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Hello all...
Its been a while but I am just getting to the point where I will (might) be able to start diving into this amazing machine. I have a long ways to go. Its a money thing. A project 1990 XJS convertible,,, a 2002 Jag XK8 daily driver and now this, an amazing 1985 manual trans 928 as it turns out will leave ya turning over shaking the piggy bank. I'm not a rich man.
I do feel a little foolish,,, but I'm a little confused about what to understand as far as the exact make an model of my 928. I have understood it as a 1985 according to the VIN, plain and simple. But I see different things when I google the engine and when going for parts. Mine has the intakes like below (see pic) and all this time I was thinking it fell under the 86.5 idea, but later began to think (prolly for good reason) that I really dont know what I am talking about, thinking or what I even have here. I would love some help.
According to this VIN - what should I understand? What is the magic in reading VINs on the the Porsche 928, if any???
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Any guidance at this stage in my "development" (I am a 928 humble newbie) would be greatly greatly appreciated.
Early 86 US model (last four under 1000). Built in Aug of 85 which is the start of the 86 model year in the US...
So basically same as US 85 model.....and not a 86.5
Last four digits of the VIN is the sequential build number. Yours is 0531. so essentially the 531st US 86 model year 928.
The 86.5 is desired because it has essentially what would become the 87 and up S4 suspension and brakes. (bigger brakes, and slightly different underbody changes). Search here on Rennlist for 86 vs. 86.5 to find a full list of the changes.
No real differences between the 85 and early 86 (US models).. Euros are a totally different story .
There are a couple of small differences between 85 and 86, and of course between 86 and 86.5
If you want to geek out on the details of the evolution of 928s over the years, contact Roger at 928sRWe for a set of the Morehouse CDs, which contain about 2.5 gigs of factory documentation about all things 928.
From the 1986 service info guide:
Longer guide tube and new oil dipstick.
Improved cylinder head gaskets on all engines.
New cylinder head nut tightening procedures.
Larger outside diameter spacer between camshaft sprocket and camshaft.
o New timing for engines M 28/43,44,45, 46 (32-valve engines)
o New valve springs and valve installation for M 28/43, 44, 45 and 46.
o Exhaust with changed intermediate and final mufflers.
o New standard control unit {LH) for M 28/43, 44, 45 and 46 engines (32 valves).
Power Transmission
o Improved release bearing.
o Shift operation, fixed location of shift lever in shift planes 2 - 3.
o Revised differential.
o New pole gear wheel for electronic speedometer.
o Simple drive pinion bearing play measuring procedures.
o Oil filler and drain plugs with sealing surface on case.
o Rear transmission case cover (also automatics).
o New ATF filling system.
o Transparent ATF tank.
Hmm. Need I be very afraid when buying parts, what should I look out for and, what can I do to ensure im getting the right parts? I'll stop bothering you after that last question. Your answers already have helped much.
and, I absolutely will spend some time reading thru the 86 vs 86.5 stuff here. This really seems to add a new wrinklein what I might need to consider at point of some purchases.
If you order from the "Usual Suspects", you will have no problems. Just make sure they know you have an 86 US, aka S3, and they will know what you need.
Your 86 is commonly known as an "S3". Never officially designated that way by Porsche, it came before the S4 (official designation) and the S2 (84 - 86 Euro, but only officially designated the S2 in the UK).
There's no real "magic" in reading the VIN. The letter in the middle is the year. There's a chart on here somewhere that shows what the rest mean.
The 'magic' part is that Rob, Samuel, Aussie Dave and a few others have a copy of the PET (factory parts catalog) that includes a lot of the VINs and the options they came with. No clue how those guys got it, but I have a funny feeling that insider contacts, high level blackmail information and maybe human sacrifices were involved (note: This is a joke. We only use human sacrifices when the cars won't start).
Yours shows a build date of 8/85, but it came after the changeover in July, so it's a model year 1986. The factory did the model year changes in summer, and the 'new year' became available in fall.
You sound like a bit of an "information weenie" (not an insult). If you haven't already, read through the New Visitor sticky. Follow all the links. As was suggested, get the Moorehouse CD-ROM from Roger. Chock full of all sorts of interesting, useful, esoteric and technical data. Once you have a good handle on it, you will have the ability to never get invited back to dinner anytime you prefer to not be... Unless the host is a Porsche fanatic.
And no worries about the questions. If you don't understand, ask. Someone will usually answer. The trick is learning who to listen to and who not to (helpful hint: Listen to Rob )
UNDERSTAND-ING my VIN
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