Malibu310

Before you guys string me up, first of all I do like the stock engine in the 928, but I specifically wanted one with a weak engine (cheap) to convert over. I'm a low end torque kind of guy who happens to think the 928 is the best overall built car ever. I have a Buell S1 which is all low end torque (it can wheelie in first and second gears without popping the clutch). My daily driver is a Mercedes SLK 32 (AMG) with a 349 HP and 330 lbs torque, all instant because of the blower. I wanted to better the torque of the SLK without spending a fortune and keeping the car simple. My goal was to spend less than $20K (I blew that goal by $8K) and have a second daily driver. I'm a fan of simple. A 383 Chevy (Cheney) is as simple as you can get. The advantage of the SLK is that it is a modern car with the computer controlling wheel spin, thus full throttle is fairly safe from a dead stop (no sideways pull).

I hoped that this car would be a bigger kick than the SLK. many of you may know we have another 928 which is mostly for show with a 355 Chevy and a blower. The explosive torque on full throttle makes the car uncontrollable... no computer like the SLK.

What I found out is that this car is manageable on full throttle but it does not have the immediate kick of the blower cars. I recently took out a SLK 55 (the new AMG) and found that it too did not have that instant kick the blower motors give.

I have a Lifted Jeep Liberty, a Rodeo, a SLK, the blower 928 (shared with my son), an Aston Martin Lagonda, the Buell S1, an A-36 Bonanza and this new 928. I have a wide array of cars and like to customize them (except the Aston which is in concours condition)...

I look at customizing the 928 like building full size models ... unlike old muscle cars, the 928 is a stable platform to work with. We have an outrageous blower version, I wanted a luxury city car with a lot of low end torque.

Did I build one? I'm not done with it, but it seems to fit the bill...

The 87 motor has two distributors, and even though the guys at Renegade say the standard tach works on their web site... it does not. They are terrible at customer support. They said to recalibrate the original... that means taking the pod apart. Someday, maybe, but for $50, it's a quick fix and actually does not look too bad, especally at night... not the best solution though.

goliver

Way to go. Nice conversion. I have an A36 Bonanza as well.

Cheers,

Styln928

Great job Malibu. Looks nicely done. No butch job, clean. One day i'm gonna do the conversion also. What I really want to know is how many vaccuum lines weren't needed? All in All . . . It looks great. Wish I had it.

Thaddeus

Do a little dance
Make a little love
Get down tonight
Get down tonight.

H2

Did you buy a conversion kit that worked well or did you have to modify a lot? What about wiring hookups to the 928's system? Did you buypass? BTW, I'm impressed.

Harvey

Jim bailey - 928 International

See what you can get for $28,000 ........an 87 S-4 with a carburetor ?

sublimate

I'd be interested in knowing the cost breakdown of that $28K. Just the things related to the conversion (kit, engine, exhaust, anything else Renegade doesn't warn you about).

FlyingDog

If you wanted more than 330lbft of torque, why not SC it? For $28,000 on top of the S4, you could get a GTS and SC it! Oh well, for what it is, it looks good under the hood. Those interior accents really need to go. They're even worse than the silver serving tray under the hood.

G Man

Looks good to me IMHO. Did it cost you 28k or did your 8k difference go in your favor and cost you 12k?

Danton

What a shame... It used to be a nice car.

FeedNfrenZ

Come on guys!............... I know that most of us what to see the cars stay as close as possible to original but.................. you gotta appreciate the hard work and top notch workmanship the 310 has put into this car!

Thaddeus

I'm just a love machine
And I won't work for nobody but you
I'm just a love machine
A hugging kissing fiend.

Thaddeus

How did ya' know I needed you so badly
How did ya' know I gave my heart gladly
Yesterday I was one of a lonely people
Now you're lying next to me
Giving IT to me.

Thaddeus

Some things are just so evocative of disco, I can't help myself.

Malibu310

$7,800 for original car
$ 300 for Momo steering wheel and shift
$2,800 for renegade stuff (the workmanship was OK at best, the delivery time was too ong, the communication awful)
$2,000 for general body work (dent repair, paint, etc)
$1,700 for 18" wheels and tires
$ 500 for wood trim, etc.
$ 400 for refinish of grey leather
$ 360 for alignment
$13,000 for engine and labor: This was $5,000 more than I thought, but I wanted new wiring and the best hoses, and cables to detail under the bonnet (hood).

$28,860...

Still to spend: 3,000 for AVN Eclipse system, and maybe redo the exhaust at $1,000 (still not sure).

I compare this to a new Corvette at $25,000 more (loaded). I'll have better straight line performance, nicer interior, more unique, worse mileage.

The car will be more comfortable than my SLK 32 at $30,000 less than I originally paid.

It will be more reliable than the Lagonda at $180,000 less (1988 window sticker).

It will have 100 more horespower than my A-36 at $650,000 less...

It's not about money, a Harley can easily cost more with a few billet do-dads added!!!