upstownal

I have a wedding to attend in Austin TX this coming March. I was planning on driving out in my 81 Corvette but it is currently undergoing a major conversion and I don't think it will be ready.
What are the things I should be wary of driving the 928 instead, providing of course I finish the intake refresh next week.
I have a spare fuel pump and ignition modules, all the belts have been changed, the TT and torque converter bearings were done last year, brakes are like new. The only concern is I did the T belt in a rush and did not replace the water pump, and I don't know the previous history of when it might have been changed.

Do you think I should do the TBelt again and change the water pump this time? I worry about road failures with this car more than the Vette because I can get parts for that just about anywhere..

thanks

Shawn Stanford

Just drive it. It's as likely to die on any particular mile as any other. If it does ping the group to find the closest reliable 928 shop, rent a car, and finish your trip.

Hold On

What Shawn said ..

Jerry Feather

Take a water pump and belt with you.

Imo000

Naaah!! Just drive it, it will be fine.

Kevin in Atlanta

AAA and credit card is all I take on my road trips. Maybe a FP jumper, but that's it.

upstownal

yea..I just signed up for AAA, never had it in 45 years of driving..figure it's time..

Jerry Feather

I have observed that tragedy tends to happen to those who are not prepared for it. If you take the water pump and belt, a spare injection computer, a spare fuel filter and fuel pump, distributor cap(s) and rotor(s), and some tools, you are both much more likely to never need any of it, and you will have a greater peace of mind having it with you. Having it tends to ward off the need for it.

Imo000

WHAT!?!?!?! The tragedy will happen regardless what you have with you.

If the timing belt pops, he will need a lot more than a water pump and a belt. It's a non valve bender so damage will be zero to the engine but it will take time and a serious amount of resources to change out the belt.

Wisconsin Joe

Do you need your head examined?
Yeah, probably.
Just like the rest of us.

I took mine from WI to San Fran & back a couple years ago (4500 miles).
I took a decent set of tools, full WSM, spare relays & fuses, Roger's number on speed dial and a CC with plenty of room on the limit.

Murphy dictates that the stuff you are prepared for won't be a problem, so of course, the trip was uneventful.

Your one area of concern would be the WP. What was it like when you did the TB? How was the bearing? That's the primary failure. If it was nice and tight, I'd just go with it.
How long ago was it?

I'd make sure you have a DVM, fuses, relays & a jumper, but that's standard "glove box" stuff for me anyway.

A good radar detector would also be suggested.

Take lots of pics and have fun. That trip is what these cars are meant for.

V2Rocket

Plot a map of known 928 enthusiasts/repair shops within a semi-reasonable distance of your intended driving route.

If the worst happens perhaps you can get a tow to someone's location for repair help.
SeanR here has a shop in Dallas...maybe you can arrange to drop off your car during the wedding for an inspection

marine928

If you have taken care of the mechanicals and there are no other issues, do your pre flight check, pack your bags, wallet, beverage, sunglasses, driving gloves, Porsche apparel, cell phone, charger and some good tunes.
These cars are made for touring and are as reliable as any car with proper maintenance and attention to detail. They were and are a high performance supercar so they do require more attention.
Since my complete front to back refurbish over 2 years ago, I have driven over 15K problem free miles.
This is our trip car and I only take the above with me on any outing. The more you drive it the more your confidence builds. Have fun!

dr bob

If you are concerned enough to worry about the water pump, to the point where you are ready to buy one and carry it in the car as a spare... Just install it and get it off your worry list. Ditto the fuel pumps and filter. If you are worried that they are going to fail, put the new ones in now and stop worrying.

As Shawn shared at the top, the car is as likely to fail in any one mile driven as any other. Unless stuff breaks in the driveway, pretty much every other failure is a flatbed ride and a fix. If you've deferred maintenance and worry about it, do the maintenance and stop worrying. You know you are going to need to do it someday if you want to feel sure it will make it to church or the pool hall, or cross country touring to Texas.

My too sense...

linderpat

^^^This X928. If you are worried that you need to bring so many critical components, the car isn't ready to go. I've driven 2 across country, and I bring basic tools, and spare relays/fuses (FP relay; EZK). AAA card is the most critical tool, and make sure you have a printout of the AAA Porsche towing standards so that they don't mess up the bottom of the car pulling it onto a flatbed (if you even break down).

Crumpler

Fun thread to follow gentlemen, good stuff.

I think part if the allure for me when I take mine on long trips is that my fate is uncertain, lol.

In reality, the car is bullet proof at high speeds in the open roads. That's what it lives for, as we all know.
The fact that we jump in a 30 year old car and go cross country, well, that's just our "grit", isn't it?
Anyone can drive a new Toyota...