aeshultz

I was hearing bad noises from the tranny of my 2000 Boxster S (66K miles)- seemed to be localized towards the rear. Drained the transission oil tonight - yep- metal flake, with some good sized bits thrown in for fun.
So - what would be your advice; open it up, see what the rebuild would cost, or just go for another unit and replace?
Any suggestions for a shop able to do a competent rebuild?

GTgears

You're not very far from one of the best gearbox specialists in the country, Brian Copans. He's located just down the road in Athens, OH. His shop is called BMC&G. Though at this time of year you've got to get in line for his services because he services and seals the ALMS boxes. He's not cheap and he's a no BS sort of guy, but he's the best.

Feel free to contact me for other recommendations if he doesn't work out for you.

Regards,

Matt Monson
Guard Transmission LLC

atr911

We ask this question of our customers on a regular basis when a tranny goes. We typically work on more 'regular' cars but when a tranny breaks, we usually go with a used unit due to price.

I agree that a rebuild is the better way to go but unless it's a rare transmission from a rare car (say a RUF early 6 speed or CUP box) then a used tranny will be much cheaper.

G'Luck either way! It sounds a little premature to have failed, are you changing your fluid often?

Land Jet

What do you mean by "often"?

Paul 996

Larry, the factory says 90K miles. When racing/tracking "often" would be over every winter in the down season. Just like the way you don't leave your engine oil in there for the normal factory changeover.

atr911

Talk to any of the prominent rebuilders. They'll tell you that the temperatures in your gearbox reach their maximum after around 20 minutes of track driving. Most track sessions only last this long (or slightly longer) so you're probably okay if this is all you're doing to change it once a season (FAAAAAAR from the OE interval of like every 4 years).

If, however, you're seeing track times for longer than 30 minutes on a regular basis, you should be draining and filling every couple of events. When the oil gets really hot, it degrades faster and so does it's ability to protect your gears.

If you're running an LSD it only compounds the problem because it increases operating temperature by about 20 degrees.

In short, AT LEAST once a year if you track, every 2-3 events if you're out there for more than 30 minutes on average.

Paul 996

Alan,

The noise you hear is likely one of your sealed bearings. Don't keep driving it, or you may end up with a bearing that spins in the race and destroys the casing. If you have a decent mechanic around that knows the G50 boxes he can also work on your gearbox. The bearings are readily available from folks like sunset, a few of them are pretty costly.

Then again, you can just call up the guys at GBox and they will do an exhange. Unless you want the "experience" of rebuilding it yourself better off to just give Eric a call.

John H

I gave Copans my old Boxster S box when he rebuilt my 993 tranny. He had not been inside a Boxster S box and was curious to take a look. That was in May of this year. I was repeatedly told to find a used box and swap them out. My used box was ~$1000.00.

AudiOn19s

Alan,
Call Matt or Chip at Auto Assets in Powell (614-793-1050). They might have a local resource for rebuilding but as others have stated I wouldn't be suprised if replacing with a low mileage used unit might be the cheaper solution unless you intend on doing a more bullet-proof build for the next one.

Andy

aeshultz

All good info, guys - thanks.
FYI;
Matt- thanks for the Copans info.
atr911 - I just got the car at ~64K miles, it had been tracked "a few times." I broke the factory paint dot seal when I drained it.
Paul - any contact info for GBox? Sounds like something I might pursue.
John - I was just going to PM you.
Andy - I have a long and varied history with AA, as do many others. Thanks, though.

aeshultz

Paul;
I'm thinking that it is the "unsealed" sealed bearings. It's localized at the tail end of the case.

Glen

toppracing@gmail.com

Todd can and does rebuild them. Also has extensive experience using the stronger bits available for race apps.

333pg333

How much do you get charged for a new Boxter tranny? Can you fit a GT3/2 in there?

GTgears

Just an FYI for people shopping for early Boxster S gearbox re-builders, it's near identical to the 996 Carrera box. You will want to work with someone who has a 40-50 ton press because the gears are press fit on the shafts and are like no other Porsche gearbox. I wouldn't trust very many people (other than someone like Brian Copans) to learn on this gearbox.

Also, Erik no longer works for Gbox. I don't know who you'll get if you call them.

If you are considering shipping your gearbox or doing it on an exchange basis, talk to California Motorsports. Bobby Hart was one of the first guys in the country servicing those gearboxes and he has a number of tricks that help prevent the 2nd gear pop-out issues that have plagued these gearboxes.

aeshultz

This gets uglier by the minute.
But thanks for great info.