Ed Hughes

I'd concur with that.

450knotOffice

Yikes, guys...

You are all way over complicating this.

The basic underlying chassis was essentially unchanged from 1964 through 1989. The first MAJOR redesign of the chassis was with the 964, and this is the second generation 911.

theiceman

the 911 ended in 89 .. after that your driving a 964 just as you said .. the rest is just marketing.

ked

"essentially unchanged" ... "first MAJOR redesign"

I say these are massive oversimplifications to the point of uselessness.
The evolutionary steps of the 911 represent distinctions that make a difference.
& pointing out thematic (or "generational") distinctions helps people new to 911s better understand the natures of the various beasts.

Gberg964

pictures coming soon... aka when i get back tonight

theiceman

cool ... make sure you have an engine shot , i am partial to those ..

Rinty

Unfortunately, Paul Frere is no longer with us to make the final ruling on this taxonomic challenge.

Good stuff here, though.

theiceman

a lot of stuff we discuss is tongue in cheek ,, unfortunately some folks don't get that ... but to answer the initial question .....

LAST

450knotOffice

Here is the original question the OP asked:

"What generation and what forum should i be looking under for maintenance advice for a 1988 911 targa?

Which forum do i belong in?
"


Alright now, with that question in mind, what forum should he be in? 964? No. 993? No. 996 or 997? No. He should be in the 911 forum - which you'll note, is not divided into SWB, LWB, and IB models. Why? Because his 1988 911 uses the same underlying unibody/chassis as every other 911 made from 1964 through the end of the 911 production run in 1989. The 964 unibody/chassis was entirely different, as was the 993, etc., hence different forums for those cars.

This is the useful answer to his question.

The changes to the type over the years to the basic 911 that some of you quantify as generational are simply small evolutionary changes to the original design. When the wheelbase was changed, it was accomplished with some relatively minor changes to the rear torsion tube, the trailing arms and their pickup points. The engines grew over the years, and their induction changed, but that is considered normal for any car over its lifespan. Fenders were widened a bit to accommodate larger wheels/tires - again, minor changes. The bumper changes were almost entirely cosmetic, involving very few changes to the unibody itself - the slam panel in front was changed and mounts for the bumper shocks were created.

Within the context of the OP's original question, his '88 is a first generation 911 and he will find the info he needs in the 911 forum, irrespective of the fact that over a span of 24 years from the time the first 911 was built until his '88 was built, many additions and modifications were made to that basic unibody/chassis.

ked

geez, I thought we were well past helping a poster & well into the fun stuff.
guess knot.

Marc Gelefsky

Holy crap!

The poor guy just wanted the time, you told him how to build a clock!

ked

for a rebuilt clock, try N Hollywood or Palo Alto Speedo.

450knotOffice

Well, it's actually all good for me. I just like a good discussion.

450knotOffice

You just reminded me that the clock in my '84 has been inop for as long as I've owned it - 6 years.

ked

you'll get to it right after the steering whl bushing, turn signal/headlamp control & odometer are fixed.