Underdesigned Porsche Components

Superman · 10-25-2002, 01:52 PM

You guys are really boring on Friday afternoons. I don't really think there's anyone out there, but here's a question: What is the most under-designed component on your car? That is, what part is lease able to 'keep up' with the other high performance parts.

My vote is seats. The standard seats in our cars are NOT capable of keeping us in front of the steering wheel while the car is performing at its limits.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

In my case that's easy...the driver.

But I'll also agree on the seats. And sport seats aren't comfortable to me...too narrow across the shoulders and back.

BlueSkyJaunte · 10-25-2002, 01:59 PM

The Recaros I have aren't too bad, Super...but they definitely can be outperformed by the rest of the vehicle.

Except the A/C. Man does that suck. I mean, a similar vintage Toyota blows ice cubes out of the vents.

jester911 · jester911's Garage

The a/c is a good vote but I think also the front and rear deck lid shocks must get a vote as well.

89911 · 10-25-2002, 02:04 PM

Rear sway bar mounts in 80's cars!

silverc4s · silverc4s's Garage

I don't know about the newer cars, but 901 and 915 transmissions are far superior to their respective shift mechanisms. An entire cottage industry grew up (unsuccessufully) enhancing these babies..

Chuck Moreland · 10-25-2002, 02:08 PM

Rear sway bar mounts
door travel limit mounts
Steering wheel column bearing
915 1st gear synchro

What is air conditioning?

Eric Coffey · 10-25-2002, 02:22 PM

Supe-

You should think about installing some late style (`85-`94) factory sport seats. They make a big difference IMO, and still retain the stock appearance.

Oh, and the most under-designed component of any 911? That would be the hood and rear deck lid shocks!

beepbeep · 10-25-2002, 02:25 PM

1. AC
2. Heat
3. Ventilation
4. Sway bar bushings
5. Early chain tensioners

Doug Zielke · 10-25-2002, 02:26 PM

Jim,
The only "under designed" thing in my Porsche, is inside the skull of it's driver.

West · 10-25-2002, 02:35 PM

How about the stock "Car Jack". I carry a small hyd. Jack instead.

autobonrun · autobonrun's Garage

1) Turnsignal Switch
2) Inside Door lever
3) Ventilation system

arcsine · 10-25-2002, 02:53 PM

AC seems to be an afterthought and without diligent maintence, worthless. With just about any other car on the road, an AC that does not work is surprising. In our cars, the suprise is if it does.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

to me the real pisser about the AC is that they take away fresh air vent capabilities from the car. Why can't they use the stoopid dash vents for AC *and* fresh air? There are times I'd like some fresh air without having to roll the windows down or open the top. BTW, could they make the side vent on the pre '86 cars any smaller?

island911 · 10-25-2002, 02:58 PM

The backseat seat-backs. . . they may be usless, but at least they're heavy!

Oh yeah. . the catalytic converter falls in the same catagory.

BoogieOnSkis · BoogieOnSkis's Garage

I don't believe no one's mentioned the door chime, yet. Possible the most hated sound these cars are capable of producing.

Wil Ferch · 10:33 AM

No question....

Anything electrical...especially the MANY areas that need fuses and DON'T get any......

Porsche's idea of a morbid joke.... no fuses here:

- front A/c condenser blower
- any relay's control circuit
- instrument lighting
- some model's footwell blowers
- "suppository" fuses themselves ....junk
- "daisy-chained" grounds on the instruments...stupid idea.

Here's another....access to anything needing maintenance ( meaning..ANYTHING). The classical "box-within-a-box" , whenever you try to fix something...you hafta take everything else apart to even GET at something.

--Wil Ferch

Superman · 10-25-2002, 03:15 PM

Will, I enjoy your company very much, but we're going to have to disagree on this one. I regard Bosch electrical components and design as TOPS in the automotive world. Also, I regard Porsche as TOPS in the automotive world in the area of ease of maintenance.

emcon5 · emcon5's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by BoogieOnSkis
I don't believe no one's mentioned the door chime, yet. Possible the most hated sound these cars are capable of producing.

Wow, you mean yours still works? First thing I did was pull that relay.

My vote goes to 3.2 rod bolts

Tom
(Muhahahaha)

KFC911 · 10-25-2002, 03:24 PM

Ha! I'm still chuckling over the 'driver comment'...I don't know about the driver that shipped from the factory on my car, but the PO seems to have replaced mine with a POS American made one that's much older than the car itself...definitely the most 'low performance part' I've got...BUT, it does seem to be improving with age/experience!