Transmission issue - housing bell

[pierre]

Hi all,

 

Been quite silent in the last few... years(?). My Turbo has now over 540'000 km (335'000 mi). Got a new suspension last year (Bilstein B16 PSS10), and a lot of plastic parts have been replaced (front underbody, wheel wells, etc. With the Sportec Stage 3+ (593hp, 820Nm/600lbft), the baby is still pushing strong. Yeah, only pushing and not pulling: we've also removed the front shaft.

 

Recently, the tranny decided it had enough: the bell housing had a failure. 🤯

 

Sportec says that Porsche only replaces complete trannies, not only the bell housing. I can (partly) follow the reasoning, but my bank account can't. Here in Switzerland, a full tranny is  around CHF 17k (USD 18k).

 

Now, I've just bumped into this:

https://californiamotorsports.net/products/996-997-gt2-transmission-case-bell-housing

 

I'll double-check with Sportec to see whether it'd be suitable, but what do you guys think? Did anybody go that path yet? Any thoughts, advices, hints to share? 

 

This car has been with me for 20 years, and I intend to keep it. Moreover, my son already said he wants to inherit it. So I've got no choice. 

 

Thanks in advance for your views!

 

 

[PWS]

If you have a qualified repair shop there is no reason not to buy the Bell Housing. Porsche, like many other manufacturers, sell only complete units.

[pierre]

Thanks! 

Yes, the shop is more than qualified. Will come back here with their opinion...

[Silver_TT]

That is some amazing mileage.  ALL HAIL THE MEZGER (*silence*) 🙂

 

Seriously, I would call Gbox in Boulder, Colorado.  Porsche does only replace complete tranny's that is correct (told the same thing in the USA for my 996TT).  Stan at GBox is the leading expert on this gearbox.  I have done business with them and was very happy with him.  I know you're in Switzerland but he would be a valuable resource for you to talk to.

[pierre]

Thanks for the confirmation about the tranny replacement (NB: I fully trust Sportec if they say so) and for the hint, Silver_TT. 

The Sportec dudes should now be back from Easter-lalaland, so we'll see how we proceed... Will keep this thread updated for the future generations. 

[Silver_TT]

Sounds like you already have a great source of information.  I am really only familiar with the USA vendors but certainly you have good options in your geographic location and sounds like you already have it sorted.  If you ever need a "second opinion" or another source of info now you have one! 🙂 

[pierre]

Sportec just confirmed that part will solve my issue.

 

Before ordering and moving the money, does anyone have any experience with California Motorsports Inc ? Can I trust them they will ship me a brand new item as advertised?