how do you know if you have a 1988 or 88.5?
#16
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The important codes on the sticker are 030, 220, and 593. I think the trannie is AOR.
#17
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The shock tower gussets are visible in this picture - the passenger side one is below the power steering reservoir and next to the headlight motor. It's a triangular piece of metal that goes from the shock tower to the front part of the frame rail.
http://www.cannell.co.uk/images/Cann...T%2082%205.jpg
For the rolled rear fender, put your fingers up under there. Is there a lip like practically every other car on the planet? Or has the lip of metal been folded back against the inside of the fender making if very clean and smooth under there?
For the dual air bags, does the passenger side of the dash have the groove for the air bag to pop out? And does it have the air bag logo?
http://www.cannell.co.uk/images/Cann...T%2082%205.jpg
For the rolled rear fender, put your fingers up under there. Is there a lip like practically every other car on the planet? Or has the lip of metal been folded back against the inside of the fender making if very clean and smooth under there?
For the dual air bags, does the passenger side of the dash have the groove for the air bag to pop out? And does it have the air bag logo?
#19
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If the rear fender lips are folded over flat like a butter knife that is a good clue. The 758 option code should be there on the sticker too. AOR trans code, 52 engine code also on the sticker. Mine lacked codes for the individual option codes like for the 10-speaker system.
#20
My Turbo S warranty card has 51 engine code but 52 stamp on block. I have seen more than a few turbo S cars with engine code 51 but all had AOR as transmission code. The shop that services my car works on a ton off 944s and the owner calls the Turbo S a 88.5 Turbo. My warranty card/ trunk sticker is completely blank in the option section.
http://api.viglink.com/api/click?for...zed%201600x900.
http://api.viglink.com/api/click?for...zed%201600x900.
#21
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The shock tower gussets are visible in this picture - the passenger side one is below the power steering reservoir and next to the headlight motor. It's a triangular piece of metal that goes from the shock tower to the front part of the frame rail.
http://www.cannell.co.uk/images/Cann...T%2082%205.jpg
For the rolled rear fender, put your fingers up under there. Is there a lip like practically every other car on the planet? Or has the lip of metal been folded back against the inside of the fender making if very clean and smooth under there?
For the dual air bags, does the passenger side of the dash have the groove for the air bag to pop out? And does it have the air bag logo?
http://www.cannell.co.uk/images/Cann...T%2082%205.jpg
For the rolled rear fender, put your fingers up under there. Is there a lip like practically every other car on the planet? Or has the lip of metal been folded back against the inside of the fender making if very clean and smooth under there?
For the dual air bags, does the passenger side of the dash have the groove for the air bag to pop out? And does it have the air bag logo?
How do you get the precise date? mine just shows 5/88
If the rear fender lips are folded over flat like a butter knife that is a good clue. The 758 option code should be there on the sticker too. AOR trans code, 52 engine code also on the sticker. Mine lacked codes for the individual option codes like for the 10-speaker system.
My Turbo S warranty card has 51 engine code but 52 stamp on block. I have seen more than a few turbo S cars with engine code 51 but all had AOR as transmission code. The shop that services my car works on a ton off 944s and the owner calls the Turbo S a 88.5 Turbo. My warranty card/ trunk sticker is completely blank in the option section.
http://api.viglink.com/api/click?for...zed%201600x900.
http://api.viglink.com/api/click?for...zed%201600x900.
#23
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I tried to locate the engine code but I couldn't find it. I was looking by the starter...a lot of shielding around it maybe I should take that off...unless I'm looking in the wrong place.
#24
Race Car
The gussets are those triangular shaped pieces under your power steering resivoir (and on the other side, but the view is obstructed). I would say yours is in all likelihood an S.
#25
Race Car
Here are some more. Here are some comparisons between my race car (non-S '88) and my project (89 - de facto S).
Non-gusset:
Gusset:
Engine code can be see from passenger side, though harder with the heater still in place. Underneath #4 exhaust port a bit. Really easy to see on the race car (again, non-S code 51):
Harder to see on the 89 (code 52) because of where I have the engine sitting, but you can slightly make out the number:
The 2 ports on the intake, where one is dedicated to the KLR, are also a sign of an S. The non-S only had one, and used a single, longer banjo bolt with two banjos.
Non-gusset:
Gusset:
Engine code can be see from passenger side, though harder with the heater still in place. Underneath #4 exhaust port a bit. Really easy to see on the race car (again, non-S code 51):
Harder to see on the 89 (code 52) because of where I have the engine sitting, but you can slightly make out the number:
The 2 ports on the intake, where one is dedicated to the KLR, are also a sign of an S. The non-S only had one, and used a single, longer banjo bolt with two banjos.
#26
The only factory re-VINning I know of is on some of the 968's.
Model Year is part of the VIN. If the tenth digit is "K," it is a 1989. "J" would be 1988, whether it be 1988 or "1988.5."
Keep in mind the factory, DOT, etc. never distinguishes a ".5" year in terms of how the car is registered. I.e., as far as the DOT is concerned, a 1988.5 car doesn't exist. It's a 1988.
Your car can however have a 1988 build date and be a 1989 MY. To make things more confusing, it is possible your car could also have a 1988 build date, be registered as a 1989, and not first sold until 1990.
Last edited by FrenchToast; 05-08-2014 at 01:09 AM.
#27
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I don't think this is possible. Unless the car was re-VINned (by the factory, import company for grey market purchase, or otherwise) or has a shady history.
The only factory re-VINning I know of is on some of the 968's.
Model Year is part of the VIN. If the tenth digit is "K," it is a 1989. "J" would be 1988, whether it be 1988 or "1988.5."
Keep in mind the factory, DOT, etc. never distinguishes a ".5" year in terms of how the car is registered. I.e., as far as the DOT is concerned, a 1988.5 car doesn't exist. It's a 1988.
Your car can however have a 1988 build date and be a 1989 MY. To make things more confusing, it is possible your car could also have a 1988 build date, be registered as a 1989, and not first sold until 1990.
The only factory re-VINning I know of is on some of the 968's.
Model Year is part of the VIN. If the tenth digit is "K," it is a 1989. "J" would be 1988, whether it be 1988 or "1988.5."
Keep in mind the factory, DOT, etc. never distinguishes a ".5" year in terms of how the car is registered. I.e., as far as the DOT is concerned, a 1988.5 car doesn't exist. It's a 1988.
Your car can however have a 1988 build date and be a 1989 MY. To make things more confusing, it is possible your car could also have a 1988 build date, be registered as a 1989, and not first sold until 1990.