 |
"Automatic gearboxes" in Porsche sports cars are nothing new. Porsche successfully campaigned a 911 Sportomatic to victory in 1967, driven by Vic Elford at the Marathon De La Routewith.
|
|
Although not truly an automatic transmission, Porsche introduced the Sportomatic in 1968, sharing its basic design and operation with the "Automatic Stickshift", or Autostick, from the VW Beetle and the NSU Ro 80. Besides no longer having a clutch pedal, those who have driven a Sportomatic are familiar with its quirky nature and the fact that you can't rest your hand on the shifter since there was a set of contact points within the shifter would electromechanically actuate the clutch using a vacuum servo. Drivers still are required to "row" through the gears, four speeds in early models and three speeds in later years, coupled to a torque converter. This allowed drivers to leave the car in gear when coming to a stop and a higher lockup speed for the converter actually made models with the Sportomatic faster than their manual counterparts. The Sportomatic also proved itself to be durable with additional engine oil cooling being the only common modification required, as Porsche chose to use the engine oil as hydraulic fluid for the torque converter, resulting in higher oil temperatures, especially in hotter climates and in stop and go traffic.
|
|
The Sportomatic was available through the 1970s and even found its way into some 914s, before being phased out by 1980, leaving no "automatic" option for 911 buyers.
|
It wasn't until the introduction of the 964 and the Tiptronic that an automatic transmission found its way into 911s again in the 1990s.
|
|
The ZF supplied "Tiptronic" was a fully automatic transmission. What makes the Tiptronic special is the software brain. Where most automatic transmissions in that era had little to no computer control, relying solely on a vacuum modulator for the transmission to determine load and gear selection, the Tiptronic monitored throttle inputs, engine and road speeds, ABS, and fuel delivery systems. The computer could "adapt" to driver style with five shift programs. A manual mode, and later steering wheel mounted shift buttons, allow the driver to manually shift the automatic gearbox. Like with any fully automatic transmission, keeping the ATF, or automatic transmission fluid, cool and clean is key to long life for these gearboxes. Fluid and filter changes on street driven cars every 36,000 miles ensure a long life, even when paired with increased horsepower from performance engine modifications. Porsche utilized the ZF supplied Tiptronic though 2008 in the Boxster, Cayman, and 911 and 911 Turbo models through the 997 utilized a very robust Mercedes supplied automatic capable of supporting the increased output of the turbocharged engine.
While the Tiptronic was not developed for racing or campaigned by Porsche, their efforts were redoubled on development of the next generation of automatic gearbox.
|
|
The PDK was born on the race circuit in the 1980s while Porsche was campaigning the 952 and 962, eventually securing a win at Monza in 1986.
|
|
|
|
Early prototypes were fitted to production vehicles and in 2009, Porsche introduced the Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe, or PDK transmission, in Boxster, Cayman, and 911 models. The PDK is a dual clutch transmission similar to gearboxes used by other manufacturers. Besides being able to shift faster than any human with rev-matching to boot, the PDK offers improved efficiency exceeding that of a manual transmission. Even though improved fuel economy helps Porsche as an automaker meet ever more stringent fuel economy and emission standards, the PDK was born on and for the race track. The PDK as used in street models have found their way into race cars, proving their durability and reliability. Case in point, the Cayman GT4 Clubsport utilizes a six speed rather than seven speed PDK along with different software optimized for race-only use, and even the Cup car is offered in PDK trim.
|
|
Like in a conventional automatic transmission, the dual clutches have their own hydraulic fluid as goes the differential which is lubricated with gear oil. In the 987.2 and 997.2, the PDK-side used a heat exchanged to cool the hydraulic fluid for the dual clutches. It was not until the 981 and 991 that a gear side cooler was also added to provide cooling to the gear oil. Even with these improvements and more frequent servicing, tuners and race shops have turned to the aftermarket for solutions to beef up the PDK:
|
|
Cobb Tuning Accessport
now with PDK Software
Cobb Tuning offers improved PDK software that complements their ECU tunes for all models fitted with the PDK gearbox.
Shop Cobb Tuning in LN Store
|
|
|
DRIVEN DCT
Dual Clutch Transmission Fluid
Driven Racing Oil developed its DCT, or dual clutch transmission fluid, that fights shearing and viscosity loss, while providing superior performance over OEM fluid.
.
Shop DRIVEN DCT in LN Store
|
|
Guard Transmission
Limited Slip Differential
Guard Transmission offers a more durable limited slip differential than the one fitted by the factory that is known to wear out prematurely.
Shop in LN Online Store
|
|
Bilt Racing Service offers several solutions for improved gear and pdk side cooling as well as a billet PDK oil pan that features a modular filter.
|
|
987/981 PDK Cooler Side Mount
The PDK Side Mount Cooler is an upgrade to replace to small factory Porsche unit. The additional cooling capacity maintains safe temperature levels to prevent the car from going into a limp mode. The oil to water heat exchanger uses the same inlet and outlet lines as the factory system.
Shop in LN Online Store
|
|
987 BRS PDK & Gear Oil Cooler
Rising temperatures is always the biggest battle on track. Our oil to water coolers keep these temperatures at a safe level. The small factory PDK cooler is replaced with our larger oil to water cooler.
Shop in LN Online Store
|
|
BRS Billet PDK Transmission Pan
When servicing a PDK the OE design requires a complete replacement of the transmission pan which can be very costly over time. Save with our new serviceable pan by only having to replace the inexpensive filter element!
Shop in LN Online Store
|
|
With a decade of street and race experience, we now know Porsche has given us a robust transmission that outperforms any previous manual or automatic gearbox and does so while being nearly bulletproof. In street use, regular fluid and filter changes every 36,000 miles is a safe interval to provide a long life for the PDK transmission. Porsche's fastest models come standard with this amazing dual clutch gearbox, and although some purists will only accept a manual gearbox, love it or hate it the PDK is here to stay.
|
|
125 Gladiolus St.| PO Box 401 | Momence, IL 60954
Phone (815) 472-2939 Fax (413) 280-9041
|
|
All logos and trademarks used for product identification purposes only.Porsche ® 356 ® , 911 ® , 912 ® , 914 ®, Boxster®, Cayman®, Panamera® and Cayenne® are registered trademarks of Dr. Ing. H.c. F. Porsche AG.
|
|
|
|
|
