EdC

I have found this site informative on the Turbo S. It is the home page for the link above.
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Pit/4786/

samluke

I love the 86 supporters. I suspect its because they own 86's.

I had an 87 and then upgraded to an 89. If the question is which year, then it would have to be 89 all other things being equal (unless you can get hold of a Euro 91). Sure you can make an early car just as good or better than an 89, but its not cheap. I went through the same thought pattern ie to upgrade the 87, and the only logical choice was to sell the 87 and buy the 89, and 7 years later I have no regrets other than I should have done it sooner.

The 89's were Turbo S's with all the exterior and interior options (ie not just silver rose/plaid, although not all 88's were silver rose). Compared to an 86, why wouldn't anyone want Air bags, ABS, more power, 28pin DME, stiffened chassis, bigger front brakes, stronger front spindles, spring tensioner, latest OPRV. improved vacuum system, improved under engine shielding, rolled fenders, forged wheels, upgraded door panels and sound system with equalizer, oil level sensing. adjustable shocks, ride height adjustable front suspension, stiffer suspension bushings, latest exhaust components (manifold, crossover and crossover to wastegate), stronger transmission, upgraded LSD, transmission oil cooler, built in alarm system. Late offset suspension that provides ability to use a wide range of Porsche and aftermarket wheels?

I am sure I missed something.

Now what does an 86 have going for it, oh yes lighter weight. Its much cheaper to take weight out of an 89 than add the performance upgrades to an 86.

89's are the best as reflected by demand hence the re-sale values. Next would be 88TurboS, then 88 non S, 87 then 86. One thing Porsche do very well is evolving the product. Learning and improving.

kiyoskia

^That was...beautiful.

90s2

Quote:
Originally Posted by 90s2 View Post
Another for the 86.
Forged connecting rods... later MY 951 got a mix bag of regular cast and sometimes forged.

What are you talking about?

It is my understanding that only the 86 have the stronger forged connecting rods
All other model years including the "S" have a mix big bag of forged or cast never know..

Mighty Shilling

if it's in good condition, ****** it up! put the stock seats in for shows for bonus points!

Micah

I like fuchs and I don't like 20... then 25... then 30 year old airbags - not to mention the Oldsmobile steering wheel holding said bag If I purchased one of the later cars, I'd have a 930S/68CS wheel in the mail the same day.

I'm looking for an 86.

Micah

Olli Snellman

For hard core modfied cars ROW 1987-88 220hp "sunroof delete" option is the best. Most likely these cars do not have air bags or AC.
If you build for example a 3.0L engine there's no sense to use original Porsche rods, not even '86 forged ones. Weakest point of '86 models is OLD ET. It's difficult to upgrade brakes, wheels etc.

porschefig

I also searched specifically for an 86' (w/ Fuchs, and I didn't want red, black, or silver)
Don't be hating on the 86' just b/c you can't have the Fuch-goodness!
If I did it again I would probably wait till I had more money and buy a track-prepped street-legal car w/ lots of good mods already done, regardless of year. Having a fast car is much cheaper that way (assuming the PO did things right!)
My car started stock and I'm making it the way I want it....slowly b/c I'm still in college.

jasonlp

If the airbags go off it destroys the dash and is not worth repairing, Anyone should disconnect them for a 951. If someone complains about safety, airbags cause more injuries then they save lives, not to mention most people on here have a 4 point harness and if they don't you're driving a porsche, which means a car designed to take hits at high speeds. Lot's of war stories on here of big hits totaled cars and pretty well off survivors.

Mighty Shilling

for what it's worth, for $60.00 a dealer can inspect and test the airbags to make sure they're still safe. it's what I did for the piece of mind.

Thom

As much as I like '86 with Fuchs wheels I would not want a modified 944 turbo without ABS - it saved me several times.

JE_951

I wish my car had abs. is the ABS on our cars very good?

MichelleJD

Uuuuummmmmm........aren't you doing the same thing vis a vis the 89?


Another consideration that hasn't really been covered is purchase price. A
$13K 89 is different than a $7K 86 even if the miles are comparable.

Darwantae951

For my piece of mind I disconnected them, then tricked the car into thinking the control unit was still there so the pump would run. I'm also not comfortable with 20+ year old airbags in front of me waiting to go off...now all I need is a burgundy non airbag dashboard...

-Darwin

PEvans

IMO the best choice is the best example you can find. Not because you may avoid putting $ into it, but because you will mind it less when you do have to. A 951 is charmingly unique in that you can buy a well-maintained one for $10,000 - $15,000, and EASILY put $5,000 or more into it in the first year or two (say for belts, a clutch, and a catalytic converter - stuff that just eventully goes).

So if the car is ragged you'll kick yourself. If it is cherry, you'll recognize that your really just paying the real purchase price.

I had an 86 with over 220k miles, most of which I put on. It was reasonably nice, but by the end it showed the years. I now have an 89 with about 150k miles. It has had a pampered life, and it is near-perfect. If I had to put big dollars into that car, like for a new engine, I wouldn't hesitate.