Can you shift a 915 transaxle?

I have great respect for drivers that know how to drive an old 911 with a 915, or a 901.
Even more so if the 915 is combined with a 200+hp engine and sees use on track.

Shifting a manual is a big part of the challenge in driving on the street or on track in my opinion.

So my Porsche buddy is driving my 915 equipped 911 with me riding along.
I explain it has the stock shifter so it does not spring into the 3/4 gate automatically.
That fell on deaf ears.

Exiting the freeway he takes it out of 5th and attempts to downshift to 4th, grinding gears thankfully unsuccessfully into 2nd.
Coasting in neutral at 60 mph as he finally finds 4th.

I then realized most of new car owners have lost the touch and can no longer heal toe or match rev on downshift or even find a gear.

I love my 915 because it takes skill, it takes some finesse.

It is refreshing to drive such an analog machine. My previous cars had probably the 2 best shifters in any car, Honda S2000 and NSX. Everyone told me that I would not like the 915 Transmission and that it was too primitive feeling.

In my search for an early 911 I drove a 1971, 1972 and a 1973, all 3 were very tired transmissions. The final car had a much fresher Transmission in it. 1972 915 and it completely different than the 73 and other 70s cars I drove. I think when folks drive these cars and say they can't be shifted quickly or they arnt smooth I think they just have forgotten what a sorted car with fresh bushings and linkages feels like. Love my 1972 and its 915.

Have to agree whole heartedly.

The best shifting car I have is a 924 with a NOS dog leg, snail shell trans. The most challenging but rewarding is my 67S.

Lucky to also have a 6 GT3 and honestly, would like to improve the shifting...feels too rubbery even though it is easier to find the right gear reliably.

Getting the 67S right on a series of twisties is easily the biggest fun factor...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jimhuiz

Have to agree whole heartedly.

The best shifting car I have is a 924 with a NOS dog leg, snail shell trans. The most challenging but rewarding is my 67S.

Lucky to also have a 6 GT3 and honestly, would like to improve the shifting...feels too rubbery even though it is easier to find the right gear reliably.

Getting the 67S right on a series of twisties is easily the biggest fun factor...

---

Absolutely!

My '67 901 is my favorite gearbox. The '73 914 2.0S 901 is fantastic too. It is a side shifter but I give all the credit to the original owner who took fastidious care of it. It is a pleasure to row the gears. :D