Hulley

Hi guys, been looking at buying a 911 lately and really prefer the older air cooled models. I'm kinda new to Porsche as in, this will be my first, but I'm very much a German car guy.

I test drove a very nice/clean 1987 911 a few days ago and to be honest, I was a little disappointed. I felt the car was down on power, almost like it didn't want to rev. Kinda like a really heavy flywheel.

To be fair, the car had a brand new top end and I did not take it over 4k rpms, but getting to 4k seemed to take forever. Does this particular engine need to really rev before it starts making power?

Overall, I loved the car and I'm pretty sure the "down on power" feeling is something that driving habits could change.

Thanks for any advice. BTW, the car had 111k miles, complete records and looked in excellent condition.

Techno Duck

Personally i think the 3.2L isnt too bad at low RPM's, but 3k+ rpm is the best way to drive them to take advantage of the powerband.

Stock the engine is 217bhp and the car only weighs around 2900lbs. So by today's standards its not fast, but plenty quick to zip around town. One thing that could be checked is to see if a connector by the DME (pin 10) is in place or not, this jumper retards the ignition timing for emissions purposes. If still connected the car will probably feel a bit sluggish. With a cat-bypass and an aftermarket chip, its the perfect amount of response and power to really rev it out and have fun, but not get into too much trouble.

Hulley

Thank you. I remember doing a few little tricks to my E30s back in the day that made a pretty good difference, I kinda figured it would be the same as both are from the same era technology wise. I've swapped out volume air meters with mass air flow sensors and that made a big change, along with an exhaust and it was a new car.

I really dig the car, I love the simplicity. I can already tell the car will be rewarding the more you drive it and get to know it.

waterbear911

I have the same car. The 1987 Carrera is not the fastest car compare to the newer models. But nothing can substitute the sound of the air cooled engine. I love my 911. How much are they asking for it?

Techno Duck

They are great cars, i am a big of Porsche's but didnt get the air cooled thing until i bought my '88. The car in question looks nice and well kept. The G50 is a nice plus for resale as well. If everything checks out and you can get it for a reasonable price (which now days is probably around $40-45k) go for it!

Hulley

Here you go! I spoke with the owner, Dick Barbour and his son, very good people. I look forward to doing business with them. They are about 10-12 miles from my house. $47,900.00
http://www.dickbarbourperformance.co...3/Details.aspx

Hulley

Wow waterbear, I get your first post!
I'm not looking for the fastest, just a fun, engaging car that I've been dreaming about since I was 9 years old (43 now).

grgallo

Hulley, i have an '87 911 coupe and imho they are great cars, a blast to drive and quick, they live between 3K and 5K rpm, so don't back off on the revs, you've seen the numbers 0-60: 6.1 seconds, yes not the fastest thing out there but i don't feel it takes forever to get to 4 grand rpm, i did a cat bypass and feel throttle response has improved... and it's a small world indeed, i recently purchased a stablemate for my 911 from D. Barbour! an '89 951. Dick and his son are fine to work with, i'm sure you'll negotiate a good deal.

Drisump

They do come alive from just under 4k rpm....and pull very quickly to red line.

waterbear911

The car looks like a good example. You will have a lots of fun. Good luck.

sugarwood

What sort of roads did you drive it on?
Twisty roads that required downshifts?
Or just strip mall roads?

Peak HP is at 5900.
So, you should test drive it again, and this time take it to 5000.
If that doesn't do it for you, then this may not be the car for you.
This car has all the power anyone can realistically use on public twisties.

Mondrian

You have to find out if the problem is your expectation or this car in particular and the best way is to drive a known good one - maybe you can find an owner who lives near you or drive a few more.

Anyway a standard 3.2 is not about out right power or performance but more about how that power is delivered (so it should still feel fast) & reliability - hence old school performance! For the record my 1991 E30 M3 was a bit similar, very docile and driveable around town but once you hit that magic 4000 rpm it would go on afterburners - 3.2 has a slightly more gradual personality change that happens in the 3500 - 4500 rev range rather than the on-off personality of M3.

Earlier engines such as SC & 2.4 while down on power are a bit more free revving than 3.2 but you have options with 3.2 - you can get a good spike by changing clutch, cams, intakes, cat, headers & remap as well as a weight diet for more power, torque, revs .... depending on your specific requirements. My 89 is pretty standard euro model bar the SW chip and while I'd like more power my first ride did not disappoint on the back of driving 991, 964, modded 3.5 (3.2 Carrera) & 73 911s

Derek911

I agree with others. I would drive a few other cars because they are not all the same, or at least just to get a baseline to judge against. Also, if the 3.2 quite doesn't do it for you, take a look at other year models... 964 or 993. During my 911 evolution, I went from wanting a 3.2 to a 964 to a 993 to a 3.2 and finally found a 964 that I am absolutely happy and satisfied with. This evolution took a long time, reading, researching, forum surfing, looking at cars, driving cars... In the end you find out which one really speaks to you. No sense spending that kind of money and not getting the car that completely satisfies you. Also, don't rush into any one car. I'm not sure what you mean by not being alive around 4k, but these cars live around 4k. When you are at 3k in the right gear the car should be absolutely responsive and if you hit it, it should take off and pull to Red line. If you ask me, that is the main draw, that is what puts that big smile on your face. If you are not getting that, something is wrong. The 3.2 won't be the fastest car on the road, but it's still a 911 and it should be responsive and fun. Drive another car.

Hulley

Thanks guys, I appreciate the replies and advice. I think another test drive is in order. They did encourage me to drive for as long as I wanted, a few hours even. I've always been very respectful of other peoples property so I did not drive the car even remotely hard, so I can imagine this car may really come alive as I open it up. I originally went there to check out the 964, but when I saw the 87' I fell in love! That's the iconic 911 that I grew up dreaming of so I'm sure my expectations were too high! None of us ever do that, right?

Hulley

I need to ask them for specifics, but, when someone says the "Top End" has been rebuilt, what does that mean on this particular engine style? Just head work or would you say pistons/rings/jugs honed etc?