993 DIYs?

wastintime · 06-15-2004, 01:38 PM

Hey everyone,
I was just curious about something. How many 993 Do it yourselfer's are out there? We're doing a major service on a 993 at my shop right now, and it's only the third 993 I've ever actually worked on, but I can't imagine anyone being able to work on the car by themselves and without a lift. It seriously took about 8 hours to change the darn spark plugs, granted I took a break in the middle to do the fuel filter and rotors and caps, but still... it's ridiculous. 964s at least you just pull a heat shield and an engine cover off and you're there, but it got to the point where we couldn't even get the engine covers off becuase the bolts were so badly siezed. Reaching under that power steering pump is not fun (lol, that's why I love my RSA).
Anyway, I was just kind of dumfounded at how hard to work on the cars were and was just wondering how many people do their own work on 993s.

Andrew

Jim Richards · 08-03-2004, 04:06 AM

Teaser from this past Sunday:

Dropped to replace the dual-mass flywheel.

08-03-2004, 05:26 AM

After helping Jim with the above project, I'm convinced there's nothing I can't do on a 993 and I'm a know-nothing amateur. If it really took you 8 hrs. to do spark plugs, you'd probably have saved time by dropping the engine. After that the plugs would take about 10 min. and you could get to a few other trouble spots. Of course, you'd have to get a rear alignment afterwards. I'm itching to drop my engine now as soon as I find out what the differences are in doing so for a V-ram 3.6 as opposed to Jim's '95 3.6.

So far on my car I've (all DIY) repacked a CV, replaced tie rods, rear toe arms, installed Big Reds, done a few oil changes, tranny fluid, multiple brake and clutch flushes, installed solid motor mounts, installed new shocks, pollen filters, reversed wipers and next project is installed C2S split grille. Most of this stuff I did without a lift, sometimes in my townhouse parking lot in 100 deg. heat. These cars are VERY DIY'able. Don't be scared of them - tame them!

MuffinMan · 08-03-2004, 06:46 AM

If you're interested in what's involved in future DIY projects, reference this site. It's a great 993 resource, and is filled with DIY how-to's. Enjoy!

rcwaldo · 08-03-2004, 06:58 AM

The 993 is not really that diffficult to maintain (and upgrade

) In fact, I think some aspects are easier vs. SC's with CIS. The 993 is not really that complicated mechanically. Electronically, of coarse, its more advanced.

Spark plugs took me about three hours (all 12), without a lift in my garage. Upper #6 is what took most the time. Once you figure out the shortcut's, it isnt too bad..

p-car.com is a great site with all sorts of DIY resource..

Chris

88911coupe · 08-03-2004, 07:35 AM

I noticed some replies from NOVA members...you guys don't count since you'll drop an engine to add oil!

08-03-2004, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 88911coupe
I noticed some replies from NOVA members...you guys don't count since you'll drop an engine to add oil!

And if it didn't require a rear alignment, I'd drop the engine to do an oil change on my 993. Seriously, I didn't know what a torque wrench was 3 yrs. ago and I have no fear of anything on my 993. They are very manageable. Some parts of the drop were even easier than on Carreras. Disconnecting the shifter coupling was less than one minute and involved no wires.

wastintime · 08-03-2004, 08:18 AM

lol, I thought this post had died... you guys have schocked me. personally I think the 993 is the worst designed porsche ever in terms of being able to work on it. I guess I'm biased because I really hate 993s, although their transmissions go very nicely into 964s. It's good to know there are guys out there who do it themselves though. Dropping a varioram 993 engine is possibly one of the hardest jobs I can think of, simply in it's tediousness, so I'm surprised that you guys think it's easy. Lol, and don't get me started on the lower valve covers. Anyway, you guys are nuts but I'm glad you like working on your cars.

Jim Richards · 08-03-2004, 08:40 AM

Andrew, I thought it was a bit more involved than the early 911, SC and Carrera engine drops I've done before, but not particularly hard. The extra steps involved the removal of a few underbody covers, 2 crossmembers, the struts that secure the tranny's nose to the tranny tunnel and the power steering fluid/hoses. Can't wait to put that 3.6 lump back in.

88911coupe · 08-03-2004, 12:45 PM

Isn't it generally considered best to leave the under engine tray off or is this only true of the 964s? I'll own a 993 someday so I need to be prepared.

wastintime · 08-03-2004, 01:20 PM

Jim, you're right it's not hard to do, it's just much more time consuming and the engine compartment is a nightmare compared to an early car.

btw, about the trays, it's true for 993s as well, for the most part those trays act more as sound deadeners than anything else. Swiss cars had them years before the rest of the world cars becuase of their really strict noise laws, and then they just kind of became standard. Plus, any weight behind the rear axle that you can get rid of is worth it's weight in gold.

Having said that, above 130mph (I think that's the speed) the tray will make an aerodynamic difference

Jim Richards · 08-03-2004, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wastintime
Jim, you're right it's not hard to do, it's just much more time consuming and the engine compartment is a nightmare compared to an early car.

Right! My 73E's engine compartment is empty compared to the 993.

My engine tray has been off. It's the trays under the transaxle and tranny tunnel that I was refering to.

All in all, this project was two beers harder than the other engine drops I've done.

JasonAndreas · 08-04-2004, 08:02 PM

How high did you have to jack up the 993 before you could drop the motor?

Jim Richards · 08-05-2004, 03:29 AM

Jason, you drop the motor with back of the car jacked up part way. I don't recall specific numbers, but it was enough so the motorcycle/ATV jack (with custom-cut pallette) could easily reach up and support the engine, and a tranny jack could support the transaxle. Once the engine and transmission bolts were undone and the drivetrain was supported on the jacks, the jacks were lowered as much as possible. Then the back of the car was raised to provide sufficient clearance to pull the drivetrain out from the back. I'd estimate it's somewhere in the neighborhood of 35".