924Board.org

[Rsagm2]

Does the 944 transaxle bolt right up in a 924s? Should I change to the 944 axles with it? Does the drive shaft stay the same length?

[fiat22turbo]

A 944 is based off of the 924 and is essentially the same as a 924S underneath. You won't gain anything with a transaxle swap, unless you're changing to a later, stronger gearbox or one with different gearing:

http://www.clarks-garage.com/shop-manual/trans-04.htm

Be careful with the transaxle mounts, especially if you're looking to swap in a box with an external oil cooler.

Now, the earlier 924 (76-85) before the 924S (86-8 came along used a smaller spline in the torque tube and while the transaxle was externally the same as the 944, it had a smaller input spline.
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Stefan
1979 924 Carrera GTS (clone-ish)
1988 944 Turbo S (Silver Rose)

[Rsagm2]

This was extreamly helpful. Glad to know about the splines to that was also a big concern. I wanted to put a 5.3L in it, would the stock tranny hold that power?

[edredas]

I believe a 951 transmission is a direct bolt in. I should know, but I haven't tried to install one yet. My 924S transmission is original and still works beautifully after handling the power of a 951 engine well over a year. However, I don't downshift... which will blow any transmission in the world, no matter how strong it is. My guess is that most 944 transmissions are blown from improper driving practices.

All that said, on the highway 5th feels like 4th now and if I did the swap it would be because it is annoying to have the revs that high.
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'84 944 -White, Brown interior
'84 944 -Red, Automatic
'86 944 -Garnet, Fully loaded, Koni suspension
'87 924S -Red, 300hp 951 swap
'87 924S -Red, Project Car
'88 924S -Red, Daily Driver

[Rsagm2]

What would I need for my drive shaft to bolt to the 5.3?

[edredas]

Here's a link to a 5.7 liter swap.

http://www.924board.org/viewtopic.php?t=35975



I believe the bellhousings are similar, so his thread should give you some insight to what all needs to be done.

Here are some pics of his adapter plate:





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'84 944 -White, Brown interior
'84 944 -Red, Automatic
'86 944 -Garnet, Fully loaded, Koni suspension
'87 924S -Red, 300hp 951 swap
'87 924S -Red, Project Car
'88 924S -Red, Daily Driver

[Rsagm2]

Thanks man this helps a lot!!

[fiat22turbo]

Yup, if you drive it sanely, a stock transaxle will survive. The Lambo and GT40 replicas use this transaxle with a little help to improve the case strength.

The turbo gearbox has the best gearing and strength combo for your swap when combined with an early 5th gear.

Sucks you're moving away from the 4-cylinder, but to each their own.

There's an engine swap section here that has lots of threads on engine swaps. It's down near the bottom of the main page, check it out you'll find some great info there.

Good luck!
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Stefan
1979 924 Carrera GTS (clone-ish)
1988 944 Turbo S (Silver Rose)

[Rsagm2]

Yeah I wanted to stay with the original 4 but after seeing all the rust on the outside and some of the floor pan rusted through I just want to through something in it for the experience and see what happens. Thanks you've been a great help!!

[edredas]

I thought I'd bump this thread...

While I've heard that a 951 transmission will bolt in, I didn't want to repeat something I've heard on the internet without verifying it first hand. As some you might be aware, the way the transmission is mounted changed in 1985.5 for the 944; (the 924S retained the early mounts). I finally had a chance to compare an early and late trans side by side.

The early mounts will bolt directly to the late/951 transmission. However, 951 transmissions that have a trans cooler use a different inspection plate that doesn't have one of the holes needed for the early mounts. To mount it you will either need to omit the cooler by using another inspection plate or make an adapter if you plan to keep it.

Also, early transmissions do not have the provisional holes for the late mount and are therefore not a direct swap into a late car.

I'm getting ready to install a 951 trans in my car and if anyone needs any pictures, just let me know.

I hope that helps.
_________________
'84 944 -White, Brown interior
'84 944 -Red, Automatic
'86 944 -Garnet, Fully loaded, Koni suspension
'87 924S -Red, 300hp 951 swap
'87 924S -Red, Project Car
'88 924S -Red, Daily Driver