New member... new to Porsche

constructicon · 07-14-2004, 04:38 PM

Hello folks. My father-in-law bought a nice looking 84 911 Targa last year. Apparently he bought it with intentions of leaving it to me one day a few years from now. Not to bring yall down, but he passed away suddenly, so I guess it's mine now. I took it out the week we were up there (it's garaged in VT), and I'm pretty comfortable driving it. It's far different from my little Civic.

So, anyway, I'm trying to learn what I can about this car. I know it's a six cylinder, oil-cooled, and the engine is in the back driving the rear wheels. That's about all I know about it. Oh, I don't care for the shifter, but I'll learn to cope.

I like to work on my own cars, but I think this one is going to have to be different - I don't have the space or tools to drop the engine. It's in good shape, but it needs some work. The top leaks a little bit, but I think it's because the weather-stripping is bad. I'm sure that's easy to fix. He wanted to get the top re-covered, but my brother said you can't do that - it'd have to be replaced or something. My goal is to eventually restore it the way my father would have wanted it. It's got about 156K on the clock, but it still runs strong. It's a pretty cool yellow color, apparently a custom when the car was ordered, or so he was told.

Uh, one thing I think I'd like to do shortly is upgrade the speakers in the car. I know there are some in the doors, but where are the others?

If anyone can point me in the right direction to learn more about my new toy, I'd appreciate it. I know plenty about Hondas (I'm working towards an S2000 - let's not start any wars!), but I know jack about this Porsche, other than it's color and how to drive it. HELP!

Rufblackbird · 07-14-2004, 05:13 PM

to get any sort of help, you must post pics of your new 911.

Welcome to the world of Targas...no, its not leaking because the weather stripping is bad...it's because it's a Targa. It's just that way, at least for most of us

Be specific with your questions, and the search feature is your friend.

To begin, here's a nice read on taking care of those pesky leaks:

Targa Tinkering - Rattles & Water leaks.

At least you stepped away from the dark side...no matter how long it will be.

constructicon · 07-14-2004, 05:17 PM

Thanks for the link. Once I either get back to Vermont, or I miraculously find a higher paying job allowing me to buy a house with a garage, I'll post some pics. Being 500 miles away makes it a little tough. I don't even have the VIN or anything. Oh well. More time to study up!

Jgordon · 07-14-2004, 05:18 PM

You're not actually a member until after the hazing period. Let the hazing begin.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

You might want to buy "Original 911" by Peter Morgan. Tons of beautiful pictures and details on the various incarnations of the 911. Then buy "101 Projects" from Pelican Parts (our host). A great introduction into tinkering on your car. Then cruise this BBS...there is more accumulated knowledge on 911s here that probably anyplace else on the planet.

VaSteve · 07-14-2004, 05:45 PM

Yes, you will probably get a little razzing at first, but it's worth it. Good group of people here. Very knowledgeable. Stay out of the Off Topic section...trust me

84porsche · 84porsche's Garage

Sorry about your father in law but congrats on the Targa.

I am also a proud owner of an 84 911 Targa. Its good that their are a few still around.
I agree it is nearly impossible to compare it to a Civic. I can't believe I even put them in the same paragraph. Time to move on up to a real car. From now on, you will want nothing but Porsches. It is an addiction.

Stereo work should not be to bad. As far as speakers are concerned. You should have 2 in the doors and 2 on the back deck assuming you have a stock ride.

Jgordon · 07-14-2004, 08:09 PM

Rod Birch is someone with whom people have a lot of luck in the audio department. He helped me out, and he can work with you to optimize the system on whatever budget and parameters you'd like.

You really do owe us some pictures though.

constructicon · 07-15-2004, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jgordon
Rod Birch is someone with whom people have a lot of luck in the audio department. He helped me out, and he can work with you to optimize the system on whatever budget and parameters you'd like.

You really do owe us some pictures though.

Well, if I make it back up to VT this year, I'll be sure to bring the camera along. I'll check with my mother-in-law to see if she's got any 'paper' photos (do people still take those?) that I can scan.

It may take a while, but this is going to be a great project car! I know it!!

constructicon · 07-15-2004, 04:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 84porsche
Sorry about your father in law but congrats on the Targa.

I am also a proud owner of an 84 911 Targa. Its good that their are a few still around.
I agree it is nearly impossible to compare it to a Civic. I can't believe I even put them in the same paragraph. Time to move on up to a real car. From now on, you will want nothing but Porsches. It is an addiction.

Stereo work should not be to bad. As far as speakers are concerned. You should have 2 in the doors and 2 on the back deck assuming you have a stock ride.

Well, I'm not here to preach the good word of Honda. I love my Civic, and it's a great daily driver. The Porsche is definitely a weekend mobile. If you live in Jersey, you'll know what I'm referring to! Insurance is a *****! Besides, I might be a little too young to have this car, if that's possible.

The one thing I did not like is the brake feel - the pedal is very stiff, so I'm not sure if that's indicative of a problem, or that's just how it is. Again, I'm kind of comparing it to the brake-feel of my Civic. It's apples to oranges, so maybe I need to let go of what I know about driving the Civic.

Is there a separate audio forum? Ultimately, I'd like to stash an amp somewhere, but I have no idea where the hell one would fit. Can you tell I'm a total n00b yet, or what? The "Junior Member" tag suits me.

I can see this is going to be a good place to learn and chat. I hope my friends over at the H board don't get jealous.

vash · vash's Garage

welcome aboard! sorry for your families loss.

get 101 projects book from wayne. it is a great "jumping off" point. there is a targa thread actively going on, that has some great examples of targas. take a look at that and you will see some great potential in your own ride.

Paul Franssen · Paul Franssen's Garage

Velkomme

yung 'un. Maybe it's a good thing the car is 500 miles away, so's to keep you from doing stupid things

I do forward-apologize, but -I'm not joking- it seems to me that "true beginners" have a tendency to hack into things and then it's difficult, or expensive, to undo mistakes.
Go ahead. Read this forum for months on end, so's to get a feeling of the do's and don'ts, of the recommended approach and the other way to go about things, which may be frowned upon by others or, at a later stage, make you frown upon thyself. I can prove to you that I can only take my own experiences as an existing reference as to how NOT to do it: bought a 1972 E one weekend, learned the next that the engine was not right (2.2 liter), that it had pulled headstuds, that the front and rear Fuchs rims were of another type, etcetera... Plenty waste of good money...bought another car, again, not without issues but very nice now...
These are wonderful cars, and your patience will be well rewarded. Take your time. Read the recommended books, acquire a feeling about these true classic machines.

Jgordon · 07-15-2004, 05:49 AM

I forgot to include -- Rod Birch is at www.caraudioinnovations.com.

Hope that helps.

MOMO3.2 · 07-15-2004, 08:38 AM

constructicon:

Your Father-in-law must have thought the world of you to buy you such a nice gift.

I would suggest you get some of the basics of operation and care down before you do anything to your new 911. Read your owner's manual. Tap into the wealth of knowledge on this BBS by using the "search" function or posting questions. Buy Wayne's "101 Projects" book to get you started on any of the simple DIY tasks.

These cars are very, VERY different from your Civic. Simple tasks such as checking your oil (which you need to do at every refueling) have their own protocols.

If you can adapt to your new 911's quirks, the rewards will be plentiful.

Good luck.

Mike

RickM · RickM's Garage

Welcome to the board and sorry to hear about your Father-in-law.

All good advice here. considering your top recovering, there is a very highly regarded top restorer in NJ. Here's an excellent thread that includes his contact info and other options... Targa Top Rebuild, Who's good

Mike Andrew · 07-15-2004, 09:04 AM

Welcome to the wonderful world of Porsche. I would add that, in addition to Wayne's book, you procure a Bentley manual(available from our host). Once you start tinkering, this book will pay for itself in no time & save you time searching the BBS on every project.
Sorry for your loss. You are, indeed, lucky to have a father in law with enough foresight to buy a toy that he could enjoy & then pass on.

MAS · MAS's Garage

"You're not actually a member until after the hazing period. Let the hazing begin."

Not to worry, his 911 will do all of the hazing necessary

-MAS

Stuttgart951 · 07-15-2004, 09:18 AM

Welcome, sorry and congrats. (hows thats for a greeting?)

An amp will slide nicely underneath the passenger seat.

Everything else has been covered, but make sure you grab a spare DME relay from Pelican before driving the car any great distance.

MAS · MAS's Garage

"An amp will slide nicely underneath the passenger seat."

And, if you don't have air conditioning... an amp (as long as it's not a monster-sized amp) will fit nicely in the "smuggler's box" under the front hood.

This is where my amp is installed.

-MAS

Hugh R · 07-15-2004, 10:16 AM

If your going to work on it your self, invest a couple of bucks on a "jack pad" available for Pelican. It goes in the hole where your car jack plug is on each side of the car, and buy a high lift garage floor jack. Get 101 Projects, its a great intro. I've got an 84 Targa as well.