928Benz

Does anyone have any suggestions for performance mods on the 928 which won't compromise it's reliability? I really became bothered over the weekend when I was being antagonized by two kids in a newer model Ford Escort. I was on the fast lane and quickly moved over after they high-beamed me from behind. They then pulled up side by side and downshifted to create a jerking movement in an attempt to get me to race with them. Of course I didn't turn down an opportunity to make these monkeys look like morons in an Escort, so I pushed the throttle. Just as I did, they also did. The only problem was, I wasn't pulling away from them like I expected to. As a matter of fact, we were side by side for quite some time, before I slowly started to inch away. At that point I was already past 110mph. I slowed down and just let them pass. They kind of added insult by giving me a thumbs down while passing me. The worst part was the car appeared stock. No obnoxious exhaust or ground effects or anything. Okay, my car is old. It's an 85 S with the 4 cam 32 valve engine, but I should have had no problem with an escort, even if it is a new one. Guys, I need some tips on performance mods. Since that incident I only cruise on the slow lane.

1985 928s Auto

BC

You have to be careful with those "thumbs" kids. More often than not, they DO have something under the hood that will give you a run. If someone is antagonizing you, and they are in a Sh&t car like that, they are either stupid, or they have done something to make it worth antagonizing a Porsche.

Did you car kick down enough?

928Benz

Unfortunately no. The car would not let me kick down enough while I was cruising at 65. I pushed the throttle to kickdown and it still wouldn't let me. Smart kids. They got a budget car that can run with a 928 without having to spend thousands everytime a maintenance issue come up. I think I better start checking out that supercharger. Anybody have any good experiences with supercharging a 928?

1985 928s Auto

BC

Trust me. You could have walked away if your car shifted. Thats the info I needed. You might want to spend the 20 bucks in parts to wire a switch that will MAKE the trans kick down whenever you choose. I am unsure, as I do not "do" automatics. (well, my wifes 81 is auto, but it kicks down until 85mph)....
Another thought to would have been to shift it manually when you knew you were gonna "go"?

LastV8

Visit <a href="http://www.jageng.com" target="_blank">www.jageng.com</a> get the shifter, read the instructions and you'll be good to go.

Also do you really want to drive around in a Ford Escort? If speed was all that mattered we'd all be in Subaru WRX's or similar. I'd rather drive a 308 Ferrari than a Vette. I'd rather drive a beautiful mint condition 911 than any Toyota Supra Turbo. If that's not enough for ya, then banish yourself to a cross country drive in the Escort.

If you really must supercharge check out <a href="http://www.marcus3.com." target="_blank">www.marcus3.com.</a> Also check <a href="http://www.phat928.com" target="_blank">www.phat928.com</a> follow links from there over to the F.A.S.T. guys in Texas.

<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Randy V

You are not using the HP resources available to you!

Do a search here on 'adjust kickdown'. There are several threads that discuss this oft' overlooked feature.

Thom1

928benz,

There is a kickdown switch behind the gas pedal on an automatic. You should be able to push the gas pedal hard to the floor to engage. Otherwise, just downshift the shift lever. <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

Dave H.

also, if their car was stock, you gave up just when their's would have given out.

get to the point where you're pulling away and they're going all out. slow down so you're next to them. then wave and pull away again. do it two or three times.

you may get the finger, but they'll get the message...

<img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

Nicole

My transmission would not shift on kick-down either. One day I took a look at the gas pedal and the kick-down switch behind it. I realized that even if I press the pedal all the way, the switch would not depress. I adjusted (lengthened) the link between the plastic pedal and the metal arm, and now have downshifts whenever I want or need them.

LastV8

Let me just add 928Benz that your car is plenty fast. A 2001 996 cab can juuust barely pull away from me to a certain point then I just stick there. Mostly because he's got a 6 spd. Brendan, in his wifes' 81 can stay with me if he anticipates me.

<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Normy

I don't know...

My '85 S2 kept up with a new C5 vette one night when it was running right. You might need to have your car checked....

Normy!

'85 S2

5 SPEED-

Greg86andahalf

Too bad there wasn't a moderate turn directly ahead. I would expect the P-car to easily make the turn as the Escort goes into the weeds.

If your head did not snap back, your car did not kick down.

928Benz

Hello Guys,
Thanks, I am going to check out the kickdown in my car. Sometimes it works and other times it doesn't. It might be a similar problem to Nicole's. Even if I solve the kickdown problem, I'm still going to itch for more performance out of my shark. Has anybody had a good experience with Autothority chips? My mechanic told me that you only really get about 5 HP, whereas it's in 928 Intl's catalog stating 20HP. Any suggestions?

Tony

I have a page on my website on how to put in a kickdown switch. The switch will allow you to have the tranny kick down at partial throttle applications. In your case you probably had it floored anyway...it should have kicked down. I would check your kickdown plate on the firwall, behind the gass pedal or your kick down cable to the tranny. There is a little round black piece about the size of a quarter. You will see to wire coming out the bottom. one grey one black i think. either way there should be 2 wires.
Make sure they are contected to the swictch...and..make sure the terminals are clean. Mine were a bit corroded. The biggest problem is usually the striker on the gas pedal not hitting the kickdown switch. Get on all fours and reach in and push you gas pedal to the floor, you should see a "striker" on the back of the gas pedal hit the kickdown switch.

Or..do like i do now and then...just drop the gear slector into "3" as you floor it. You should be good to well over 100mph in 3rd gear!!!

the flip of the kick down swicth DOES NOT AUTOMATTICALLY CAUSE YOUR TRANNY TO KICK DOWN A GEAR!!! other parameters need to be met but it does allow partial throtle kickdowns which make passing traffic a bit easier.

<img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />

Robert

Being a new owner maybe I should just not say anything, but it seems to me that you are after performance enhancements for the wrong reasons.

I love the feel of acceleration when the kick-down comes into play. But to fix the problem because of some a*****e in an Escort bothering you seems a little weird. There are always going to be people who have more money than sense (or taste) and anyone can put a NOS system on his econobox and for a brief moment in time be king of the hill.

You've got a truely great sports car, a car with a heritage and when they pass you and look into their mirror, they will see something that they don't have... that Porsche badge.

Now if it were a Vette, that would be another story... <img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" />