82-T/A

Hey guys,

Well, I was at work yesterday, and most everyone else took a vacation day. A co-worker and I were looking around and wasting time on YouTube and we saw this clip of a Porsche 928 in a race. (the exact track name eludes me). When the Porsche hit the straights, it sounded like heaven had split the earth, and hell was escaping from the crack it created. I think I crapped a little bit in my pants.

So, with that said, I've always liked the body style of the Porsche 928, and I'm seriously considering getting one in the next year or so. I don't have much room, so I'm probably going to sell a car or two to make room.

Now, my question is, I'm looking for something that has the low-end torque that'll send my wife into labor. I'm not talking Oldsmobile 455 big block torque, but maybe something along the lines of say an LS1. I'd like something that runs consistant high 13s to low 14s.

With that in mind, what year or years should I expect to look for in a Porsche 928? Or, what years CAN I look for in a 928? Honestly, I'm a fan of all Porsche 928s... I like every style from the late 70s looking ones with the mechanical fuel injection, to the newer ones, so I'm REALLY not overly particular, it just needs to be some sort of a deep blue with a black interior a 5 speed manual, a sunroof, and every option known to man kind. But other than that, it can be any Porsche 928.


So... what would you guys suggest? Or at least, where would be a good place for me to look to learn a bit more about the model year changes?

I'd love to have one that has plenty of low-end power, but that'll scream all the way to redline.


Thanks!!!

Todd,
2006 Pontiac Solstice
2004 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible (Wife's)
2002 Ford Crown Victoria LX-P74
1987 Pontiac Fiero SE / V6 (3.2)
1984 Porsche 944
1981 Pontiac Trans Am WS6 (Olds 455)
1973 Volkswagen Type-2 Transporter (1800)

Marine Blue

Todd I would look at the S4 and newer to get the HP and Torque you're after. Or you may consider an OB with Supercharger added.

Mako 928

Wow if watching a 928 on YouTube gets that kind of reaction first thing to buy is a box of Depends and a good seat cover! All seriousness aside how much $ are you willing to spend? A healthy S4 is a good start although my '85 on the back roads is a good ride. Next step is a supercharger but sort the car out first and get used to it then you will appreciate the supercharger. I am in the process of pulling my motor to replace the head gaskets along W/ doing the timing belt and am considerating a supercharger.

RicerSchnitzzle

Euro 1980+ @300hp with a 75HP kick of nitrous for extra low end torque. One of the things I love most about the nitrous on my shark is I get the best of both worlds. The car is already set up for top speed cruising at the cost of some low ened torque. That's where the nitrous makes up the difference. A well sorted shark can handle 75HP of giggle gas all day long and it's a $500 add on.

bigmac

Keep in mind that these are geared for top end, my auto does the 3/4 shift at 122mph. so a spray will help out the low end.
But I can spin the standard rear tires from a stop with the auto. Good luck, Mac

Bill Ball

You can get a useful amount of extra low-end torque with a modest roots blower. I haven't had a chance to see if it will induce labor.

Lizard928

sell all the domestics, then get a 928, lol

86.5 and up that is the way to go. Set aside another $10-20K after purchase price to make it how you want it.

Candleman

My 2 cents: I think if you appreciate all the body styles equally but want top performance/quality for the least cash then I think the 85-86 5-speeds (vastly improved Borg-Warner gear box) will be an ideal initial investment. They are plenty quick of the line stock and you can buy a supercharger kit for it later and the total price will still be fairly close to the cost of a nice stock S4, and you'll end up with an extra 100 hp. This should do 0-60 in late 4's and 1/4 mile in mid 13's.

IcemanG17

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jka4NlJOhvk

So you want a 928 that sounds like this......about 1/2 way through you see the Viper, then Ferrari 430, then a track 928 (stock motor with headers-3.5" single exhaust) fly down the straight..... Race 928's just sound SWEET.......

In terms of performance..... S4's and newer have at least 316hp-317 torque...with most well running 5 speeds dynoing much higher.... S4 5 speeds were quoted at 5.5 0-60 and 13.9 1/4 when new & can still do it today if running right.....my auto runs 5.9 0-60 and 14.5 1/4 mile with mild launches with ease...... I'm sure I could drop a couple tenths with a hard launch

Alan

You didn't mention how much you are thinking to spend - or if you are looking to buy a car to improve to meet your goals or want one ready to go on purchase...Compared to american iron a 928 will handle much better than most but won't have lots more power... and will also be much more expensive to buy and to run (maintenance...). Its a lot more car in very many ways - but for the best performance also a lot more expensive...A feasilbe price range would help clue you into options that might make sense... a sorted GTS would probably meet your criteria but only @ $$$

Alan

largecar379

early 80's Euro........

300 hp and 200-300 lbs lighter than any other 928, and lower rear gearing.


the 32V cars can be more technically challenging, a lot more $$$, and heavier (but usually in much better condition overall).


beware of early Euro's advertised as the "S" models, but really aren't. Some '80 Euro's (mine, for example) have the 4.5L 229 hp engine, not the 4.7L 300hp engine. the 4.5L has lots of torque, almost fooling you into believing you got a lot bigger motor, but it's not quite the real deal.....


--Russ

Cliff Ruckstuhl

I'm a guy who went from a pumped up 951 to a 928 S4 and I went from a 5 a speed to an auto in the 928. My 951 had a full 3 exhaust Lindsey Racing Chip and dual port waste gate and was putting out close to 300 at the wheels. The thing about the 951 is until you hit the boost it is just a 4 cylinder but under boot it is like a V 8 with out the heart pounding sound. When driving the 951 as you know when you hit the boost it is like being kicked in the ***. The 928 has such a different feel to it the power comes on and just keeps coming. When the boost came on the 951 you felt it right away it pushed you back in the seat with the 928 it starts at around 2000 rpm and just keeps pushing you back in the seat and the faster you go the more it pushes you back.

I now have the x pipe no cats and the RMB and the Murf SC and the sound she makes give me wood and my wife loves it as well and the wood. In my neck of the woods the 928 is an exotic there are a few 944's around and they are nice but when I pull up it is WOW. SWEET RIDE and Thumbs up everywhere I go.

They are 2 different cars, the 951 felt light and nimble and as I get older (45)a little small. We like the extra room of the 928 and around town it can feel a little sluggish compared to the 951. It has a very heavy pedal compard to the 951 and needs to really be mashed to wake up the monster . But remember the 928 was not ment to be a light to light buzzing around town performace type car. It was ment to take a sweeping turn at 150 mph. When driving the car on the highway she feels like she is just starting to come into her own at 70 mph and begs to be opened up more.

I really liked my 951 and with the right mods they can be made to be scary fast. When driving mine hard the front end would lift and it would pull very hard and in 1st and 2nd at 3500 rpm she would fish tail. This was very fun and the car was quick around town. Also remember the 944 series was the entry level of Porsche and the 928 was the flag ship. This seems to be somthing the 944 guys keep forgetting.

Having owned both for me it is 928 all the way. The 951 is a nice car and I sold it to a Renn lister and he loves it. If you could get the chance to drive a 928 for a day one that has the nice exhaust and do some highway crusing and some around town stuff I think you would love the 928. As far as the auto goes at first I wanted a 5 speed so bad and kicked aroud changing mine to a 5 speed but as time has gone buy and I have learned to drive it like a 4 speed I like the auto better. I cand rive it just like a 4 speed when I want (all the time) and when I feel like just crusing ( never) I have the option of just going to 4th and let her mosy along. Plus if your able to find a 5 speed with 80-90K on it the clutch job is knocking on the door to being needed done. I think just the clutch is $700.00.

Cliff 87 $4 Murf # 44

82-T/A

Honestly, I've been looking at the mid 80s Porsche 928s...

The older 928s have the Bosch mechanical fuel injection, right? (CSI I believe it is). How do those perform? Will the (aftermarket?) supercharger work with one of those.

As far as price, I'd LIKE to spend no more than $10,000. If that means I buy one for $6,000 and put $4,000 in parts, that would be OK too. The ONLY thing I don't like about these cars, is the timing belts. Man... I can't stand that. I've rebuilt plenty of GM engines before, but I find the timing belts on a Porsche 944 to be a huge pain in the butt, and from what I understand, the 928 is twice the fun?




Yeah, THIS is the video I was speaking about originally:

Porsche 928 GTS Racing

There is no point in the video that the 928 doesn't make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I imagine myself tearing *** down the road with my 928 sounding like this (on the way to work). All the minivans and baby blue Camrys pull out of the way because the sound scares them.




Pretty much, I'd like to keep it to no more than $10,000. I've been looking at the prices, and sometimes I see a decent car go for much less. The only thing that's critically important for me is paint, and the condition of the engine and transmission. A trashed interior is no big deal since I can do all that myself. Although, for $10,000 grand, I can probably find something that's nearly perfect. I wouldn't be apposed to spending $12,000 if the PERFECT car came along.


I'll have everything ready by April. So right now, I'm just looking unless I see a deal that's too good to pass up.



Thanks guys!!!

Todd,
2006 Pontiac Solstice
2004 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible (Wife's)
2002 Ford Crown Victoria LX-P74
1987 Pontiac Fiero SE / V6 (3.2)
1984 Porsche 944
1981 Pontiac Trans Am WS6 (Olds 455)
1973 Volkswagen Type-2 Transporter (1800)

82-T/A

Ok, I just checked. I don't have any hair on the back of my neck. But it still gives me goosebumps.

Todd,
2006 Pontiac Solstice
2004 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible (Wife's)
2002 Ford Crown Victoria LX-P74
1987 Pontiac Fiero SE / V6 (3.2)
1984 Porsche 944
1981 Pontiac Trans Am WS6 (Olds 455)
1973 Volkswagen Type-2 Transporter (1800)

82-T/A

Thanks Cliff, I really appreciate that insight. I actually just picked up my first Porsche early this year, a 944. I've just finished it, and I've been driving it around somewhat. I actually was drinking (a little bit too much) and went on eBay and bought it sight unseen for $1,200. A 1984 Porsche 944. It didn't even run. I've spent about $3,000 in parts (yeah... I know...). New starter, new fuel pump, new AFM, new TPS, new timing belts, rollers, water pump, etc. I also completely replaced the ENTIRE interior. I hate to mention it, but the previous owner didn't like the dark brown interior, so he painted the entire inside of the car with a can of gloss black spray paint. He used it on the gauges (and then used a brillo pad to get it off), the switches, the seats, the carpet, the door panels... everything. He replaced the front seats with some racing seats from like... Wal Mart or something? And the tracks obviously didn't match up, but he used drywall screws in the floor boards. It's absolutely horrible. He also drilled a stupid alarm horn into the cowl area which put three holes in the cowl (causing it to leak every time it rained). I ended up having to weld the holes shut.

It just goes on and on. If anyone's interested in seeing the whole process, you can go here: http://www.PontiacPerformance.Net

Click on "Current Cars" and then Select "1984 Porsche 944".

I haven't updated it in a while, and I think I'm like 4 months behind on it, but the car is finished now. THe only other thing I plan to do is repaint the black on the wheels, and get the body paint buffed out (it's a little bit faded in a few spots, but otherwise in decent shape). Oh, and I need to get it registered.

I really like the car, it's nimble... and surprisingly, it handles very similar (at least to me), like my Fiero. I don't know what the weight distribution is on the 944, but it feels almost completely neutral?!


What totally amazes me about the 928 though, is how much it originally cost. I know the whole history about the 928, how they had intended it to be the replacement for the 911, but it just didn't sit well with the air cooled people. However, when you consider that you're basically getting a (then) $50,000-$70,000 car for 8-25 grand... you're REALLY getting an awesome deal.

I also REALLY think that NOW is the do or die time to buy a 928. They really are at the absolute bottom of the price range now. Kind of like how the 356s were just 8-10 years ago. I remember you used to be able to buy "running" 356s for around 5 grand. Now, you're lucky to find a decent "shell" for $20,000.

I'm a big fan of simplicity... so I am looking at the older models, not really just because they are cheaper (although that definitely makes them more appealing), but because they are easier to maintain, beauty in the simplicity. I do think that, if the supercharger is compatible with all forms of the motor, I would rather go that route. How does the CSI work on these cars?


Todd,
2006 Pontiac Solstice
2004 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible (Wife's)
2002 Ford Crown Victoria LX-P74
1987 Pontiac Fiero SE / V6 (3.2)
1984 Porsche 944
1981 Pontiac Trans Am WS6 (Olds 455)
1973 Volkswagen Type-2 Transporter (1800)