Needs me some P-car

H'ok, so, I'm looking at the '88 924s in the GRM marketplace. I talked to the seller and he seems really like a really solid guy but I was wondering what everybody might know about the 924's. He doesn't know a lot about the car because it came with a trailer - kind of a package deal. He has no need for the car so he's pretty much blowing it out. Modifications are mild springs/shocks, tires, 4 pt roll bar, Kirkey racing seats and some harnesses. Me and my girlfriend are looking at the car as a track only car. My questions are how reliable can this car be? Or not be, depending on how you look at it. He has said the car seemed to be running hot at Pocono the other day. What are upgrades like for this car, pricewise? How far can I push the wheel/tire combo? How fast does it wear out tires and brakes? The car will be driven by two fairly competent drivers per weekend, usually two day events. (Although my girlfriend has been invited to instructor-only driving sessions making it a three day weekend. I hate her. But only because she's getting more track time than me.) I'd love to hear some input from everybody.

I havent owned one, but some of the things i have heard/seen that are potential problems.. A clutch costs close to $1k and it is a pretty big job to change. Timing belt/water pump every 30k. Not sure of the details, but they can spin rod bearings from oil starvation due to hard driving. I wouldnt mind having one though, but i dont have the time or money for the maintaince requirements right now.

There is a $1200 944 in the Lansing Craigslist.

Travis_K wrote: I havent owned one, but some of the things i have heard/seen that are potential problems.. A clutch costs close to $1k and it is a pretty big job to change. Timing belt/water pump every 30k. Not sure of the details, but they can spin rod bearings from oil starvation due to hard driving. I wouldnt mind having one though, but i dont have the time or money for the maintaince requirements right now.

I have a 944, which the '86-up 924s are mechanically identical to. The stock clutches are kinda crappy, but it's usually the rubber hub of the clutch disk that prematurely fails. You can get a kit much cheaper than $1000, you just have to no were to shop. You can get a kit with a normal style spring centered clutch, and they're stronger and cheaper than the stock, and since the rubber hubs suck so bad, the usually go out way faster than everything else, so when I did mine, I just replaced the disk and TO bearing. It's a bit of a job, but if you're competent with a wrench you can do it. Timing belt interval is actually 45k, and they suggest to just check the pulleys and water pump at that point, but it's not a bad idea to change it all while you're in there. You can do that job too with normal hand tools, despite what the nay-sayers have to say about special tools. They can be pretty reliable. I bought mine for $700. It was a little rough, and had coolant in the oil, but the timing belt and water pump had just been done. I put oil cooler seals on it and a clutch in it (because the rubber hub was "clicking", it's days were numbered), and haven't done crap to it since, and I've had it 8 years or so. Granted, I've only put 20k miles on it, but still.

They can and will spin a bearing, number two I think, so appropriate precautions need to be taken for a track car. You can get a baffled oil pan, and an Accusump is also a good idea. Other than that, same as what 16vCorey said. Clutch is a major concern as its a real pita to do, get the spring loaded center rather than another with the rubber in it. My 944 just had one, and now its time for the timing belt, also a pita (don't put this off by the way, I have broken one by going 32k miles on my old turbo instead of the recommended 30k, and its not fun). You can upgrade to the turbo water pump at this time, and its a good idea, and also do the rollers and seals at the same time also. Good insurance as they like to leak and fail in my experience. I change them with every timing belt. It's not that much of an extra cost for the peace of mind.

On track, they're pretty easy on tires and brakes. Keep in mind you can't put as much wheel and tire under a 924S as you can a 944, but they have less drag and are marginally quicker in a straight line. They have the earlier steel a-arms, but I think you can retrofit the aluminum ones from the turbo and later cars. They don't have the flex in them like the steel ones do. It's a good upgrade for a track car. And just like Hondas, many parts from all the front engine cars of the era will swap around. There are at least a couple of 3 liter 924s out there already, and I think someone makes a supercharger kit for them.

You won't get any respect from the 911 guys, but I think the 924-944-968 cars are some of the best all around cars Porsche ever made. They're fun on track too by the way, and easy to drive.

924 Owners site

Lots of information and a great forum with a ton of informative people.

Thanks everybody! I wasn't expecting that much information this quickly. Does anybody know of any good aftermarket sites for these? The only one I'm familiar with is Pelican Parts. I guess I need to verify with the seller what exactly he 'freshened up' on the engine. Looks like timing belt and water pump will be in the immediate future...

I forgot to mention that taken care of, these engines lead a very long life.

Resurrected! The engine was completely refreshed by the previous owner, including timing belt so it should be good to go for awhile to come. Knowing my luck however...

Anyway, the Borla muffler that was welded onto it by the PO came off at the keyhole on Mid-Ohio and I need a new muffler. I'm looking at the Glasspacks, Purple Hornies and Thrush on Summit Racing with a simple turn down at the end. All I'm looking for is enough muffler to keep me under about 90 db so I don't get harassed while at the track. What size should I go with? 12"? 18"? The stock exhaust is 2.25", right? I've never used anything like a glasspack or such so any input would be appreciated.

i wonder what a flowmaster would sound like on that baby.

belteshazzar wrote: i wonder what a flowmaster would sound like on that baby.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDzS6SX9vA0 answered

88 is the best year , okay, not allot of choices with the 2.5 model, but youve got a bit more hp, and better suspension than the 87 did... problem areas can also be oil /water mixing as a result of bad cooler seals (often mis-diagnosed as a bad head gasket!) front end service is a pita, and the9201 tensioner tool is 4-6 hundred if you can find one. luckily there are alternatives for under 100 bucks, but t belt tension is a critical element in these(very interference engine), so research carefully when you do need to do a front end service. the thermostat is bitch to change.. otherwise, awesome car... and allot of fun.. i enjoyed my 87 right up until it got run over (literally) by a jeep. there were tire marks across the hood and the windsheild didnt even break.. the guy i sold it too went at it with a crowbar, replaced a rad hose, and drove it 1200 miles home...strong cars...

Thanks for all the advice and tips! I'm really falling in love with this car after driving it at Mid-Ohio and after reading what everybody else is saying. I may have to pick up another one some day.

On the debate of exhaust, what size muffler should I go with? Or should I be asking in a more exhaust specific thread? Thanks!

I went and looked at the 87 I have been toying with today. Seller is a kid who has no clue (claims the timing chain was replaced?!?) $800 that I can probably talk down to at least $6500.

Says it runs.. but he was not availible to start it (I talked to him on the phone) but I would probably tow it home. only 30 miles.. can you tow dolly these or should I rent a full trailer?

Just put the trans in neutral and it will tow dolly just fine.

If you're nervous you could drop the axles out, but I don't remember if that will cause issues with the rear bearings, I'd have to look it up.

cool... this has challenge car written all over it