[stewhatch]

I dropped my LSD transaxle with a P-Tech friend for a rebuild over the Holidays. I was thinking that - while it's open - why not swap the 6th gear out for something taller in order to lower my revs on the hwy. I am currently pulling around 3200 rpm at 75 MPH. Is there any options as far as this is concerned? Is it feasible to add a replacement 6th gear that would enable me to drop my engine revs to 2,000 rpm at 70-75 MPH? Pinion bearing will be renewed + anything esle someone may recommend. Any recommendations while I have the transaxle open?

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[Jamie '92 968]

Stew,

I have no idea if this is do-able or not, but have been wondering the same thing for years.
The 5th gear in my 944 was much taller than 6th in the 968. I find myself cruising slower in the 68 than the 44 as a result.
I'll be watching to see what response you get...

Jamie

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[flash]

i have been watching this one for a while as well - it seems there are options - i'll see what i can do to verify what i've seen lately - i am a bit skeptical as to the validity of the information, as the source has been calling our transaxle a G46 when it is really a G44 - it makes me wonder how accurate the rest of the information is

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[968 GUY]

6th gear is already at .778, final drive in 6th is abt. 2.94. Seems to go higher wld put a strain on it, even If you could find something higher to fit.

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[stewhatch]

Would changing the final drive accomplish what I am looking for perhaps? Is that even an option? I am just trying to capitalize on getting AMAP from my "want" list while things are open. Thanks for the reply.

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[bob blackwell]

Stew, give the guys at Guard Transmission a buzz, they do good things with our transmission and will know the available ratios for options. Good luck, Bob Blackwell.

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[stewhatch]

I'll give that a try Bob - thanks a lot for the suggestion. I am open to ANY recommendations you experts may have while things are apart. I want this to be perfect and last me a while: I am looking for a bulletproof unit that I won't have to worry about for a few years. I have time on my side since I have a spare (open diff) tranny in the car now.

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[Ryan]

I think the 6 speed was shared with Audi. From what I remember, there is a european 6th gear available that is taller and it is from Audi.

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[flash]

i'm not so sure about that part working just yet - this is an oddball box - it was developed in tandem by porsche with Audi, but specifically for this car - the case is audi, the diff is a G50 - not sure what all of the gears are yet - i know that it is supposedly "essentially" the same as the S4 set, but i'm not sure exactly what does and does not cross over

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[jpr]

call the guys at jh motorsports. They have both a .60 and a .56 from the european audi box that fits ours. they also have a taller 5th that would fit

Jpr

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[Jamie '92 968]

Jpr,

Do you know how the nominal 6th gear compares to the .60 or .56?
The ratio should predict RPM at 75 mph vs the nominal 3200.

Where is JH Motorsports?
Do you know of anyone who has done this conversion in the 968 and how it worked out?

Jamie

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[jpr]

Here is the link to the page:

http://www.jhmotorsports.com/shop/catalog/...2dc5ec553abe5f4

They have some rebuild kits and some updates that would fit our box as it is the same as the one on the 2wd audi 01e (with the exception of 1st gear)

Read here:

http://www.elektro.com/~audi/01E/Por968/

Jpr

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[flash]

well, it LOOKS like it should work, as long as they didn't monkey around with anything else inside

every on of our ratios is different - interesting - it's also interesting that they all use a lower 1st AND a lower R&P, even though there are noted failures

some decent upper gear numbers though - i kind of like the RS4 gears

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[stewhatch]

JPR & Flash: thank you. I have sent the links to my tech who is performing the rebuild. It appears that the ratio - rpm - mph cited in the link you provided relates to the Audi transaxle if I read correctly. The revised 5th and 6th gear swap would be the way to go in my opinion. I also contacted the folks at Guards - please see below for response I got back from their rep. Question: for the money, is it really worth adding an aftermarket LSD for a DD that sees an occasional AX? I plan to be going with the RS Barn Stage 2 setup this year ... not sure if an aftermarket LSD would exhibit any discernable benefit over the current stock LSD, even with the added power. Again, thanks for all your input boys. Let me know what you think.

Hello Stewart,

Unfortunately, because of the low production numbers and very litle demand for it, we've never made replacement gears for the 968 gearbox. The only company that ever did was Powerhaus II, which is no longer in business.

However, we can definitely help you with an LSD for your car. There are certain components of the 968 gearbox that are based on the G50 family of gearboxes and the differential is one of them. For a car like yours our GT3 Club model is probably the best choice. The price on it is <b>(I deleted this but would be willing to share if asked).</b>

The choice you need to make beyond that is locking percentages. We offer it as a 40/60 or a 50/80 locking factor. Most people who still drive their cars on the street use the 40/60 configuration since it's more seemless in daily use and minimzes tire wear. The 50/80 is going to offer better at the limit performance but tends to be better suited to a track only racecar.

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[stewhatch]

Jamie - JHM is located in Lathrop CA. I contacted their transmission tech and asked about availability of taller 6th gears for my gearbox as well as options. It looks doable provided they can furnish parts that will fit. My friend that's doing the rebuild for me mentioned today that he found metal particles (flakes) inside after opening things up. I am assuming this is from the failed pinion bearing. If not, I will soon find out. My '93 has an LSD - is this a Torsen unit or a clutch-type? he said it has a clutch type in it now. I thought the Torsen was in all '92's and '93's but could be mistaken. Is the Torsen and the Quaife similar? Apparently gears / parts for the 968 transaxle are n/a in the US and are sourced from Germany. I have another (open-diff) transaxle in the car now so I have time to do this right. Once my LSD gearbox is finished and re-installed, I am considering sending him my open-diff unit for a complete rebuild with all new ratios and an aftermarket LSD. Still looking for approx. 2500 RPM at 80 mph as a goal. I feel comfortable that a tall 6th gear won't do any harm and will make long trips a lot easier on the gas and the motor. I'll keep you in the loop as we progress - stay tuned. Stew

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[Tom030]

"My '93 has an LSD - is this a Torsen unit or a clutch-type? he said it has a clutch type in it now. I thought the Torsen was in all '92's and '93's but could be mistaken."

My understanding is that the 92's and some 93's had the clutch type diff. The Torsen became standard in early 93. All M 030's had the Torsen.

~tom

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[Jamie '92 968]

Stew,

Did a quick search to confirm what I remember flash telling me last year.
Option code 220 is a Torsen LSD and 221 is the clutch type.
http://www.968forums.com/index.php?showtop...+220+clutch+221

Check your sticker.

Jamie

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[stewhatch]

220 - Torsen. Hooray! Thanks guys! Still no word yet from the gearbox guys. I'll keep you posted.

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[joeh944]

Jpr -

Not wanting to hijack this thread...

I'm within 20 miles of Lathrop and had no idea JHM existed until reading this thread. I believe my pinion bearing has failed, and might ask them to look at my transmission. Have you (or anyone else reading this) had any experience with JHM? Thanks.

Joe

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[stewhatch]

No worries Joe - this is completely open to all. I have never dealt w/ these folks before. I'm just waiting for replies to questions / pricing that I sent recently. I have tried calling them but left vm each time.

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