what should I watch out for on 87-89s

96conv · 09-02-2003, 03:48 PM

My wife loves my targa and is even thinking about selling her 328iC for an 87-89 because of the G50. We'll be looking for a coupe this time because we don't need another fair weather vehicle. I knew to check into the chain tensioners, pop-off air valve, leaky lower valve cover and poor oil cooling w/trombones on my SC before purchasing. Besides gtg a PPI, what upgrades or updates should I check into? Also, is the G50 that much of an improvement over the 915? I've never driven one and don't really want to be a lookieloo if there's not a vast improvement.

mjmoran · mjmoran's Garage

There is some update that the early G50 (87-88) had to have done. I think it was the throw-out bearing. Aside from that a solid hx is good. I have an 89 Carerra I bought new in 90. Love the car. I have 80K on it now and have not had any problems. Just change the oil every 3K, dealer has done the 15 and 30 K checks. The car runs like it did 13 years ago...maybe better actually. I have not done any mods although I always consider the SSI, just have not done it yet. As for the g50 v the 915. I love the G50. I traded in my 86 Carerra coupe for my Targa. The reason was for the trani. The clutch is soo much smoother and liner. I never remember feeling much of a difference from my 86 and my 67 S. The G50 is better IMHO. I would look for an 89 though. The 89 had a few nicer things like alarm and wider wheels that make a nice visual diff, and the price seems to be near the same for all three years. Good luck

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

Depends on the tranny. G50s tend to be a bit more consistent, while 915s are all over the map. A good 915 isn't that different from a G50...it's just tought to find a well sorted 915. Other differences are bigger AC vents in '86. The main "issue" with the 3.2 cars is "premature valve guide wear." This is something that afflicted some of the cars, and generally showed up around 40-60K miles. You start burning a lot of oil, fouling plugs, and eventually the guides need to be replaced (and while you're in there...). Not easy to check unless you know how much oil the car goes through. 3.2 engines are also subject to the same broken head studs that can befall an SC, and there were also some rod bolt issues.

Drive a G50 car and you'll get a good idea. It is a hydraulic clutch, so it has a totally different feel than a 915.

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

I liked the G-50 and Hydraulic clutch and was the reason I decided on my 1987 Cab. 1987 to 1989 and I am not sure you can go wrong - carrera tensioners are standard issues - no pop off valve needed - very minor issues with valve guides (check for proper adjustements and intervals).

PPi as always - then enjoy.

Lothar · Lothar's Garage

I've owned both late Carrera and early SC. The G50 with hydraulic clutch is a bit more civilized. I have heard that many women owners prefer the G50. As mentioned, premature valve guide wear. Also, beware of cars that have been converted from R12 to 134A refrig. The system may not cool as you would like if the conversion was not done correctly. 134a will probably never cool as well as R12 in a system that was designed for R12.

My Carrera had 146,000 miles when I sold it. It did not burn or leak oil and had never been rebuilt. It was a much better than average 911 motor IMO.

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

So now I'm a woman owner because I prefer the G-50?

Lothar · Lothar's Garage

Jeremy,

Do I detect a chauvanistic attitude on your part? LOL.

I too prefer the G50. However, for my current ride, the 915 is adequate and weighs considerably less than a G50. I read once where the G50 was rated to handle around 600 bhp. No wonder it weighs more.

pwd72s · 09-02-2003, 07:56 PM

"and there were also some rod bolt issues."...- nostatic

Hey, not an issue until/unless they failed, right????

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

No Paul, some of them still have issues. While they haven't yet failed, they feel inferior to their 3.0 bretheren, and have a serious complex. Having a cold hearted DME computer for a parent as opposed to the loving arms of a CIS system just make matters worse.

Sometimes I wonder how a 3.2 can get out of bed in the morning without prozac...

kbrown · 09-02-2003, 10:06 PM

One small thing, from what I understand is an updated clutch release mechanism. I don't think there is anyway to tell if it's been done unless the clutch is apart. It isnt worth it to go in and only do that, but if you have it apart anyway, it's worth the update. John Walker did mine for me, it made a noticable difference in how smooth the clutch operated. This was a factory recomended update...don't know if it was on the 88 or 89...not a big deal, just a nice little improvement....oh ya, btw, I love my 87....my wife hates to drive it,

but loves to be the passenger.

kbrown · 09-02-2003, 10:16 PM

one more thing... I was told by another reputible local mechanic, that many of these cars over about 75K miles need a valve grind. You might want to figure that into the price if it hasnt been done yet. Obviously, a compression test should reveal it, if it's an imediate problem.

good luck

96conv · 09-02-2003, 10:17 PM

Thanks everyone for your advice. I'm putting the Bimmer up for sale and beginning my search for a Carrera.

obrut · 09-02-2003, 10:58 PM

My (now ex) '88 caught fire - but it was probably a one off incident, probably...

GeorgeM · GeorgeM's Garage

Another pitch for the 3.2 and G50. Extremely reliable and a joy to drive.

I bought my '89 5 years ago with 98K on it, now it has 125K of all kinds of driving, including 3 years of monthly track events and occasional very high autobahn cruising speeds for the last 6 months, and it's still going strong.

I can't think of anything that I have had to repair on my car that was a significant problem issue. It has all been standard stuff (I did the fork upgrade with a clutch replacement.. actually did the clutch replacement with fuel line replacement (fire prevention?)... while I was in there). I can't think of any other "standard" upgrade required.

I have been stuck on the road (or track) only three times, (1) throttle linkage, (2) alternator, (3) fuel pump. Although they were unfortunate events, none of them (except for maybe the throttle linkage) were unusual or uncommon in general. I've had a fuel pump fail in my trusty Toyota Supra and alternators go in my wife's VW Corrado SLC and my F150, so s#!t happens. Oh, I forgot about the deer strike on the track last year... although it was driveable. Talk about s#!t happening, there was some of that on the car too.

I would also recommend looking for an '89... last of the breed. Just the 8x16s in the back are worth the search. I would also recommend a partial leather interior to save you some dashboard headaches later on.

Anyway, you have some good inputs here and mine were not really necessary, but what else am I supposed to do at work when things are slow?

Good Luck in your search.

Jdub · 09-03-2003, 06:59 AM

Speeding tickets. As I understand it the '89 is everything a Porsche can be.

That said, you'd do better with an SC...

Mwahahahahahahaha!

John (Doctor in training)

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

Quote:

what should I watch out for on 87-89s

The SC's in your rearview mirror! HAHHAHHAHAHHAHHAH (sorry, couldn't resist!)

And Lothar - just ribbing you my friend - I said I prefer the G-50 - your next post states that

Quote:

I have heard that many women owners prefer the G50

Oh well, I have a girley car driving a cabriolet anyway - can't take us folks serious!

96conv · 09-04-2003, 11:18 PM

Just to be clear on this topic, I'm keeping my SC, selling the Bimmer and buying a Carrera. No way would I give up my Targa, even though she has left me stranded twice (dang hot start problem). Good thing both times it happened I was only minutes from home walking distance. From all the literature and postings I've read, SCs will outlast 'em all.

Crachian · 09-05-2003, 10:50 AM

Cars made since April, 1989 had the release fork update from the factory. If the build date is 04/89, you must look up the tran number in, for example, the Bentley manual to determine whether it was updated.

I have also read somewhere that the valve guide issue was a result of a metallurgical defect in a large batch of guides, and by some late '88, Porsche had recognized and remedied the problem. So, all other things equal, newer may be better indeed.

However, it seems like the colors available in '87-'88 were more interesting.

caliber60 · 09-05-2003, 10:56 AM

As long as the engine is in good condition. Nothing major. When I bought my '87, the seat, horn, speedometer, radio and right window do not work. You know electronics are the weak parts. I gradually repaired them all. Replace the DME relay under the seat if it's still original. Other than that, good car.

ZCAT3 · 09-05-2003, 11:59 AM

As you are in the Bay Area and may want AC I would look closely at that as well (as you probably know from your targa). At a minimum the car will likely need new hoses and a new receiver drier (plus a charge) to get the AC running if it is not currently working well now.