86 or 87 which is better
02-21-2003, 04:35 PM
#16
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Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
I have an '88 (with the G50). We're creeping up on 113k miles. Still original and shifting fine!
Drive them both, and then drive them again. Get PPI and see which car speaks to you the most!
Good luck!
Drive them both, and then drive them again. Get PPI and see which car speaks to you the most!
Good luck!
02-22-2003, 01:44 PM
#18
classic911,
true, however I read (can't remember where), that the HP was bumped up to compensate for the added weight of the G50, thus the performance is almost identical for '84 - '89 P-cars.
Kevin was exactly right and IMO, both cars are almost identical except for the trannys. I own an '86 and after "adjusting" to the shifting of the 915, I like it! It's a true sports car feel for that era. I drove an '87 prior to purchase, and yep, the tranny was more modern. I would certainly not let the tranny be the decision maker. The 915 was/is a great tranny for many years, and from what I gather, the real reason it was upgraded and changed to the G50 was to handle the power of the 930. Get your PPIs done, weigh everything, i.e., color, interior/exterior condition, and PPI, then make your decision!
Good luck and have fun!
Regards,
Jim
'86 911
true, however I read (can't remember where), that the HP was bumped up to compensate for the added weight of the G50, thus the performance is almost identical for '84 - '89 P-cars.
Kevin was exactly right and IMO, both cars are almost identical except for the trannys. I own an '86 and after "adjusting" to the shifting of the 915, I like it! It's a true sports car feel for that era. I drove an '87 prior to purchase, and yep, the tranny was more modern. I would certainly not let the tranny be the decision maker. The 915 was/is a great tranny for many years, and from what I gather, the real reason it was upgraded and changed to the G50 was to handle the power of the 930. Get your PPIs done, weigh everything, i.e., color, interior/exterior condition, and PPI, then make your decision!
Good luck and have fun!
Regards,
Jim
'86 911
02-22-2003, 08:14 PM
#19
Instructor
If the cars were in the same condition, mileage, and color I wanted? The 87'. But... My "Gold Portfolio" Porsche book has an article that states the 87' G-50 was loud, and thus corrected (insulated) in 88'. You know by now about the possible valve guide and clutch problems. Once you pay one or both of those costs your resale "premium" has just been spent. Buy the one you love!
02-24-2003, 12:45 PM
#20
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I wouldn't be so quick to say "no brainer", and such about the G50.
Sure, the April '89 and later G50's have the factory "fix" installed..all previous G50's should have service records showing the fix to be incorporated, or you end up doing it later under your own nickel. It "will" surface as a problem sooner or later.
The 915 has less expensive clutch components , and the shifting *can* be tuned to be very nice...not Japanese slick, but good. Also, one less hydraulic line to flush/replace ( hudraulic clutch). If the G50 fix wasn't done on the 87 you're looking at, factor-in the fix cost as part of your decision. Then, ( only then)..is the G50 more of a "no brainer" proposition...IMHO.
--Wil Ferch
Sure, the April '89 and later G50's have the factory "fix" installed..all previous G50's should have service records showing the fix to be incorporated, or you end up doing it later under your own nickel. It "will" surface as a problem sooner or later.
The 915 has less expensive clutch components , and the shifting *can* be tuned to be very nice...not Japanese slick, but good. Also, one less hydraulic line to flush/replace ( hudraulic clutch). If the G50 fix wasn't done on the 87 you're looking at, factor-in the fix cost as part of your decision. Then, ( only then)..is the G50 more of a "no brainer" proposition...IMHO.
--Wil Ferch