First off, I'm curious how long it took some of you to get the comfort factor with your 928? I gauged the progess of my new pilots in categories such as this, in which i would classify myself as U.I.

Unconciously Incompetent:
You're so lost, you don't even know that you don't know what you're doing

Conciously Incompetent:
Still lost, but you now know that you don't know what you're doing.

Conciously Competent:
All the lights are on, you know that you know what you are doing.

Unconciously Competent:
Fully automatic. You're so good and so confident it's like breathing, you don't even know you know what you are doing.

As I prepare to start the restoration and upkeep on my new baby, I have a few questions from those with knowledge (which is most of everyone here)

From those of you that were in my current position oh so many years ago, how did you prioritize your project? I guess first I am looking for the broad strokes, meaning, engine-powertrain-suspension-electrical-body-interior, etc.

Seeing as how I am a total, and I mean a total neat freak, I know that my first tendancy will lean in the direction of getting the interior back up to spec. I know that does not make sense in the big scheme of things.

With the assumption that the car is mechanically sound, no rust spots, smooth running, etc., where did you start? Bear in mind that my goal is to keep it almost exactly as it was in 1981. I'm not talking about changing cams and things like that.

I do not want to re-leather the dash, seats, and consoles if I will need to take them out later to get to something else. (Reminds me of the old saying "looks like $100 in a $2 wallet")

I wish some of you were closer to Tennessee, and could hold a clinic down here to review my car and make a list.

As always, I appreciate your expertise, input, and opinions.

 

With my first 928, it was fix those items which could lead to further deterioration, loss of safety or more damage. IE don't ignore oil changes, tires, brakes etc. After that what could be done with little more than sweat equity. And lastly what will the budget allow NOW, and what has to wait for $.

Since your in Tenn. you should plan to attend Sharks in the Mountains. You'll see all sorts of 928's in every state of restoration or modification. Some by purists who want to keep it just as the factory released it and others who don't know when to stop with modifications. You'll also meet lots of folks that are very willing to help with ideas, contacts and technical support, just like this group.

Jim Mayzurk
93 GTS 5-spd

 

My first priority was brakes, then test all vacuum related, fix all little details that did not work.
Do a service with new plugs rotors and caps+ all the fluids.
(do not forget the coolant)
Then I went on to polish the paint and clean up the interior.
It all depends on what things that do not currently work as intended.
And of course if everything does( somehow I dought that) it's all about where your priorities are.(sounds like interior)

Good luck with your project/Peter

 

As you mentioned, getting the car checked over, then making a list is the way to go.

I was fortunate when I picked up my S4 recently to get referred to Earl Gillstrom (Unconciously Competent) who checked my car over with me.

We made a list of to do's that went something like this:

Urgent: we need to do this pronto: timing belt tension check, alignment, fuel pump & fuel filter replacement.

Important, but not urgent: timing belt/wp, basic tune up, brakes, rear axle boots.

Longer term: motor mounts, steering rack mounts, shifter refresh, vacuum hoses, etc, etc, etc.

Then we made a list of things I will need to look into to check out when I have time like the cam timing.

Last on my list is interior bits.

Its a daunting list, but I'll be breaking it down into smaller more manageable tasks and hopefully I can start crossing them off my list once I actually get started. -Ed

 

That is a great idea. You'll likely be able to hook up with someone not to far from you that may be able to assist you in your evaluation, and perhaps with some of the work as well. I've found the listers to be great about that kind of stuff.

 

Don,

One consideration is probably whether or not it's a DD or not (it's not your only one is it? )

If it is a DD (as mine is) the safety items and engine health were my first priorities. Refresh all the rubber you can that's original. Electrical tune up, belts, brakes/tires/suspension (bushings). Fuel lines are a safety factor and need to be gone over or just replaced. Same with leaking PS fluid anywhere.

Get yourself to a baseline where it's idling properly, charging properly and handling and stopping consistently. Before I did any cosmetics on mine (and mine really needed it) I was cleaning the bottom and front of the engine.

My drain pan was so gunked up when I got it that when I cleaned it it ran noticably cooler!

In between all of these you'll find yourself spending time on the interior, but if you start out there, you may not get to enjoy it as much because you'll have surprise after surprise as you learn what's not 100%.

My father used to wax his car starting with the driver's side hood, then if he ran out of time, it still looked great from the driver's seat .

Just my .02

 

Start out by doing those things which cost little money like wash wax scrub polish wash polish scrub wax clean condition... Next consider replacing just about all the rubber under the hood hoses coolant lines drain and flush coolant. Plug wire plugs cap rotor. Change thermostat pull the intake manifold and clean scrub polish...this restores reliability. Read Wally Plumly's tomb on electrical ground / contact cleaning again adds reliability learn how to bypass a bad relay. Try NOT to spend a lot of money on the car for 6 months or so until you know ENOUGH about 928s to decide if what you have is WHAT you want...Because if you do start "restoring" an 81 car you can quickly spend $10,000 and still only have a $5,000 car. Drive it enough to determine how much you like living with it BEFORE you find yourself so committed that you HAVE to keep it ... I get far too many calls about " how do I get more power, change to a 5 speed , update the bumper covers , install big brakes , ...

 

What Jim said.

Also have another car available so you are not doing jobs under time pressure. Then you won't spoil a good result by taking short cuts.

Marton

 

I have the same planning going on for my new 85. I'm not building a concours car but I want something nice. The car needs more work than I originally thought, that is for sure. I am just builing a list now. Even though the car needs major interior (read ugly and wore out) help, I am starting in the engine compartment to make sure everything is checked, replaced, or repaired as needed. Next will be the interior.
I think the interior is very important for my overall enjoyment of the car. I hate sitting in the car now because all I see is the problems, not the nice stuff. I think when the interior is replaced, it will increase my love for the car by quite a bit...
Next year will be paint....

 

I would advise not to get caught up in "nickle-dime" projects, and focus on saving time and money for the bigger projects first.
For instance, hypothetically... Lets say I paid $2000 for my 928 and it needs a TB/WP and brakes/shocks. And lets say I don't have the money yet, but am saving.
Then, I read about a fun cool project, like upgrading the interior to LED lights. I have that money now and I don't have to wait, so I drop the $50 and have cool lights.
Now, I'm $50 shy on saving towards the TB/WP. AND I just spent 2.5% of my original purchase price for lights that were fine to begin with.
These small purchases add up, and don't necessarity make you car better. The small tinker jobs have their importance as they help maintain interest in my 928, and prepare me for the bigger jobs. Just keep in mind they add up, and the overall value of the 928 has it's limits.

Regards,
Jim Doerr
'84 EuroS2, 5sp
"Chewy"

 

Jim that sounds llike it came straight out of the PM ( project managers) bible, good advice!

 

First I got it running... did a lot of research and asked a lot of people...

Sealed all the leaks... many interations

Got her safe to drive (suspension and steering)... also many iterations...

Now I am enjoying it a bit..

Soon to be done...


New engine..

Electrical bugs and interior resto...

paint and exterior...

LO

 

Much depends on what you want from the car . Old beater track/street racer, daily driver that you can park and walk away with little worry, nice weekend driver , car show piece , concours restoration, a nice hobby to work on , driveway art , a reason to have a Porsche key on your key chain... So do you like driving , wrenching or looking ? Is it a hobby like boating ,flying, sking,golfing ...because those are all activities where you just spend what it costs because you enjoy it ! And for many that is how the 928 is . There is something about having a 928 which makes you smile you either get it or you do not....

 

Excellent points from everyone, and it is much appreciated. Like I stated in an earlier post, the 928 is a car I have always admired, and have always wanted to own. Since I am textbook Type A, it must be in good shape, dependable, and nice looking. It is not my daily driver, strictly a weekend pleasure craft. However, if I decide to take her out on a three day journey, I must be totally confident she is up to task. There are some things that I know I can repair, but I do know not to get in over my head. My father and I own an aircraft together, for no other reason except that we like to take her out and fly somewhere for dinner. Much the same for my Porsche. My plan is to simply get her running and looking as best I can to keep me pleased. If I am at the gas station and someone says "great looking car", my mission is complete.

 

OK now that we have that covered...What can I sell you ?? just click into the store then call me when you have your list ready