[Jazzbass]

Originally Posted by bentone

I'm feeling slightly inadequate if EVERYBODY here is mechanically proficient or deep-pocketed enough to enjoy a crunch-free 1st gear - worth a poll? What would be really great is an estimate of 915 lifetime going forward assuming 150 mi/week in mixed driving...crack it open now or total rebuild later?

Nope, not me. I actually have two 915s, and both have bad 1st synchros. I bought the second to drive the car while I rebuilt the first. Haven't gotten around to it. Truth is, I'm used to no first, and double clutch the other gears except 4th and 5th (low wear on those). My car's not a DD so it could last a several years like that. That said, it's definitely closer to "need a rebuild" than "it's just fine" .

[Jase007]

Well ... haven't had 3rd synchro for about 5+ years. Have taken it to DEs, drive it on the street gently and in anger, etc.. no wurez . Like Jazz, double de-clutch it [don't have to but why be cruel ] downshifting to 3rd and add an extra "mississippi" when up-shifting-quick-like.

Drive it ... rebuild later.

[KFJ]

I agree with Jase and Jazz. It's the nature of the beast - the synchros have friction material that wears out over time and since you use 1st gear a LOT it tends to go first. I had a crunchy 1st and 3rd and managed to get rid of any issues with 3rd by replacing the bushings (well and a rennshift and stomski coupler). I ran into another issue which turned out to be a loose shift alignment fork - but I didn't come to this conclusion until I was most of the way into tearing the transmission apart. Had I known then what I know now, I would have tightened it up and gotten another year or two out of it. Look at it this way - you've already done the damage to the dog teeth, the transmission won't blow up on you (no warranty expressed or implied ). If you follow the advice of Jase and Jazz, you can drive it as is for a long, long time.

[Trak Ratt]

Mine was toast this season too. Bad second, then sticking in 5th , final straw was when 3rd went too. Car is mostly used for DEs and it’s been ~100K/10 years since the trans was last refreshed.
+ I luv speed shifts and burnouts,
++ floor board cracked last season accelerating wear,
+++ trans/motor mounts were original (car has many more than 100K miles).
BTW I had no issues on the street, trans was just starting to make noise going into 2nd

[roundel]

Originally Posted by Jazzbass

DR's not trying to be a dick.

I was not offended. I only considered leaving the forum for a couple of seconds. I have yet to drive a 915 equipped 911 without some 1st gear crunching. My theory was to drive it as is until it gets worse (ie undrivable) and get it fully rebuilt then. It did not make sense to learn the car on a fresh box just to screw it up learning. Either my fluid change to Redline improved things or I am learning how to drive it. I will apply your advice to the bushings and stuff after my last event of the year, but as it is right now, I have no issues on track. (Knock on wood) I am sure I will be fishing for advice on how to proceed when I am ready to open the wallet.

[Dr K]

Originally Posted by roundel

I have yet to drive a 915 equipped 911 without some 1st gear crunching.

You can drive mine. Rebuilt by IMA 5 years ago (actually I belive 6 years now) and PERFECT. It does not crunch in 1st, and you can downshift to first at 20 MPH without double-clutching (but I rarely do).

Peter

[roundel]

Originally Posted by Dr K

You can drive mine. Rebuilt by IMA 5 years ago (actually I belive 6 years now) and PERFECT. It does not crunch in 1st, and you can downshift to first at 20 MPH without double-clutching (but I rarely do).

Peter

I would love to come down to a dorki event some time to meet you car and you. So far the only Dorki cars and owners I have met are Darkhorse's and KFJ's. Both are sweet black track rats. I saw some other ones at the recent HPDC, but I did not know they were dorkis at the time. I guess not too much stuff happens in the Towson, MD area. It would be great to have a, ahem, cruise through Loch Raven and the surrounding countryside.

[Dr K]

Originally Posted by roundel

I would love to come down to a dorki event some time to meet you car and you. So far the only Dorki cars and owners I have met are Darkhorse's and KFJ's. Both are sweet black track rats. I saw some other ones at the recent HPDC, but I did not know they were dorkis at the time. I guess not too much stuff happens in the Towson, MD area. It would be great to have a, ahem, cruise through Loch Raven and the surrounding countryside.

I'm in Potomac. Perhaps we could meet in Olney or Ashton (is it Ashton on Georgia Ave?).

Peter

[VaSteve]

Where is Glen Arm? Top of the Balt Beltway? For some reason I was thinking you were outside Richmond... I guess that's Glen Allen? Anyway, I'm up that way periodically to see the wife's family. There's some roads I know up that way, but have never been there in a fun car...next time I'll have to sneak away and we can abuse your car on those roads.

[roundel]

It is just East of Towson on the north side of Baltimore.

Yes, there are some silly roads around here. I got the "Baron" airborn once by mistake and was afraid it would be FUBAR upon landing, but all was well.