What Transaxle Do I Have?
 

I'm hoping you guys can help me identify the transaxle I have. I don't have the car it came out of, only the transaxle (bought it on ebay for a project I'm working on). All I can tell you for certain is that it was sold to me as a "2000 Porsche Boxster 5 speed Manual". I've looked all over the transaxle and find a lot of "cast in" numbers which I assume are part numbers of the individual casings, etc. The only "stamped" number I can find is located on a machined area on the top side of the bellhousing. That number is EFD10020. What I'm trying to determine is if this transaxle has LSD or not so I'll know what oil to use. Any help is greatly appreciated.

The transmission code is on the label on the underside of the front trunk (next to the engine code):

Transmission decoder:
G8600-00x = 5 speed gearbox for 1997 -1999
G8601-00x = 5 speed gearbox for 2000 - 2004
G8620-00x = 6-speed gearbox S-Models 2000-2004

x is either 1 or 2:
-001 is non-limited slip differential (LSD)
-002 is for the LSD

Tiptronic is A8600 or A86XX

Thanks for the response, I found that information while doing a search on Google. However, as I mentioned in my original post, I don't have the car this transaxle came out of. Is there any other way of determining what I have? Does the number stamped on the bellhousing help in any way? Thanks.

The transmission code is also stamped just aft of the axle flanges on the underside of the transaxle.

I found the stamp on the underside of the transaxle just behind the axle shafts, but it is stamped "EFD 0849". Does this mean anything to anyone?

This got me curious enough to pull my G86 out of the back of the garage and take a look. I could not find G86xxxx.... anywhere. I did find an "EFD 16011",
then I looked in my Service Manual 'Group 3, Transmission, Manual Transmission' and figured it's a G86/01 made on January 16th 2001.
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1472245171.jpg
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1472245191.jpg

Yours is a G86/01 from April 8th 1999. (...and bell housing, EFD10020: Feb 10th 2000)

That is very interesting information. Thanks for your efforts. At least I now have something to go on.

78F350
Thank you for the helpful diagram. There are numbers and codes scattered all over the 6 speed transmission.They are hard to see on the car but I have 2 on the bench now so have a little guide to what may be significant numbers from mine.This may help others know where to look.Some of these may be part(Getrag?) numbers.
First - I found nothing on top of the Bellhousing -as shown in the diagram above so perhaps that applies only to older or 5 speed gearboxes??.
1.Underneath the trans , just behind the axle shafts ,on the same side as the shifter,just by the lower counterweight = G86201031713. This is the important #
2. also on the shifter side just beneath the axle shaft = Getrag Made in Germany 256.0.0102.91
On the opposite side
3. on the side of the gearbox case = +GF+WD 21561
4. underneath the axle shaft = 4571.1..1./02
5. by the clutch bellhousing = 292.0.0168.90
This is from the newer of the 2 transmissions I have on the bench.
If anyone can decipher all these numbers ,it would be interesting.
And as far as I have read , the Boxster S did not have LSD, not even an option but could be retrofit - see link below:No not even option # M224 ?
http://www.renntech.org/forums/topic/23321-did-lsd-come-standard-on-the-986-boxster/?_fromLogin=1
http://www.renntech.org/forums/files/file/1752-porsche-boxster-1997-2004/
JFP will correct any mistakes I hope:-) because I am not an expert on these transmissions.

The S model section of the manual shows the model info is on the bottom, behind the output shafts. (as described above)

Decoding:
G8620 -Transmission type (6 speed)
1 -Index for version (1= normal differential, NO OTHER Index is given).
031713 -Serial number.

78F350 - great job with the trans decoder! :cheers:

I still learn something new here on the Forum every week.

"First - I found nothing on top of the Bellhousing -as shown in the diagram above so perhaps that applies only to older or 5 speed gearboxes??.
1.Underneath the trans , just behind the axle shafts ,on the same side as the shifter,just by the lower counterweight = G86201031713. This is the important #"

This helps others find the easily located number and ignore the rest of the cryptic numbers all over the transmission . Underneath the car on jackstands ,this could be a tedious exercise otherwise.

If it has LSD, it will be difficult to turn the output flanges in opposite directions with the transmission in gear, provided the LSD is not toast.

With the transmission in gear in a non-LSD unit, it will be fairly easy to turn the output flanges in opposite directions at the same time.

Are you making a mid-engine car? Get yourself an Audi 01E if so.

I just went thru this exercise while ordering parts (axle flange) on an recent output seal change I did. The first three letters are the model type and are critical to find the correct internal part. My trans is the CWA. Attached as an example is a page from the parts manual I searched.

Well This is the page I meant to post.

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1472360063.jpg

Here are two links to the relevant parts pages that are searchable.
Where did you find any markings on the gearbox that relate to :
CWA/DVY/EFD classification letter GDW/GFW ?
see post #3 above for locations:
" on the side of the gearbox case = +GF+WD 21561" What does this mean?
Porsche Boxster Parts

G86.00 Gears And Shafts -99 G86.01 Transmission 00- Cwa/dvy/efd Classification Letter Gdw/gfw Attention

If you want to know if the gearbox has a LSD in it, turn one of the axle flanges, if the other one rotates in the same direction, then YES you have LSD, if it turns in the opposite direction then NO you have a open differential.

If you happen to need a LSD, give me a call. I have a excellent option for you. .

Happy to help,

Erik Johnson
(720) 899-6005 phone

Erik;
That is useful info because one of the 2 transmissions I have is missing the diff and output flanges.
2 options Porsche missed on the Boxster S - ventilated seats and a 'real' LSD.

Where did you find any markings on the gearbox that relate to :
CWA/DVY/EFD classification letter GDW/GFW ?
see post #3 above for locations:
on the side of the gearbox case = +GF+WD 21561" What does this mean?


Hey Gelbster sorry if I didn't understand but are you asking about the above questions?

To the OP, I'd have to go check but I believe the EFD on your trans signifies it as from a 2.7 liter and it has a different gear ratio than the 2.5 trans.

edit: Yep. Your EFD axle has 32 tooth ring gear and 9 tooth pinion for a 3.55 ratio. The CWA/ etc for the 2.5 have 35/9 for 3.88 ratio.

My comments relate to the 6 speed only. That is the G8620 only.Somehow my earlier post #3 got buried so here it is for the other 6 speeders who are bewildered by all this 5-speed only data.
78F350
Thank you for the helpful diagram. There are numbers and codes scattered all over the 6 speed transmission.They are hard to see on the car but I have 2 on the bench now so have a little guide to what may be significant numbers from mine.This may help others know where to look.Some of these may be part(Getrag?) numbers.
First - I found nothing on top of the Bellhousing -as shown in the diagram above so perhaps that applies only to older or 5 speed gearboxes??.
1.Underneath the trans , just behind the axle shafts ,on the same side as the shifter,just by the lower counterweight = G86201031713. This is the important #
2. also on the shifter side just beneath the axle shaft = Getrag Made in Germany 256.0.0102.91
On the opposite side
3. on the side of the gearbox case = +GF+WD 21561
4. underneath the axle shaft = 4571.1..1./02
5. by the clutch bellhousing = 292.0.0168.90
This is from the newer of the 2 transmissions I have on the bench.
If anyone can decipher all these numbers ,it would be interesting.
And as far as I have read , the Boxster S did not have LSD, not even an option but could be retrofit - see link below:No not even option # M224 ?
Did LSD come standard on the 986 Boxster? - 986 Series (Boxster, Boxster S) - RennTech.org Community
Porsche Boxster - 1997-2004 - Boxster - RennTech.org Community
JFP will correct any mistakes I hope:-) because I am not an expert on these transmissions.

Does the option sticker have an M224 on them?

I see an Automatic LSD listed under that number though it wasn't listed on my build sheet for the 2001S