Drove the Slant today

[MysticLlama]

I talked to the guys about financing (to see if I can even do it, crappy credit), and about the PPI, they said it's fine to take it wherever I want, and were very cool about it.

It started up and drove really well, idled perfectly smooth even cold, and didn't make any funny noises. There was a little bit of white smoke on startup, but from reading the boards that seems pretty normal, and it went away pretty quickly.

The only noticeable thing that was particularly annoying while driving it was that the driver side triangle window in the front was pretty leaky it seemed, a lot of wind noise through it, should be easy enough to fix I'd imagine. They also said something it wrong with the sunroof but that the parts are already on order to fix it.

I did check the headlights, they pop up very smooth and speed wise dead even on both sides. They also have round lamps, which someone mentioned was a good thing. I didn't drive it in the dark, but I played with them and they seem very solid.

I thought the engine would make power a little lower, it had to be wound up to 3800-4000 before it kicked in, but it was fast when stomping on it. It's nice that it was tame when not getting into it though, since I won't drive it rough most of the time anyway. The floor pedals tripped me out at first, since I haven't driven one in several years, but I could get used to them just fine I'm sure.

So the one big question that came up for me today was about the cooler that was in the tail. There is a big, full size cooler in the tail that goes the whole width. I didn't have a chance to trace it where it went and look really closely at it. Is that the A/C condenser? It looked like a big oil cooler, but I had never heard of one mounted there.

Anyways, the drive was fun, the car felt good, and maybe I'll be joining the owner ranks here soon. If it doesn't check out, or the financing doesn't go through, I'll be trying again in a few months when I get the Honda payed off.

Thanks again for all the help.

[masraum]

Was it the intercooler that you were seeing?

[nostatic]

One AC condenser is mounted under the engine hood...it runs the width of the engine lid.

If the car is a 3.2, it should have some kick a little lower, but in general these cars come alive above 3K, and are most fun between 4500-redline.

[MysticLlama]

Nope, wasn't an intercooler, it's a slant Carrera, not a turbo.

The intercoolers don't come up with the lid either right?

Must be the A/C then.

It's a 3.2, it wasn't a slouch, but it didn't get quick until it was wound up. It was definately a smooth power progression though, no instant turnover at any particular rpm, especially not like the VTEC in the Prelude.

It downshifted and rev matched very nicely though, even without any practice, it was quite smooth throughout the range.

[KevinP73]

Originally posted by MysticLlama
I The only noticeable thing that was particularly annoying while driving it was that the driver side triangle window in the front was pretty leaky it seemed, a lot of wind noise through it, should be easy enough to fix I'd imagine. They also said something it wrong with the sunroof but that the parts are already on order to fix it.

Was this window the fixed type or did it pivot open?

[MysticLlama]

I didn't inspect the window closely, I didn't really have a ton of time and was passing through, but I seem to think that it was a fixed type, I don't remember seeing a lock like a pivot type would have.

It seemed like it needed a seal or something, the part I'm worried about is if it leaks or not, I'm going to take a closer look at it next time I see it.

If it's a fixed window, is that easier or harder to fix?

[KevinP73]

Your observation that the window leaked made me wonder. I've never heard of a late style (fixed) window leak. Air or water. If it was the type that opened(completely wrong for that era car) I would be very concerned as to the overall state of the car. There are those tales of someone building a car with what ever parts they could get thier hands on. Even if the car looked nice I'd be weary of buying one. If it's just that the seal is aged and leaking I wouldn't worry as much. The seals in the fixed windows are not real easy to replace but they can be done without any special tools or training.
Have you concluded that this is NOT a factory slant nose?

[MysticLlama]

It's possible I guess that it wasn't the window, or that I didn't roll the power window all the way up, but it really seemed like it was coming from more forward than the side window.

I really think that it wasn't the type that opened, because I remember that that's what I thought at first but didn't see a latch to tighten down.

I really honestly don't know about the slant either way. There are signs both ways that say for and against. Whoever did it if it was a conversion did a really good job if it was one.

Here are the signs that I've read both ways:

For:
Paint - either a full repaint or perfect blends, everything looks the right age though
Headlights, rounds, pop up perfectly even, smooth movement, couldn't tell if the Mazda motors were in there or not, I still wasn't exactly sure what I was looking for
Underside of all fenders is rough like factory coating, unlike replacement panels
No tell-tale giveaways about bad geometry, it all looks 100% correct
The previous owner swore it was a factory slant and that there were x number of them made that year, etc. (not worth much, but it's something)

Against:
Can't find an option sticker anywhere on the car, that would be the definitive way to tell
Can't tell if the pop up lights have the center motor and linkage from the 944, it's not as obvious as it seemed to be in the pictures in the pop up lights thread, but I also may not know what I'm looking for
The dealership isn't pricing it as one, which says something about their confidence in knowing (though it is a Ford place, they could be playing it safe)
I read something about the slats in the fender vents being wood, they aren't

So I've basically decided it's a toss up, but if it's a conversion it was done very well and a very long time ago

[nostatic]

If there is no option sticker on the underside of the front hood, that is potentially a bad sign. It could have been killed on repaint, but if it was a conversion, it definitely wouldn't be there. Isn't there an owner's manual? That lists the option codes too.

[KevinP73]

Here are two shots of a factory 930S. The big black motor in the middle is the ONLY configuration used by the factory. If you are fond of the slant nose design, and if your happy with this car than go ahead and persue it. If your looking to buy an Original Factory Slant nose then you had better be able to show that it is indeed a factory car. There are some conversions out there that were performed with factory parts on standard chassis'. These will have less value if it's originality that your investing in.


Dang big images....sorry

[MysticLlama]

Yeah, I know the sticker is the worst sign of all. I'll look for the manual, I didn't realize that it was in there as well.

Here's something I hadn't really thought about before, the hood was extremely lightweight, it that normal? I don't know if it's always like that, but if it's not then it's a lightweight replacement that's been painted.

Could it have a lightened hood? If they did that that would explain the option sticker being gone.

[MysticLlama]

I looked at those pics, but maybe I didn't quite realize what I was looking at. I'll take a pic of the car at the same angle and post it if I'm in doubt.

I'm not investing in it because it's a slant, and it's not priced like one, nor would I pay for one if I wasn't 110% sure.

But, it's a good job, and it looks really good, and as long as the regular underlying mechanicals check out, that's the important part.

It very well could be one of the conversions with factory fenders and tail, that's what I would guess probably.

[KevinP73]

I'm not aware of the factory offering a "lightened" hood. And they sure NEVER offered a fiberglass hood for street use. Posting some pics will be helpfull.

[stomachmonkey]

THe drivers side window on my 84 leaks a bit of air. It comes from the top foremost corner of the main window, it also buzzes a bit unless you roll it down a hair.

I have seen a couple of posts about it which leads me to believe it is not uncommon.

I have also seen posts about a drainage hole in the bottom front of the door that allows air to come up along the top of the door frame.

You have got to take some pictures of the car.

I have circled the motor that I believe Kevin was refering to.

Scott

[RickM]

Does this dealership have a website? Can you give us the VIN for the car? Also, what were the brake vents made of?

BTW, drive this car at night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! With the lights on and find a bumpy road.

[Kevin Stewart]

The hood of a 911 feels pretty light when you open it especialy if the shocks are good, Kevin