I have read several comments and have spoken to owners who say first gear is pretty useless in its stock form, especially for the cars with enhanced power output. I have also read of those who have changed out all the gears, but I don't recall hearing of someone who has changed only the first gear ratio. I don't know much about transaxles but would surmise that a mating gear on another shaft would also have to be changed due to the already-established wear pattern of the two mating surfaces.

If doable, is this a pricey endeavor, and is there a gear (or gears) out there that would give a worthwhile result? Would this complicate some of the already touchy clutch engagement issues for some of the after-market clutch assemblies, i.e. less torque multiplication when easing out from a dead stop? Could this taller low gear provide a more suitable transition (better power band entrance point) to second gear because the car would already be rolling several MPH faster?

I am presently Porsche-less (have owned three) and am contemplating the purchase of a pre-owned 2001, or newer TT after the first of the year. I am trying to do my homework and this is certainly a pleasant forum to follow. One doesn't feel as though his head may be handed to him for asking novice questions. I am a member of some forums, for example Dentaltown, where egos reign supreme and arguments are proliferative.

Thank you from an inquisitive new member.

 

It is possible, and I believe quite expensive. BigBadBen has done the gear swap recently...he can answer your questions more fully. Kevin

 

Al, since you dont own a TT I would first buy one and drive it to see what you think. Certainly the first upgrade that comes to mind for these cars is not changing gear ratios.
Try it first you may like the way porsche did it.

 

Hi Tom,

Thanks for the prompt reply. I have taken many demo drives in TT's in the last few years and am familiar with the as-built ride. I have ridden in 2 highly modded P-cars, one a 993 from Mode with 655 at the crank, and the other a GT2 from Imagine with about 635 to the ground. Both owners remarked that they felt low gear was over too quickly to be of much value.

Ratio swapping would certainly not be an early-on modification for me. I'm thinking in ultimate terms. I have enjoyed reading many of your posts. al

 

Thanks Al. I agree with your friends observations. I feel that my first gear is useless to me. I only use it to get to second gear and then out onto the track. The car redlines almost instantaneously and all four wheel break loose. Not very helpful and why I never get inticed into a drag race in first gear. These cars also cant be "speed" shifted so also the first to second under load is not smart.
Second to third is actually a "two part" move. You must move the shifter decisively to neutral and on up to third gear. Again not a speed move.
I would love to have the whole tranny re-geared but I have looked into this and it is very cost prohibitive, especially with all the other mods begging to be done to these cars!
Good luck and your car search, we look forward to welcoming you to the club!
tom

 

How about a final drive change. It would affect all the gears but it seems like that would be a lot easier. Of course I know nothing of this upgrade and am just throwing this one out there.

 

A first gear change by itself would not be a good idea as second would become a joke.

 

David, that has been mentioned before, but I have never heard of the option or solution.

 

Maybe it should be?

Regearing the transmission costs approximatey $10k. I'd be willing to bet that a $10k tuning kit from Tuner X + a $10k regear would give you a faster, more usable car than a $20k kit from Tuner Y.

 

1st IS useless in these cars especially the HP cars....

Yup, I did it all, all new gears and the GT700 kit, all the gears are perfect now except I will be changing 6th to the Ruf version for a theoretical top speed of 237 MPH. My 6th is too low now and I long for a 7th gear.

Like CJV said, doing only first would be a waste, its the most expensive as it requires the mainshaftto be changed but while you are at it you might as well change the other gears too.

I love 1st now, over 50 MPH @ 7K.

This is a costly mod to do like others have said about $10K for all the gears and steel syncros etc...but its well worth it IMO...I am very pleased I did it.

 

Thanks, BigBadBen,

I've been hoping for a reply from you since I read on another thread that you had swapped the ratios. I agree with F**K and with you that a complete ratio swap would be a very worthwhile investment. I've never tracked any street car I've owned, but was thinking of starting out with some autocross events. From talking to another who has autocrossed his P-car, he found first gear of marginal value. Seems like being able spooled up and able to accelerate to 50 or so out of a slow turn would be of some real advantage.

Are there a number of different combinations that will work with the mainshaft? I would want to retain the original 5 and 6 overdrive ratios(with new gears, of course), but would want a better spread from 1st through 4th. Do these gears come from Porsche, and if so, should I just go to a dealership and look at all available ratios in the parts catalog?

As I am considering an older model car with a possible second gear "pop-out" issue, wouldn't a rebuild with the new gearing and steel syncros kill two birds?

 

Al, I can only really talk about the 996TT in my case even though previous models (993) I am sure have very similar ratio's.

First of all you need to decide what car you are going to buy, what other mods you intend to do eg 996TT EVOMS or the like stage XXX kits and then decide what gear ratios would be best for you.

In my case I had 1st and 2nd made taller and 3rd through 6th shorter so in effect there is a much better balance with regard redline/power shift points so I am in the sweet spot of the turbo's so I get zero lag now.

My car rev's to redline perfectly now but you have to be on the ball as the sweeps are so quick in each gear now that it is easy to hit the rev limiter if you are not paying attention another words it's like bang, bang, bang in each gear, no waiting around for things to happen..sorta like a race setup.

Lengthen 1st and 2nd and shorten 3rd and 4th is what I would do. Again this is dependant on what car we are talking about and the respective HP numbers and shift points you want etc. In all honesty there a plenty of other mods to do before the gears...Stage kits, PSS9's or the like etc etc...it really depends on how much money you want to stuff into her.

There are only a handful of guys that have done gears on these cars particularly the mainshaft cos of the cost, I think its a must be that's only MO.

Once you drive a car like this.... you think...God this is what the factory should have done in the first place ... but for the average everyday poser that does not drive these cars properly ...they don't care...

I, like many on here go to some crazy extreme's with this ****... , the fun I have is going all this work myself...well Brian Copans at BMC&G did the gear box work for me...he is the best in the business bar NONE!

Brian does not normally do retail stuff, he is busy enough doing all the boxes for the Porsche Cup teams...

BTW, I have the best Porsche Motorsports gears from Germany in my car, there are cheaper solutions from Paul Guard....but the mainshaft is still pricey!

Hope this helps.

Ben

 

someone needs to let BigBen borrow a GPS device so we can see how much a difference the gears make... someone... please....

- chuck

 

The car is now put away for the winter..very sad I know....I hate WINTER!!!!!!

 

Plus, I need a BLOODY MAF that works in this car. ...knock knock..anybody listening!