Jim Stocks

I have an 1988 924S I picked up about 2 months ago. After delays in getting some necesary repairs done, I can finally drive it. I bought it in Manassas Va from a guy who bought it in Maryland. This car had been somewhat abused since it has a dinged right front fender, paint chips and the body looked a little rough. It seems the Original Owner let his son take the car to Virginia Tech and he didn't take care of it very well.

So far I've replaced 3 different water hoses, spray painted out numerious sratches and replaced the radio and front speakers.

The seems to run ok now, but at the 50,000 mile mark I'm sure it has not received the receommended timing belt replacement and a good service. Now I need to find a good shop nearby and budget the cost to get this key service done.

Otherwise, I'm glad I have it and just want to keep it running and get it looking decent.

1988 924S, Black, Sport Club package, Le Mans Edition, 5-speed.

Tabor

You need to change that timing belt ASAP. I am not sure I would even drive it to the mechanic.

Also, make sure you re-tension the belt after 1,500 miles. Then after another 15,000 miles, then replace it after the next 15,000.

Yes, that is right, you should only get 31,500 miles out of a timing belt.

John Cox

Jim,

Are you sure your 924S is a Le Mans? (Option code 755). I have a Le Mans also and have never met another Le Mans owner in North America. Nobody with this special model seems to frequent the Rennlist groups.

John
'88 924S Le Mans (auto)

yOnKiNaToR

i have an '88 924S also..somebody said it looks like some kind of "sport" version or something b/c it has no power options and no right door mirror. what is this "Le Mans" option you guys are talking about?

Jim Stocks

I took this info from the option tag in the rear of the car.

A18
C02 - catalytic converter
030 - club sport package
160 - Charleston Radio
360 - Splash Guards
657 - Power Steering
756 - Le Mans Special edition ? (USA)
990 - Cloth Seats

I got this from checking the 924 and 944 options list on another web site. If I'm incorrect, please let me know. This car also has a Sun Roof, AC, and manual roll-up windows.


VIN WP0AA0927JN450593

yOnKiNaToR

how would i find out if my car is a le Mans edition?

Jim Stocks

All I got from research I've done is to check the rear area inside the hatch and look for an option code sheet. This will tell you what options came from the factory. As far as a Le Mans edition, I think it was basicly Koni coil-over shocks, larger front and rear sway bars and a slight lowering of the ride. The Euro code is 755, I think all US models it's 756. Some cars were sold with a special graphic on the sides of the car that said Le Mans and the phone dial rims were detailed a different color. Porsche also produced an eariler (1980) Le Mans edition and those cars were white with a thin red, yellow and black stripe painted on both sides. The 924S verison was only produced during 1988. I think only the black color was sold in the US.

Reference: Orginal Porsche 924/944/968, Peter Morgan; 1998.

yOnKiNaToR

my option codes:

C02
C57 (not sure about those 2)
160
526
573
650
657
756
990

i guess mine is the le mans edition? the rides does seem stiff and the shocks or struts are yellow and look new. are koni struts yellow? is the le mans version rare and worth more?

Tabor

Yes, for koni:

Red = normal
Yellow = sport

kyle robert moore

how hard is it to cahnge the timing belt on one of these cars?? i have an 87 924s with @#$^&** miles (true mileage unknown) and was quite taken by your statement of only 31k to a timing belt...i probably should change mine!!!!! YESTERDAY!!!!!

any specil tool required?

thanks
kyle moore
87 924s
83 911sc targa

Jim Stocks

Kyle,

The best rule of thumb is if you don't have maintenance records and don't know when the timing belt was changed, change it. It better to err on the side of spending the money vs. waiting until the engine gets ruined and it cost 3 grand to repair. Plus a service check will find and fix all kinds of little items and will make your car run much better.