When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Last Monday I picked up the red car after 16months and 1 week. First drive leaving Greg Browns shop in Anaheim heading north navigating thru the LA Freeway system. I was a bit pensive about all of this as test drives on city streets are a bit different than the real world.
So what's a 6.5 liter stroker about about 450#'s of torque to live with in the real world? At first you don't really notice much difference from the original 5.0. Of course the exhaust note is a bit deeper ( headers and custom exhaust attribute to this). The Hans shifter is the most is most notable as it clicks it's way thru the gears....then you notice that wait...I don't have to shift as much. The motor has so much torque that driving in 2nd and 3rd is all that's really required.
Once thru LA an onto 101 passing Malibu with the blue Pacific Ocean on the left the car starts to feel that it really wants to run as it's starting to settle in.
The strong Santa Ana winds ( just made it before the fires) super clear day and easing into the throttle the car is saying "let me run". The linear power band seems to just keep begging for more.
5th gear at about 2400 rpms is about 75mph. Ease into 3000 revs in 5th and pushing 90 and it still wants more.
As I leave the coast and wind up thru twisty bits going inland past Santa Barbara the intoxicating torque grabs hold of you and focus is now on those pesky black and white Ford Explorers sitting in the bushes. ( road tax). And then there are members of the ADI ( anti destination league) that are on the highway....getting around them puts on a grin reminding me all those years of road racing.
The entertainment value of the 6.5 motor is more that just shear power, as it makes the car feel that it has lost about 1000lbs. It feels like a much lighter and smaller car that wants to dance with you.
The suspension is a collective of bits, Koni's, all around with Hypercoils in the rear about 600# and Eibach in the front at 450#. It's not harsh, just planted.
Was it worth all the expense and hassle.....I have to think so. This is the 928 I always wanted.
I'm starting to think that the fire was a good thing for if not for the fire I would not have the car I have today.
Thanks to all, Greg Brown, Mary Lou, Travis, Jake, Juan, Kyle and most important Joe the shop dog
Van
Van, your car might be aptly nicknamed "Prime Rib - Rare" as in the first photo.
Edit: Actually it fits better than I thought when I first posted it. You picked out the best looking one at the meat market, and paid a good price; then you took it home and cooked it real hot, but not too long; then with all the trimmings it makes a powerful meal; and finally so delicious to eat.
Last edited by Jerry Feather; 12-09-2017 at 03:54 PM.
Driving Van's car around, looking for any and all flaws while tuning, was a sensory experience, beyond what I've ever had. The beauty of the car, combined with the mechanical operation is overwhelming. Someone asked me the "standard question" of "How much horsepower does it make?"
I thought about it, for a minute and replied, "Who the hell cares....the torque and driveability are as perfect as one could ever hope for."
Don't get me wrong....when you push down on the gas pedal at 30mph in 3rd gear, 100mph happens in a very quick few seconds....it's very fast....when to tell it to be fast.
The really great part? It's like a perfect running stocker with boatloads of very linear torque when you ask it to just cruise.
The S3 intake and heads are....amazing.
Sure, once it is broken in and comes back here for its 2000 mile service, we will remove the "break-in tune" and install the "next 100,000 miles" tune. Yes, we will spun it on a dyno....just for information...but no one associated with the car really cares.
It's very difficult to imagine the history of Porsche being the same, if they had built a car like this. Hard to imagine anyone picking a 3.2 liter Carrera 911 (or any 911 variant since then) over this piece of automotive perfection.
This is one of the finest motor vehicles I've ever been in!
I can only imagin the feeling of that wonderful engine you built Greg,
putting it back together better than it was and then going out in it,
with all the new parts working their way into harmony.
Your a Master Greg !
An old friend came over to my house today with his Cayman S. He wanted a ride in the red car so I obliged...it's my duty. Chuckling to myself as I watched him get pushed back into the seat as we accelerated in 3rd gear, his only comment was "yep". He explained to me that he could control the exhaust note in his car electronically....yep!
I countered with, a 928 will hold 17 cases of wine.....yep!
Awesome story and just the beginning of a long love story again for this special car. Sorry for just missing you Van, and Greg and Mark; for I was just in San Diego for family vacation and you all know what traveling with 3 kids all under 8 feels like, right?
Congrats and happy to see this beautiful car back on the road again.
After all that this car has been through since you imported the car, you are a true example of perseverence and tenacity. Hats off to you Sir!
BTW, I think that you should tell the story for those who are new here or not familiar with it's story! They will better understand what this car is really.
Again, congrats to you and Greg and his team for building such a car.
A true "one of a kind" 928...
12-09-2017, 02:01 PM
Life with the Red Car and a Stroker
