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My new to me 1985 928s automatic seems very slow to me, unfortunately I never drove one prior to the one I bought so I don't know if its just the model and year or my car, but seems to lack power, I don't think the rear tires could spin from a dead stop unless on ice. I know the car has maybe 300 hp but it just feels sluggish and heavy... are your cars the same? Is something wrong with mine? lol I read they take of from 2nd gear ? is this really true? I am hoping mine needs a good tune up and maybe transmission adjustment being it doesn't even feel like it down shifts correctly... My fault for not driving others I guess so I have nothing to compare it to.. are there any upgrades to make the performance a step up? not looking to make a race car, but it would be nice to have it feel like a PORSCHE..... thanks in advance
Having had my '85 for a couple of years, I know what exactly what you're talking about. First, I would make sure that everything else is in good running condition (ie, no vacuum leaks, idle is sits at around 700rpm, everything in good mechanical condition). It's easy for the S3s to have a vacuum leak.
Getting my car in good running condition (which for me included a top-end refresh, hunting down numerous vacuum leaks, getting the computers refurbished and the MAF rebuilt) made a big difference than when i first bought it.
However, installing the Porken chips made a huge difference. I believe it re-maps the air-fuel mixture and takes advantage of higher fuel pressure, but I will defer to the experts. I'm merely a hack trying to make his way through the world of 928 ownership.
The S4, is rated at 316 hp, and the automatic does start out in 2nd gear, unless you mash on it. 928's aren't stop light cars, they're road cars, made to cruise at high speeds for long distances. My 89 moves out from a stop fine, and I don't really put my foot in it. It has a stage 1 VCB Supercharger, and will fry the tires, and it's very fast. Around 400 hp, I think. For what they are, they're the best GT coupe ever built.
mine seems to idle fine runs fine, just no power... my range rover is quicker lol I have heard about the porken chip, I will have to consider that... what did it cost to do that? I heard the s4 model was quicker then mine (1985) I just want to make sure mine is running as it should..I have other cars that are quicker, I just want this one to be as it should. I always liked the 928 model, and a friend of mine that finds me cars came across this car, and I bought it... it looks nice, pretty good shape in & out … respray is ok... not great but I didn't buy a show car....need to redo stereo and fix some other minor things... here is a photo. 1985 928s auto
When your cam gears were replaced, did they retime the cams?
I was working on a friend's 85 and it was a pig. No power. Checked the timing of the cam gears and one was advanced by 6 degrees and the other was retarded by 12. Holy crap.
Retimed the cams/cam gears and the car will chirp tires in 3rd.
boca928s, follow these guys' advice. The S3 928 is not the quickest or fastest 928, but it is all kinds of fun to drive when set up right. The S3 engine makes great torque in a usable RPM range.
Get the engine running right, make sure all your cables for the engine and transmission are adjusted properly. Change the transmission fluid and filter if it has not already been done. Verify you have proper vacuum to the modulator on the transmission, and that it is set properly.
The A28/0* transmission in an 85 S3 should start out in first gear. It wasn't until 87 that they started out in second gear.
For future reference, the Porken S300 chips for the LH2.2 and EZF are worth the money and effort. They do nothing for the top horsepower number, but fatten the curve at midrange. More usable power! However, you will need to replace your fuel pressure regulator with one from an S4. Go to Porken's website for all the specific details needed.
Keep at it and you will be rewarded with a sweet driving 928!
Many of these cars do not run as they should and that is invariably down to the owner not doing what is necessary to keep them running correctly. For someone who has no history with the car the practical solution is to compare to a known good one if you can find such owner close by or better still, take the thing to someone who knows them well and in your case you have no lesser person than Stan [Mr Merlin] about 100 miles or so away from you in the Philadelphia locale and hire him to spend an hour or two assessing it. No idea if there is anyone closer to you but for sure you will not find many [if any] better to help you understand what you have and how it ranks. That and a dyno session ought to get you on the right track.
No point in dicking around with upgrades unless and until you know for sure it is running like a good'un then by all means go for it.
There's a handful of things that will reduce the performance of the car. Combine a few together and it will be seriously slow. Something as simple as a misadjusted throttle cable and the throttle plate not opening all the way can have a big effect.
Get hold of Panos Pete and have him give it a once over.
But, even in 'proper trim', the 928 isn't that quick. A new V6 Camry will beat it off a stop light.
That's not what it does best.
Long distance, high speed travel is where it really shines. 6 or 8 hours in the driver's seat is very doable. The commonly quoted 'sweet spot' for cruise is between 90 and 120.
Edit to add:
Shawn Stanford has a nice sig line:
"...the 928 is not a joy riding car; it's a tool, a road weapon designed to destroy distance and crush time."
So you bought it w/o driving it -- GOOD for you, that shows commitment.
I can't judge from here, but it shouldn't seem slow; I second the others, it needs to be checked for certain issues, including coil wires, on mine I had a sluggish condition at cruise, turned out to be corrosion on the leads to coils. I also would recommend Pete, I believe he is on vacation this week.
His name came up in another thread (search) and there are contact details there. If not found PM me.
Also give a close read to the New Visitor thread at top. Lots of helpful info there.
I suggest you change /make your subject line useful so others may search.
The S4, is rated at 316 hp, and the automatic does start out in 2nd gear, unless you mash on it.
Not sure if mine has been modded or not by a PO but if i put the auto gear stick to 2 at the stop light it always takes off in first and it will hold first until I shift up from 2. I can flick to 3 and back to 2 to hold second gear. Then shift up to 3 when i want. Basically if i want full power I use the auto stick.
Interested to know if anyone else does this or if it is a mod. Mine is a 1990 S4.
If I simply leave the auto box to its own devices then yes it feels a little slow.
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. I was neck-and-neck with a second gen Cayman S with my AC on (his was not) until we both let off, and this was before I installed my Porken chips. Now, I'm not totally stock...full exhaust w/ just a Borla silencer...but nothing radical. Also my car is a 5-speed. That could be a factor I suppose.
One thing I've noticed, all of the controls on these cars are somewhat high-effort, compared to modern cars. The steering is not that light, the gas pedal has significantly more resistance than modern cars, etc. My daughter has a 2006 BMW 325i and while no dragster, when I get in it I'm always screeching off the line because there is just no effort to push the gas pedal. I "accidentally" drive fast in it. With the 928, there is no accident. If I want to go fast, I need to pretty demonstrably demonstrate that to the car...but when I do, it most definitely responds.
In any case, you absolutely need to make sure everything is working properly in stock form, before you even think about modifying it. That can be difficult if (like me when I got mine) this is the only 928 you've experienced. If that's your situation, it would be well worth the drive to see someone like Stan (I think I saw in this thread that he is not that far from you) and have him check out your car, if nothing else than to tell you if it is driving like it should. I'd bet money it's not.
Originally Posted by Wisconsin Joe
But, even in 'proper trim', the 928 isn't that quick. A new V6 Camry will beat it off a stop light.
02-12-2019, 08:39 PM
question...on performance or lack of
