Just bought a TBF car
03-16-2011, 02:58 PM
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Just bought a TBF car
I posted this on another thread started a couple of months ago about this car when it was for sale in San Antonio, but thought I'd start a new thread to post progress(it will be slow) and questions on this car.
I picked up the car for $2500. Didn't really need another project, but couldn't pass it up (what is it about red sports cars?) Got it home on a trailer yesterday. Big thanks to Jim D. (tmpusfugit) for helping me with the loading, unloading, and evaluation after it we got it in the air.
It's a fairly decent car. It's been repainted and while not anywhere close to perfect, it looks pretty good from 10'. The car has all belly pans, service history receipts back to 05 (one receipt for computer replacement in 05), original warranty manual with stamps from FL, and the 9 vol shop manuals (which I already have). The tires have a lot of tread but the chrome 19" wheels are a bit blingy for me and probably ride very harsh. Better than stock I guess (anyone know what kind they are?). There's a stainless RMB (which hopefully will fit my 86.5 since mine is rusted out) and lots of shiny metal trim peices inside that I don't particularly like. Luckily they seem to pull off pretty easily. The leather is in good shape with no tears or rips, and I really like the black and tan combo.
We put it up on the lift after getting it home and found that the clamp was unbolted from the flex plate and we could not detect any end play movement while prying fairly hard with a small pry bar. The car turns over, but does sound a bit slow and of course doesn't start. The engine has had some attentention, and is fairly clean.
The dash and pod are cracked of course, but not as badly as some I have seen. The rack, oil pan, and transmission are all leaking (someone cranked the oil pan bolts way too tight and two are missing). We spun the back wheels and they turn in the same direction, not opposite, so LSD, (40% LSD option confirmed).
After tossing some items in the rear, with the tool cover off, the rear hatch release motor started turning continuously, not sure why. We could not find any stuck switches or wiring problems, so eventually had to pull the fuse. Ideas?
I thought this might be a good car to drop a used engine in and resell, but I'm already starting to like it, and shockingly, my wife is expressing interest as well (I think she likes the S4 lines and wing better than our 86.5, but she doesn't like the heavy steering on the 86.5. Not sure if the 89 will be any different).
If anyone has a used engine let me know. I know there are a couple on eBay. Might check around locally as well.
Registration is current, so the TBF must have happened late last year.
I found the car in the 928 Registry. I think the entry was made from an Autotrader ad in 04 or 05. The paperwork says it was sold in Palm Beach, FL and serviced there for 4 years. I think it sold from FL to Houston in 04, then made it's way to San Antonio after that.
The rear end has a stick on GTS-like reflector strip that says "Porsche", and "928 GT" lettering above it. I'm wondering if pulling them off will also remove paint.
The GTS mirrors, are a nice upgrade. Also the interior has aluminum color door handles, lock ***** and backing plate, **** rings, 2 hole center vent cover, illuminated silver shift plate, after-market shift ****, window switch overlays, and blue LEDs behind all *****, AC contols and clock. I'll probably try to return to stock for the most part.
Unfortunately, some of the console was painted silver to match the metal trim pieces and it looks pretty cheesy. I'm hoping some strong solvents will take the paint off and restore the console to stock look.
I got one key with the car and it's a very cool switch blade style holder with 3 buttons for locking/unlocking and poping he rear hatch. Never seen one of these before and never knew 928s had any sort of wireless lock option. Was this standard on the newer cars?
It's obvious I have not spent much time around S4's, so any advice on TBF, engine swapping or any other issues you see in the pictures is much appreciated. I'm expecting to have to replace the engine, but would like to confirm TBF if possible without digging into the bottom end.
Got a lot going on, so probably won't be moving too quickly on this, but at least I can put it up on the lift and get it out of the way as needed.
Here's some shots...
https://rennlist.com/forums/members/...914-photoz.jpg
https://rennlist.com/forums/members/...8-photo-2a.jpg
I picked up the car for $2500. Didn't really need another project, but couldn't pass it up (what is it about red sports cars?) Got it home on a trailer yesterday. Big thanks to Jim D. (tmpusfugit) for helping me with the loading, unloading, and evaluation after it we got it in the air.
It's a fairly decent car. It's been repainted and while not anywhere close to perfect, it looks pretty good from 10'. The car has all belly pans, service history receipts back to 05 (one receipt for computer replacement in 05), original warranty manual with stamps from FL, and the 9 vol shop manuals (which I already have). The tires have a lot of tread but the chrome 19" wheels are a bit blingy for me and probably ride very harsh. Better than stock I guess (anyone know what kind they are?). There's a stainless RMB (which hopefully will fit my 86.5 since mine is rusted out) and lots of shiny metal trim peices inside that I don't particularly like. Luckily they seem to pull off pretty easily. The leather is in good shape with no tears or rips, and I really like the black and tan combo.
We put it up on the lift after getting it home and found that the clamp was unbolted from the flex plate and we could not detect any end play movement while prying fairly hard with a small pry bar. The car turns over, but does sound a bit slow and of course doesn't start. The engine has had some attentention, and is fairly clean.
The dash and pod are cracked of course, but not as badly as some I have seen. The rack, oil pan, and transmission are all leaking (someone cranked the oil pan bolts way too tight and two are missing). We spun the back wheels and they turn in the same direction, not opposite, so LSD, (40% LSD option confirmed).
After tossing some items in the rear, with the tool cover off, the rear hatch release motor started turning continuously, not sure why. We could not find any stuck switches or wiring problems, so eventually had to pull the fuse. Ideas?
I thought this might be a good car to drop a used engine in and resell, but I'm already starting to like it, and shockingly, my wife is expressing interest as well (I think she likes the S4 lines and wing better than our 86.5, but she doesn't like the heavy steering on the 86.5. Not sure if the 89 will be any different).
If anyone has a used engine let me know. I know there are a couple on eBay. Might check around locally as well.
Registration is current, so the TBF must have happened late last year.
I found the car in the 928 Registry. I think the entry was made from an Autotrader ad in 04 or 05. The paperwork says it was sold in Palm Beach, FL and serviced there for 4 years. I think it sold from FL to Houston in 04, then made it's way to San Antonio after that.
The rear end has a stick on GTS-like reflector strip that says "Porsche", and "928 GT" lettering above it. I'm wondering if pulling them off will also remove paint.
The GTS mirrors, are a nice upgrade. Also the interior has aluminum color door handles, lock ***** and backing plate, **** rings, 2 hole center vent cover, illuminated silver shift plate, after-market shift ****, window switch overlays, and blue LEDs behind all *****, AC contols and clock. I'll probably try to return to stock for the most part.
Unfortunately, some of the console was painted silver to match the metal trim pieces and it looks pretty cheesy. I'm hoping some strong solvents will take the paint off and restore the console to stock look.
I got one key with the car and it's a very cool switch blade style holder with 3 buttons for locking/unlocking and poping he rear hatch. Never seen one of these before and never knew 928s had any sort of wireless lock option. Was this standard on the newer cars?
It's obvious I have not spent much time around S4's, so any advice on TBF, engine swapping or any other issues you see in the pictures is much appreciated. I'm expecting to have to replace the engine, but would like to confirm TBF if possible without digging into the bottom end.
Got a lot going on, so probably won't be moving too quickly on this, but at least I can put it up on the lift and get it out of the way as needed.
Here's some shots...
https://rennlist.com/forums/members/...914-photoz.jpg
https://rennlist.com/forums/members/...8-photo-2a.jpg
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03-16-2011, 04:45 PM
#8
Rennlist Member
03-16-2011, 07:23 PM
#9
Rennlist Member
Don, here are some notes on your notes...
Also, it looks like a K&N filter in there... they are notorious for oil fouling of the MAF and causing a lean mixture. (IIRC)
The tires have a lot of tread but the chrome 19" wheels are a bit blingy for me and probably ride very harsh. Better than stock I guess (anyone know what kind they are?). A company called NRAuto was selling these wheels back awhile ago, called ForgeLite Wheels. The smallest diameter available was 19" -they may still be sold by some companies. They started back then at around $3k per set.
There's a stainless RMB (which hopefully will fit my 86.5 since mine is rusted out) RMBs are different for pre '87 and post '87 928's.
and lots of shiny metal trim peices inside that I don't particularly like. Luckily they seem to pull off pretty easily. PM me for the items you don't want and are not damaged upon removal.
After tossing some items in the rear, with the tool cover off, the rear hatch release motor started turning continuously, not sure why. We could not find any stuck switches or wiring problems, so eventually had to pull the fuse. Ideas? A loose piece of metal is perhaps bridging the contacts like a screw or washer, etc. or that key.
The rear end has a stick on GTS-like reflector strip that says "Porsche", and "928 GT" lettering above it. I'm wondering if pulling them off will also remove paint. Yes, unless removed by a paint & body professional.
Also the interior has aluminum color door handles, lock ***** and backing plate, **** rings, 2 hole center vent cover, illuminated silver shift plate, after-market shift ****, window switch overlays, and blue LEDs behind all *****, AC contols and clock. I'll probably try to return to stock for the most part. Again, PM me with list of unwanted pieces -I may be interested.
I got one key with the car and it's a very cool switch blade style holder with 3 buttons for locking/unlocking and poping he rear hatch. Never seen one of these before and never knew 928s had any sort of wireless lock option. Was this standard on the newer cars? Some eBay-type of aftermarket car alarms come with a multi-function key & could be the cause of your hatch trying to unlatch continuously, a short or key button sticking or pushed while in the pocket.
There's a stainless RMB (which hopefully will fit my 86.5 since mine is rusted out) RMBs are different for pre '87 and post '87 928's.
and lots of shiny metal trim peices inside that I don't particularly like. Luckily they seem to pull off pretty easily. PM me for the items you don't want and are not damaged upon removal.
After tossing some items in the rear, with the tool cover off, the rear hatch release motor started turning continuously, not sure why. We could not find any stuck switches or wiring problems, so eventually had to pull the fuse. Ideas? A loose piece of metal is perhaps bridging the contacts like a screw or washer, etc. or that key.
The rear end has a stick on GTS-like reflector strip that says "Porsche", and "928 GT" lettering above it. I'm wondering if pulling them off will also remove paint. Yes, unless removed by a paint & body professional.
Also the interior has aluminum color door handles, lock ***** and backing plate, **** rings, 2 hole center vent cover, illuminated silver shift plate, after-market shift ****, window switch overlays, and blue LEDs behind all *****, AC contols and clock. I'll probably try to return to stock for the most part. Again, PM me with list of unwanted pieces -I may be interested.
I got one key with the car and it's a very cool switch blade style holder with 3 buttons for locking/unlocking and poping he rear hatch. Never seen one of these before and never knew 928s had any sort of wireless lock option. Was this standard on the newer cars? Some eBay-type of aftermarket car alarms come with a multi-function key & could be the cause of your hatch trying to unlatch continuously, a short or key button sticking or pushed while in the pocket.
03-16-2011, 08:45 PM
#12
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Thanks for all the info. Off all week so perfect timing to be able to do some clean up on it. Just polished the paint and it looks pretty nice, although there are a lot of imperfections that don't show in the pictures.
I think I will drop the pan, maybe in the next few days and take a look. The rack needs to come out anyway since it's leaking really bad.
Barry, I'll keep you posted on the bling items. Some I'll leave on since they will be too hard to remove, but I'll be taking some of it off for sure. Interesting about the wheels. I didn't think they were high dollar since there's some chrome starting to bubble in a couple of places, but they look pretty good if you don't get too close. I think the offset must be way off since the fronts stick out beyond the fender. It may handle really bad on rutted roads when I get it going.
Here are some pics of the key. Pretty cool, but I think the battery in the transmitter is dead, so don't know if it actually locks the doors and opens the hatch or not. If it's not stock, not sure how the mounted the key so nicely.
I think I will drop the pan, maybe in the next few days and take a look. The rack needs to come out anyway since it's leaking really bad.
Barry, I'll keep you posted on the bling items. Some I'll leave on since they will be too hard to remove, but I'll be taking some of it off for sure. Interesting about the wheels. I didn't think they were high dollar since there's some chrome starting to bubble in a couple of places, but they look pretty good if you don't get too close. I think the offset must be way off since the fronts stick out beyond the fender. It may handle really bad on rutted roads when I get it going.
Here are some pics of the key. Pretty cool, but I think the battery in the transmitter is dead, so don't know if it actually locks the doors and opens the hatch or not. If it's not stock, not sure how the mounted the key so nicely.
03-16-2011, 08:50 PM
#13
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Don, enjoyed the opportunity to check out your new car and more than happy to lend a hand. And thanks for the liquid refreshments!
As noted the car has some excellent potential....a lot of good stuff, and a lot has been spent on it already. Lets hope the engine can be salvaged! Maybe not, but further investigation certainly is merited.....
Have fun and let me know when the next blood drive will be scheduled....
As noted the car has some excellent potential....a lot of good stuff, and a lot has been spent on it already. Lets hope the engine can be salvaged! Maybe not, but further investigation certainly is merited.....
Have fun and let me know when the next blood drive will be scheduled....
