Manuals and Books

[steviee7]

Just wondering if you guys can recomend a manual or any good books to help me understand my car and do some DYI...

My 86 carrera came with a Chiltons manual and that sucks. It seems to cover too broad of a range of 911's
I've been used to Bentley from my VW's, they seem good for the money but I thought there might be someone out there that can say "you need this" or "dont waste your money on this..."

thanks

[andrew15]

While it too covers a number of years, this is one of the first you should add to your library:

http://www.101projects.com/Porsche-101/index.htm

Regards,
Andrew M

[Doug E]

Between the 101 projects and the Bentley I don't think you'll need anything else

[moazam]

Get the 101 Projects book ASAP. Its pretty cheap and blows away the Chiltons crap.

I bought from Amazon, but I recommend that you buy from Pelican Parts instead because then it'll come with a CD. The Amazon.com version does not.

[masraum]

The founder/owner of this site has written two great books, 101 projects and an engine rebuild book. Both are great.
http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/BOOK/POR_BOOK_bkptec_pg1.htm#item2
http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/911M/por_911M_enginR_main.htm

You are in great luck, if you like the Bentley books for your VW, then you'll love the Bentley book that covers the '84-89 Porsche 911.
http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/BOOK/POR_BOOK_bkptec_pg1.htm#item8

Then for some other good info you can pick up "Porsche 911 Performance Handbook" by Bruce Anderson.
http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/BOOK/por_BOOK_BKPTEC_main.htm

Also, another book that is packed with info, but more academic and less about working on the car is Paul Frere's "Porsche 911 Story"
http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/BOOK/por_BOOK_BKPCOF_main.htm

[Rick Lee]

Get the 74-89 parts manual too - $10.00. It's got a ton of great tips and every part number you'll ever need.

[tmctguer]

i have found great information in:

1). factory workshop manuals
2). Bentley manual
3). 101 projects
4). porsche parts and technical reference catalog
5). porsche technical specifications

i have found occasional use for:

6). chilton guide
7). haynes manual

i have an '89 911 speedster and a '73 911E.

the factory guides are an excellent source, but they are expensive. i suggest you shop for them on ebay, rennlist, or the pelican BBS. sometimes the information you are looking for takes time to find, and they are written for someone who has a number of custom tools (a.k.a., a factory mechanic). but they are worth the money if you plan to do a lot of work on your car.

i have read lots of flames about the bentley book, but i like them for their clear photographs. i often use the bentley manual + a second source (the factory manuals, or 101 projects) just to make sure i fully understand a specific repair.

101 projects is a great guide for specific tasks and gives practical information for the DIY'er.

the porsche parts/techical reference, and the technical specification manual are great sources of exploded diagrams of many systems in the car, or reference information.

chilton and haynes guides are "nice to have's" in a pinch, and they are cheap. but the photographs are very poor.

these are my opinions.