triplecan

--> tl;dr -- Looking for a Porsche-friendly mechanic near San Francisco that won't be scared of a mid-project rescue.

Hello, everyone. First post here. Diving right in! I bought a MY80 928 5-speed that was mid-transition to being a track/open road race car. My own background includes multiple SCCA CSP NB Miatas, BPU'd mk3 Supra Turbo, 350Z, blah blah. I've done light wrenching on each, but don't have a strong mechanical or electrical background. With this car, I think I bit off more than I can chew...

The previous owner was in the middle of wiring up the dash with flip switches for the fuel pump, starter, etc, plus custom gauges. Unfortunately, he seems to have gotten to "take it all apart and wire a few switches" and didn't get to the gauges or the all-important putting everything back together again. It's all in pieces, extra parts are in a box in the trunk (including Autometer gauges and the glovebox), there're no screws/bolts/fasteners at all, some parts appear completely missing (eg, whatever the green parts are on the schematic attached?).

I've spent a few hours playing with things but with no real traction. I thought I'd figure it out myself, one wire at a time, but no proper garage space, wanting to get it 'done' soon, having never seen a 928 for comparison, the amount of custom crap in here, and the amount of 'unknowns' is pretty staggering... so now looking for outside help.

Highlights of poking around the center console include: Flip switch for starter. Hooded flip switch for fuel pump (?). Lighted blue switch that appears to arm NOS. Twisted orange and blue wires, attached to nothing, dangling behind gas pedal. Small box/ECU dangling left of clutch pedal, seemingly does nothing. Copper wire attached to nothing. Wires attached to a shift light (which appear to do nothing). Window switch wires attached to nothing (Figured this one out. Window rolls down! Win!). Multiple black wires coming off the HVAC box, attached to nothing. Large clump of wires which... I guess I hope they're all stereo stuff, but I don't really know?

Essentially, the immediate repair it needs is someone who's willing to sort through the wiring mess, safely capping off/removing the stuff that isn't needed, hooking back up the things that need hooked up. Wiring up the gauges would be awesome too, but as a first step even just having stuff back together would be awesome. Seems like this could be one hour of work for someone who's disassembled/reassembled a 928 center console repeatedly and can just button it back up, or easily 5+ hours for someone figuring things out and debugging as they go. Or 50+ hours for me on my own, likely with the car being unable to start at various times in there.

I'm located in San Francisco, but willing to drive for the right shop as long as it's near BART/Caltrain/bus, etc. So... shop recommendations for gutsy mechanics who aren't going to balk at a birds nest of wires? Thanks!

Nicole

Right across the Bay from you in Oakand there is A. Bauer Porsche. They are quite experienced with the 928, and have done great work for me recently. Call them and talk with Brian. Tell him I sent you.

The other option is to go North, to Marin County. There is Hi-Tech Automotive. I'm not sure who is managing the shop, but you can start by asking for Greg, who used to own a 928 and is very knowledgeable about them.

triplecan

Hello, Nicole. Thanks for your prompt reply! I'll call both shops tomorrow and chat with them. Hopefully they'll be able to help accelerate getting this 928 back to its former glory.

Nicole

Hope they can help you! Please do join our norcal928 group on Facebook.

granprixweiss928

Also sprint auto works in san jose.

Nicole

There is also The RennShop in Santa Clara. But from the city, I would think Oakland or San Raffael may be easier to access.

triplecan

Wow -- Bauer Porsche is like a wonderland of old P-car delights. Awesome just to poke around at that shop and gawk at race toys of every flavor.

Where a lot of other shops balked -- too old, no Porsches, no project cars, "Porsches but not 928s" (!) etc -- Brian and Chris at Bauer were instead intrigued, interested, excited. Happy to turn her over to them for work and excited to have this electrical nonsense sorted.

Thanks, everyone, for your recommendations!

mark kibort

check out CT automotive.... reallly good with the 928. ive used them for many years and when i only needed help on the big jobs, they lent me a helping hand. (transmission rebuild, etc)
ct automotive is south bay in campbell though