So I do love my 1983 928s but the automatic really lets the car down. My car has low miles in very good shape and I’m the 3rd owner. I have access to all the parts to convert it to manual. I’ve turned down the idea due to thinking it would kill the value of the car. So was looking for thoughts on this. I think the manual would wake the car up.

 

you would be better off selling the car and buying a nice 5 speed.
That car looks very nice.

 

agreed but on the other hand, the devil you know, is better than the devil you don’t know. Honestly, I don’t think the manual car is the better car. I own both auto and manual, I enjoy the auto more.

 

I assume you can "wake the car up" in other ways?

 

Wanna fun 5spd, buy a miata...do some track days, you'll never wipe the grin off your face.

You have a fantastic _touring car_.

The car is fine...

 

I get it, I do love the car. The Miata would probably be faster but not going that route.

 

No comment on conversion, but if you're feeling it's sluggish, maybe check the timing (many threads on rennlist depending on MY), kickdown switch, boden cable, MAF, etc. Gernally speaking, your 0-60 should be around 7 seconds or less for 82 US spec.

 

I don't think it will lower the value of the car if converted with all correct components. It's all OEM and factory. If you love the car in every other way I would do it, and if not, sell it and look for the right manual example.

A lot of people like the manual and quite a few prefer the auto as you can see. I think that's pretty unusual in most cars of this vintage. Just goes to show you how great the M-B auto boxes are, but maybe the US-spec models really suffer with the lower power. I have not driven one.

 

I had a 81 Euro S 5 speed and traded it for a nicer 84 Euro S Auto. Driving the manual was more fun and engaging and it was faster in the Twisties with the ability to downshift and hold gears longer (yes, I know you can manually shift the auto, but it's not the same). This 84 is my DD and for that it's fine, as I have 4 other manual Porsches. If the 84 were a 5-speed or had the same Z06 6-speed that's in my other 928, it would be perfect.

If you love the car and it's in great mechanical shape and you won't enjoy it as an auto, convert it.

 

If you drive most the time in urban regions I would prefer the automatic, overland trips are more fun in the 5 speed like Pete said, the gear more and no torque converter generate the fun!

 

I can't agree with you more!

I have 3 928's - an 87 5-speed, an 89 GT, and an 87 automatic, and I cannot stand to drive the automatic. Everything is adjusted properly, yet it sluggishly starts out in 2nd gear, and when driving, it's never consistent on the downshifts - and that's if it actually decides to downshift at all. It feels so sluggish and heavy compared to the 5-speeds.

Of course, it depends upon how you drive the car. If you drive like my Dad, total grandpa mode, the factory automatic is more than good enough for him.

However, if one drives more aggressively and wants some snap, crackle, and pop, thus prefers an automatic Sport GT car, an automatic 928 is the wrong tool for the job. However...

If someone would come out with a conversion to a modern 8-speed automatic, that would literally transform the car, and make it drive like a modern performance car. Add some aero mirrors and you now have a modern looking car that just so happens to be 30+ years old - with a snappy automatic to match the looks. That would be a winner for sure.

Since an 8-speed auto conversion won't be happening anytime soon, then a conversion to a 5-speed is your only option if you want to keep the current car. Do you have someone who can do the work properly/skillfully?

 

You said you had Grundy agreed-value insurance, right? You probably don’t want to admit it’s your daily driver on a public forum.

 

Why don't you keep the car the way it is, package your 5-speed conversion kit and sell it for a down payment on another 928 with a 5-speed. Many of us here own more than just one 928.

 

Back to your original question, I do believe that a conversion will affect the car's value. These days we see that any modifications that permanently change the vehicle's pedigree, do affect value. And a 5spd conversion, I would consider permanent. Its not like undoing an exhaust mod back to factory, for example. Like it or not, it is a true shadetree modification....there are no Porsche-issued instructions on how to properly convert your car!

On the side issue of 5spd vs. Auto, its apples and oranges for me. I love each for different reasons. I own multiples of both, and each has its pros and cons. Just go with what you like too drive.

To the point of previous posts, I'd suggest that if you want a 5spd 928, then sell (or trade) yours and get a nice, factory original 5spd. (To that end, I plan to do a 5-spd swap in the near future. But I'm certainly not starting with an Auto that is nice as yours! My recipient Auto needs a replacement transmission and a restoration, and my donor 5spd needs a motor redo...so it seems like an invitation to try out a swap!)

 

I would not do the conversion on a decent or good car. It isn't like ten years ago when there was very little demand for 928's. Keep your eyes open for a manual.