kanadian1

i love UDPride's 1988 930 looks amazing,

just wondering which year was the best, was there any drastic engine changes?

Ian964

Hmm the best year would probably be the 89 becuase it has the new 5 speed transmition (G50).

I could be totaly wrong, but thats my guess.

Geoffrey

Usually the last model year of a Porsche is the best, and in this case it is an 89 unless you consider the C2 Turbo which then it would be the 94.

UDPride

Thanks Kanadian1!! My first official 930 thumbs up after ownership! You da man!

Im quite happy with the 930 I just got but I would agree that if you arent on a hard budget and dont mind spending a few more jing, the 89 930 with the 5-spd is probably the best of the bunch if you are wanting the creme de le creme. I believe the clutch and stuff went from cable actuated to hydraulic and things got more civilized and refined on the G50. I think you will probably pay at least 5K more for an 89 than a carbon copy 88 in same condition.

All that said, I guess the 88 would be the best of the bunch of the 915 4-spds. Its a pretty durable tranny that was around since the 70s so it is tough and dependable and will take all you can throw at it. Never driven a G50, but my 915 is much "stiffer and raw-er" than say my 951 5spd. I couldnt imagine a woman driving the thing. You really need to grab a hold of the tranny and overcome it by showing force. On the other hand, Im kind of getting used to the 4-spd and in a way enjoy that lack of 5th gear. Just one less gear to row into at the top end. For me, a solid 915 tranny is plenty, but if you have jing in the wallet and dont mind paying a moderate premium, its probably the better of the two. How much better? No idea. Worth it? No idea either. Im sure 89' owners will say it is. Since I have a 5spd in the 951 I was sort of curious on the 915 and it intrigued me as Ive never owned a 4spd car. Its a nice change of pace.

kanadian1

i love the 930

but there is a 1987 944 turbo in town here for 13 500, got a porsche mechanic inspecting it on tuesday, if nothing is 2 wrong with it going to get it, 1st thing im doin is puting ram air onto it

anything about the 944 would be greatly appreciated

UDPride

Check out the 944/951 forum. They are incredible cars. Every Porsche garage should have one. A ton of car for not a ton of money. They obviously lack the cache, panache, heritage, and to some, looks of the 930 though. I personally think both cars are stunning and timeless.

From the rear I think the 930 is the best looking Porsche ever built. From the front, I give the nod to the 951. I love the flared fenders on both. Makes the cars look evil.

Bruce M.

UDPride--

Just so you know, if your car has the stock tranny, it is NOT a "915 4-speed". It's a 4 speed, alright, but it's a "930 4 speed." Different tranny altogether from the 915. Much bigger and tougher. Although people have used a 915 5 speed in their 930s to get a five speed in there, that tranny can't take significant horsepower upgrades. The way to get a five-speed is to go with the G50/50, the tranny on the '89 930s.

Thh beauty of the original 4 speed in the 930, though, is that it is as tough as nails. Can easily handle twice the stock horsepower. And with that much power, the ratios start making a lot more sense.

As far as what 930 is best, it depends what you want. If you want a track car, I'd go with the '78 or '79--add lightness, as the saying goes. If you want a tractable street car (and you avoid the question of why the heck you want a 930 at all), then the '89 is probably your best bet--hydraulic clutch as you mention, with a 5 speed that without mods to the engine matches up best with the power curve.

The 930 added weight progressively through the year, as it seems all cars do. But the 993 tt and the 996 tt are porkers in comparison to any 930.

John from WA

This is an easy one. The best 930 by far is the '79. Lightweight, last of the euro fuelers, no extra junk inside. Gotta love the car...

John (not biased or anything.... honest)

UDPride

Bruce-

Thanks for clarifying me on that. Whats the official designation of the 930 4spd? If the 915 is a 911 4spd and the G50 is the 930 5spd, whats the 930 4spd?

John from WA

930

This tranny also allows for quick gear changes in maybe 45 minutes or so(in a race environment). Try and do that in the 915. This was doable because the main shaft has a support brace. This unit was used virturally as is in the 800hp 935's.

Bruce M.

It's called the Type 930, according to Bruce Anderson.

And John, the '78 is essentially indistinguishable from the '79. So there.

rickc

I think to answer that question you have to decide where you want to go with the car. If you are going to track the car and crazy HP is your goal, consider the '78 or '79. If you are going to be in daily traffic and comfort is your thing, then consider the '89.
Rick
'78 930

Sameer

I totally agree with Bruce M .However my car is a 1980 930, well it was a 1980 YOM at least thats what the documentation says. Is there any difference in the 78,79 compared to the 1980 930??

rickc

I am not sure what year they changed out the fuel heads, but the '78 and '79 had the euro style fuel heads,and are capable of 450hp +/- in stock configuration. The brakes were also different on the '78 and '79 with floating rotors. I know that the '78 (possibly '79?)had welded on fender flares, as compared to the later models and were lighter as well.
Rick
'78 930

Bruce M.

Sameer--

The only changes Anderson discusses between the '79 and '80 930 is that the latter received slightly different chain tensioners and a brass tube-type cooler in place of the loop oil cooler of the previous years.