RKD in OKC

Wow, what a great bunch of 928 owners! Can't say enough good about those Roger, Sean, Tim, and Darwin guys, or heck, any of the 928 owners at the GTG.

I posted on the Dallas GTG thread about my clutch making rattling and squeaking noises and that I wanted to make the drive from OKC to Dallas but the mechanics around here had told me not to drive my 94 GTS until it got a new clutch. The prices in OKC for doing a clutch ranged from $1600 to $2100. Sean and Roger told me to come on down to the GTG and after breakfast they would do a tech session on my clutch. Roger eased my concerns of making the 200 mile drive with a questionable clutch by assuring me they had a car trailer and weren't afraid to use it.

Thankfully the trip down was uneventful except for that annoying chirping and rattling sound from the clutch. When I pulled into Mimi's there was hardly a parking spot for all the 928s. I think there were 20! I overheard someone say they hadn't seen so many sharks in one place since Sharks in the Mountains.

After a good breakfast with a lot of talk about 928s the group moved to the parking lot for the obligatory ogling of each other's sharks and photo ops. I even got to chat a while with Jarrod whom sold me my first 928, a better than new condition red 90 GT. We both wonder where it is now. It was well after noon before about half followed Sean to his house for the tech session on my clutch.

There were a couple of incidents on the drive to Sean's. At one stop sign Sean did a huge burnout, I followed suit and the rest had to wait for the smoke to clear before following. Sean said it looked really awsome as my car emerged from the cloud with the smoke swirling. Like something evil had just arrived. Sterling showed up a little later than everyone else and told us about being called out by and then humbling a new Nissan GTR.

Once at Sean's and everyone was informed as to where the beer fridge was it didn't take long before the GTS was up on jack stands with the help of those cool Porken lift bars. And woudn't you know it, someone had to go on a beer run before the car cooled off enough to pull the exhaust bits to get to the clutch.

I didn't get to help much on the tear down, before I knew it parts were flying off the car and there wasn't even room for me to crawl under and watch. After at least one beer worth of comparing the old throw-out bearing to a new one it was decided that the only thing wrong with my clutch anyone could find was the $10 clutch arm ball cup bushing. The bushing was so brittle it just fell apart when Roger poked at it with a screw driver. I can only assume the new bushing just popped right on as I was asked to leave the garage when Darwin was handed a pry bar.

Before buttoning it all up I started the GTS while on the jack stands, revved it and pumped the clutch to see if we could tell if it was fixed. Not a squeak, all I heard was sweet sound of open headers! I was then forced to listen to each 928 present with an x-pipe, told about the dyno proven gains of the x-pipe, forcibly pointed to the refrigerator full of cold beer, told how much my clutch didn't cost me, and gently reminded of the "while you are in there" rule of performance upgrades. In other words, instead of going back on with the stock cat assembly we put on an x-pipe, and I even got to turn a wrench or two myself installing the x-pipe.

I have a few things to report from the test drive. First, the rattly clutch squeakin was somehow magically transformed into a more rumbly growl. It is a bit louder than just the RMB despite the sport cats. At partial throttle it sounds great, musical even. With full throttle applied I would describe the sound as a big mean roar. And then there is the effect the x-pipe had on the gas pedal and tires. What usually would have been a run up through second was all squirmy on the nearly new 285 Pilot Sports. It made those 285s feel like the 4 year old 255s that came on the car! Rolling along in second gear it now spins the rears with just throttle. Going to have to start saving for new rear tires 'cause I don't think I am going to be able to keep my foot out of it.

Don't think I could have spent a Saturday a better way.

Early Sunday morning I just had to take the GTS out to cruise for underpasses, parking garages, and tunnels. While doing so I happened upon a brand new Shelby GT obviously doing the same. It had a paper tag with Saturday's date on it. On a clover leaf on ramp I stayed on his tail just close enough that he sped up until his tires were squealing, mine weren't. As the ramp straightened out he nailed it. I sped up and went around him like he was standing still. As soon as I got out in front, he hit the brakes hard and dove back over into the exit lane and took the off ramp. I kinda feel bad for whooping up on the poor guy in his brand spanking new car.

BC

He was getting off again to turn around and go back to the stealership to return it.

SeanR

Great post Richard, I have to say it was a fantastic weekend and having so many new faces/cars and some wrenching just made it that much better. I had an absolute blast and I think others did also. Except Roger, he had to make mulitple trips to his house for parts.

Now that you've let the cat out of the bag on how we do stuff, beer, good company, peer pressure (bitch aint it). We try to make everyone feel welcome.

Glad to hear about the Mustang, these cars are awesome. Someday we will get the Shark tuner going and really dial that GTS in. Fantastic car buddy.

Marine Blue

Great read Richard.

Glad that the rattling was minor and the car is as good as new. One has to appreciate just how well these cars are built and how much fun they are to drive.

I would love to read more about Sterling schooling a new GTR owner. Can you imagine the look on the guys face!

Now if I could find a job in Texas....

RKD in OKC

Maybe Sterling can regale us with not only the GTR meeting, but also tell us about his Viper incident. That was hilarious.

SeanR

How did I miss this story?

blandis

You were busy wrenching.......

SeanR

He just called to tell me about it....that's some funny stuff. He won't post it here. HAHA that *****.

Oh, which one of you guys took all the power from my battery? I can't find it and now she won't start.

JWise

Richard- Thanks for the kind words. It was great to see you again.

Here's a picture from the clutch repair. From left to right, that's Richard, Roger, and Tim.

RKD in OKC

Yep, that's when Roger was poking the ball cup with a stick and pieces of it were falling out.

Landseer

Of ALL the possible 928's in the world that the GTR could have encountered.......He encountered Sterling's. Somewhat unlucky.

PorKen

That looks purdy on up them there bars!

Why doesn't anyone put the jackstands at the far ends, like they're supposed to?

ROG100

Ken,
When did you say put them at the far ends 8>)
Roger

ROG100

I touched the plastic ball cup (what was left of it) with a screw driver and got showered with a dozen little pieces. Of course I was under there without my saftey glasses.

Lots of fun this weekend and glad everyone was happy.

justin

Yea, I suck! Damnit!!!!