Preserve or Modify, This is The Question
#31
We had a choice?
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Thread Starter
Let's see it.
#32
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Originally Posted by SharkSkin
That's actually not quite as ridiculous as it sounds. Back then, docs would actually try to figure out how to help you. Now, they just throw the pill du jour at you and overcharge your insurance.
I usually enjoy your posts and I genuinely enjoy your website. I have been a doctor when all our 928's were made and I have always tried to solve my patients problems to the best of my abilities which almost always involves figuring out how to help them. What I charge has no bearing whatsoever upon what my patients' insurance chooses to pay me. I believe they have a formula such as: divide by 6 and send a check in 30 days.
I use state of the art techniques and prescribe very few pills.
#34
Three Wheelin'
Originally Posted by Wolf Pack
For me it is kind of simple, we have super cars plain and simple. My super car is an 87 with 87 specs and I am sure some of these new Acura's and VW and Hondas can clean my clock from a stand still. I know the cars are not drag cars and I know ther element is high way speeds. To bring my car up to todays specs it means dropping in a Super Charger now the car will be simply amazing with amazing go power. I will have a car that will kill cars now costing 4 times the money I have in mine. Where can we get a timeless design with over 400 rwhp that can do what we want for under $18K? Nice S4 are selling in the $12K range and Super Charger kits are selling for $5500.00. Now we have world class speed and world class looks and cars that give new $60K Vettes a run for ther money. So for me keeping the car stock is not part of my plans, PO did just this my car was as stock as when he bought it. Now I have dropped in new wheels new sound system new exhaust sytem and am going to have a better performing car then when it was stock.
Cliff 87 S 4
Cliff 87 S 4
#35
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There will always be a market for the 'unmolested' orginal car.
However, I'll never buy one. Why? I am a Driver. I believe most people on this forum are Drivers. Sure, I like my car to look clean (hence attention to detail on aftermarket installs, etc), but if it doesn't Function, I'll modify it until it does. 20 year old sacked out shocks that will get you concours points? sack 'em. Sagging driver's door panel that's half shattered? Re-build the guts with aluminum supports. I did both, and will do more. I've even (gasp!) lowered the ride height (and re-done the alignment).
Randomly applying 20 years of learning - no way! Ignoring 20 years of learning - foolish!
GO OUT AND DRIVE!
However, I'll never buy one. Why? I am a Driver. I believe most people on this forum are Drivers. Sure, I like my car to look clean (hence attention to detail on aftermarket installs, etc), but if it doesn't Function, I'll modify it until it does. 20 year old sacked out shocks that will get you concours points? sack 'em. Sagging driver's door panel that's half shattered? Re-build the guts with aluminum supports. I did both, and will do more. I've even (gasp!) lowered the ride height (and re-done the alignment).
Randomly applying 20 years of learning - no way! Ignoring 20 years of learning - foolish!
GO OUT AND DRIVE!
#36
Originally Posted by zrated s4
Rick,
Let's see that English Hotrod.
Let's see that English Hotrod.
#37
I don’t have a problem with modifying these cars at all. I’ve been around MGBs for years now and while they have their purists – I think most don’t mind “tasteful’ and/or “period” looking modifications. Example: replacing the duel set of SU carbs for a 45 DCOE Weber and a nice header.
IMO there are three schools of thought regarding followers of specific marquees. There’s the “purists” who want to keep or restore a vehicle to what it was when new. Another is make modifications to improve performance and or looks while keeping the original charm. The last are the anything goes sky’s the limit crowd and nothing is beyond consideration.
One of the things I like about the 928 owners I’ve met so far is that we don’t seem to have a lot of purists who turn their noses up at even the slightest change.
Cosmetically I plan on keeping my 75 Shark pretty much stock. But I might consider changes underneath the skin to improve performance and my enjoyment.
IMO there are three schools of thought regarding followers of specific marquees. There’s the “purists” who want to keep or restore a vehicle to what it was when new. Another is make modifications to improve performance and or looks while keeping the original charm. The last are the anything goes sky’s the limit crowd and nothing is beyond consideration.
One of the things I like about the 928 owners I’ve met so far is that we don’t seem to have a lot of purists who turn their noses up at even the slightest change.
Cosmetically I plan on keeping my 75 Shark pretty much stock. But I might consider changes underneath the skin to improve performance and my enjoyment.
#38
Rennlist Member
Originally Posted by j.kenzie@sbcglobal.net
Dave,
I usually enjoy your posts and I genuinely enjoy your website. I have been a doctor when all our 928's were made and I have always tried to solve my patients problems to the best of my abilities which almost always involves figuring out how to help them. What I charge has no bearing whatsoever upon what my patients' insurance chooses to pay me. I believe they have a formula such as: divide by 6 and send a check in 30 days.
I use state of the art techniques and prescribe very few pills.
I usually enjoy your posts and I genuinely enjoy your website. I have been a doctor when all our 928's were made and I have always tried to solve my patients problems to the best of my abilities which almost always involves figuring out how to help them. What I charge has no bearing whatsoever upon what my patients' insurance chooses to pay me. I believe they have a formula such as: divide by 6 and send a check in 30 days.
I use state of the art techniques and prescribe very few pills.
I know there are many very fine doctors out there that could do a better job if not for all the crap in the way. This may sound really strange, but all of the docs I've met outside of the healthcare context, here and elsewhere are great people, real stand-up guys who will take care of a patient. I wish I had needed their services instead of the schlepps I have ended up with. And that's the rub... many of the docs I've seen(as a patient) seemed to be different types of folks... disinterested, distracted, always blaming anything they don't understand on some virus that they can't identify or treat.
I can give you a specific example where the diagnosis (in layman's terms)was that some virus had selectively infected the one nerve controlling the action of the left side of my diaphragm, paralyizing it. I was stuck in there with pneumonia and they would not let a chiropractor come see me. Once I made my way out of there, I saw my chiropractor, he gave me an adjustment and the diaphragm function was completely restored. I hope you understand that I'm a bit of a skeptic now when I hear "it's just a virus".
Anyway, to finish what I had to say about this and end the hijack, I apologize if you took that as a personal affront -- I meant it more as a statement about this country's current zeitgeist regarding health and drugs.
</hijack>
#39
Rennlist Member
Originally Posted by BKiller
While on the subject of stock or modify, since the electrical system seems to be the biggest problem with these cars, is anyone just pulling all the non-engine management electrical and replacing it all with a simple Painless Wiring' system? Seems like that would eliminate a ton of headaches...
#40
Rennlist Member
Originally Posted by heinrich
On a purely off-topic note Dave I FULLY agree. I lost my daughter as you know in a custody battle recently. Someone had the audacity to tell me because I was depressed, I should get on meds. My response, other than go f___ yourself, was "I lost my child. Would you not expect me to be depressed?"
How often do we just step back and say, "What is really going on here? Is there a problem at all, if so what is really the right thing to do, not necessarily the easy thing or the convenient thing, but the right thing?"
And there is so much subjectivity in this that we will all come up with different answers. Fix the couple of actual wiring problems. Upgrade the fan, but keep with the spirit of the stocker -- or replace it with one that will pull you down the road if the engine dies. Let the man be sad about the situation with his daughter.
Enough... sorry for the hijack...
#41
Nordschleife Master
Originally Posted by BKiller
While on the subject of stock or modify, since the electrical system seems to be the biggest problem with these cars, is anyone just pulling all the non-engine management electrical and replacing it all with a simple Painless Wiring' system? Seems like that would eliminate a ton of headaches...
A good PM procedure has been outlined to tame most of the 928 electrical gremlins. Easier to do the PM, clean all the contacts and put on some kind of protective goop, then long term some of the wiring harnesses, especially under the hood may need replacing.
#42
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Originally Posted by marton
I guess you are not yet ready for Viagra, or have ulcers which can be cured today with a simple pill instead of a major operation?
Marton
Marton
I question whether the pills "cure" or just treat the symptoms in most cases.
#43
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Some random comments:
- An original '37 Olds four-door is worth a lot less than the same car with a Chevy, Turbo-Hydramatic, A/C, tilt wheel, new interior, etc.
- The fewer 928s are preserved as original, the more valuable they are.
- Corvairs were "collectable" almost instantly, so many were kept original. Falcons weren't worth jack, so they disappeared. As a result, today a nice Falcon is worth quite a bit more than a nice Corvair.
- Sometimes, 928s are modified because it is easier, or because the owner or mechanic doesn't take the time to learn how to keep it original.
- Anything mechanical or electrical can be fixed with enough money and enthusiasm.
- The major problems with restorations are usually the soft parts. For example, my son's '68 Nova has ragged door panels. The '68 panels are unique to that model, NLA NOS, and all of the panels that are available are 38 years old...
- An original '37 Olds four-door is worth a lot less than the same car with a Chevy, Turbo-Hydramatic, A/C, tilt wheel, new interior, etc.
- The fewer 928s are preserved as original, the more valuable they are.
- Corvairs were "collectable" almost instantly, so many were kept original. Falcons weren't worth jack, so they disappeared. As a result, today a nice Falcon is worth quite a bit more than a nice Corvair.
- Sometimes, 928s are modified because it is easier, or because the owner or mechanic doesn't take the time to learn how to keep it original.
- Anything mechanical or electrical can be fixed with enough money and enthusiasm.
- The major problems with restorations are usually the soft parts. For example, my son's '68 Nova has ragged door panels. The '68 panels are unique to that model, NLA NOS, and all of the panels that are available are 38 years old...
#44
Originally posted by rickjaffe :
t's cold, rainy, wet and midnight or thereabouts, but I snapped a couple of pictures of engine, and front with cover partially removed and an old one; when the sun comes out and I clean it up some, I'll post proper pictures, engine picture shows b&m supercharger, griffen radiator, electronic ignition (I think), and you can almost make out the TCI transmission. regards
t's cold, rainy, wet and midnight or thereabouts, but I snapped a couple of pictures of engine, and front with cover partially removed and an old one; when the sun comes out and I clean it up some, I'll post proper pictures, engine picture shows b&m supercharger, griffen radiator, electronic ignition (I think), and you can almost make out the TCI transmission. regards
Though taken in close quarters, from what I can see in the pics it looks like a unique ride and a blast to drive. If I saw you on the street I'd give you the Live life, drive hard.
BEN S.
#45
928 Collector
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Originally Posted by rickjaffe
it's cold, rainy, wet and midnight or thereabouts, but I snapped a couple of pictures of engine, and front with cover partially removed and an old one; when the sun comes out and I clean it up some, I'll post proper pictures, engine picture shows b&m supercharger, griffen radiator, electronic ignition (I think), and you can almost make out the TCI transmission. regards