Texbuckeye

My wife and I bought a Mustang convertible a year ago intending to make it her son's daily driver when he got his license. I know it was stupid but it is in the past and I need a path forward as he is still acting like an immature 14 year old and I don't feel it is safe for him to be driving a convertible. I don't want to be the step-dad that took away something cool and gave him something uncool. So naturally being a 928 fan and living 5 minutes from Roger and 20 minutes from Sean Ratts I am thinking of getting him a 928 but concerned that it has too much power. So that begs the question, can you easily make it less powerful? I would prefer to get him an S-4 as they have air bags and I think I might be able to talk my wife into it.

namasgt

The air bags are about 23 years old on the 90-91 cars. What makes you think its going to function? get a 81-84 s package car with a automatic.

SeanR

Got to go with Ali on this one.

Yes Brad, if you get an '85 + we can make it slower. At least make it so the rev limiter is set low and it's able to be changed at will on the 87 and over cars. Just imagine the look on your sons face as he gets in it to cruise/show off. Slams the gas down and when it hits 3500 RPM BOOM, faceplant, shift, go 3500rpm, faceplant.

MainePorsche

^^^^^
I'll bet he gets 'serious' soon after that - he'll go on RL under some unrecognizable avatar and get adept mechanically to reset the rev limiter. That's would I would've done at 15.

928porschemangreg

Disconnect half the cylinders, plugs and injectors. Presto! You now have a 4 cyl 928!

TYP928S

LIMP HOME MODE.....

jon '84 US Auto

SeanR

Good thing for Brad is, his son would have to come over to my place to reset it. The only way to do it is via the Shark Tuner. Then I'd inform him that there is a $500.00 fee to hook the ST up to the car and change stuff.

Courtshark

For a first car, if it must be a Porsche, I'd recommend a 944. Parts are much more readily available, and nice examples can be had pretty cheaply. Very safe and solid car that handles and brakes well, but isn't particularly fast in a straight line. 88+ had airbags, I believe (though I've got no idea if they will still work or not). Just don't get a turbo, as those are more powerful than most 928s.

As far as detuning a 928, I'd be concerned that any mod you do can be too easily and sureptitiously reversed.

The other option is to set hard limits on tolerances. First speeding ticket = no car for you. First accident = no car for you. First set of tires burned up in 1 month = no car for you.

MainePorsche

But Sean, once he becomes aware of this, he'll go to someone else. A 15 year old boy will make this his 'Odyssey' to get his 928 up to par. Especially when 'they' restricted it.

CVDH

Sounds like a little financial responsibility would do him well. Tell him to start mowing lawns if he wants a cool car. Otherwise, he'll have to drive an econobox. Worked for me...

NordicSaab

This may be a crazy idea, but how about a roll bar for the mustang?

Pretty sure you can get a bolt in model from autopower for less than $300. Certainly much cheaper than a 928 or 944.

James Bailey

There is no limp home mode....just the my car is running on 4 cylinders but I am too stupid to stop driving until it catches on fire or breaks the driveshaft...

Texbuckeye

"Sounds like a little financial responsibility would do him well. Tell him to start mowing lawns if he wants a cool car. Otherwise, he'll have to drive an econobox. Worked for me..."

I know that worked for me but this is my step-son and his Mom's first son who she spoils a little. I like the roll bar idea and also remove the Supercharger and sell it on E-bay. If I can just get the wife to buy in to that idea.

I can't seem to figure out how to quote messages in my reply.

Lizard928

I'm sorry, but you are going about this from the wrong light IMHO.
If you are to be the stepdad you need to think of them as your own children.
If he is acting really immature, then he shouldn't be driving, especially a V8.
You just tell him the mustang will be waiting for him once he decides to grow up/show respect etc.

Bowing down to him just do that you can keep in his favor is not going to do the kid any favors. If one wants to drive, they need to get a job and pay for at least half the car. Nothing in life is truly free, it's better to learn this young!

The girl I'm with now has two boys from a previous relationship, and I know what it can be like to try to win their love. But it doesn't mean they should be spoiled!

James Bailey

Best to remove the rear seats from the mustang and install a well padded roll bar. Odds are he is going to wreck it and Mustangs are cheaper to fix !! Pull the supercharger so he gets better gas mileage since he will be paying for his own gas, Yes right Adjust the throttle cable so it only gets 2/3rds or so at wide open. No need to put him in a Porsche as a first car how does he upgrade from that ?