356 five speed trans

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Jacques Lefriant
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Re: 356 five speed trans

#31 Post by Jacques Lefriant »

Hi Bob
thanks for the kind words. Yes the cost is quite reasonable and may be in some instances much better than even the cost of a rebuild if a diff and Ring+Pinion are required.
j
 

Richard Emerson
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Re: 356 five speed trans

#32 Post by Richard Emerson »

I have had three Emory cars with the 901 gear boxes and polo motors and irs; they are really nice! Perfect for long trips and spirited blasts.

I highly recommend them if your use and budget allows.

I drive stock 356’s and swb 911’s and they are amazing too. That’s where most of my seat time is now.

Adrian Rendle
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Re: 356 five speed trans

#33 Post by Adrian Rendle »

what i'd be concerned about is, i don't see any webs on the case: will the case be up to the demands of a swing-axle suspension with all the extra loadings (from the deflection of the spring plate and the rigid axle) that an irs tranny doesn't see?

while its being discussed, what is the general concensus about modifying the tranny for more relaxed cruising: for a 1720 with a short cam (Maestro grind or similar), and given a "senior" driving style, would a Cadrobbi plus G gear kill the liveliness of the car stone dead?

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Vic Skirmants
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Re: 356 five speed trans

#34 Post by Vic Skirmants »

When I asked the manufacturer about the lack of webs, he replied that they are on the inside.
Adrian, good question about the side loads into that trans because of the swing axles.

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Martin Benade
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Re: 356 five speed trans

#35 Post by Martin Benade »

I am no engineer but I imagine the shock load from popping the clutch would be trying to burst the case from the inside out way more than cornering forces would push from the outside in.
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Leo Dreisilker
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Re: 356 five speed trans

#36 Post by Leo Dreisilker »

My five shifts on the matter are...I love the shifting on my 1962 356B coupe but wish RPM's were lower in fourth when cruising. When I bought my 1968 912 with a four speed I had my 356 shop put in a five speed for lower RPM's for cruising and noise. Shifting into first for me is too far over and down and sometimes difficult to engage and I go into 3rd. Shifting from 2nd. through 5th are fine. The issue with fifth is the RPM's are still to high when cruising. There is not enough difference between 4th. and 5th. Had I known this I would not have made the change. I still have the original 4 speed transmission. Is there a taller 5th. gear available then what is now in it. I don't know the ratio's at this time. I am glad this topic came up.
 

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Wes Bender
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Re: 356 five speed trans

#37 Post by Wes Bender »

Leo, did the shop alter the ratios or change the R&P in the five-speed to achieve a quieter top speed? Stock, the bottom gear and the top gear ratios were the same as the four-speed.
Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.....

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Martin Benade
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Re: 356 five speed trans

#38 Post by Martin Benade »

At least for the 5 speed there is a 914 5th gear set that will get you lower freeway rpm. Not sure if they fit the 4 speed or not.
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Michael Moss
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Re: 356 five speed trans

#39 Post by Michael Moss »

Leo: Your 5/speed probably has a "X" fifth gear in it. There are at least 3 different ratios to gear your car for lower cruising rpms. Z, ZA, ZD. I had a 5/speed 901 setup in my 64C with a mild 1735cc and a "Z" 5th. gear. Personally I wouldn't own a 356 without a 5/speed, but I'm an Outlaw guy. The conversion to the 5/speed was well worth the effort. Mike

Edwin Ek
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Re: 356 five speed trans

#40 Post by Edwin Ek »

A few people have posted about experiences with 5-speed transmissions. Have any been with the WEVO unit?
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Dave Merz
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Re: 356 five speed trans

#41 Post by Dave Merz »

As previously stated, I've done both the 901 and WEVO conversions. First a 901 in a 356 that ran the Carrera Panamericana race and last one the WEVO in an SC. Used the ZD 5th in both as it was the tallest 5th available.

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Re: 356 five speed trans

#42 Post by Edwin Ek »

Dave, thanks for replying. How was the shift quality of the WEVO? Just as good as a 901 box in a 911?
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Alex Motola
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Re: 356 five speed trans

#43 Post by Alex Motola »

Dave Merz wrote:As previously stated, I've done both the 901 and WEVO conversions. First a 901 in a 356 that ran the Carrera Panamericana race and last one the WEVO in an SC. Used the ZD 5th in both as it was the tallest 5th available.
Dave,

Regarding your experience with the WEVO unit (which I am silly enough to be considering...), what gears would recommend for the 5 speed? How did you like the box overall?

I already have a ZD from a 914, and a regular 901 box; so I have most the extra stuff required to make this work, except the $pendy case and the machining.

Would love your first hand feedback.

TIA,
Alex

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