Merv,
From what I understand Porsche had an overstock of 3.3L engines and a significant amount of production $$$ in a fairly low volume product (the 930). So instead of spending more $$$ on engine EFI research they improved the chassis and comfort while planning for a complete redesign in the 993tt. Bumping the 3.3L CIS to a 3.6L CIS for the '94 C2T was not a huge R&D $$$ drain.

Back to Downerman's question:

"Is there a known year that is known for it's balance between power and reliability? I have heard that the 78-79's are big on H.P. and anything 82-86 is a euro. 87-89 have the G50 and so on. Positive and negatives? Any?"

HP went from 234 in 76/77 to 258 in 78/79, then to 300 for 80s euro cars, 320 for 91 and 360 for 94. Minor mods including exhaust will bring a 78/79 to 300HP like the 80s euro cars, but they are not “big on HP” unless modified.

I have a copy of a road test done by a magazine with back-to-back comparisons of 76, 78, ~88, 91, 94, 96. Pretty near the same performance until 94. As the power increased so did the weight (a little). None had any significant performance increase until 94.


The euro you mention, also referred to the grey market era 80-86 is the period when individual dealers imported 930s. Porsche Cars North America took a break from importing 930s due to the widely publicized injury/death lawsuit. Euros have minor changes like sport seats and lights, but no changes in reliability.

As Spuggy noted all 930s were 4 speed through to 88, then five speed onwards.


The lack of response regarding reliability displays how similar these cars are. Your best bet may be to weigh your budget against age of 930 you are willing to accept. Mileage aside, older is cheaper but having a late 80s car with componenets being about 10 years newer than say a 78 should reduce maintenance in terms of oil lines, fuel lines, brake calipers, CV boots, wiring, interior vinyl and leather, door and window seals etc.

Modified cars create unknowns which some buyers shy away from and instead pursue unmolested examples to avoid potential headaches.

Regarding service, turbos do have a few more components in the engine bay than a 911 but they are otherwise similar or identical to work on.

Disregard this post. I didnt read page two and Rarlyl8 hit the nail on the head

*0 930 ROW ,get 1 now! I wish i bought mine 5 years ago. im not supposed to drive over a thousand miles a year and already put 3k on it. its so hard not to drive. im a VW mechanic and do all the work on mine,that was one of the rules when i bought it. I adjusted the valves and it kicked my ass 8hrs and my kids hated me for a day (said daddys new car is evil).next time i do the valves it will take 4 hrs because i know what to take off . buy the 911sc manual along 101 projects and come back to this site for help and you cant go wrong. I would consider selling 2 of my cars a86gti with vr6 and a 93 slc corrado to buy another one 86 911 turbo . the car is blistering fast and i thought i was getting used to it when it scared the living hell out of me in 4th gear under boost . the car is a time machine and there is nothing else like them on the road. kids give the thumbs up and grin ear to ear or peple will stick there heads out the window and turn around just to sneek a peek. total blast ,my recomendation 80 or higher just because of the refinements ,not trying to start a sh_t storm just a opinion. bro buy one you will not regret it
Pete

Minor point but worth mentioning if you're in the market: The 930 was reintroduced in the US for the 1986 model year, not 1987.