when did 85mph speedo go away ?

[alfapwr]

Newbie here again,

I've been looking at 1978 to 1987 911's for my next project. I've seen some pics on the net showing the 85mph max speedo. When did this abomination start and when did it go away ? Also, can it be replaced with a proper one if I end up buying a car with one ?

Thanks,

Dan
1967 Alfa Romeo Duetto Spider
1974 Alfa Romeo GTV - for sale to buy a 911

[Eugene at Pelican Parts]

I believe it was only from 80-82. These ridiculous gauges may be refaced or replaced, if you so desire.

[SC-targa]

In the spring of 82, the DOT regs requiring an 85 mph speedo were rescinded. I read an article in Road & Track at the time, that stated Porsche would switch over to more realistic speedos as soon as possible. I have a late build date, 1982 SC that I believe was originally delivered with a 160 mph speedo.

I believe that it is original because all of my instruments have the same date code stamped on them. It could be that a previous owner had it recalibrated and refaced. I suppose I should have checked the part number on it.

Regards,

Jerry Kroeger

[alfapwr]

Hi again,


Thanks a lot. What's the potential cost of replacement ?

Dan

[swbsam]

Originally posted by alfapwr
Hi again,


Thanks a lot. What's the potential cost of replacement ?

Dan

check with north hollywood speedometer at :

http://www.nhspeedometer.com/

I think it's less than 100.00 to change your speedo

[alfapwr]

Thanks Sam !

I've used them before. They repaired the speedo on my Duetto. I didn't know they did conversions too.

Dan

[VaSteve]

Those of you that have changed your speedo (i.e. 85 to 100+ models) :do you have to redo the wiring or does the new one just snap (or whatever) into place?

[emcon5]

Plug it in the same way you unplug it, it is the same speedo body. All North Hollywood or Palo Alto speedo does is reface and recalibrate it.

Just draw a picture of the connections on the back, and lable all the wires.

Tom

[911nut]

Ditto what Ecom said.
Also, go with the 160 MPH conversion. I did the 150 MPH conversion and I don't like it because there's three (30 MPH) graduation marks between the numbers.

[Bob's Flat-Six]

If the 85mph speedo hadn't gone in the SC's what MPH would have?
A 150mph or a 160? Mine has the 150 and I have just assumed that it was correct as it was replaced early in the cars life. What did the ROW car's have in this timeframe?

It doesn't matter to me and what ever reads better would be the way to go IMO.

Hey, 911nut, is this what yours looks like? Could Somebody post a 160mph please for comparison.

[VaSteve]

OK, another question...if you do a replacement how do you deal with the change in mileage? Can you have the new one pre-set to the mileage on your car?

Steve

[Bob's Flat-Six]

Steve,
If they re-do your's they can just leave the miles as they are. If you get a new speedo the mile's could be set by a shop to reflect the actual miles on the car.
The mile's is something that should be recorded in IMO. The speedo in my SC was changed at 1,500 miles and it was written in it's log book.
Another Porsche my wife owned had a sticker that was put on the door jam that reflected a speedo change and it's miles by the dealer.

[911nut]

Bob, it looks exactly like the one that you posted.

[1980SC]

Here is a 160mph speedo :



And here is a 180mph speedo :



-Rob
1980SC (with 85mph speedo)

[Bob's Flat-Six]

The 160 speedo is nice with the numerals every 20 mph.
Funny, The 180 goes back to the 30 mph spread.

Thanks for the pic, Rob

[clnilsen]

OK, dumb Question regarding speedo's:

What is the "Light" symbol for at TDC (12 o'clock) for?

It's not brights, cause that is TDC on the tach.

Thanks!

Chuck

[Bob's Flat-Six]

It comes on with the parking lights, And it's green.

[Emission]

My 930 has the "160" speedo stock (actually 170 if you count the dash after 160). Which car gets the 180 speedo, or is that aftermarket?