Will a 901 trans hold up to a 3.2L engine Options

[Bill Smith]

I recently had a transmission go out on my 914 after 3 years at a DE. My car has a stock 3.2 with a Euro chip and custom Exhaust. I lost 4th gear. Had the usual problem with getting into first. I was also running a Quaiffe Diff. When it happened, I only did one lap due to an unusual noise and then called it a weekend before I tore up the quaiffe. When I got it apart the only two problems were that 3 teeth were missing on one of the 4th gears and the double ball bearing was broken but I may have done this getting the trans apart. IN hind sight, I heel and toe very good but most times dont match rpm versus speed on down shifts which on the tracks we run at is usually 3rd not 4th.

I also have a friend driving the exact set up as I am driving that also has 3 years on his 3.2 with a 901 with no problems.

Several guys at the track said I was wasting my time and money on the 901 and that I should spend the $5000-7000 to go to a 915 or even better a G50.

What do you guys think - Am I wasting my time?

[Randal]

The big time engine/chassis builders I know say that 250hp is the limit on a 901.

[Dave_Darling]

The big time engine/chassis builders I know say that 250hp is the limit on a 901.

The limit for what is the question. Daily-driver-type reliability? Getting a full race season out of it? Something in between?

I know that Dave Ferguson ran a side-shifter 914 box behind the 2.8 "over 300 HP" motor in his green Six for a long time. He wasn't overly kind to it, either. But he got very good at rebuilding 901-based boxes. He managed to chew up pinion gears at the rate of one every three to five years.

He asked what I thought the grenaded pinon gear was. His reply, with that trademark grin of his, was "that's proof that I have enough torque!" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

--DD