Differences Between a US and a ROW 84 Targa?

[Hugh R]

My first Porsche that I bought a few months ago is an 84 ROW Targa. It apparently has the 237 hp engine as compared to the US version with about 207 hp. Besides the pistons and higher compression, are there any other major differences? I know it had something called a Lambda sensor installed to pass California smog. Also, the general sense of this board seems to be that ROW cars are worth about 20% less than US versions, Why? Its got about 30 more hp? I know that's several questions in one post, but I'd be interested in hearing other, more seasoned members thoughts.

[RickM]

The ROW (AKA: Gray market) cars were not typically fitted with the US mandated safety and emission equipment from the factory.

These cars were brought in by individuals or businesses who fitted the cars with equipment such as the structural bracing inside the doors so they would pass the US minimum requirements. Other items were the addition, deletion or repurposing of lights, beefed-up bumpers assemblies that would absord higher speed impacts and any emission related pieces such as catalytic convertors, Oxygen sensors etc.

The quality of the work to bring the car to US specs was dependent on the individual performing the work.....some very reputable and others out to make a quick buck.

With the advent of the "World" car and Porsche's "Same HP with or without catalytic convertor" breakthrough the lure of a slightly less expensive Gray car lost its appeal.

[Jadams1]

Speaking on the 20% less worth issue, that is a very broad statement. The value of a 911 should be based on the condition of the car and the documented maintenance history. I purchased a very nice 1980 ROW 911SC two years ago and the car had over $14K of maintenance history to go with it. I paid $10,500 for it and I thought I got a great deal. The PO did not have the EPA and DOT certificates but I later aquired them on my own. There are stories that imported ROW cars were hacked up to meet DOT and EPA requirements, mine wasn't. I think every car should be evaluated on an individual basis to determine it's worth. Ultimately, it's worth only what someone is willing to pay for it.

[Eagle Keeper]

I own a ROW car. And I have watched this topic come up from time to time. There are numerous people who say that ROW cars are worth less because of the additional equipment to make them legal. There has also been a lot of people who have said that they were hacked together, but no one has ever seen one in person! Some people say that they are unsafe, but if that were the case people in Europe would be smeared all over the road!! Lets face it none of them are winning any crash test awards, and none of us buy them for that reason.

This is the only case in the 911 world where you can pay LESS money and get MORE hp!!!! Now if that isn't a good deal I don't know what is!!! ROW cars are lighter (no ac, no sunroof etc.) and they have higher hp engines! Isn't that what everyone on this board tries to do with there cars?

I think that the ROW car owners should form a group called the ROWWDP. We could all drive faster lighter cars and still have money left over to have some fun with them!!!!!!!!!!!

[targa80]

"OH GREAT" another conspiracy plot is being hatched as we type!

[Bill Verburg]

The 930/20 is rated at 170kW/231HP@5900, 278Nm/276ft lbs@4800

Your ROW trans is geared higher in 4^th and 5^th (see parallel thread on 84 trans for exact gearing) and has an integral cooler.

IMO nothing wrong w/ gray market cars in general, I've owned one since '77. Back in the good ole days all you needed was a DOT makeover because they were handing out once in a liftime EPA waivers.

[eurocarrera]

Back to the original question.
Differences:
* your Pistons have higher compression ratio
* you should european side markers and possible a rear fog light
* no O2 sensor hooked into DME box

As far as I know, the car was almost identical to the US car. The only exception appeared to be the exhaust system which was fitted with a pre-muffler or pre-silencer when built and used in Europe. When you car came to the US, it had to be federalaized which simply meant that the shop doing the work was supposed to:
1. change the speedo out to reflect MPH, and
2. change the Pre-muffler to a Catalytic Convertor
3. attach the O2 sensor to the DME (computer) which most never did anyway
4. put a Fed sticker on the car

You can easily convert your car back, by simply replacing your Catalytic convetor with a used pre-muffler or a Dansk one from Pelican.

The original slam on Gray market cars comes from Bruce Anderson who states that cars used in Europe may have had a hard life, so be cautious when looking for one - END of statement. Basically, look for rust like any car and get the best model you can get.

I was lucky, my car was never driven in Germany - it was shipped directly here as it was during the mid 80's when it was difficult to get cars rom Porsche (long lead times I guess).

[Wil Ferch]

Some Euro cars were fitted with cats as a tax hedge, and these had O2 sensors too. DME was different between cat and non-cat cars. I *think* the Euro cat cars didn't have the trans oil cooler, either.
---Wil Ferch