River

ironic you mention the 86, a few of these have popped up recently. Here is one that made me go...ok, Im thinking about this!

http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/cto/3695130040.html

I just feel it's too cheap, and cheap makes me nervous sometimes. Especially if they JUST put money into it. It's one thing if it's a sick puppy like us (always doing the tinkering) though...

bronto

Nothing wrong with 16 valves except power. My '79 was rated at 215hp, although something like 240 torques make it feel like more. There are supercharger kits for all, although consider smog control issues which you probably already know what Oregon's are (I don't). Turbos too, and headers, X pipes, etc. Note that the 928 got heavier almost every year; my own experience is that my '79 is more nimble than the later models I've driven. It just feels lighter, and even with less power I can hold my own on the fun runs with later models.

bronto

Note that the 86.5 is special. The cutoff is with VIN numbers ending in numbers greater than 1000 (or was is 2000?). 86.5 has S4 upgrades the 86 does not. Some sellers may not be aware of whether theirs is an 86 or 86.5.

If I had to do it all over again, I would be tempted by an 86.5 over my 79.

85euro928

Buy a Euro, half the valves all the fun

Shane

If you want an educated set of eyes to look at that '86, should hook up with PorKen (post #13) and have him check it out. Ken is very familiar with all 928s, but is exceptional with '85-'86.5 models.

Mike Frye

Thanks for the link, I hadn't read that before.

Just got done with it and I have to say it has quite a bit missing (mentions some relatively minor iteration changes, but never mentions the 86.5 and what that meant).

Also says something about the 928s designation coming back in 1990 I think? Really?

Anyway +1 to the 86.5 being the best combo, 5-speed if you ask me.

Starting with MY 86 VIN ending in 1000+ (86.5) the belly pan, brakes and exhaust was the same as the S4 (dual exhaust) but the rest of the car was pretty much the same as it had been in '85 (32v 288 chp stock). The '87+ keep getting heavier and heavier so you need more HP just to do the same thing.

As far as having to remove the engine to do anything for the later cars, I never heard that. You have to remove the engine for things that require engine removal but I don't think the later S4s, GT or GTS had anything that specifically require engine removal that the earlier ones didn't.

BRB-83-911SC

Yes, a worthy subset to consider if one comes up. Among the Euros, there are the early 4.5L 16v, which, while unique, don't offer much in the way of performance gains over the US spec. However, the Euro S with the 4.7L 16v gives you 300hp with CIS injection (80?-83). 84-86 Euro S 4.7L 16v gives you 310hp with LH-jet injection and shorter gearing.

bronto

And if it's important, there's some debate over whether those later Euro 16v engines are genuinely non-interference.

cali4sun

Rumor has it 1989 is the best year

NoVector

An oldie but a goodie - modified a little

dr bob

We like to call it 'gentrification' of the wilder areas. K plays in a couple amateur tournaments there every year, and found a home she likes. We didn't do a lot for the depressed housing prices, but she plans to have a measurable impact on the outlook for remodeling contractors once she gets the plans firmed up. I can hardly wait...

FWIW, I'm a NY native, she's from Chicago originally. I'm still only three years from being a Cali native, but will be forced to give up all that seniority when we relocate, and start over again. Won't get to 45 years of residency in Oregon, not in my lifetime anyway.

MFranke

I think the '88s get the best gas mileage out of all years, but I'm not sure if that is serial number dependent with regard to compression ratio.

River

This is all good info. You guys are as sick as some of us in the 944 crowd !


Funny stuff too!

Also, great links!

I did know that the earliest models were non-interference (very cool, less to worry about). I would body kit the crap outta an early one. Are there less sensors and issues with the early models? I would 'assume' they would be.

I did not know about the Euro specs. Very cool as well.

So, I'm in the same boat as far as : sensors (reference, etc), relays, tb's, wp's, clutch stuff. Basically, same shiz as the 944 to maintain/ worry about.

I will send ken a message...

Vilhuer

There are also changes like two different fuse types used in '78-84 vs '85-95 which make later cars more reliable while they have more electronics.

gruffalo

Exactly why is the 87 S4 heavier than the 86.5 if it's sporting more or less the same hardware?

Sounds like an urban legend to me