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Old December 15th 2009, 17:41
Natefank Natefank is offline
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Ben Lomond
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what to look for in a used 901?

so im looking to get a 901 for my 74 super and im wondering what to look for so i dont get screwed on a trans. thanx
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  #2  
Old December 19th 2009, 23:12
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jmd jmd is offline
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Posts: 155
my experience...

Nate,
I will share the short version of my experience in hopes that you don't have to repeat my costly mistakes... First, buying a "Rebuilt" trans from anyone other than a Porsche shop that knows what they are doing (carquip for instance) is just a bad idea. My "Fully rebuilt Transmission" ended up being a spray paint job with guts that looked like this when I opened it ... Go ahead and click through those images to get a very clear picture of what I mean. The trans I bought was not at all rebuilt, in addition to the oil in this trans having NEVER been changed, there was a huge crack in the bell by the starter requiring repair as seen here that the seller had "JB Welded to hide before spray painting the trans silver. 1st gear was cracked in half, and reverse was missing teeth... both needed to be replaced.

Now understand that what I purchased was an Ebay part from a private "Porsche collector" that assured me that my purchase was a great deal ($1300.00 'Fully Rebuilt'). It is an earlier 1969 Aluminum Case 5sp 911-901 Transmission. I fought for 6 months with the seller once I got the trans. and saw the huge crack in the case... I had been lied to and robbed and only got a couple hundred back... However I just kept the trans to use as a rebuild core. I then found a local Porsche Specialist that I had totally gut and rebuilt the entire trans from 1st - 5th with custom race built bits setting it up to handle just about 300HP if I NEVER Drag launch it, which isn't something I ever intend to do. The only thing I left out was a new aluminum intermediate plate ($450), I will save that upgrade till next year. Spend the money and do it right the first time. I wasted so much money and so much time thinking that I was going to get a good deal... it cost me almost twice as much all said and done, as it would have to buy a good one the right way, up front.

In that I am working with an Early 69' Alu trans I had to come up with (and have just finished this weekend) a custom solution for mounting the trans. Allowing me to use a traditional bug trans cradle and stock rubber trans mounts. And unlike the later 70'-on. Magnesium transmission I had to figure out how to connect the bell to the trans cradle without being able to just drill through the case as you see in most "901 conversion write-ups
'. You can see my solution here. Click through those shots to get an idea...

Also, I am running all 944T Trailing Arms, Brakes and bits... so I had to get new output flanges to support the 944t axles trans to hub... I have more insight about this if you need it.

The root of my point is this... A. Plan on rebuilding whatever you buy. It's just the right way to do the job. Or, B. buy something that is already built / re-built from a reputable seller (carquip is great to do business with).
Spend the money once...


Parts list:
Transmission (possibly custom flange solution depending on axle choice)
Throwout Arm (probably tweaked to work)
Custom Mounting solution front and rear (cutting a hole in the bottom of your pan)
901 shifter assembly (best solution IMHO)
901 Shift Linkage (plan on rebuilding it, you need a hydraulic press to do so)
901 Shift Shaft ( the proper cup, bushing and flange are important to smooth shifting)
Kennedy Adapter Kit ( Mines 901-subaru2.5T)


that should help you understand a bit more...
let me know if you have any questions I am more than happy to share whatever I have learned in this process.

Also, I have to say thank you to everyone that has helped me figure this stuff out and get this far along in my own build. Great community, Great People!

cheers!
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  #3  
Old December 30th 2009, 01:32
Clatter Clatter is offline
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 118
I had a bit better luck...

A 923 from a '76 912E showed up on TOS.
It is basically a 915 transaxle, so beefier than a 901.
This way i get the close ratio gears, same as the 2.7 RS for that year.
Plus, no need to adapt the throwout for my Type 4 motor...

It had been in an engine fire, then removed carelessly by junkmen (bent shift rod) and left outside.

I got it for around $1000.
It ended up being low mileage, and reasonably well cared for,
and cost like $600 to have it gone thru, with a couple synchros and bearings...

I am using the bug@5-speed shifter, nose cone, crossmember, and mid mount.
So, another... $1200 or so? - I can't remember...

The car is apart again before it even went together, so i can't let you know if the story has a happy or sad ending yet.
My tranny guy has done a couple of 091 bus trannies already very well, so..

Soo..

THis is how i got mine together. FYI.
There was more than a little bit of luck involved, So take your time in finding just what you want.

Remember, that these transaxles are wierd, with funny synchros,
and are likely to have spent their entitre life being shifted wrong by some dentist,
(or his wife)
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