kevincnc

I am amazed that Porsche still has so many 944/951 parts available, and was wondering what original items people have been unable to get. The reason I wonder is because a long time ago I restored an old Yamaha DT1 enduro bike, then 5 years later at least a couple of the same parts I bought were no longer available.

I've heard that some larger parts are very expensive, but some smaller ones are surprisingly cheap. For example, the misc small plastic covers in the engine compartment are about $3-$4, and the small plastic clips that hold the electrical connections together are less than $1. Even the fuel rail cover is less than $13. For that much I'm replacing mine and saving the (still good) original one in case I need one, but can't get a new one in the future.

Does anyone know for sure what has happened to the original molds for plastic and rubber parts, dies for stamping brackets, body parts, etc.? It is obvious that a brand new j-boot was made with the same mold as my original one was, although a date stamp (probably not what it's called) has been added. Does this mean the mold is alive and well somewhere, or that a currently huge j-boot supply will run out some day?

special tool

don't worry - Lart has enough 951 parts to build 300 cars and still sell all you guys parts.

scular

I just ordered 1 of the remaining four of a part for a cabrio... I am thinking of buying the other 3 as an investment.

Got Boost?

I believe 924/early 944 instrument cluster surrounds and the metal circuit thingys that go in the rear taillight assemblies for the bulbs are both "NLA".

Try finding parts for an early 911 sometime. . .

Rock

Eh I wouldnt worry bout running out of OEM 944 parts. Theres enough parts cars and aftermarket shizzle to keep you on grinding.

Techno Duck

I wouldnt worry, this is what we have carb cleaner, JB Weld and duct tape for.. .

formerGMguy

I'll second the amazement, most car manufacturers have a ten year rule. After 9-10 years the parts are no longer made and thus pretty darn rare. Considering we're going on past 20 years since the first late 944's and 25 years since the first early ones I'd say we're pretty lucky that the parts are still rolling in from the factory. I would guess that it has a lot to do with the fact that the 944 uses a lot of 928, and other VW/Audi parts bin pieces.

OriginalSterm

I was told there were 4 late offset manual tie rods left in the US for the 944 series cars. I bought 2 of them, and the other 2 were MIA despite being in some "database" a supplier told me of. 1 each at 4 different dealerships around the country.

special tool

Lart has them.

SD Porsche Fan

I was told that there were only 7 fuel rails left and that they would have to be shipped from Stuttgart.

PorscheDoc

We took the last new 944S wiring harness out of germany last year....man was that thing beautiful.

H2

I suspect that the 968 has fewer parts available?

Harvey

Peckster

I bet Porsche makes more off parts than off the original sale.

I can buy new almost every part I need for my 74 Norton becase there's demand and small shops make them. Capitalism at its best.

special tool

a break from the cynicism tonight to tell us about the bike - excellent!

gregeast

I think a couple of factors are at play here:

1. Porsche has not had very many different models of street cars in its history, especially when compared to a full line manufacturer like Ford or GM.

2. Because there have been so few lines, there is a fair amount of parts sharing across models.

3. Enthusiasts continue to buy and maintain 20 year old Porsches. I'm thinking there aren't many sites comparable to Rennlist out there for 1987 Chevy Celebrities or Ford Tauruses (Tauri?). Porsche knows this and finds it to be a profitable endeavor and so continues to make parts available.