I'll save Harvey some typing... Shane
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hughett
Why didn't you change the timing belt tensioner to a sprung/dampened unit, at the same time the 968 recieved one?

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It's not rational that Porsche didn't adapt and incorporate either the 968 sprung belt tensioner or lips on the rollers to keep the belts from "crawling off". I would guess that by 1992, Porsche already had figured the 928 was toast and was not willing to really put much more design time into a project that was destined to be terminated anyway.

Besides, it gave Shane a chance to "do it right." BTW Shane, where are the belt guides for rollers to help minimize T-belts problems?

Harvey

 

Nicole,

That was an awesome post. Very informative. I wish the designers had been there, I wonder why they weren't?

Thanks for doing the research and sharing it. More hard evidence of the design from someone who was personally involved with it, before it's lost to history forever.

THANK YOU!

 

Thanks Nicole!!

 

Thanks Nicole!!

 

I haven't heard any reason why Tony Lapine could not make it, but it was said that Wolfgang Möbius was out of the country.

That's the idea... Some day we won't be able to ask these guys anymore.

You are very welcome! I wish I would have known beforehand who is there - could have prepared myself much better. But Peter was nice enough to leave his contact info - which I will guard with my life but possibly use at some point.

 

From

AMCpacer.com

"Inspiration: Porsche 928 designer Tony Lapine has stated that the Pacer inspired his use of a bubble-shaped tail end in his design. Visit this web site for more information."

http://tiedjej.www1.50megs.com/

It figures that Lapine would be aware of the development of the pacer given that he was working for GM in the US in the early 70s.

 

But those two sites don't really present any evidence that Lapine was inspired by the Pacer, do they? I think they just repeat someone else's story. Seems to me that the only primary source would be Lapine himself, and I don't think I've ever seen a quote from him in context that would support these claims. Anybody know anything more definite?

 

A) There is no resemblance between the pacer and 928 except that both have a large rear glass.
B) There are far stronger similarities between the 924 and 928, and I don't hear anyone claiming that VW desinged the 924 "inspired by" the Pacer. The 924 preceded the 928 anyway though not in design.
C) Early 928 design concepts had even less in common with a Pacer
D) I think the 928 was actually inspired by the 1972 Massey Ferguson, since they both have four wheels. CLEARLY this was what caused Lapine to give the 928 four wheels. I'm sure a tiller was planned also, but didn't match Lapine's colour preferences.
E) The below Jensen is a 1973 model, LONG before the 928 was even conceptualised, this car was being BUILT.

 

OK, bumping this thread...

What questions relating to the 928s design have not been answered, yet?

 

1. Thrust Bearing Failure. What were they thinking when they altered the torque tube/driveshaft/shim/collar etc. from the pre-S4 to the S4+ automatic set-up; causing the "Achilles heel" (as we've come to know it) of the automatic 928s?

2. Are they aware how significant the problems have been regarding this (TBF) as most problems were reported years after purchase?

3. Why complicate an otherwise simple component, like the radiator, with plastic end caps & seals?

4. Any regrets or things you wish you had done differently relating to the 928?

5. What were your personal feelings about the potential success of the Porsche 928 when it launched in '78? Any reservations?

6. Did you really think it would replace the 911 as originally planned or find its own niche as it did?

Thanks Nicole; a great "get to know your 928" post!

 

Fascinating stuff...is the automatic/5 speed mix really 80/20?

I had read somewhere that it was 70/30, which still seems pretty high. For a Porsche.

 

Why didn't they equip it with 400 HP right out the gate? 300 HP used to be considered a lot- by todays terms, not so impressive. Nearly every modern GT pushes 400-550. I got housed by a Pontiac GTO recently on the interstate. - He just pulled away convincingly( may have been factory boosted, though) Still- with 400 HP on tap I would have been right with him.

 

that's funny......I just gave a GTO a run for his money with my 8.1L Chevy dually----

he was really pissed off.


--Russ

 

Because the car was not built today, it was built in a day when 300hp was more than anything else. Look at what Porsche are building today, when Pontiac are making 400bhp they are making 650

 

If I remember correctly, a member of the Porsche 928 design team once said that "the 928 engine will never race". I'd like to know why they said that.