I get asked occasionally about all the stuff I've done to my car, and what's the best bang for the buck. Instead of retyping, I thought it'd be better to post!

Post yours too!

 

1981 US automatic with 'Competion Group' 150K miles
Manual sport seats, manual climate control

The early L-Jet 928s are resistant to easy or cheap improvements. My car was a real dog when I bought it, very sluggish. I've made a lot of changes, mostly weight related, but some drivetrain mods have made a big difference, especially with the 3-speed automatic.

I'd have to say weight is the main thing that makes the car better to drive. Under 3100lbs with driver makes it a rocket, but you have to suffer a stripped interior, and it's not as crashworthy.

Note that I've still got the cast iron exhaust manifolds, and original M474 Bilsteins/springs!

Here's a short list of what I found to give the best bang (see my homepage for all the embarassing threads ).

Performance
Advance cam timing 3° cam (also adds 6° ignition advance)

Response
External only (rear) automatic oil cooler
Eliminating all vacuum drains

Engine smoothness
Syncronizing cams
Hydraulic timing belt tensioner

Maintenance access
Remove timing belt covers
Remove air pump system

Sound
3" exhaust
Airbox lid delete

Handling
Removing bumpers
Momo steering wheel
Bolt-on 21mm rear spacers
8" S4 rims + 245 tires all round

Piece of mind
Hinged front license plate, down angled rear
Passport SRX radar detector, laser detector/jammer

Worst PO 'fix' undone
Hidden resistor in wiring to TempII

Top net weight reducers (>10lbs) roughly in order of weight (includes replacement weight, eg headlights)
Spare, tools
Passenger seat (manual)
Rear bumper
Rear interior panels, headliner, rear seats
Front bumper
A/C pump
Sunroof system
Headlight system
Tar sheet sound deadening
Door intrusion bars, anti-slimjim plates
Optima battery

 

On the '80 5-sp, the best mods have been:

Handling; Euro S springs with adjustable front spring perches
Koni shocks
CS wheels 8 & 9x16 w. 225/50 & 245/45 PS2s: 28mm rear spacers

Engine; stock timing works well on cams and ignition
upgraded all cam drive to HTD '85 type
engine loves the Bosch silver electrode plugs
( '80 never equipped w. an air pump)

Brakes; '85 S calipers and slotted rotors ( w. spindles & ball joints )

Lighting; 8" H4s

AC; absolutely nothing .... still blows ice cold on the orriginal 26 year old R12 charge .. has never even needed topping up!

Bodywork; Paint, all original - but RejeX has been the best care system
S4 rear spoiler - purely cosmetic .... but 'makes' the car

 

On my 81;

Handling; S-4 springs and shocks with adjustable front spring perches.
17" twists

Engine; 84 Euro cams and heads, Devek level 3 headers with twin 2 1/4" pipes and custom X-pipe.

Brakes; S-4 Front and Rear- This is absolutely the best mod for the early cars, these brakes will launch you thru the windshield if you are not belted in..

Lighting 7" H-4 Euros with HID Kit

Exterior; Delete rear spoiler and replace with S-4 Wing

 

With the low compression these engines will do very well with supercharging. There are now kits that will give new life to these old dogs. I suggest that the rod bearings be changed out before adding a blower, they'll get a lot more work with near GTS HP being pumped through them.

 

Whats the synopsis on all that cam timing work? I'd love to get a little advance onto my Euro- can it be done (or should I say, has it been proven) with the interference motor?

 

My best mod was adding two K-26 turbos.

 

Back at yea brother! These cars need boost - period.

 

I wondered when the boost-heads would chime in!

I think the best value on a 350+HP 928 is a 79-84 with boost. Non interference, easy to work on, all for less than the price of an S4!

 

If we are talking crank HP then I'm already there with the 81.

If all goes as planned, my 79 track car will be boosted, 10psi with an air-air IC. It's already at 225rwhp with just exhaust mods and probably under 3,000lbs.