... owning a car that you would pretty much never use 5th or 6th gear in seems like the problem.... that's two whole gears!
I have become more of a snob about this since I got my 7.2 GT3.... I imagine the RS would be even better for street, but I LOVE the gearing in my car now....
I have become more of a snob about this since I got my 7.2 GT3.... I imagine the RS would be even better for street, but I LOVE the gearing in my car now....