Don McK

I'm reverting back to my Porsche roots. After owning an SC, a 993 and a 996, I decided I had to have a 3.2. I found a pristine 1987 Diamond Blue Coupe with under 32,000 miles. It's optioned with Partial Leather, Limited Slip, Central Locking, Fuchs, Auto Heat, Speed Control and Sunroof. At some point, one of the previous owners install a factory turbo tail and turbo Steering wheel.

I'm enjoying the car, but have a question on steering effort. Steering, especially at low speeds is very heavy. Much heavier than I remember others of this vintage. The car is equipped with 205/55-16 front and 225/50-16 rear. It's been lowered to slightly below Euro height, has the rack spacer installed and has Turbo tie-rods. There appear to be wheel spacers installed. I've researched this subject on this forum, but haven't turned up any definitive answers. Do any of you have any experience or thoughts on this?

Don

ChristianR

love it, i am looking for an early 911 as well

500

That is amazingly low mileage. The car looks terrific. The steering in my '85 is pretty heavy at low speeds. Reducing caster would potentially lessen it, but I think it is normal. These were the heaviest torsion bar cars.

irobertson

Hi & welcome. Very nice example you have there.
I never thought much about the steering effort in my '88, but then someone who knows these cars took it for a spin and mentioned that it was a bit heavy. As 500_19B mentioned, they thought it was due to too much caster as well. I would expect tire selection, tread depth, inflation etc.... plays a part in steering effort too.

Don McK

Thanks for the replies. I raised the front tire pressure 3 psig to 33 and that lightened things up a bit. The caster is at its upper range, so I may adjust that at some point. I think there's a good possibility that my last two cars (A 993 and a 996) may have altered my memory regarding the earlier cars. It's still a blast to drive. I'm just not sure my wife will enjoy driving it, but that may be a good thing.

Don

Ed Hughes

Nice car! I think the steering probably is just you being easier to power on the others.

salo65

Gorgeous car! You've owned a 993? I somehow thought that's the model everyone aspired for! Modern but air cooled. My 84 also has heavy steering at slow speeds not to mention in parking situations!

Don McK

I sold the 993 ten years ago when my interests took a different direction. Current prices for a really nice one are skyrocketing. I really love the feel and sound of the earlier ones. I guess it's an attempt to recapture my misspent youth.

Ah Henderson--I was a process engineer at the chlorine plant there before Henderson became a big deal.

Don

salo65

Been here for 34 years! Moved to Henderson ten years ago after it became hip!

ECS Tuning

Congrats on your purchase Don Like others have said that's a superb example. Enjoy and keep us updated.

awhenry

Sounds like you had just forgotten how heavy and slow the 911 steering can be. I hadnt really noticed it on the street but tried to autocross last fall and with a set of R6's on, my times through saloms were really limited by the steering. I was used to Miata's so it was a real change for me too.

Analog Theory

beautiful example congratulations.

SARGEPUG

Nice find and I have the same tire setup, lowered bars, etc, etc as seen in my signature. You are simply not used to the lack of power steering yet and the nature of the 3.2. What's your plan w/ the Turbo Tail?
I was so green to the 3.2 model, that when I bought mine, I didn't realize previous owner had one installed! haha
Since then, I bought the proper Carrera tail and obviously mounted it.

Don McK

I did some quick research before I purchased it and realized going in, that it had the Turbo tail. I haven't decided yet, but may remove the tail and return the car to a slick rear end. There aren't many roads up here on the Peninsula for higher speeds anyway. My main concern will be matching the paint.

The first owner had most of the mods done. But I've found that new torsion bars, Bilsteins and a strut brace were all installed within the last 6,000 miles.

As original as it is in appearance, I'm tempted to pull the Alpine radio and replace it with a Blaupunkt. I'd have to give up the iPod, but I didn't exactly buy the car to listen to music!

I'm having fun now prepping the car for a big PCA weekend up on Vancouver Island at the end of the month. I had the headlights out to clean their interiors. Dang, these cars are easy to work on!

Don

Opo

Very nice! Love the color cars in that color are the fastest and coolest
But that tail gots to go