w.a.

I have found a 951 that I am ready to buy. 1986, Sapphire Metallic, 67,000 miles. Recent clutch and belts. I drove it today and noticed that launching the car on an incline with the A/C compressor engaged the car lugged along. A lot like if I tried to launch my 300ZX in 2nd gear. I had to get the RPMs up pretty good to keep the car from stalling. Is this typical or a symptom of something else?

If this is typical, I expect to be joining you as an owner next week.
Best,
w.a.

Kool

That isn't normal.

Robby

I would say it depends on to what extent you mean. The AC does hurt, as well as the incline- you have to spin the wheels in most cars to keep the engine from bogging- but actually stalling is a completely different thing...

Sapphire metallic? Sounds cool... Get some pics if you can. BTW, DO check over the paint VERY carefully- I have been told that ALL metallics have clearcoat (might want to find out for sure)- my zermatt silver does, and looks fine under many lights, BUT, when you look closely, you can see- clearcoat eventually starts to crack- and when it does, you have to repaint- and yes, I really need a new paint job myself- makes me more than a little angry...

Peckster

Get it inspected by a Porsche mechanic who knows the marque.

If you walk, that's a good thing.

If you decide to buy, you can use any defects to ask for a price reduction, which usually more than pays for the inspection.

If the owner won't let you get it inspected, walk away.

Anyway, that's the way I do it.

2+2

I just got my 951-S and sold my '92 300Z NA. I dont know if yours is a turbo but I can tell you, starting the 951 from stop is MUCH MUCH

2+2

oops...I mean MUCH MUCH HARDER. The clutch take up is not as smooth, throttle is awkward, and there appears to be very little torque....I find myself revving to 2200 or so sometimes to prevent vibs....and my 951 checks out OK. It sounds like you are experiencing something similar...
have it checked out just in case....

I miss my Z but also love my 951...wish I could have both.....

2+2

In a related matter, does anyone know how heavy 951 flywheels are? I think for the Z, its about 24 pounds. If there is a large difference, that may account for some of the difficulty in launch.

marshall951

I can take off from an idle with no viration problems. If I am racing, I dump the clutch at about 4000 rpms <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

cheetah chrome

2+2 the vibs im getting at start are from a bad motor mount on the drivers side. i know the mounts have been revised a number of times, does anyone know the part number for the latest rev. motor mounts? my vibrations are no where near as drastic as yours and car never boges down, but i can feel it when engaging the clutch. bought mine 951 2 months ago and the mounts are my next project to tackle. replacing mounts is alot cheaper,easier, n faster than attacking the clutch area

w.a.

Thanks 2+2. It sounds like you know exactly what I'm talking about. The 300ZX NA can launch at about 1200 RPM, catch that little programmed "turbo like" boost at 3000 and go on. There seems to be much more torque in the Z in the first 50-150 feet. The 951 *seems* to take more effort to get up into the powerband. This obviously is my enormous lack of experience with a 951. Let's face it. The cars are different. The Z has low end torque. The 951 can be cruising at 60 MPH in 5th gear and walk completely away from the Z without even catching another gear. There just must be longer gears in the 951.
Best,
w.a.

w.a.

Hi Robby,
According to the original window sticker for the car, Sapphire Metallic was a $483 option in 1986. It is an interesting color. At first glance it's silver, under another light it seems grey and under another light possibly a shade of light blue. My best overall approximation of the color might be metallic pewter. But that seems redundant &lt;g&gt;

Yes, the clearcoat is still there. It is showing wear in some places, but, it should still be good for a few more years.
Best,
w.a.

Robby

****If the owner won't let you get it inspected, walk away****

Words to live by! I talked w/guy when I was trying to find mine, who gave me a line like "well, I've just never heard of someone having to take a car to a mechanic to decide if they wanted it or not- I mean, if I look over a car well, I can tell if it's in good enough shape or not- I'm not too sure I want some mechanic I don't know poking around in my car..." Needless to say, I walked on that one. Of course, I still got burned on the one I bought and I DID have it inspected- oh well- imagine how bad it COULD have been...