This site is dedicated to the innovative semi-automatic transmission available in Porsche 911s and 914s in the late 60s until the end of the 70s.
While this transmission was a reasonably popular option when new, collectors of these cars were traditionally wary of the percieved complexity of the transmission and many were converted to a standard manual. However, as the value and interest in early 911s have increased significantly in recent years, so has the willingness to preserve original rare features. With this in mind we aim to collate as much technical knowledge available on this site so we can help Sportomatic owners keep their cars on the road for many miles to come.
We have also created a Sportomatic registry, with the aim of cataloging these cars. If you own a Sportomatic car, please write a bit in the registry area of the site - remember to upload a picture too.
If you have any technical expertise, maintenance tips, road tests or any other sporto-related information, please post it on the site, or use the contact form to contact the editors.
Visio diagram for hi-torque starter
Say Phil, is there any chance you could share that diagram with us? There was no place to comment under that topic that I could see. I've been contemplating replacing my starter as it sometimes struggles in the heat, but if I wait a couple of weeks autumn will be here and the urgency will pass.
Sportmattic Gearbox problem!! Please Help!!
Hi all you Sportmattic people can you please help me? I have just become a proud member of the sportmattic.org website but also the proud owner of a 1979 911sc Targa Sportmattic! But I have a fault with the car. My gearbox has the following gears I think (I am new to this!) P (park) R (reverse) L (low gear for hill starts and snow I believe?) then D (drive) and last D2. The problem is in D and D2 I think the clutch disengages very often and the revs shoot up and the clutch disengages I then need to put the car in neutral and try D or D2 again. Its does this more frequently in D than D2. Can someone please give me some advise on this problem?
Many Thanks Paolo!!
Sportomatic Gearbox Problem
Paolo, et al.
I hope this is the proper Q&A area. I am also hoping that others can jump in here and provide better or more accurate information. Based upon my experience and discussion with my mechanic here is what I think is happening.
If you download the "Driving With Sportomatic" pdf on page 15 of the pdf (page 14 of the manual) your will find a diagram. While sitting in the car if you feel through the boot at the base of the shifter it has a large circular object that the micro switch slides onto from above (parts 8 and 1 respectively).
This part has been described internally to me as an "H" pattern in plan view. If it is disturbed (rotated out of north south axis) either from transportation, carpet removal, hard shift on a hill, or even cleaning the boot, the Sportomatic will exhibit exactly what you describe with a 905 (4 speed)(see page 3 of the pdf).
If for simplicity we call these gears 1,2,3,4 gears 1,2 work fine but gears 3,4 pop out of gear: rotate part 8 counter clockwise about an 1/8-1/4 of an inch while driving on a deserted road and in 3rd gear and test. Once you get 3rd gear to solidly engage test all gears. If gears 1,2 are failing but 3,4 are working rotate clockwise.
I have even felt play in gears 1,2 where it will shift into gear if you lean the shifter to the right, but pop out of gear on a right turn. Overall the positions along the north-south axis are critical, only adjust in very small increments and remember what you did. Hope this helps.
Douglas
Spotomatic gear box
Paolo, Sounds like you have the 925/10 gear box that was a 3 speed unit, not a 4 speed unit like the earlier units (905 and 925). The gear box uses regular 80-90 weight oil and after you change it, will not require changing again for several years. The clutch/torque converter uses engine oil and is changed out with your engine change. Do not use syntheic oil in either gear box or engine. You should use a good "racing oil" of 20-50 weight in your engine like Brad Penn that has the level of zinc and phophorus to protect the cams shaft and lifters.
The problem with your clutch disengaging will probably be solved by your checking the micro switch on the shifter. There are some good threads on this site to follow.
Good luck and enjoy the Sporty.
Roger
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sportomatic Gremlin
I have just become a member here and joined the registry, I have loaded a photo of mine. Sometimes it gets jammed in a gear and the engine idles higher when this happens, I can only get it out of gear by turning off the engine. Then I can restart and off it goes fine. It can also when it feels like seem as though the clutch wont engage and the gears grind. It should be in Park or Neutral to start, it has sometimes not turned over when it should but then comes good ? Sometimes it seems to slip/clutch doesn't grab properly but most of the time it drives fine. Just plays up sometimes. Otherwise 90% of the time it has no problems, Any ideas ?
Hi tonus, checking the
Hi tonus, checking the microswitch on your shifter should be your first port of call. Have a look under the technical section on this site.