Po924S

It looks like I might have the opportunity to find my Boxster a little friend, she is a 1981 931. Her body is straight and true and from what I'm told runs excellent, though needs some transmission work. I myself love the 931 but was curious is people find them desirable, etc.

white924s

I think the 931 handles much like a 924S. I've heard that their engines are considered less reliable/more finicky, I think because of the air-cooled, un-intercooled turbo. Because of their complexity and relatively low hp, 931s haven't been worth very much for a while, so many haven't been well maintained, but I'm sure there are exceptions. Definitely get the car inspected before you buy it, and post up pictures if you get the car

Butters944

They aren't worth much and aren't desirable, but I really like them, and I bet in the next few years desirability and value will begin to rise and eventually skyrocket...

FRporscheman

Well they're only getting older... 931s are tricky because they have a stigma of unreliability, and parts are harder to find than a 924 or 944. I think they're cool but I wouldn't want one, unless it was in excellent shape and I had a parts car with it.

Are you thinking of fixing and flipping it? Or just thinking ahead?

Po924S

Welllll thanks for the comment peeps. I wasn't aware the 931 was so unreliable, as I thought since it's a turo charged van engine... but makes total sense. It's in fairly good shape as it sits. I mean sure I'd change the carpet out and buff like crazy but I was sort of just looking to have a cool looking "stock" 931 I could putz around once and a while. If I failed flipping it, I am hoping parting it out might be a good idea.

morghen

i own two 931s...drove them both across Europe for years...still do...without any incident.
the 931, if properly maintained, and cared for are just as reliable as any 924/944.
The myth that they are unreliable is given by the tons of idiots who fail to understand that there is a difference between a NA engine and a turbo not intercooeld engine.

The 931 is more expensive to maintain as is any turbo engine and it shares some parts with the 911 turbo, i.e. complete wastegate(the seal costs 175 euro), the exhaust ports gaskets...also very expensive, the pressure plate, some gearbox bits, etc..

In US the 931 came way underpowered..indeed...however in europe they came with 170 and 177 hp, lighter than the 944...so in europe the 944 is a slower car.

The 931 is viewed wrong, with an intercooler, a propper sort-out and some CIS tuning you can push 200 hp with the factory parts.

thirdgenbird

Talk to ideola or others at 924board.org

ECS Tuning

I've always been intrigued by the idea of a 924 Turbo. I just picked up an early 944, and I love it, so I'll probably stick with it for a little while, but eventually I might like to get a 931 in exceptional condition.

Dougs951

Always had a soft spot for 931's.

I would love to swap a 951 engine into one...

morghen

A 924S would be a better candidate, but nothing is impossible.

An intercooled euro 931 with some tweaks and a better turbo can be pushed to near the 951 power.
Any intercooled 931 with EFI and and a better turbo can get 951 power or above

pettybird

This is the experience I have with mine. There's a weird digital ignition box which CAN fail and is very hard to find, and some little parts are NLA, but my car is a little gem. ANY car with CIS and a turbo, plus age, can run poorly...think of the vacuum leaks you may encounter. Most people don't bother to fix them at all.

I have an MBC set to like 9psi and it's faster than a 944NA for sure. Stock Euro with higher compression is 10psi, so there's no danger there.

The '81 also has the Audi 5 speed found in the 944's, so another is practically free. My '80 has the weird 931 box which is a lot more expensive to service...

V2Rocket

would love one i could put some newer electronics on to...big turbo and a 5th injector like a rallycar...

FRporscheman

5th injector? How about an Audi 20v turbo swap?

V2Rocket

now you're talking dirty

Po924S

So, what your saying it that I can find any 944 N/A and steal its transmission for the 81 931... boy I hope that's who you're saying!

Pssssh - 5th injector. Guys I couldn't care less about how fast it goes, I just want it too look purdy and original!


If anything I'd give it a good cleaning, refresh the interior and see what I could get for it. Or sell the brand new konis on it, excellent 931 hood/nose panel, etc...