Darien

I'm purchasing an 86 this weekend. What is the difference between an 86 and 86.5? Will the VIN tell me?

rixter

IIRC vin# over 1000 is 86.5

Abby Normal

S4 brakes and exhaust. As rixter posted, last four vin#'s over 1000...

mspiegle

The muffler is different. It points towards the side of the car. The S4 muffler points straight back.

Aren't there some suspension differences too?

bigs

Not sure, but I think ABS became standard for the first time.

BrianG

Yup, all of you are right!

Basically past VIN 1000, the "S" bodied car has the S4 suspension & braking package. This means it also has the hotter '85-86 engine, lighter gross weight, and the start-in-first-gear auto transmission valve-body. All around, it's the superior car, until you get to the GT's and the GTS's.

Abby Normal

Correct, but like the S4 the 86.5 has dual cats and dual pipe all the way to the RM. My 85 had a completely different set up. Not sure about the suspension differences? Anyone know...?

mspiegle

ah, i didn't know 85-86 didn't have duals all the way back. good to know!

JKelly

The 85-86 does have dual exhaust all the way back. The cat is 2 in 2 out, the intermediate is 2 in 2 out, the muffler is 2 in 2 out; the pipes run side by side all the way back, then exit to the side. The 86.5 has the S4 exhaust configuration and exits out the back.

The 86 has ABS, but different brakes and suspension than the 86.5.

mspiegle

Am I reading something wrong here? The 86.5 exhaust exits diagonally on the driver's side, not straight back like the S4.... well... at least mine does.

WallyP

From a practical stand point, the difference in the exhaust is that the early '86 has a welded exhaust, while the '86.5 has a bolted joint at the rear muffler. This means that you can bolt an RMB on the '86.5, but the '86 requires cutting and welding, so there are no RMBs offered.

BrianG

Michael, I'm with you on the exhaust format. Mine goes from the dual-in/dual-out CAT back to separate intermediates, then back to the muffler which exits diagonally on the left rear corner. There is no S4-like depression in the rear bumper cover to accommodate an S4 exit.

Jim bailey - 928 International

Somewhat more accurate is to state that Porsche used up excesss 1985 parts by fitting the first 1,000 USA 1986 models with the 1985 specification exhaust, S brakes , and early front suspension "upside down lower ball joint" ,different length A-arms. The exhaust on all 78-86.5 exits to the side including the "86.5". The 1986 Euro spec cars I believe ALL were upgraded. All 1985-1986 should be ABS equipped as I recall. The floor pan was also modified between the rear seats to allow for the larger bellhousing for the transmission torque convertor planned for the S-4 and the battery box was made smaller to allow the right side exhaust pipe to cross over behind the differential.

JKelly

My bad

Darien

Thanks for all the info... Looking at the VIN, it looks like I'll be getting into an 86.5. This will be an upgrade from my last 2 (79, 83), but my sights are still set on an S4/GT. Just need to find the right one for the right price