DSC928

Not to hijack the thread, but Larry that RED/black interior kicks ***!

leperboy

Dwayne,
I'm 6'6" also, and I think NeverLate and Rob Edwards are both pretty tall. I have no trouble with the 5 speed. The 928 is pretty wide. I have a sunroof 86.5 and I fit okay. My inseam is 36, if that helps.

As for which 32V, well that's opening a can of worms. Everyone has their own opinions on that. Don't know if there is a correct answer, but I think it has a lot to do with your body style preference.

Matt

Dwayne

Thanks for the good news, Matt. Good to know someone the same height has no problem driving a 5-speed. My inseam is a little longer between 38 and 39. Do you have any problem with the pedal management or do you use "driving moccasins"??

leperboy

Wow, you have long legs. I have trouble getting 36" pants, so I can only imagine what it's like for you.

Pedal placement hasn't been in an issue for me. I'm lucky, though, my feet are a small 13 (I can wear some 12s). Where I have an issue is getting my feet under the package tray. Once they are under, it's no problem and I have plenty of leg room. I have been thinking about removing the driver-side package tray, though.

Matt

SunnyD

Mine didn't have one when I got it, but I have driven one with it. I like it much better without.

Rob Edwards

Dwayne- you're welcome to drive mine anytime. Maybe the SoCal crew can rendezvous at VCR over the holidays.....

I'm 6'4", 34" inseam, 13E feet. My '90 has a sunroof, but no driver's side package tray, which is good. No problems with hitting the bolster with my shins. My seat is all the way back, mounted in the rear set of mounting bolts. I recently did a PCA autocross, and even with the seat reclined way back, the top of my helmet was contacting the headliner. Damn sunroofs. (The instructor sort of laughed at my driving position, though I still had my wrists at the rim of the wheel with straight arms.)

I haven't gotten a chance to play with the pedal adjustments, though heel n' toeing is pretty good where they are right now. BTW, If you have big feet and ever get a hankering to do a Formula Dodge school at Skip Barber, save yourself the money. They're essentially undriveable.

F451

Lots of good input here. I'd say you could score a really sweet 928 for $10k or more - if you take your time. The more you spend, the better condition it will be of course - if you shop wisely.

There are killer deals here on rennlist on a regular basis, IMO. If I had more disposable cash, I'd be swimming in some nice 928's, all from here.

There are a couple of good points about the 16v cars that haven't been brought up. They are non-interference motors. I think that is worth considering. They reportedly have a "lighter" feel. All of their owners of 5 sps comment on how much fun they are to drive. They are generally cheaper then the later 32v 928's. But, their manual trannies are not as "stout" as the '85 and later trannies. And I've heard the shifter is even sloppier then the later ones. And oh yeah, they have those g-damn older style ceramic fuses. I hate those freaking things.

Still, if I had a 16v auto, I'd look for a 32v 5sp.

I think if you find the right, nicely maintained 32v, you'll be happy with any of the 32v models.

84-85 Euro (16v) 300+ hp - fun! - I'd like one of these with sunroof delete.
85's - 288 hp - respond very nicely to a chip and x-pipe.
86.5 - 288 hp, S4 brakes and suspension - I'd like one of these with sunroof delete.
S4 - 316 hp, new body style.
GT - not sure on the hp, but has a bunch of other changes that I can't recall right now. I'd love one of those too.

F451

On the tall thing, at 6' 6", yes, it is a challenge for me (I always say: cars, clothes, and woman - they are all a tough fit). My other measurements for reference: 36" inseam. 38" waist. 36" sleave. Size 12 feet. Big head.

I don't fit too well in the 928's and it annoys me. We tall guys probably all do the same tricks, seat mounted in rear mounting holes, seat adjusted back, rear of seat bottom dropped all the way down. Front of seat bottom up (like you're sitting in a hole). Then recline the seat back as far back as you can while still reaching the steering wheel and the shifter.

Its not idea, but it works for me.

I've been looking into how to get more headroom, and how to get more comfortable. I hate the feeling of having to reach for the steering wheel and the shifter.

So far I have:

1. Mount seat in rear mounting holes.
2. Do seat gymnastics to get maximum leg and headroom.
3. Intall 350mm Momo steering wheel with 35mm dish (I think its 35mm). This extends the steering wheel closer to me. And the steering wheel is smaller, so its easier to get in and out of. BIG improvement. I LOVE having the steering wheel closer.

AND, an added bonus that I didn't realize, is that with the smaller diameter steering wheel, the car "feels" much more responsive. I'll never go back to the stock sized steering wheel. The stock one feels like I'm driving one of those '70s Mercedes with the bus steering wheels. I love my MOMO!

4. My next steering wheel is going to be one that has a flat bottom. Probably this Sparco "Ring" steering wheel. Its dished as well. This will make it even easier to get in and out.



http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.c..._1975_29625830

One more thing about the dished steering wheels. They make the turn signal stalks farther away. I actually like it, but others may not.

Still, I need more headroom. Forget about getting a helmet on, its not happening.

F451

Next thing in the "get more headroom, get closer to the steering wheel and shifter" hit parade, was to look into different seat options. I've heard that the older manual 911 and 944 seats will fit, and give more headroom, but I don't like that option. I want a sport seat that has more support.

I got a ride in Tom M's GT with the factory sport seats, and that was that. I knew then that I had to get some more supportive seats.

For getting a combination of additional support, and headroom, I've been looking into the Recaros, Sparcos, and Corbeaus sport seats (reclining sport seats, not fixed back racing seats).

After a lot of research and sitting in different seats, I've pretty much settled on the Corbeau A4. Its a great seat at a very good price. It offers a lot of additional headroom, and it comes in a wide version, in black microsuede that I think will go nicely with my black interior.



http://www.corbeau.com/products/a4/a4.shtml#

F451

And for researching the different seats, Chuck Briggs (cdbtx - local 928 racer) was good enought to give me one of his old Sparco fixed back racing seats. I installed it in my S4, and wow. Way more headroom. And I could move the seat up way closer to the steering wheel and the shifter.

The Sparco gives me an additional 2-3" of headroom.

AND, I could sit way more upright! No more slouching and reaching.

What a difference! And I can fit a helmet on no problem with the race seat.

And what a difference driving the car. You are so much more connected to the car in a race seat. Holy cow, I never would have guessed. Makes it much more fun to drive. Just like the smaller steering wheel.

The fixed back race seat is not real practical for day to day driving, but it was a good test of installing a lower seat to see how it would go.

My plan now is to buy the Corbaue A4 reclining sport seat for daily driving, and use the Sparco fixed back seat for track days (someday).

Here's a pic of the Sparco in my S4.





It's actually a lot more comfortable then you would think. I'd use it as a daily driver seat, but its a bear to get in and out of.

F451

I should add, this is all with a sunroof in my S4. My long term plan is to find a sunroof delete later 928. But even with one of those, I still plan on installing sport seats, and using a fixed back race seat for track days.

And one more thing. I've asked about this fit thing before, and I had guys that are 6', 6'2, 6'3" etc, chime in about how they can fit in cars, but it really doesn't apply. An inch here or there makes a huge difference. I've even had guys that were 6'2" or so insisting that I would fit if I would only adjust the seat correctly!

Beleive me, I've adjusted the seats (in all of my cars) every which way from Sunday, and I just don't fit in some cars.

And no disrespect to the folks that aren't the same height as say Dwayne and myself, I just wanted to clarify that the comparisons may not apply for the extra tall guys.

Dwayne

Rob - THANKS for the offer! I'll probably take you up on it, especially if I don't do a fit check on one in the near term.

I look forward to meeting many from this list at future events - didn't even know there was a CoCal crew. BTW, what/where is "VCR"??

Dwayne

Ed, WOW! THANKS for taking the time to write such an informative and detailed response!

We're using all the same "tricks"! I agree...it's not ideal.

Really good info on the steering wheel and seat! It never occurred to me to consider a different steering wheel - one that's dished and smaller...makes perfect sense. And same for the seat - I would LOVE to get more headroom so I don't have to drive leaning to one side and practically laying flat from the back seat!! If you've found a seat and wheel combination that allows you to drive the 928 without the contortions, I'm VERY interested. When do you think you'll be getting the new seat?? I'd like to hear how it works out then put it and the wheel on the list of priority acquisitions. THANKS again - very helpful!

F451

I'll keep you posted Dwayne, but it will likely be a long time before I invest in the new Corbeau seat. When the engine comes out of the S4, its going to take me months and months to do all the work the S4 needs. Not because it needs that much work, but I just don't have much in the way of free time (work , kids, etc). I'll even be taking it off my insurance policy.

On the other hand, I have been hitting craigslist daily looking for a killer deal on a sport seat. If the right one comes up at the right price I will snap it up and let you know how it works.

You might try the dished steering wheel for starters. Mine doesn't look that great (big time ricer look), but it works, so I don't care.

I researched a bunch of steering wheels, and this was the one that had the most dish: 70mm. There may be others out there, but I didn't find any with more dish then this one:

MOMO MOD 07 SUEDE: http://www.ltbmotorsports.com/momod07rastw.html

And keep in mind you have to buy the hub adapter for it.

They also sell additional spacers to get the wheel even closer. I think they are either 3/4", or 1". And there is also a 2" one somewhere out there. I will likely buy one of those spacers when I buy the Ring steering wheel (flat bottom, 35mm dish) to make up the less dish on it.

Lets keep in touch on this.

And I think I see the makings of a "tall guys and 928's" FAQ.

Ha ha...

bernard farquart

FYI I have an 84 with the factory manual sport seats, and I fit my 6'4" self in just fine. I have 36 or 38 inch inseams, depending on brand. ( pants brand, that is)

http://home.comcast.net/~bernard_far.../928%20005.jpg

(I make a noise when I get in, but that is just a feature of being over 40)