donistook

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/1510/mvc-365s.2.jpg"></center><p>The S4 transmission uses four "detents" to provide the means to hold the sliding sleeve against the "dog teeth" in each gear. It uses two more to provide the means to hold the shift shafts in their respective positions. What this really means is that they are "springs" with a ball roller that press against valleys in steel plates. When you shift gears...you feel the "gates" as you go into a gear. That is really the releasing or positioning of the detents in its "valley" on a shift fork.

The Porsche 968 uses basically the same internals as does the S4. It too uses 6 detents. The picture (note shameles plug for STOPTECH Brakes) shows the S4 on the left and the 968 on the right. The S4 has an aluminum housing and weighs 56 grams and has about 34 lbs. of spring pressure at about 7mm of preload. The 968 has a steel housing and weighs 91 grams and has the same 34 lbs. of spring pressure at 7mm preload.

When I modify the S4 detents, they then have about 38 lbs. of pressure....a 10% increase. This gives your shift lever a more positive feel when you shift gears.

mpwolf

Do you need to drop the transmission to modify them?

Taner Halicioglu

erm, I'd imagine you need to completely disassemble the tranny to modify them, no? :-)

Tron (///M)

I am assuming this extra tension will keep the car in gear so it doesn't pop out by itself

donistook

....but the downpipe and heat shield is in the way...if you just tried to get to them from underneath the car.

donistook

No......but...do you have double-jointed elbows??