blau928

After some recent discussions about boosted motors, and what is the correct way to prepare a 928 or any engine for that matter, I had a thought.

Why don't we have a 928 performance evaluation on the German Autobahn?? We will not need roll bars, harnesses, and race gear, and can go much faster for longer periods of time on a public road with no speed limit than on any closed race track other than the Ring, Ehra Lessen etc.

It could be done as a 1 lap tour of Germany, with a visit to the Porsche Factory Museum in Stuttgart in later spring, summer or early fall so we have decent weather. Figure about 1-2 weeks of thorough enjoyment exploring the fine German Autobahn and good food and good beer...!!

The cars would have to be legally registered in a US/Canadian state and be on road legal tires. In other words, no race cars allowed as the Germans will not allow you to drive a race car on their superb public roads. However, if your car is a "DE" car, and has plates, then you can bring it, as it will be allowed to be used on the German highway.

We can all apply for a tourist permit for our cars, easy peasy, and there is roll on roll off service from USA & Canada to get the cars there in little effort.

We can then demonstrate to everyone how well our vehicles perform on the very roads it was designed to be driven on in its country of origin..!! Think of it as coming home to family for the cars.

Backyarded Paxtons, Carl's kits, Murph kits, Turbo setups, VCB's, Strokers, kind of a run what you brung as long as it is legally registered with plates, and has road tires to get permission to drive on the German roads.. You pay to get the car there, and all your expenses for the vacation/performance evaluation. We could even take up a collection for those that wanted to participate and are financially challenged....

Any takers? Suggestions? Opinions?

69gaugeman

I have actually thought about taking the 928 to Europe. Where is this drive on/ drive off service you speak of and how much does it cost?

danglerb

Just for S&G guess on total price?

blau928

World logistics, and Wallenius lines operate service from east and west coast of North America. I don't know what the price is today, but my guess is probably $1000 East Coast USA to Bremerhaven, and $1500 West Coast USA (Long Beach/Port Hueneme) to Bremerhaven. East Coast Canada may be less as the trip is shorter..

Other options incluse double stacking 4 cars in a 40ft high cube container and it will be cheaper. The HC Container should not be more than $2500 to Hamburg/Bremen/Bremerhaven etc. so, $625 per car...

The Porsche factory uses either Wallenius/World logistics to get their cars to Charleston VPC, and the LA/SOCAL VPC if they still process cars there.

I owned an export company years ago, and shipped hundreds of cars to Asia and Europe using both services. They are great.

blau928

See the note I wrote for danglerb.

soontobered84

Why not just converse with Schocki, who although is in Spain right now, consistently is known to drive his 928s upwards of 150 daily on the Autobahn?

Unless your plan is for hands-on knowledge?

Red Flash

Richard, this is really interesting information about shipping. Thanks for that!

On the other hand, I am not sure how ideal our cars are though on the Autobahn. It seems like there are an awful lot of people I know in Germany with rebuilt motors. I think its something about too much oil in the heads at high RPM...

In fact, I always viewed the 928 more adapted to the US market than the European.

tv

I remember this topic was raised like 8 to 10 years ago or so. If it is only 1000 to get one there I would be excited to do it, but mine is in limbo. Would be a priceless experience. Our cars were built for the autobahn, only the GTS oil burners would have to worry, mine has seen plenty of sustained high rpm's. So has the GT that motorweek ran all out for hours on the autobahn in 89, not to mention the World 24 hour speed records.

blau928

Hi John,

There are multiple intentions in this little excursion:

For all the people who claim their modified 928's are superior to the production cars, they get a chance to prove to everyone fair and square how good their stuff really is. It is hands-on knowledge for them.

No BS, no hype, just mash the pedal and see what happens when you actually have to be concentrating at 150+ mph for miles on end. Then, your car has to keep up that pace without grenading into a zillion pieces.

This is the really interesting part for me, I want to see their smiling faces when the engine goes BOOM. Call me sadistic, as I will feel horrible that another 928 was destroyed, while indulging in the pleasure of the owner's face grimacing at the shrapnel. On the other hand, if you bring a regular stock 928, or don't drivel a bunch of BS, I will probably be the first guy to stop and help you out.

Also, anyone who wanted to take their 928 home to visit "Mama" in Stuttgart, it is a chance to do so. (There is a service called "Treffen" in Pano that allows you to drive a rental 997 for 2 weeks on a similar tour for a bunch of $$$. We would be doing the 928 version here.)

This is not for my personal experience to drive on the Autobahn. I lived in Germany, and drive there almost every year. 150+mph can be achieved in a little A6 TDI, 525TDI etc., that will make a stock 928 look kinda slow, as you don't have to stop for fuel as often as a 928. It is also cheaper, as it's about $7/Gallon for gasoline and diesel is not much less. I usually rent a good TDI from SIXT as I no longer keep a car in Germany, as I now spend most of my home time in California.

blau928

Glad the info is helpful. I believe most of the exploding engines were in the GTS, and if I recall correctly, the S4/GT and OB's do not have such an oiling issue as the GTS did as the GTS did not have oil control holes in the pistons to assist with keeping the lube up. In addition, there were issues with the 2/6 bearing on long left hand sweepers that caused the 2/6 bearing to starve.

A guy in Germany by the name of Uli claimed to have solved the issue. In addition, Porsche used an oil restrictor to limit the oil to the heads to address this problem when they raced the 928.

There are also solutions now ranging from dry sumping the heads, motor, and using a vacuum pump that will make the engines live at high rpm's. Maybe, another solution is of course to slow down on the left hand sweepers and keep your foot in it on the straights.... So, it will be a good chance to test all this on the event.

Don't worry, if there is a breakdown, we can probably get a group deal on ADAC service for the entire trip.

On another note, the 928 was designed for the Autobahn to compete with small hop commuter flights that business people take around Germany. (Per a buddy of mine KD who was the ad executive at JWT and had the Porsche account. He did the commercial "Porsche 928.. Fire the chauffeur" If any of you can remember the ad campaign for the S4.)

By the time you count the airport waiting, prep, taxis, and parking etc., you can get in a good car and drive the same distance in less time. This is exactly why I drive from Hamburg to Berlin and back in the same day. I can do it in less time than it takes to fly, and I don't have to wait in line with 200 people. I have been doing it for years, and I guess old habits die hard...

blau928

I think I did raise this topic about 8-10 years ago, and the interest just waned. Anyway, I figure it might be a good idea again.

Oh, it will be way more than $1000.. You will have to think about gas at $7/gal, and hotel, lodging and airfare plus some $$ for the biergarten

andy-gts

give me 4 months heads up and I can go !!!

blau928

Cool beans!! You're on the list.!

jcorenman

We're talking next summer, right? This sounds really interesting, please keep us in the loop.

Cheers, Jim

polecat702

This sounds like the bucket list deal. I'd have to bring the Polecat, and let Dee drive the shark. Count me in for next summer too.