Agreed. This is such a spectacular project. So close to the finish line. Been following it for over a decade. I feel like the next countrywide 928 event should be held locally to you and a group of owners stick around and help you bang it out and then take it from there. Maybe it won’t be 100% done but get it drivable at least so you can take it for its maiden drive before parting ways…

 

If I may ask, what made you decide not going the electric conversion route? High cost? Too much performance loss and/or not enough range?

Electric conversion may be the only way for us prototype-engineering challenged to get this car on the road again.

 

I guess I should have clarified the earlier post...electrification route is the only route for me, IF I keep the car, but I left it out of the options based on your questions, and the assumption that it may be sold to someone who wants to keep it a "pure" 928.
There is no performance hit, an electric drive-train is a performance gain in reference to 0-60 Mph and passing performance, as well as a lower CG. Yes, range would be somewhat less than a gas 928, but for my use case it doesn't matter.
My math and weight&balance calculations show it can be electrified with better weight distribution than stock, and with an equivalent or lower curb weight than a stock GTS. Range would exceed 200 miles. My chassis currently weighs less than 1,800 lbs.

"High cost" is relative, and comes down to what one compares it with. Will electrification be more expensive than putting a stock, used (non-rebuilt) 928 engine in it? Yes of course. But you retain the maintenance/reliability issues and mediocre performance that comes with a 30+ year old engine.
Will electrification be cheaper than putting an equivalent powered (450-600 Hp) 928 stroker engine in it? Yes by a large margin. Just a properly rebuilt 928 engine is more than a electric drive unit by several thousands. And one ends up with performance numbers that are 30+ years old...

If someone already has a 928 motor and transmission to put in it, the car will obviously be less expensive to complete and would be ready to drive sooner since all the gas related components are already installed in my chassis.
The whole point of my work on this car was to make sure I did not turn it into a conversion that could not be returned to gas power. Nothing has been eliminated, welded shut or cut out (other than the non-sunroof panel and GTS rear fenders of course)
And very specific thought and planning went into keeping weight down (lighter and better sound insulation, lighter and improved wiring etc).

Ideally, I want to keep the car and finish it, but my eyesight issues has forced me to put it on a back burner and therefor started to explore options...but as we all know, a 928 is a very special creature and it speaks to our emotions in a way most cars do not.

My apologies for a long rant to a short question

Cheers!
Carl

 

I agree. There is something about its Gestalt, its presence, its brutalist looks, its brute power. It is without trying to be. No phoniness about it. I had passengers wondering why on the Autobahn cars moved so readily to the right once they saw us coming. My answer: Badass car, if you would see Batmobile in your rearview mirror you would be moving too. (Not sure where here my tongue was in relation to my cheek.)

But maybe it is its impracticalness, the cumbersomeness, the heaviness of everything - a male needs something useless in their life that is theirs and theirs alone to chase. We don't have windmills anymore (the type you could ride through spinning vanes) or grizzlies to wrestle. Read somewhere that it was bought only by males and that this actually killed it. In contrast, the current 911 apparently appeals equally to females.

I sold my '92 GTS just a few weeks ago (having been in storage in Germany since years). Sole reason was that I could see no way anymore using the heavy clutch in city traffic and going with Corvette transmission (and motor?) was just too much effort. (I also just finished restomoding my 944 which turned out to be very involved and expensive although a much simpler car.)

 

Sheesh. Please send me all the Porsche GTS's with heavy clutches. My operators are standing by...

 

Whatever the various circumstances are, this is a fantastic build that needs to be in capable hands that understand and love 928's. PM sent...

I do not have the skills to do this myself but have been discussing it with a few connections to determine the scope and approximate cost to complete this car in its potential configurations.

While I love the thunder of a V8, whenever I drive a Tesla S Plaid I marvel at the performance...

Let's view this situation in our imaginations and keep the heartbeat of this project alive.

 

Carl,
Thanks for sharing your research on this issue. The quotes I got for a 928 motor rebuild were around $25K. But this was a decade ago. And now, I wouldn't consider nobody else but Greg Brown, and then sky is the limit.
Going electric seems to be a no-brainer.
MN

 

P.S. My favored 928 quote categorization

"If pushed for an analogy, one could do worse than to compare the Porsche 928 with Kubrick’s 2001 - A Space Odyssey: an excessively ambitious, emotionally detached, intellectually testing landmark movie. The 928 indefatigable older, smaller, simpler brother, the 911, is more fun, more archaic and accessible. It is Star Wars."
Christopher Butt, HAL 928, https://tinyurl.com/mtbpz8px

Is of course, the iconic statement byTom Cruise, as Joel in “Risky Business” while driving a 928: "Porsche, there is no substitute".

 

My favorite 928 quote:

" The 928 is a car you could drive straight through HELL, come out the other side and ask yourself: Was it warm in there? "

 

Researched this extensively and spoke/corresponded with numerous recognized 928 experts. If there is a practical fix you know (but apparently nobody else) would you care to share it with us?

The obviously easiest solution would be of course sell the stick-shift and get an automatic. The perfect solution: fitting a dual-clutch transmission!

P.S. I just became aware of the "in stock" availability Greg Brown's new clutch setup. When I was in contact with him this was still in the R&D phase. I stand corrected.

 

my .02 - this car should have a 928 engine installed! Anything else is blasphemy! Since this car was well on it's way to being the best rebuilt 928 out there it should get Karsten's fresh euro block.

Electric is fine for DD use and 18 wheelers but NOT sports cars. Boy isn't that FormulaE exciting stuff.............NOT! Electric performance should not surprise anyone who had SIZZLERS growing up. Nothing new.

 

Totally Agree. This car deserves a Greg Brown stroker motor with his new clutch setup. Will be the best 928 on the planet.

 

It's not until I drive my 2000 BMW 328CI that realize how soft the BMW's clutch is.

So, I must not mind the 928 clutch pressure. I have single and dual clutch 928s and love to shift them.

I thought about buying the latest Corvette until I found out there was no manual shifting...

 

Agree

 

You need to buy and finish this car!

Gearbox???