mickster

I have a lead on an early 86. Car has LSD & ABS; low mileage great history. Unfortunately owner died about 6 weeks ago; son is selling for his mom. Taking a look tomorrow. Price is fair.

If I want to update the brakes and suspension to 86.5/S4, from all I've read in the forums and lots of searches, I would need to replace:

Front & Rear Calipers (upgrade to 4 piston Brembo's)
Front Upper A Arms
Front Lower Control Arms

Does anything need to be done with the 86 ABS system?

Anything missing?

Front Spindles/hubs??

Thanks!

Michael

Nicole

Did you get the VIN?

If it's an early 86 US model, I doubt it has ABS. If it's a Euro model, it might already have the upgrades you are looking for.

UncleMaz

You will need the spindles and hubs as well.

leperboy

I thought all 86 US have ABS. The exhausts are different between 86 and 86.5, too, I believe.

Matt

UncleMaz

They may have ABS, but they are not equipped for S4/Brembo brakes. They have S brakes until 86.5. He will need S4 spindles and hubs to go with the control arms for a proper conversion.

mickster

Yup-ran the VIN and it has ABS (Bosch).

Option Code Description
M018 Sports steering wheel with elevated hub 30 mm
M139 Seat heating system, left seat
M220 Locking differential 40 %
M319 Changed step-up of fan
M340 Seat heating system, right seat
M418 Side protection moldings
M490 Sound package
M494 Additional amplifier
M533 Anti-theft device
M570 Air conditioner with improved efficiency
M593 Anti-lock brake system (Bosch)
M650 Electrical sliding roof

I'll take a look tomorrow night!

Michael

mickster

Yup-know about the exhaust.

More concerned re: suspension & brakes. Can always add a Porken chip and 87 FPR

Imo000

The S brakes can stop an early 32V pretty fast. Unless the suspension is worn, I would leave it alone.

James Bailey

lower ball joints are different, springs and shocks technically are different, tierods are different as I recall, the plumbing of the brakes is different, number of teeth on the ABS gear is different, ABS brain for the different number of teeth, rear wheel upright is different ( caliper mount offset ), unless you track the car and find that you NEED bigger brakes it is a lot of wor kand parts for very little gain. But the Brembos do LOOK nice. If you defeat the ABS the car is probably less safe for use on the street where you can encounter unexpected changes in traction or someone turns into your lane of traffic. On a track where you have driven the same corner time after time (corner workers to warn you of changes) and everyone SHOULD be going the same direction early ABS as used on all 928s may not be optimal for all drivers.

Landseer

Correct, ABS standard at beginning of 86 model year. As stated, teeth change on front and rear axles, plus ABS brain change, after 0999.
S brake system, especially with ABS are great road brakes.


Good work ID'ing a low miles, early 32V car.
Suggest you drive it awhile. Seriously doubt you'll outdrive the brakes or suspension.
If it happens to feel a little soft, try a simple shock replacement only. That is case with our low miles 86 at least, compared to 85 that had shock change.

Darklands

Install steel brake lines and change the brake pads to ebc yellow stuff or another brand and you can improve the brake performance a lot.
+1 on Chris suggestion. Save the money for the brake update and buy new shocks and maybe tyres.
Fix the steering rack with conical washers or Rogers delrin parts.

mickster

Thanks everyone for the advice! Sounds like a lot more time and money than it is worth for weekend driving.

If I do decide to DE or Autocross, how much would I be giving up? I know that's an impossible number to quantify.

Jchiodi

After wrestling with the shocks on the front of mine, 86 VIN ending in 0430, I was thinking of changing to later model shocks and brakes. Sounds like, from discussions on here that they''re a little easier to change out.

Problem is it looks like there will be a lot more money going into this car then I originally thought, just too many cool other upgrades I'm interested in.

Like Lighting upgrade
Exhaust, chip(?) maybe
Tire, wheel


First have to sort everything else out and get it to spec.
jc

mickster

Thanks Imre!

Cosmo Kramer

I just bought a set of Pagid Sport pads for mine and just waiting to get some time to put them on, I will let you know how it goes. FYI the Porsche S brakes are the same pad/caliper as 88-92 M3, 80-87 M5 and Ferrari 308/328 GTS so they are quite capable.