Tony320

Hey Rennlisters, I'm new to the forum and I thought I'd introduce myself and post up a couple thoughts I had on the 928.

First off, a FR porsche with a 50/50 weight distribution is pretty damn sweet, especially when its running an 8 cyl. Think the 87-91 body styling is prolly my fav, not a fan of the tail lights running all the way across the rear bumper.

Anywho, I've been looking over the car pretty closely, and noticed that it runs about 6 seconds, 0-60, and typically low 14s in a 1/4 mile. Now, compare that to a car in the same generation, say a toyota supra, which runs about 4.5 seconds 0-60 and low 13s. Now, I'm no toyota fanboy (have to respect the numbers though), in fact I consider myself more of a car enthusiast generally, so I started diggin up all the specs I could to figure out what was up.

Turns out, that the 928 weighs about 3500lbs, and puts down 326hp/317lbs-ft while the supra runs 3200lbs, and puts down 320hp/315ft-lbs, very similar.
So it pretty much has to be gear rations in the 928's 5spd transaxle vs the supra's 6spd.

Now, as all these things you all likely know already, it's my guess that the 5 spd has tall particularly tall gearing (which you prolly also know), considering that the 928 can run upwards of 170mph.

Now, as I rarely have the opportunity to drive upwards of 100mph, I wonder if there is anyway to boost the 0-80 performance of the 928. I mean generally the options are more power or closer ratios, and since the more powerful GTS is actually slower in taking off than the s4/gt, I imagine that closer ratio's would be the most effective means.

Wow.... sorry for the novel, but, as I said earlier, I get a bit enthusiastic about cars I like.

RicerSchnitzzle

Don't rember the late 80's / early 90's Supra doing 0-60 in 4.5...

It would be nice to see gears sets available for the 928, like you said, we don't all need to hit 170mph. Sadly none are available for a price us meere mortals can afford. It's much cheaper to just put the car on a diet and use a power adder like a S/C or N2O

Korwen

This quote pretty much explains it all. With parts available, very little will improve your 0-80 without adding more power, but if you're wanting a drag car I recommend you look elsewhere. Having previously owned a number of v8 GM F-bodies or Mustang GTs, I can tell you the 928, at least in relatively stock trim (You Supercharged or stroked guys are an exception) is not going to be tearing up ETs at your local 1/4.

But if you're able to get over the fact that without spending more than you buy the car for in fixing/modifying it you won't be beating Camaros at the drag strip, I recommend you drive one or two of these cars, and you'll begin to appreciate what they are about. These cars were a technical pinnacle, and the refinement and feedback the car gives you is excellent. I love them, and even though my measly 4.5l v8, the smallest of them all, won't be anything like the LS3 in my old man's Vette, I'd rather be driving the 928, and judging by how often he drives the Vette vs. his 928, he agrees.

Also, the late 80s, early 90s Supras (Not the 93-98 models) did not have a 4.5 0-60

edit: Great car joke. What do a 400, 500 and 600 HP Supra have in common?


They all run 12s

aggravation

Add boost and have the best of both worlds...
Also, I'd take my '88 928 over a Supra even without my supercharger, it's just a much better car, much more fun to drive/own.

RicerSchnitzzle

A 93-95 turbo supra will cost about the same as or even more than a well sorted S4, assuming you can find one that is running and not toally riced and dogged out. Even then the S4 will leave the Supra behind as soon as you hit the twisties.

Brett928S2

Hi Tony

I have run a 2.9 ..... 0 to 60 with Nitrous, that would beat almost every Japanese car ever built I think.....

All the best Brett

David L. Lutz

One option, cheaper that the SC

IcemanG17

The late 80's turbo supras were only 230hp......I think he is talking about the early 90's turbo supra...which can make silly HP when properly built..... However I did see a late 80's turbo supra at the track last week...heres a vid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VytExcwLw0

Tony320

Drat, no gear sets, although I do like where you are going with the s/c talk. I'll have to take a loot around here and see if I can't find some gents showing off.

I guess I should have been more specific when referencing the supra, I was looking at a car and driver article that said 4.5 for the 94-98 generation, which I just happened to notice was rather similar in weight and output to the 928. Apples to oranges, regardless.

Now, I'm not afraid to put more into a car than it cost, considering the relatively low cost of the car. I mean really, 10-15 grand for a s4/gt? Not bad at all, especially since I will be graduating with a mortgage next year. Ah well, I should be able to make that back before too long after I take the bar.

RKD in OKC

There was a local guy with a Supra Turbo that made more hp than a 1000hp dyno could measure. He tried and tried but just couldn't best my Boxster S at the Autocross with the same type of courses I am FTDing in my 928 GTS. He soon got rid of the car. Quarter mile straight line accerleration ain't everything.

Tony320

Agreed, the whole reason why I'm looking at a 928 and not a mustang gt, ws6, what-have-you.

That being said, straight line acceleration can be fun!

Quick question though, I came across these option codes:

219 Differential 87-89
220 Locking Differential - 40%
221 Porsche Locking Differential-PSD (90-91)

What type of differential did the 87-89 models have? What about prior to 1987?

docmirror

The stock gearing in the S4 is 2.20:1. You can get GT gears in 2.73:1 which will help the 0-80 significantly. also, if you get the GT version, you also get the five speed, a bit more HP, and better shocks.

<edit; maybe you were comparing the GT to start with. There are no higher gears in the later cars than 2.73.>

David L. Lutz

Sterling,

PM sent.
David

RKD in OKC

Be careful looking for straight line acceleration. A lot of what is fun is how the car pushes you into the back of the seat and is not necessarily the fastest. The example I have is that I have owned and driven in anger 2 944 Turbos, a Boxster S, a 928 GT, and a 928 GTS. Interestingly enough these cars in stock form all have within .1 seconds the same 0-60 times. The 944 Turbo feels faster, and is fastest from 60-110 mph. The boxster S is absolutely dismally slow above 60 mph. The 928 feels slowest 0-60 mph but runs off and leaves everything else above 110 mph. What is felt is the shape of the torque curve.

There will always be someone out there that has spent more to make their car faster than yours.

RicerSchnitzzle

Tony,

BTW, Welcome to the board!