Tommy B

So i know about the g50 transmision. What else changed.

I drove an 87 that i really liked but had engine issues, and i'm now looking into a 86 in Plymouth, MI.

TMH

Tom,

I'm sure there are some others who can give some more concrete input on this, but as I recall:

Fresh air vents were enlarged in the center of the dash for better airflow into the cabin, in about the '86 MY, so the one you are now looking at would also have those;
Along with the G50 transmission in '87 there was an upgrade to a hydraulically actuated clutch;
I believe that '87 and beyond had slightly larger or more powerful brakes.

Nothing else I can recall.

Good luck,
Tom

Chris Picklo

The chip was programmed differently, giving it a little boost in power. This made up for the extra weight of the G50.

Does anyone know if you can put an 87' chip in an 85' 911?

g-50cab

Better yet - you can put a Steve W chip in an 86! And a Tampa Bay 911 at that!

993chaz

Tommy,

R U looking at the one at Auto Europe?

Tommy B

not sure. it's a blk 86 with beige interior and 65k miles. i haven't been able to contact the guy yet.

993chaz

Tommy,

this is the one I looked at in MI last week. They were closed so this is all I know.

No affilliation!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...=10156:cheers:http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2453506010&category=10156

Tommy B

naw, i'm looking at a coupe

MARS951

I'm also looking at an '87 coupe, original owner, low miles. Any issues / problems specific to this year to look out for beyond PPI? I've had Porches, but this would be my first 911.

Tommy B

mars...the thing everyone will tell you is to get a PPI. i had to walk away from an 87 because it had oil "blow-by". which besically meant i'd need to rebuild the top end. that was 65 bucks well spent.

g-50cab

1987 is THE BEST YEAR - not that I am biased - but it's the first year of the G-50 - and before they (Porsche) really started optioning out cars destined to the US. Look at just about every car in 1988 and 1989 - the majority have the 8 way power seats, 42 way sound system, etc etc.

sschmerg

I have a fairly late '88 model, and all it has beyond the usual U.S. equipment is the locking differential, F/R spoilers and rear wiper. Probably just the way I would have ordered it new.

Generally you're right though. In the last few years of any model, they usually load them with options to make them easier for dealers to move.

FYI, other than the G50 and HP increases, there were a few other minor differences in the '87-'89 U.S. cars:

(1) The rear reflector strip was redesigned to incorporate a rear fog light (RoW only) and got clear instead of black "Porsche" script;

(2) The U.S. mandated third brake light was moved from the top of the rear window (as in '86) to the bottom, and many models with the spoilers had it mounted as the cabriolet did on the engine lid. Interestingly, it was moved back to the top for '88 and '89;

(3) In '88 and '89 models there were different speaker grills in the doors, consisting of one round 5 1/4" (as opposed to a square one in '87) and above it a smaller grill where an optional tweeter could be mounted;

(4) In '88 and '89 models a brace was added to the G50 in an attempt to reduce the noise (it didn't really work);

(5) In '89 there was an updated clutch fork, which the '87 and '88 models will eventually need to be fitted with, if they have not already. Porsche sells a kit, and this should be done with a new clutch;

(6) '89 models had a standard alarm built into the door locks, which added a red flashing diode on the lock;

(7) 15" Fuchs (as opposed to phone dials) became the standard wheel for '87 and '88, with optional 16" x 7" in the rear, and 16 " x 6" in front. In '89 the standard wheel was 16" x 8" Fuchs in the rear with 16" x 6" (or 7"?) in the front;

(8) '87-'89s had halogen H5 headlights with a thinner trim ring which looked similar to the RoW H4s. Pre-'87 U.S cars had a sealed beam bulb with a thicker trim ring.

There may be some other things I forgot

-Sean

tchanson

Sean's list looks pretty complete, but I would also add the revised, fused wiring harness to the front A/C condenser fan.

I seem to recall that it was added to all '89's built after 8-88, to prevent the fire risk from the previously unfused line to the fan that could run continuously in the event of the relay sticking. It was added, I think, to all '89's built after 8-88, but a cheap and recommended retrofit to cars built before that date as well.

Also, all '89's built after mid October '88 had a slightly different windshield pinch weld lip, and came from the factory with the 964 trimless windshield seal/glass.

Good luck,
Tim

sschmerg

Ah yes, no windshield trim on the '89. I knew I was forgetting something Tim!

I didn't know about the fused wiring harness on the A/C condenser fan though. That also reminds me that in '87 or '88 they added fused harnesses to the heater footwell blowers.

-Sean

g-50cab

Well now - that is a comprehensive list! Thank you!