Late intro

pkabush · 05-13-2011, 10:08 AM

So, I have been a long time lurker part time poster here for awhile and have yet to formally introduce myself, or more importantly my ride, so, here we go. Sorry bout the lack pix. I'll post more soon
I saw my first turbo 911 in 1977. I watched in complete awe as it blasted by me and disappeared over the top of the counterbalance (one of Seattle's steepest hills) I was left with a felling that needs no further explanation to this group. I was 14 at the time, and as impossible as it seemed, I told myself, someday....
16 years later my dream was a reality. I searched locally for a few months and just didn't find the right car. So, I widened my search to include California, and that's where I found what I was looking for (or so I thought)
1981 Euro 930, Sunroof delete, Pacific Blue, with a black interior. The car came with a few tasteful mods. K27, B&B headers and exhaust, Momo wheel and shift handle. Unfortunately, the original owner traded out the Fuchs for C-2 wheels and 2" spacers. He also thought it wise to loose the sport seats in favor of what I call Recaro airplane seats from the early 80s. Really heavy heated seats with all kinda buttons and gadgets.
I flew down to San Francisco, met up with the owner and after a spirited test drive I handed over seventeen and a half thousand very hard earned dollars. No PPI, no leak down, nodda. So, off I went on my way up 101
back toward Seattle with ear to ear grin plastered on my face.

That is until I reached Kelso (about two and a half hours from Seattle) where I pulled over to relieve myself. I left the car running, and upon my return I saw a cloud of black smoke the size a large house belching out of my tail pipe.

My sh**t eating grin was replaced by a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. Knowing jack squat about 930's ( I had a 78 911 prior) I assumed the worst. The next morning I had a flatbed come out and tow me back to my buddy"s German auto repair shop. Luckily, it was just the turbo. However, we discovered that the car had been worked on by some ham fisted hack
who, among other things, literally had oil lines held together with hose clamps and duct tape. Good news was, the leak down #s were 2 to 3% across the board. After paying the bill with $ I really didn't have I had two profound realizations. One, I'm an idiot for not having done a PPI. Two, the only way I can own this car is if I learn to work on it myself. That's where you guys come in. So, if any of you are still awake, a huge thanks to all who selflessly help out the less knowledgeable. There's no way I could have tackled some off these projects otherwise.

-Paul

mooney265 · mooney265's Garage

Paul,

Congratulations... Very "relate-able" story...

And, it just so happens that I paid $17,500 for my 930, also. I probably have an additional $30k in it by now...

Looks like you changed out the seats and wheels... Q: How many miles have you put on it and how long have you had it?

pkabush · 05-13-2011, 02:06 PM

Thanks, I've actually had it for 8 years, but I've only put 10 or 11k in that time. However, I'e been driving the snot out of it the last few months.
Yea, one of the first things I did was ditch those seats and put some proper sport seats in
I'm not a fan of the C2 wheels either. Fuchs are the only wheels for me. That said, as soon as I can afford to I'm gonna have some 11x16 welded up and move the 9's to the front.
I think I'm under 25 thou all in but I'm sliding down the slope as fast as my $ permits.

911Freak · 05-13-2011, 05:18 PM

Welcome!

I too lurked for a while before introducing myself and 911SC. Lots of brilliant guys here willing to share knowledge-tools-parts etc. I agree with you this truly is a special place!

I really like your color combo with the yellow lens. My boost addiction is growing day by day I don't know how much longer I'll be able to hold out before breaking down and snatching up a 930 for myself

Keep posting the metamorphosis and drive the snot out of that bad boy!!

Congratulations

Cheers
Jason

oilonly · 05-13-2011, 07:04 PM

I like the intro pkabush. And yes this site is great place to learn about our cars.

gumba · 05-13-2011, 07:15 PM

You may want to skip the 11x16's and go for the 11x17's. I don't think there are any good street tires in the 285-315 x 16 range.

pkabush · 05-14-2011, 07:16 PM

Thanks 911Freak, the headlights are painted on the inside with Krylon stained glass spray paint and the fog lights are factory yellow. I was really happy with the color match.
I got the idea from someone here who did a write up.

Thanks for the welcome oilonly.

And yeah Gumba, I know my tire selection will be limited. There's a couple things driving my decision. I really prefer the looks of the 16s, but mostly it comes down to $. I can move my 9s up front and use my 7s for donors. This way I'll be into it 3 or 4 hundred for another pair of 7s and the cost of the welding.

gumba · 05-14-2011, 07:44 PM

I don't think there is any fat 16" street tire out there that would fit an 11x16 rim is there? I would move the 9's to the front and consider buying a pair of 6x16 cores and building a pair of 11x17 rears. Buy used inner & outer rim halves and assemble the wheels yourself.

pkabush · 05-14-2011, 08:31 PM

Mmm... Unless they just stopped making them, which is entirely possible there are these
Mickey Thompson 315/45/16 ET Street Radial
Can you elaborate on this ?
"Buy used inner & outer rim halves and assemble the wheels yourself."
Any info is greatly appreciated.
Cheers, Paul

slow&rusty · 05-15-2011, 01:42 AM

Glad you saved the car and it is in loving hands!

gumba · 05-15-2011, 06:21 AM

I'm not trying to talk you out of the 16's if that's the way you want to go, this is just information. My comment refers to a good handling street tire. The Mickey Thompson tire is a drag race radial you can drive to & from the drag strip in dry conditions, their description. It's also 27" tall. Hard to say how this tire would handle through the corners, and if the roads are damp/wet, your out of luck.
Most 315/35/17 tires are in the 25.7" height range. Still considered a tall tire for a 930 by some. There are a bunch of great handling dry/wet tire choices, that will also work as a track day tire. To me, 9x16's on the front and 11x17's on the rear look fine.

As far as 11x17 Fuchs, there are a few companies that make one piece, 2 pc and 3 pc wheels. I'm referring to 3 pc. wheels. Fuchs 6x16's (the only one that works) are used as the cores. The centers are cut out and drilled for 20 bolt wheel halves by a machine shop. You buy the inner and outer halves (new or used) based on the off set you want. You can have someone assemble them, or assemble them yourself. Using used halves and assembling them your self saves money. I use to buy used inner and outers for race wheels, and used inners and new outers for street wheels (if you want them to look new). You could start with used outers, then switch to new ones when the budget allows. Used 11x17's occasionally come up for sale.
I understand your preference to 16's over 17's, I prefer 15's. But , your giving up good handling based on the tires that are out there in a 16". I know some guys run race tires on the street, I personally wouldn't. I've driven our race car to and from the track on race tires (Hoosiers), no fun and easily damaged. Again, just my .02.

pkabush · 05-15-2011, 10:33 AM

OK, that's good info. I didn't realize they were so tall or so track specific. I'm in Seattle and my car gets driven in the rain from time to time. Also 99% of my driving is on the street, at least for now. I guess I will have to rethink my plan.
I prefer 15s as well but they won't clear my brakes w/o having them machined.
I really appreciate you taken the time to educate me. Perhaps I can PM you to pick your brain a bit more on the subject.