GregBBRD

My 21 year old son has never been able to master driving a stick shift car. I've got several stick shift vehicles, none of which are "user friendly" to learning to drive a stick....which is probably why he has not been able to master this task.

A really nice red '83 5 speed with 70,000 miles on the odometer came in that didn't run. It had been sitting for about 4 years. We traced the running problem to a bad relay for the injectors, stuck one in, and started the car. Ran on about 6 cylinders. Backed it outside and it started billowing white smoke. Removed the spark plugs and water was "gushing" out of cylinder #8. The customer had no desire to repair the car, so I made him an offer on the car (after talking to Mark Anderson about its value....had no desire to rip the guy off.)

It occurred to me that this might be the perfect car for my son to learn to drive a stick. Heck, he could even drive it back and forth to college. He owns a 2004 Silverado 4 wheel drive truck...which is a real pain to park in Berkeley (which is 400 miles away.) His truck will not fit in the garage where he lives, so he has to get a special parking permit to be able to park the truck on the street. The 928 will fit in the garage!

We decided to "restore/upgrade" this '83 so that he could master the driving of a stick shift car and drive it back and forth to school.

I'm a step beyond ****. Some have said that I'm "esophageal". Keeping this project "under control" will be a real task. However, the car must be reliable...which means I'm not likely to send the car off with a 27 year old starter motor that is completely rusty on the outside and had to be removed with a dead blow hammer...no matter how good it seems to work! I'll be working on/replacing anything that I think needs attention, after 27 years of use/sitting there.

This tread will be dedicated to this "restoration/upgrade" project. Kind of a "quick reference" guide for all the "early" car guys that want to know what they should be thinking about when they are trying to do the same task, at home.

Stay tuned.

Mongo

Sounds like fun! Good luck with the project and post lots of pics!

Benton

I am looking forward to this thread! I know I am not alone when I say that your engine knowledge is VERY much appreciated.

Let me know if you are interested in a good 4.5 short block (you probably have one laying around?)--it is still in the car and runs great, but I could have it out pretty soon. I might be interested in trading it for some of your trick windage parts we talked about a while back for my race car. All of the race car money got magically eaten up by this new business venture.

SeanR

If you need recommendations for a good mechanic in Ca, I know of one

86'928S MeteorGrey

What a cool thread. I'm searching for a 5 speed OB (or pre-85' if OB means old bugger to you) right now so I'll be watching this one with much interest. Are you going to do anything special to improve HP, or just build it for reliability? Bravo!

blown 87

please take lots of pictures Greg, and this is a wonder full thing for you to do, many of us have little knowledge of the early cars.

GregBBRD

That is under consideration...although if there ever was to be a "spec" racer class, like has been discussed, this might be the perfect thing to do with this car, after my son learns to drive it.

Therefore, anything we do, we should not talk about?

Rob Edwards

What happens in Anaheim, stays in Anaheim.

GregBBRD

I have little knowledge also....

Actually, I have had the opportunity to work/enjoy these cars from the very beginning. I've always had a special "niche" business for these things from about 1980 on. I remember Mark Anderson introducing himself to me either just before or just after he started his 928 business.

We "were there" for the very first MSDS headers, we were putting big valves and cams in early engines, etc.

We still work on lots of these "early" cars. I still enjoy them.

blown 87

I have never worked on one, lots of 4 valve ones, but never a two valve 928, 944's yes, many, but I am sure once you get outside the motor there is little in common.

I will be looking forward to this.

IcemanG17

I must admit learning the nuances of the 84 Estate racer was quite a bit different than my S4 was...sure they are both automatics, but the L jet system seems so much more simple to me..... This project increased my 928 knowledge quite a bit too......

Prior to owning and racing the OB...I always kinda looked down at them, since I had an S4 with all its upgrades...but now after driving one on track at the limit for hours and hours...I really appreciate the lighter more simple car for its feel on track... I still think THE 928 to own is the LH jet euro....best of both worlds...the lighter OB feel with the high RPM + modern electronic brains LH motor...

GregBBRD

Before I actually start into the "nuts and bolts" of this thread, I need to say one thing.

I would not even attempt to update/restore a 27 year old 928 without the ready access to parts that 928 International provides. Sure there are other guys taking apart cars that are trying to sell all the bits....but 928 International has all the bits in inventory and knows what they are for. They know what is good enough to sell and what is trash. Plus that, they have multiples of every item. If the first one has some strange problem (or you screw it up), they can send you another.

svp928

Are you done yet? Wheres the pics?..... No? Jeez, you're slowin down, man....

Let me know if you need anything made...

Steve

Landseer

Thanks for doing this rebuild and sharing. 928 International is extremely fast and reliable and honest.

mark kibort

I know the car well! pretty dependable platform. I had no issues for 10 years of street driving.