The search for a 911 now centered on an 86 carrera cab
06-18-2004, 02:32 PM
#1
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
The search for a 911 now centered on an 86 carrera cab
Ok
I have been searching for 911 for my girl and have found an 86 carrera cab with 99k on the clock and what sounds like a great history. Always garaged and maintained by the same mechanic for the last 12 years. What are some of the things I should be looking at mechanically? I will have compression check and leak down test run on it. Also the owner claims he has a performance chip in and has a dyno run showing 265 rwhp. Does this sound likely? I am a 944 guy and know very little about the particulars of the 3.2 so any advice will be appreciated.
IPSC
I have been searching for 911 for my girl and have found an 86 carrera cab with 99k on the clock and what sounds like a great history. Always garaged and maintained by the same mechanic for the last 12 years. What are some of the things I should be looking at mechanically? I will have compression check and leak down test run on it. Also the owner claims he has a performance chip in and has a dyno run showing 265 rwhp. Does this sound likely? I am a 944 guy and know very little about the particulars of the 3.2 so any advice will be appreciated.
IPSC
06-18-2004, 02:58 PM
#2
The 915 Transmission needs to be checked out for smooth operation on an '86. It's a good transmission but they can typically show some wear around the 100,000 mile mark.
Premature valve guide wear can be present in the 3.2 motors, though it's rare and typically shows up in the 40,000 to 60,000 mile range. At almost 100k, this car probably has good guides or has been fixed.
Otherwise, the 1986 3.2 Carrera's are very solid cars. Check for the usual used car items such as brake condition, tire condition, presence of any rust, shocks, A/C operation, all oil line conditions, electrical accessories operation, etc., etc. Rubber suspension bushings are typically worn by this mileage.
Are there other mods besides the chip that this car has for the owner to claim 265 rwhp [like a transplanted 993 motor
]? 1986 US models had factory horsepower claims of 200 hp with 185 ft lbs. of torque.
Good Luck,
Jay
90 964
Premature valve guide wear can be present in the 3.2 motors, though it's rare and typically shows up in the 40,000 to 60,000 mile range. At almost 100k, this car probably has good guides or has been fixed.
Otherwise, the 1986 3.2 Carrera's are very solid cars. Check for the usual used car items such as brake condition, tire condition, presence of any rust, shocks, A/C operation, all oil line conditions, electrical accessories operation, etc., etc. Rubber suspension bushings are typically worn by this mileage.
Are there other mods besides the chip that this car has for the owner to claim 265 rwhp [like a transplanted 993 motor
]? 1986 US models had factory horsepower claims of 200 hp with 185 ft lbs. of torque.Good Luck,
Jay
90 964
Last edited by Jay H; 06-18-2004 at 03:14 PM.
06-18-2004, 03:01 PM
#3
I'm no chip expert but 265hp is hard to believe. From what I've heard chips can really only give you 10-15 in a specific RPM range.
At 99k, replacement of the original clutch is due( if no reciepts show that it has been done - min $1500 P&L). Possibly an alternator ( My '86 coupe had it done around 70K).
Certain cars had bad valve guides that will have shown up by 99K, if they haven't they should be OK.
The 915 trans in the '86 tends to have worn out synchros by those miles, most noticeable in 1st and 2nd. Lots of us live with it, just makes shifting a little more involving.
I'm sure others will have lots to add.
At 99k, replacement of the original clutch is due( if no reciepts show that it has been done - min $1500 P&L). Possibly an alternator ( My '86 coupe had it done around 70K).
Certain cars had bad valve guides that will have shown up by 99K, if they haven't they should be OK.
The 915 trans in the '86 tends to have worn out synchros by those miles, most noticeable in 1st and 2nd. Lots of us live with it, just makes shifting a little more involving.
I'm sure others will have lots to add.
06-18-2004, 03:46 PM
#4
I believe the actual RWHP on an '86 is 207. My bet is that the 265 is flywheel HP. If you take the 265 less 15% power loss, you get around 225 at the rear wheels. This is still not achievable with only a chip. Has there been some exhaust and /or air intake mods done.? On these cars, without doing anything inside the engine (cams, etc.), you cannot get 265 RWHP even with all three mods, chip, air and exhaust.
I agree with others, at this mileage if no problems with the guides you should be pretty much set other than the clutch/tranny potential replace/rebuild, shocks, wires, tune, etc.
Good luck!
I agree with others, at this mileage if no problems with the guides you should be pretty much set other than the clutch/tranny potential replace/rebuild, shocks, wires, tune, etc.
Good luck!
06-18-2004, 11:08 PM
#6
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Originally posted by Sonic dB
The 86s were a great year...the best of the vintage 911s. Even Robert Redford owned one.
The 86s were a great year...the best of the vintage 911s. Even Robert Redford owned one.
Great car!
06-19-2004, 12:02 AM
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I own an 86 Targa but am looking to sell it.
From my talks with my mechanic, it takes a lot more than a chip to get to 265rwhp. I think at least an intake and exhaust (headers too?) along with the chip.
From my talks with my mechanic, it takes a lot more than a chip to get to 265rwhp. I think at least an intake and exhaust (headers too?) along with the chip.