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You know, I keep hearing people say this, and maybe it's true for early cars? But this thread is about S3s, of which I have one, and I need someone to show me the V6 Camry I won't demolish off the line if I really want to. Seriously, I'm not bragging, I just think this is not really a true statement, at least for an S3 that's running right....
5.8 is significantly faster than the various times I was able to find online. Who knows, maybe my car is just that much faster...but I doubt it. I'll cheerfully report back when one shows up and beats me :P
I concur with others. Take it to one of the experts for a once over. My car is an '84 auto with 234 FHP (factory horsepower) compared to the US S3 288 FHP. I can not spin the tires from a stop on dry pavement and do not engage anyone with a late model sedan trying to goat me at the stop light. 0-60 I will lose. However 60 to 120, that's where these cars shine IMO. I too have kept up with a late model Cayman, in some spirited highway driving. No problem at all.
OP: When I first acquired my S4, I felt the same way as you – still do. This led me to do a gearing analysis comparing the S4 to my other cars, the results of which are telling. My ’87 928S4 is weighed down with poor (from an off the line/responsiveness performance perspective) gearing; adding to the lackadaisical feel is a throttle pedal which demands heavy application to move.
A quick look at the data shows that on a normal start (2nd gear), my 928 is geared the equivalent of starting out in 3rd in my Boxster & A4, and in 4th in my GT350. So, when I jump into one of the others, they immediately feel more responsive. The lighter throttle pedals also add to the responsive feel.
I believe my S4 is running well; it will start out in first when the shift lever is in 3rd and the throttle is mashed. It will also light up the rear tires and snaps off a redline shift from 1st to 2nd. My 928 drives like what Big Joe said in Kelly’s Heroes, in reference to the Tiger Tanks in the town square: “once these things get rolling they’re gonna tear the whole place apart” – or something to that effect. Once moving, the 928 is quite formidable. I did the North East Turkey run this past Thanksgiving and had no problem keeping up with the other Porsches (mostly 911s of all types). I suppose the tall gearing does have the advantage of better fuel economy – at 18.5mpg, I get 4 more than I do in the 350. I’ve learned to appreciate the 928 for what it was and is – I still get a sh*t eating grin driving mine!
I’ve learned to appreciate the 928 for what it was and is – I still get a sh*t eating grin driving mine!
Geza, I completely agree! The short time I drove the Red Witch was GLORIOUS! She was all kinds of fun. Then I took her apart and realized how many little issues she had.
Once I get her back together, and everything running the way it should, I expect even more fun.
boca928, this is where you are. Get everything working the way it should.
Honestly, it almost doesn't matter how fast it is by the numbers. With headers, x-pipe and a single Borla muffler, I can't stop giggling every time I get on it. That sound is glorious...
Honestly, it almost doesn't matter how fast it is by the numbers. With headers, x-pipe and a single Borla muffler, I can't stop giggling every time I get on it. That sound is glorious...
No argument there. None at all.
It's not a 'drag car'.
That doesn't mean that it isn't a very special car.
It's the only car I've ever owned that I can enjoy just looking at it or sitting in it.
I park mine during the winter. But I will still go 'vist' it. Right now, I'm working on it (shocks and a couple minor things). But if I wasn't, I'd still go just sit in it for a few minutes.
Every so often, I get a kid at a light asking if I want to race.
My normal response is "Sure! First one to Minneapolis wins?"
None of them take me up on it.
Originally Posted by boca928s
how do you add vehicles owned or info to your profile page? lol
Siglines are a privilege for paid members.
Same with unlimited pic posting, posting for sale stuff and access to a couple forums and certain for sale ads.
Yes I agree I need to get it looked at to see if its running as it should.... I don't mind putting a few bucks into it to get to be even better.... I will have someone look it over soon... thanks for all the advice so far
Boca,
As a new owner, my advice is start with the "mundane," the "obvious" things before throwing reprogramming and a Borla exhaust at it. By that I mean, full tune up. Plugs, wires, cap, rotor, oil, tranny fluid, air filter, fuel filter, check voltages at battery and alternator, clean your grounds, look all over for cracked vacuum hoses and replace, etc. You might be pleasantly surprised because some of these things, which again seem basic and take more time than money, may have been overlooked by the P.O. (A Porsche mechanic friend of mine said that for all models he sees that are more than 30 years old, the most common problem he finds for all sorts of issues--a bad ground.)
I'm not sure who it was on this forum, but there was a very long thread trying to diagnose his poor performance issues, and in the end all it took was to clean out the air box and put in a new air filter. Lot's of hand-wringing and thoughts of $$$, and all it needed was a Shop-Vac and a filter. (A rat or something had left a nest over the winter.)
Examples closer to home, I just purchased an S4 and it has meticulous maintenance records back to original purchase, which I poured over and despite all of this very expensive maintenance history...no one had changed the plugs in 45,000 miles. I pulled them and you could barely see the electrodes they were so worn down. Talk about instant return to power, smooth idle and acceleration--for some garage time and $40. I also discovered that the accelerator cable was so worn, and the linkages and pedal were so mis-adjusted, that when the gas pedal was floored the throttle was actually maybe at 2/3 full throttle! Again, not a hard fix, but probably an instant "50 hp." No telling how long the P.O. drove it like this.
Again, you may be surprised how far covering all the "basics" may make a difference, (especially when you don't know the history.)
Get all of that squared away...then the X-pipes will sound even better!
Jason
before buying the car I have paperwork of what was done ...serviced etc...
fuel system plenum service
adjust timing belt tensioner
fuel rail & injector service
spark plugs
oil lube & filters
ignition coils
fuel injector seals
timing belt & water pump
02-13-2019, 06:46 PM
