Dr Evil's Tranny Clinic in Canada, part 3 pre-planner, late spring 2018 Options

[Mark Henry]

Talking to the doc he's up for another Dr Evil's Tranny Clinic in Canada at my place in central Ontario.
Right now we are thinking of late spring/ early summer. If after the May Two-Four the weather should be good enough for camping. The last clinic was mid June and we had perfect weather.

These clinics are huge fun, you get to walk away with a freshly rebuilt transmission and you get to meet many of our 914world brothers.

Price and details will be basically the same as the last clinic I hosted back in 2013.

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=202903

So who's in?

Mobymutt, Matt
peteyd
TonyA
Teen Hulk

[AndrewBlyholder]

I'm definitely interested. I'd be flying in from the San Francisco area so probably wouldn't bring a tranny, but happy to pay the full tuition.

I'd camp at the site. A place in the motorhome would be nice. Would be nice to not have to schlep a tent in my luggage.

I'm an long time autocrosser, but gearing up to start doing track events. I've rebuilt two boxes myself already with no major problems, but interested in improving my technique and knowledge. My interest is is building track trannys, so I'm interest in subjects like:
- gear ratio selection
- tips about swapping gear ratios
- 904 input shafts for non-standard 2nd gears
- installing/adjusting limited slip differentials
- checking pinion/ring gear alignment
- judgement in inspecting worn parts (i.e. what's ok to reuse, what should be tossed.)
- modifications to accept more horsepower (alum. intermediate plate?)
- information on the known weak points in the 901 (what breaks first when you start racing these things)
- use of 915 gearbox in 914

Exact schedule will impact my ability to come, so the sooner you can set a date the easier it will be for me to finalize plans.

Fantastic to see this happening. Just what I need!

Andrew Blyholder

[Dr Evil]

I'm definitely interested. I'd be flying in from the San Francisco area so probably wouldn't bring a tranny, but happy to pay the full tuition.

I'd camp at the site. A place in the motorhome would be nice. Would be nice to not have to schlep a tent in my luggage.

I'm an long time autocrosser, but gearing up to start doing track events. I've rebuilt two boxes myself already with no major problems, but interested in improving my technique and knowledge. My interest is is building track trannys, so I'm interest in subjects like:
- gear ratio selection
- tips about swapping gear ratios
- 904 input shafts for non-standard 2nd gears
- installing/adjusting limited slip differentials
- checking pinion/ring gear alignment
- judgement in inspecting worn parts (i.e. what's ok to reuse, what should be tossed.)
- modifications to accept more horsepower (alum. intermediate plate?)
- information on the known weak points in the 901 (what breaks first when you start racing these things)
- use of 915 gearbox in 914

Exact schedule will impact my ability to come, so the sooner you can set a date the easier it will be for me to finalize plans.

Fantastic to see this happening. Just what I need!

Andrew Blyholder

Dude, your enthusiasm is awesome! However, you do not need to go to such great lengths and expense. There will be clinics in the PNW and in Cali in the up coming year that will be closer and easier.

As for your questions, some of the basics are covered in my DVD set, contact me for a copy ($35 shipped). It will cover inspection of parts and such.

Regarding gear ratio selection, that is a very personal and broad topic that has come up dozens if not hundreds of times over the last 10+ years here. Best is always to ask those that have done it. Engine, tires, wheel size, carbs/fi, suspension all play a role in it. Case in point, I have a dear friend that I do work for and he has been racing Porsche since the 60s. He has a 914 with a 2.2 in it, I built him a box with A, GA, M, S, X and he has shaved 2 sec off of his runs at VIR with it. He likes it on Sears Point as well. He knew what he wanted and we were able to discuss. Also, you have to consider cost. Is it worth $1000+ for the 904 shaft, add more $$ for the gears. I would say that most people say "No" as I have had some 904 gears sitting around for a long time and have only ever sold one set. I think I still have an E set, sold a J set. I seldom, like less than 4-5 times, have been asked to install a 904 shaft in anyone's box. Wisdom says build a box close to idea for the least amount as you can, and then see if it is worth it to go the extra $$. Yes, I talk myself out of sales often, but that is because ethics mean a lot to me (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

For differential set up, R/P stuff, I do not cover this in the DVD. Doing this part requires some special tools, or significant trial and error + risk if you don't have the tools. The way I guide through the rebuild in the DVD shows how to preserve the R/P setup so you should not need the special tools. I have guided some folks in far away places like NZ and Oz on how they could set them without the tools using Prussian blue, trial and error, and luck and so far no issues, but I am not confident on this method for everyone and it does not address backlash appropriately (however a tool for this can be pretty easily made). Doing LSD rebuild is easy if all else is correct (backlash, ring and pinion). Installing an LSD without the proper set tools for setting R/P and backlash is a waste of time and money and very risky for expensive damage or worse. Setting the R/P and backlash actually takes at least half, but often more than half of the rebuild time. If I don't need to set R/P because parts look appropriate and I can preserve the preset dimension, I can rebuild in like 8 hrs. If I have to do R/P/BL it can easily take another day or more to get that crap right.

So, ask questions on the forum, there are many smart folks out there. Feel free to PM me directly. Do go to a clinic if there is one near you, or feel free to make a trip out of it as you can see that all of my hosts are friendly folks and old friends of mine. If you think the DVD is something that will help you, hit me up and I will sent you a set, I always have copies lying around and there are well over 300 in circulation (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)