Good evening everyone.
I just decided to change my 996 with a 930 turbo 3.3.
I’ve started my research. I’ll do with calm, I have no hurry. I want to find the right car.
As you know, 3.3 version has been made from 1977 to 1989. It would be great to find an 1989 version with 5 gears, however which MY you think is the best one? I know every year of production they made some update to the model so I think last years are the best. You agree?
Thank you.

 

I think you're putting way too much thought in it. The best thing you can do is find the best 3.3 you can afford and buy it. If it's an 89, you've hit the jackpot. If possible you need to drive some air cooled 911s of the vintage you desire. They are a much different animal than the newer cars. There are nuances between model years of 3.3 but all are very similar and not worth worrying over. Good luck in your search but be sure you don't want power steering and all the nannies that your 996 has and don't forget a good PPI. 930s are not normally daily drivers but are a lot of fun.

 

Thank you for your answer.
I’m looking for a 930 infact not as daily driver, but to use on the weekends.
I already own a 1987 Ferrari Gts Turbo…I know exactly what you mean about power steering!!!

 

IMHO buy the best car. Year comes 2nd. I've been told '79 was the last year to have the exact same brakes as the 917 (I may have the wrong race car) but otherwise they all look the same to me lol (Flamesuit on!)

 

I own both the 4 speed and the 5 speed. 90% of the time I'm driving my 4 speed. A lot more fun to drive imo

 

I'm in the market for a 930 as well and I've been reading a lot of contrasting opinions regarding the 4 vs 5 speed, it seems the car was designed with the 4 in mind and best suited but the 5 is more durable? It's hard when people in other threads comment but never even drove one...

What's been your experience so far?

 

I believe all 930s MY 1978 onwards have the 917-derived, cross-drilled brakes. There were other minor upgrades to the braking system over the years (brake wear indicator on the dash in 84, new master cylinder in 85, better cooling in 87 etc) but I believe the base platform was the same.

 

Trying to stay on boost with a 4 speed is what makes a fun drive. Drove the 5 speed few weeks ago for a 60 mile drive. Got stuck in traffic a bit as well. The 5 speed made the drive very civilized and user friendly. You cannot go wrong with either. Buy the one you love the most and serviced properly.

 

The 930 is a very cool car from the 70's to the 80's. What makes it highly desirable is going to be different for nearly everyone that owns one. I would listen to yourself can get the one that fits you best. It could be totally stock, moded/CIS, or complete overhaul/EFI. No bad choices! Just need the right fit. Totally agree -> buy the best one possible to start with!

 

Best years are 1974-1977 in my mind but those cars are hard to find. They had the RS body with 3.0 liter turbo bolted on. Shorter bell housing

 

I've always heard go with the 3.3 with the intercooler vs the earlier models, Unless you are Magnus Walker lol

 

Buy the best car your budget will allow.
1989 w/5spd carry a premium over the 4spd...FYI

I prefer the 5spd, especially if you do any back-road driving. However, I much prefer the look of the seats in the earlier models.(Tombstone)

 

Yea I’ll second what others have said buy the best car you can afford. I didn’t go with an 89 because it didn’t make sense for me since I have a 964 turbo and the price difference isn’t too far off so between the two I would go with a 964 t. Which leaves us with every other year. All good, you have the pre inter cooler crowd and post intercooler. I bought a 79 because it was the last year before Porsche stopped sending them into the US until 86 I believe due to EPA regulations. Post 79 they had to conform in order to sell. I wanted the pre regulations car personally to give my own little middle finger to the government. Can’t go wrong with any of them enjoy the search and eventually the drive.

 

I have a 77 930 so I'm somewhat prejudiced.
Keeping the 4 speed on boost is nothing short of a great time.
That being said, I have not driven a 930 with a 5 spd so YMMV.
I have to admit I prefer to drive the 930 over every car I own and every car I have ever owned.

 

1978 is the first year for the 3.3 version, even in Europe.

They 930 does not have the same brakes as the 917, the brakes are "derived" from the 917 as stated, meaning they are finned alloy calipers with directionally drilled floating rotors on the front. These (floating rotors) were on the 78 - 79 930s only.
The calipers and drilled rotors remained on the 930 through end of production, although the hubs were changed to accommodate the non-floating rotors


The 74 and 75 would be the hardest to find.
74 being almost non-existent as a 930, as these were pre-production cars, very few built and fewer survived.
1975 marked the official introduction of the 930, or should I say.. Turbo Carrera as it was officially known.
The pre-production cars may have had the RS body but the 75 - 77 cars used a standard 911 body modified with the turbo flares.
That 3.0 Ltr engine is based on and uses a 2.7 crank, and the displacement was derived from the increase in bore size. This is partially why the 75 -77 has a short bellhousing trans since it can accommodate the smaller clutch pack.

Then of course in 78 with the increase to 3.3 (change in bore and stroke w/a different crank altogether) so they also change the flywheel and clutch assy, the torsion bar tube, the rear control arms and related geometry including the pick-up points on the tube for the control arms, and thus moved to the longer 930 trans. So in 1978 you got bigger/better brakes w/floating front rotors, redesigned and beefier rear suspension, larger displacement engine, and the intercooler, - 1979 had the same features. Also, 79 was the last year the 930 was officially imported to the US until 1986. And of course in 1989, the last year for the 930, we got the 5spd trans.. 1 year only.