RobE952

Ok, so maybe there wasn't an explosion but there was definitely some carnage.

I have owned my 88 Turbo S for about 8 years and have been looking forward to tracking it for most of that time. I have spent the last several years with that as my goal and have finally built it into, what I thought, was a strong and reliable machine.

So I attend my very first track day EVER yesterday. It was basically a DE to get my WCMA Solo 1 licence. I did about 15 laps with an instructor and had a great time. My heal-toe downshifting was far from perfect but we noticed no strange noises, smoke, or smells all day. Then as I was driving away from the track I noticed a faint grinding noise from the rear. I was thinking I might have a rock in my caliper or toasted a wheel bearing then I see the oil spray all over the back of my car, and oil dripping from my trany.

Upon closer inspection I found that the rear "cap" of the transaxle had been blown out and I pried a half of a shattered bearing carrier out of the back!

I have not had time to inspect or take pics yet. So only based on the above I am wondering, how bad does this sound? Is my cup trany toast or is there a chance of rebuilding?

PorscheDoc

It's bad. Had a buddy have the same failure happen to him on the street in his S2. Talk to Kevin Gross.

86 951 Driver

Its pretty rare from what I have seen for one of these trans to fail. Good luck with the fix.

Josh B

What fluid where you running in the trans and when was it last changed?

RobE952

From what I remember, it was RedLine fluid. I can't remember the viscosity, but it would have been what was recommended in the manual for the LSD.

It had last been changed 4-5 years ago (!) but I bet it had less than 10,000km (6,200mi) on it.

User 52121

Guess this is a good place to ask what the recommended fluid brand/type/weight would be for track'd 951's....

User 41221

#1, +1 on Kevin Gross. He built my tranny and I have been WAY more than pleased with it.

#2, regardless of what fluid you run in it, change it once a year and it will go a LONG way towards keeping your gearbox happy for a long long time. Talk to Kevin about this if you don't want to take my word for it.

#3, as long as its suited for limited slip, it shouldn't really matter what name is on the label if you are changing it regularly. Kevin told me he runs Mobil One and has no problems with it, or Castrol. Redline is fine as well.

adrial

I had the exact same failure in my trans ... and I don't abuse it.

The good news is that it is a pretty easy fix, I had a mechanic do it back in the day -- but it was not expensive. I'd say maybe $200-$300 including labor?

blitz951

Rob and Adrial, how many miles on the tranny's when they failed?

Jeff N.

Sorry to hear it!

How dry was the transaxle before the incident? I wonder if you weren't low on fluid due weepage. When was the level last checked?

hp18racer

For a dedicated track car, do you have an idea in terms of track hours for changing the fluid? My Chump Car has about 52 hours track time in 2 races + a DE.

john durdin

THERE IS A REINFORCING PLATE AVAILABLE, TO PREVENT THIS PROBLEM FROM ONE THE v8 CONVERSION KIT COMPANIES . JOHN

Bri Bro

Do you have an oil cooler on the trany? That can make a big difference in oil temps. One way is to smell the fluid, it will have a bad smell if it gets too hot. I change mine in the spring and then keep a nose on it the rest of the year.

xsboost90

swepco only for me.

hp18racer

My GT car has a cooler but not the chump car. I'll remember the smell test, thanks!