EspritS4s

Because of a major lifestyle change coming up (starting a fulltime MBA program in the fall), I'm going to be selling off most of my vehicles (I'm really going to miss the Esprit. I've decided to keep the 928 because it will suit me best as a daily driver down in North Carolina.
I'm planning on taking the summer off before school, and I'd like to spend a good portion of that time completely restoring my S4. My father owns an auto repair shop so I'll have access to pretty much everything that I'll need including his knowledge with a wrench.

I'm already inline for Andy's supercharger parts, but I'm looking for ideas or suggestions on other things to do. Here's my list so far:

Complete repaint (probably in the original color-silver although blue is
tempting)
Whipple supercharger install
Changing the interior color to black (new carpets+new/redye seats)
Pull the entire drivetrain and go through it (replace worn synchros, new headgasket, etc)
Replace all the rubber
GTS wing and mirrors
Motormounts
AT Riva wheels

Any other ideas out there?

Thanks,
Gary

Nicole

Sounds like a major project you have ahdad of school...

Here are a few more items you should consider replacing - some for preventive maintenance, and because you're in there anyway:

- knock sensors, tps, icle regulator valve, all vacuum lines
- have intake and valve covers powder coated
- new shoks, if they are older than 60k miles
- if you have to pull the transmission - does your torque tube make any noises? If it does, this might be the time to rebuilt/replace
- ignition wires, rotors, caps, if necessary
- have injectors cleaned
- replace rubber wherever you can (and where it has not been done, yet)

The goal should be to make the car reliable, so you can focus on your studies instead of the car, right? Not sure, if a supercharger will affect the reliability - a question that others can probably answer better than I. But I would think it increases the riks of breaking something major. Only you know, if you can take that risk while you're in school.

Nevertheless, congratulations for your decision to continue education, and best of luck!

donberry

as a owner of a black interior, one warning especially as you say it will be a daily driver. They get dirty sooooooooo easy. I pretty much have to sweep mine out at least every other day. The Black shows everything.

BC

I have found a few things while totally dissassembling my 89 5spd.

- Replace your trans mounts
- brake lines - go either NEW oem or SS, your choice
- Get some nice springs if you are replacing your shocks.
- CLEAN EVERYTHING YOU CAN GET TO. It makes it so much nicer.
- Ball cup bushing on the front, and maybe the coupler on the back for the shifter meachanism. If you take out your trans, then this is a good idea.
-
There's more, but you'll find it when you get there I suppose. Each car is different, yadda yadda.

EspritS4s

Thanks for the input everyone. This is exactly what I'm looking for!

-Gary

Lizard928

complete check of ALL electrical connectors, clean and replace connectors as needed, check all wiring for dry hard spots and replace those spots as needed,
getting a rad flush and have it checked out, or installing a devek rad, replace all rubber hoses, (power steering, and vacuum), replace heater valve w/ after market steel type, have the power steering rack rebuilt, repack the wheel bearings (replace as needed) and replace the seals on them at the same time, replace all rubber bushing (swaybay) maybe consider using poly eurathane w/ grease nipples

Chuck Schreiber

Gary,

There's nice to haves, and need to haves. As Nicole said, you're going to school and you need reliability. Do the mechanicals first and the cosmetics second. A good looking car that is not well upkept is not a fun vehicle to drive. There are alot of old buggers out there for example that may not look that pretty (although I think all 928's are damn good lookin!) but are a blast to drive the $hit out of because they've been gone through and are reliable as hell.

Best to take care of the car mechanically then go for the icing on the cake (paint, aero mirrors, etc).

Just my $9.28 worth!

EspritS4s

I agree, but I have the time and the resources to do both at once; although, I may put off the repaint for another time. My number one priority is to go completely through the mechanicals. That means removing both the engine and the transmission from the car and basically going over everything that should be done at that time.

SharkSkin

Well, if you're thinking color change, that's the time to do it...

D

Bryan

The problem with repainting in a different color is that unless you take the car down to a bare shell, you're still going to have the original color in places. Shock towers. Underside of the hood. Inside the sunroof area. All kinds of weird little places. You're better off spending some hours with some clay, doing touch-ups, wet sanding, and polishing. You'll be amazed how nice a little elbow grease will make the original paint look.

Bryan

EspritS4s

Bryan,
The more I think about it, the more sense that makes. I have most of the summer to work on this, but painting it the right way could take up a big portion of that time. Besides silver is my second favorite color for the 928 after blue anyways. The paint isn't in bad shape either, so I'll probably just paint where the finish is damaged. I've got a lot on the plate as it is.

-Gary