BigCavolo

I haven’t introduced myself yet. Sorry about that. I have been learning so much but not sure which way to go. Overseas orders however are making me decide what to do. Here’s my story:

I got a “deal” off Ebay in October; a yellow 82 US with aftermarket seats and toggle switches to replace most electrical switches in the cockpit. $3,900. I even saw the video. I was told that the clutch pedal was broken… Turns out everything behind the clutch pedal was non op. I was determined to make this car perfect. I found the best transmission place around and Rennlist (too late). Wish I knew before…

With Roger’s help and parts I paid to rebuild and replace every part in the transmission and clutch. And while we were at it the rear brake system. Over 9K in repairs so far and it still doesn’t drive due to electrical things. Though the engine runs great. I got the Y-pipe and Borla exhaust after see the original and learning a bit more from this site, still in the box. Then I found Paul Champange’s amazing work. Oh boy. The 82 didn’t have much of an interior left to restore so, I bought a champagne/brown early 86 as a parts car for 3K. I have been driving this one for five months. It is an amazing car but needs one of everything as well. It did pass the safety inspection!

So, I’m in over 15K for the price of the two cars and the rebuilds done. My question to all of you is if I can make some of it back by parting out both cars. Or just one or even making one car still and selling what is left. That is, is it easy to put the new 5 speed into the 86 auto? Is it a bolt in swap from the 82 to the 86? I could probably save myself if I could move the money I spent on the 82 to save the 86 since the 86 is still pretty easy to repair save the tranny.

Here is the link to all pics I have so far. I am going the shop to see the yellow 82 so I’ll get some pics up later tonite.

http://s410.photobucket.com/albums/p...Porsche%20928/

Yellow 1982 known issues:

Headlights move but don’t light
Missing fog and parking lights
Stupid seats
Missing some interior trim
Climate control doesn’t work at all
Crack in fender
½” hole in body (under wheel well)
Hatch stuck closed
Hood latch non op

Positives:
Strong engine
New 5 speed
New clutch (and pedal)
New rear brakes
Set of 5 nice Italian made rims
New power steering

Champagne 1986 known issues:

Idles consistently at 1600 RPM
Auto Transmission lurches (slow to shift)
Climate control blows but no hot or cold
Some bubbling in paint
Drivers window in op
I had to pull the interior light/seat fuse to prevent a parasitic draw
Speedo doesn’t read
186K + miles
Cluster display lights just went out.
Temp gauge doesn’t read
Cruise control non op
Brakes squeak
Cracked dash

Positives:
Strong 32V engine
More complete and functional
All original
reliable
Brand new red top battery

I think we should pass a law that requires any 928 seller to direct potential buyers to this forum.

Thanks for any help,

Lizard928

The auto to manual conversion is not something most would even consider.
The only really hard part of the conversion is that the bracket which holds the master cylinder is not there.

So this means that you have to remove a ton (and I mean ton) of spot welds to allow you to remove the bracket for it from the 82. You then need to cut a hole in the firewall and then somehow figure out how you are going to mount the bracket. Weld, glue and rivet, etc.

I have done two cars, the first I did that way, and after having a couple issues with the factory master cylinder said bugger this and converted to a floor mount clutch pedal. I preferred this as I could position it better for more comfortable driving position.

As to parting out the cars, I doubt you would get the majority of the funds back out of it. The rebuilt manual transmission is where the majority of the funds will likely be. But you notion that you wish to keep it.

As to the high idle on the 86, this just means that you need to remove and reseal the intake manifold. It is fairly easy to do, you just have a few vacuum leaks.

I personally prefer the 85+ cars due to the newer fuses. Plus the 32V motors are imo better than the 16V. I would consider converting the 86 to manual, but I would only do the floor mount pedal. Which can be tricky to make look "really good". But I think I would prefer a yellow car over a brown one.

You could also take EVERYTHING off the cars and put the wiring, and engine into the 82 body, but still retain the more powerful engine, and manual transmission.

Landseer

Remaining 82 known issues seem minor.

Tonight, try to get a couple pictures of the electrical panel under the passenger foot panel.
Better even, if you can use a phillips head screw driver to remove the lower wood panel and get some pictures of the wires and plugs. (they are telltales).
I concentrate on the 16V cars. A good panel cleaning and new fuses can go a long way to making them driveable.


On the 86, and intake job should indeed clean up the idle. If you could get it to Sean in DFW --- it can be done by a 928 pro.
Again, electrical panel cleanup. Easier than it looks.
Interior light draw is fairly easy to track down. Often burned harness in rear ceiling, alarm draw, dirty door pins. Pictures of plugs at CE are again telltales.

Biggest thing is time with these. Or having a pro nearby and having money.

Swapping and combining --- avoid unless you DIY.

I'd just cleanup and drive the 86. And depending on picture evidence, probably do same with 82.

James Bailey

Sorry to hear about your 928 experience.

BigCavolo

Thanks for the advice. I snapped the pics of the 82, but I can't post them till about 4 am when I get off. It looks worse than I lead on. I hadn't thought of the 32V being moved to the 82. Will it bolt in? Being bigger and newer and from an automatic? If all bolts and bell housing line up, I could do it myself.
I will try to get in contact with Sean.

I'll get pics of the electrical panel tomorrow.

Lizard928

the 86 engine will bolt right in, though I would recommend using the lower cross member with new style of motor mounts with that engine.
The trickiest part will be that you have to get an aluminium flywheel from Rog100 and then put a 100-2 ring onto it so that the brains have the right pickup. Adaption to the fusepanel is pretty easy.

BigCavolo

This may be a better option then. Moving one car will be much easier. Here are the pics of the yellow 82:

http://s410.photobucket.com/albums/p...0Yellow%20928/

James Bailey

I am at a loss for words.....

SanDiego928

Me too! No words.

Lizard928

Uhm, the only thing I see with the 82 is a possible track car....
but ditch that side trim, and the V8 stickers....

joehelendetroit

It is so hard to say something helpful that can be received as positive. The previous "speechless" comments say it all.

From the pictures and your descriptions of what you have spent todate I would try to sell off the cars and/or parts. Then search out a vehicle that has all the parts working and a well documented repair/service history.

The reason I suggest this is I get the impression that you will be paying someone else to do all the actual work. You will spend more on labor than the third 928 will cost.

A practical solution might be to save the newly rebuilt trans and look for a great condition '82 with a bad trans.

James Bailey

The words came back......no lost them again ! I type it, I read it, I delete it.....

Landseer

Relay, relay, relay?

Randy V

Good Lord that is one butt-ugly 928. You really paid $3,900 for that? Sorry brother, but you need some tough love and a reality check.







In the words of Jim Bailey (when he has them) - you are about $20,000 away from having a $5,000 928.

Sad but true.

James Bailey

Thanks Randy, they seem to be coming back now.....good to know that with a $500 Yellow paint job the old very brown 1980 might bring $4,000. Bryan, load the trans and all clutch bits in the back of the 85 . Sign the 82 title and give it to the shop where it is and drive away......never look back. Take the 85 to Sean and get the vacumn leaks fixed that should also help the auto trans shift better. You have made two questionable decisions already, try to avoid making a third by trying to pay someone to make one car out of two. Unfortunately some of the lessions in life come at a cost and this is one big lesson. Not that it helps much, there is an 87 S-4 5speed now for sale for $8,900. It needs some work, but to most it looks like a pretty nice car.
You mention being "deployed" if you are military, thank you for your service.