Been a bit of a stressful weekend... Dog had surgery for a cancerous tumor, and my car still isn't sorted after a second clutch went up in smoke. So while being browbeat by my mechanic and tuner about the abuse I'm putting on my car while tracking it, the subject of over heating the tranny came up.

Both Kevin and my mechanic stated that "we" turbo guys need a tranny cooler... You guys thought about how much abuse we're putting on your cars???

Anyway, I notice by the end of a weekend, My tranny gets a touch notchy. Wonder how big a deal it is to put a tranny cooler in???

Other thought of this???
Mike

 

Hey Mike, the tranny cooler would be great but you are still burning your clutch up. What pressure plate and disk are you using. Sachs racing makes one that will hold 700HP. I know a few turbo guys without tranny coolers and they are fine running the 999 pressure plate I believe.

 

Gemballa puts one in there Avalanche.

 

Mike also check with Tom Kerr, he`s on this forum as he tracks the hell out of his turbo, see what he`s using for a clutch.
PS hope your dog is feeling better

 

I tracked the heck out of my TT last year, replaced the clutch in December due to overpowering it, it came out looking like brand new, even after track days in 102*.

The only time I really drive is on the track though, so overall miles are limited. Tranny cooler isnt a bad idea, I have no idea if it's a neccessary one though as I've had no problems.

 

Sorry to hear about your pooch Mike, hope everything is going to be ok.

I know a few guys change there Tranny oil a lot more regular.

 

What is the general consensus on how often the tranny fluid should be replaced?

 

Clutch slip and tranny fluid temps are two different that are unrelated issues gang... We're talking serious temps and at $10K per pop to rebuild, I'm thinking I'd rather try something preventative...

I know Tom well, and Tom can relay what he experienced in my car last event at VIR.

I have a solution for the slipping clutch/PP... We'll have this issue resolved and the car back home by the end of the week.

Dog is home after surgery and sleeping. Seems to be doing Ok. I'll find out in five days if the mass is benign or malignant. Thanks for the well wishes.

Mike

 

Mike, what`s the solution for the slipping clutch?

 

Have we heard of any trannies popping here, or gearboxes giving in, other than the 2nd gear popout issue? These are Porsches we are talking about so there is no doubt they are built to last, but I'd be interested in some added protection either way.

 

I have beat the hell out of my clutch...its the original clutch and the car had 34k miles until I needed to replace (JUST did that)...maybe 10k track miles...and HARD track miles on that prior clutch...Im couldnt be more thrilled...but Im also stock power...

 

Yeah, I think as long as you dont screw the clutch with bad shifting, or have too much power, the stock one will last almost forever.

But the gearbox is another issue, though I've never heard of any problems. Precisely why I never to more than 10-12 laps max in a session, the car is too heavy for extended runs on the track year after year IMO.

 

I believe the GT2 comes with a tranny cooler. Same tranny.

Not sure if the front driveshaft gets in the way though.

 

ok guys I sure already tried to go with a tranny cooler. the GT2 has it but the addition is cost prohibitive.
I have a stage 4 race clutch which is NOT like the sachs upgrade I had before. this has minimal to NO slip and gets tough to drive on the street. however, when you get to around 600hp the sachs clutch we all upgraded to initially will not hold the power as Mike found out.
my clutch grabs at whatever rpm you give it and you either take off or stall out!
I have opened my tranny box twice in 20k track miles. replaced a second and third gear syncro and second gear thought to have been previously damaged.
later got notchy going to thirdl, opened box and replaced syncro.
yes I drive hard, no I am not perfect on everyone of the hundreds of shifts, I think my experience would be similar to any cars tranny that has that many track miles.
as for the fluid, I change the tranny fluid after every 6 track days, and it looks like **** everytime.

 

Good stuff, tranny fluid change in the works.