G96 / G97/50 Sourcing

[43655]

Hi all,
Building an ultima-ish car, Toyota 3UZ (4.3 V8), spaceframe, custom suspension etc anyway;

really struggling to find a gearbox!

Long term plan is for ~600whp, and I'm toying with keeping the awd function too.

The modern-er, strong and well geared 996 turbo 'boxes seem a good choice, and i believe the 997's box is basically the same but Aisin not Getrag but fundamentally the same? Any reason to chose one not the other?
Am I correct to think the 996 had 2nd gear pop-out issues requiring a rebuild, maybe resolved in the 997?

But my biggest struggle currently is finding one, or well finding one for sensible money.
AB offered me either 96 or 97 variant for £8100 2wd converted but sans diff and billet sideplate (I may well make one in work though)

Surely these are more plentiful than the old G50s? Therefore should be more affordable?

Also, any opinions on diffs? For road/track, Wavetrac seems to be recommended. Or man up and go full plate? OS-G?

Many thanks!

[43655]

Thanks for the replies / reassurance.

Still nowhere with a transaxle though. Found a dodgy G50 on ebay and thats it so far. Thought Teile.com had what i needed but nope.

Why can't more Porsche owners crash??

[43655]

I hadn't considered that, I read they're not very accommodating if Ultima builders don't use the correct SBF and G50, but thanks I'll try them.

I can get a rebuilt 'box here, for £8k. I can't imagine that with shipping and the usual VAT shafting it could be any cheaper surely? I keep dismissing LA Dismantlers for that reason

[43655]

Did anyone mention the strength issue?

I'd use a regular G96 while the engine is stock, but the ratios are a rubbish match for a lower-revving v8. I believe G50s of the non-turbo type are similar.

I've considered G50, the 915 'box, stock G96, Graziano, Hewland but the G96.50 always comes out best, in gearing, strength and supposedly availability! Just got to hopefully avoid the dreaded 2nd gear pop-out issues.

Plus with the G96.50 being 4wd, I'm tempted to utilise that with a transfer case, long UJ-d propshaft and front diff...
Although the graziano (audi R8, lambo etc) has the best setup for this, although requires a 2k drop gear to make the gearing usable.

[43655]

Highflyer PM'd you.

G96/50 is still my preference. Sadly missed out on one for good money recently

[43655]

Hi, Guessing that's a G96/30?
Same as the weaker and poorly geared G96/00 but still with the AWD complexity.

Thanks but really not suitable, especially as I can get one used for around £1k here.
Okay I know they're problematic and used might not be great but still