924Board.org

[NeunVierVier]

Hi guys,
The search continues for the 924. I am still gathering as much information as I possibly can before dropping the coin on one.

I was wondering if any of you could describe your Audi four-speed gearboxes.

What's it like driving them?

Where does the engine run at highway speeds?

The same goes for the Audi five speed fellows.

To all you snailshellers, feel free to chime in, but I'm trying to avoid that gearbox if at all possible; I want to stick with the easily swapped Audi units .
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-Jacob

1987 Porsche 944 Super Variant (Daily Driver)

[brealytrent]

The 4-speed is alright. You don't have to worry about stripping gears with them. And if you somehow do, you can find them all over the place (talk to Grenadiers if you need one!). The shifter is way sloppy by today's standards (which is expected), but has a nice feel to it.
However, the biggest gripe I have for these dang four speeds is that you cannot cruise above 55 without extreme disturbance from the engine, wailing through the firewall. I think 60mph is 3200 rpm. 75 is around 4200. There was an audi four-speed with better ratios in the early days, but I do not know specifically the numbers of that transmission. If you can, get one with an audi five-speed, as you'll be a lot more satisfied when you have to travel at high speed (again, anything more than 55 )
Lastly though, if your plan is to just use it at autocross, the four-speed would probably be better than the five speed due to the shorter ratios, helping optimize all hundred or so hamsters do their best.
My four-speed actually leaks a bit; about a drop after any length of drive, but I don't really worry about it because if it pukes, I'll slip in a five-speed!
I hope this helps!
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1977 Porsche 924 - sold
1980 Porsche 931 - sold
1984 Porsche 928 'S2' Euro - sold
2016 Ford Fiesta ST - sold
2009 Porsche Cayman

[ideola]

The Audi 5-speed gearbox is nice and smooth if not a little bland. That's not to say you won't find abused examples out there. The 4-speed just plain sucks if you plan to spend any time over 50 MPH. If you get an early car with the 4-speed with the intent of swapping in a 5-speed later, you still have to change the shift linkage as the shift rods are different lengths. You can ONLY source your 5-speed from an 80-82 924 NA. You cannot (at least not easily) swap in a 5-speed from a 931, 924S, or 944 because of the larger input shaft (and it's not as easy as making a coupler adapter because the length of the shaft is different too...so you'd have to do something with the driveshaft in the torque tube).

Finding an Audi 5-speed with the smaller input shaft is not so easy because they only came in the 1980-82 models, so they're fairly uncommon. In my opinion (as I've written before), you're better off narrowing your search to a 1981-82 model...and the gearbox is just one more reason to do so.

Personally I love the Getrag shift pattern, so much so that if I ever get another NA, I will probably retrofit a snailshell into it. The snailshells are a better transmission despite their reputation. But you can get away with abusing the Audi more (e.g. drag racing quick shifts).
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erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

[fiat22turbo]

I think you can swap the 4-speed out for the 5-speed (provided you have the matching shift linkage and spline count, etc.)

Otherwise, they have similar issues with the shifters wearing out, ask Rattlinbone about his.

Personally, I like the snailshell, just for the shift pattern, the better weight distribution. We'll see how I feel once I get to drive mine in anger again.
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Stefan
1979 924 Carrera GTS (clone-ish)
1988 944 Turbo S (Silver Rose)

[daniel]

I have a 944 (Audi 5 speed) and a 924 with the snailshell. Audi wins hands down every time. The Snailshell is just a pain! Ask Dan about the rebuild he;s organising for me!
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Over the top of skyline, total brake failure.... hit the wall at over 200 kp/h at the dipper, so anyone who has to brake for the esses is a pussy.
1977.5 Race Car, CAMS Group S Spec
1989 944 Cabriolet

[NeunVierVier]

[Raceboy]

Euro 924-s with 4speed have lower R&P ratio and they cruise @ 4th @ 110 kmh exactly at the same rpm as 5spd Audi (3000 rpm).

US 4spd ones (at least early) have higher R&P ratio due to weaker engine.

I had 4 spd Euro gearbox on my turbocharged 924 and loved it. Though this engine has more torque at 2000 rpm than stock Euro 924 engine maximum (165 Nm) at 3500 rpm.
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'83 924 2.6 16v Turbo, 470hp
'67 911 2.4S hotrod
'90 944 S2 Cabriolet
'78 924 Carrera GT replica
'84 928 S, sold
'91 944 S2, sold
'82 924S/931 "Gulf", sold
'84 924, turbocharged, sold.
http://www.facebook.com/vemsporsche

[CorsePerVita]

NeunVierVier - we meet again!
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- 1977 Porsche 924 2.0 N/A (Trackday Project)
- 1979 Porsche 924 2.0 N/A (The other daily)
- 1980 Porsche 931 (Daily)
- 1987 Lamborghini Jalpa
- 1999 Ducati 900SS

[Slam]

The 4-speed in our racer just had the wrong gearing, and the throw between 2nd and 3rd was excessive - first time I made that shift I thought my hand was headed out the PS door. Probably very worn linkage/bushings. We swapped out everything for a snail shell and our driver is MUCH happier. I'd be choosing between the 5-speeds and forget about the 4-speed.
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'84 944 - kid blew motor
'83 944 - resting comfortably. For 12 years
'87 944 - sideswiped by trucker
'80 924 - gone
'78 924 - gone
'77 924 - rusting comfortably

[Rattlinbone]

Yeah, my shift lever is a bit wobbly. All I need to do is replace a pin in the linkage, and I think it will be alright. ANd the throw of the stick is a bit wide by modern standards. It's an old car, and I'm still getting used to driving it. My biggest concern right now is that, when it's warm, when I go from a stop into first gear, the whole car will shudder quite terribly. I don't know what would cause this, because otherwise it's fine. I actually quite like it and I find that it's quite capable on the freeway. Last week I pulled out all the carpet and soundproofing in the back and now I just listen to the gritty whine of those gears pushing the car along. I think the 4-speed is pretty robust.
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Fred- 1979 924

[fiat22turbo]

Torque Tube bearings are failing, or your clutch is dragging.
_________________
Stefan
1979 924 Carrera GTS (clone-ish)
1988 944 Turbo S (Silver Rose)

[NeunVierVier]

[bkantelis]

I purchased my 79 just because of the snailshell. I really like that shift pattern and the price was right. Going through a rebuild now and there is plenty of help out there and parts as well. Those Na cars with the snailshell will only have 4 lug wheels.
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1979 NA 924
Georgia, USA

[Fifty50Plus]

My 79 with the M471 option has 5 lug wheels and an LSD.
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1979 924 NA race car H-Prod SCCA
1982 924 NA race car - Sold
1981 924 Turbo sold
1982 924 Turbo sold
1972 911 E race car - traded for Cayenne Diesel
1975 914 1.8 Building for H-Prod SCCA

[staticsan]

I have the 5-speed and IIRC it does about 3000rpm in fifth at 100km/h.

Incidentally, my 924 is the first car I've ever driven where I can tell the difference between cold and warm gearbox oil. It shifts subtly nicer and smoother when the oil is warm.

Wade.