Hooning about with my Spyder and 951...
11-25-2018, 12:49 PM
#1
Hooning about with my Spyder and 951...
Had some fantastic weather yesterday and reports of a winter storm rolling in today, so I called a buddy of mine and suggested we hit the local backroads. Man, what a gas!
The best part was we *finally* got a chance to run the cars side by side and answer some performance related questions. As it turns out, a heavily leaned on 951 is no match for technology. About the time the turbo finally decided to play, the Spyder was long gone due to the fantastic ability of the PDK to always be in the right gear to take full advantage of the hp available to it.
I’ve owned a variant of the 944 for about as long as I can remember, but those days may be coming to an end. The Spyder truly captures the magic I seek in a car and I’m not interested in driving anything else anymore.
The best part was we *finally* got a chance to run the cars side by side and answer some performance related questions. As it turns out, a heavily leaned on 951 is no match for technology. About the time the turbo finally decided to play, the Spyder was long gone due to the fantastic ability of the PDK to always be in the right gear to take full advantage of the hp available to it.
I’ve owned a variant of the 944 for about as long as I can remember, but those days may be coming to an end. The Spyder truly captures the magic I seek in a car and I’m not interested in driving anything else anymore.
11-25-2018, 06:58 PM
#2
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great combo, I'd suggest keeping both if you can, old/new, both great cars and offer lot's of fun and contrasts. I'm biased my combo is an '89 951 and a 2011 Boxster Spyder (sport steering wheel, paddles, sport chrono PDK)---the real deal.
11-25-2018, 09:48 PM
#3
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The Spyder is looking good Scott! Good timing with getter her out, looks like the weather did a 180 today!
You’re comment about the transmission keeping the engine in the proper RPM is something I have also found to be very important although in my case I have to be cognizant of my gear selection to make use of the power. Something that rarely gets mentioned is the free revving nature of the 3.4 liter engine which is what makes it so magical, truly a good fit for the chassis and gearbox.
You’re comment about the transmission keeping the engine in the proper RPM is something I have also found to be very important although in my case I have to be cognizant of my gear selection to make use of the power. Something that rarely gets mentioned is the free revving nature of the 3.4 liter engine which is what makes it so magical, truly a good fit for the chassis and gearbox.
11-27-2018, 03:29 PM
#4
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Spyder and 944 are great drivers and very different slices of Porsche history. I love the old school charms of my S2 and in matching colours they are firmly bonded garage mates !
11-27-2018, 10:35 PM
#5
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It's nice to see other Spyder owners with 944 / 951 variants still in the garage. Such different cars but I'll argue that the 951 is one of the most solid and best built Porsches ever. I've had mine for over 10 years having searched nationwide for a low mile Nile Green car for over two years (finally finding it 50 miles from my house). I have performed a long, long list of modifications - all carefully thought through and the result is a very rewarding and fast drive. Last enhancement was a full leather interior by Hoff Designs.
Gratuitous pics:
Gratuitous pics:
11-28-2018, 04:25 AM
#6
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Very nice , thanks for sharing.I like many of the greens from this era but have never seen Nile before , maybe forest or olive green are the closest ?
11-28-2018, 06:47 PM
#7
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Nurburger, thanks, great looking car, I agree on the 951, I think it's one of Porsche's best kept secrets, the engineering is marvelous, the M030 suspension, the balance, handling, LSD, all that power from a 2.5L 4! The other Porsche best kept secret is the 987.2 Boxster Spyder, of course IMHO.
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11-30-2018, 05:28 PM
#8
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Nurburger, thanks, great looking car, I agree on the 951, I think it's one of Porsche's best kept secrets, the engineering is marvelous, the M030 suspension, the balance, handling, LSD, all that power from a 2.5L 4! The other Porsche best kept secret is the 987.2 Boxster Spyder, of course IMHO.
Thanks for the compliments.
11-30-2018, 08:41 PM
#9
Wow, that Nile Green is something else! Love the interior too. My 951 is pushing close to 400 rwhp mostly using a Vitesse parts, a Bilstein Firehawk/m030 suspension and a Kevin Gross built gearbox with a S2 ring and pinion and turbo cup gears, so it pulls *hard*. But it still really doesn’t quite compare to the Spyder, to be honest.
It’s nice to see all the 951 love here and know that I have a lot of like minded brothers.
It’s nice to see all the 951 love here and know that I have a lot of like minded brothers.
12-02-2018, 09:41 PM
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Wow, that Nile Green is something else! Love the interior too. My 951 is pushing close to 400 rwhp mostly using a Vitesse parts, a Bilstein Firehawk/m030 suspension and a Kevin Gross built gearbox with a S2 ring and pinion and turbo cup gears, so it pulls *hard*. But it still really doesn’t quite compare to the Spyder, to be honest.
It’s nice to see all the 951 love here and know that I have a lot of like minded brothers.
It’s nice to see all the 951 love here and know that I have a lot of like minded brothers.
Would love to see a video of you running through the gears of your car - sounds like you built a great gearbox.
12-05-2018, 09:43 PM
#11
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Wow, that Nile Green is something else! Love the interior too. My 951 is pushing close to 400 rwhp mostly using a Vitesse parts, a Bilstein Firehawk/m030 suspension and a Kevin Gross built gearbox with a S2 ring and pinion and turbo cup gears, so it pulls *hard*. But it still really doesn’t quite compare to the Spyder, to be honest.
It’s nice to see all the 951 love here and know that I have a lot of like minded brothers.
It’s nice to see all the 951 love here and know that I have a lot of like minded brothers.
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SOUL PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS
Quality Exhaust Solutions, Fair Pricing, and Outstanding Service
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Cell - (484) 883-6197
johng@soulpp.com
Jon Wheel - Marketing Manager
jwheel@soulpp.com
12-07-2018, 06:38 PM
#12
My Spyder is 99.95% stock, the only non stock parts are 5mm wheel spacers, lowered seat brackets and a Valentine 1. Any videos of a rematch will have to wait as the clutch on the 951 is about to give up the ghost and will be replaced this winter.
There is something very “right” about driving a well sorted 951, but the Spyder feels like about 125% “right” by comparison.
There is something very “right” about driving a well sorted 951, but the Spyder feels like about 125% “right” by comparison.