85 Carrera - What to do???

[The Donkey]

I just picked up a 85 Carrera Targa in very good condition from our fellow member, Boomvang (great transaction and great and helpful member), and am looking to do some mods during the winter months. As far as I can tell the car is bone stock with no modifications whatsoever. The engine, tranny and car in general are in very good condition. I have limited knowlege of these cars other than my love for them and don't have that much mechanic skills at this point, but my brother can do anything so I have that free labor.

What would you do to your 85 Carrera Targa to increase the 911 driving experience? I am thinking maybe a new exhaust, air filter, maybe a chip for starters. Any other ideas? I think I will probably DE it a bit once I get the feel for it and become better acquainted with it.

It will need a new clutch in the next 6-12 months depending on how much a drive it which isn't that much, maybe 3k to 6k a year.

Thanks guys. This board is the best. Tons of responses and it is very active with great information.

William in Virginia

[einreb]

assuming all the maintenance is up to date.... suspension, suspension, suspension.



-Bernie

[The Donkey]

i have all records since brand new totalling about $35k and all maintenance is up to date. just had the tune up and valve adjustment.

any ideas as to what suspension, names, types, cost, etc?

Thanks.

Also, why do you say that? Is the stock suspension not good enough or is it probably old? I don't know.

[Joeaksa]

Einreb is totally correct. Does not matter if you have 1000 hp engine if you cannot get each and every last bit of power to the ground. Your car is over 20 years old and things just get tired. Time to renew things back to stock or perhaps a bit better.

First off, change to Bilstein shocks. I did HD in front and Sport in back. Do a search of this on Pelican. Very happy with the result. It handled fine before but when I removed the old shocks they just fell apart in my hands, totally worn out but since it happens gradually you do not realize it.

Then look in your trunk and see if you still have the black crap caked around the top of the shock absorber mounts. If you do then the suspension has never been aligned since it came from the factory. Start chipping the crap off and clean and paint it (I have photos if you wish) then when you do the shocks get the front and rear aligned. Any car changes in this amount of time and getting the suspension aligned sets things back where they should be. If you are doing ok on cash, get it weighed and corner balanced as well.

Depending on how fast you want to go might be worth putting some Elephant brand bushings in the front "A" frames, then redoing the rubber bushings in the rear torsion bar supports. If you really want to do it right, put a stiffer set of torsion bars in while you are doing the bushings etc and the shocks THEN get the whole mess aligned.

That will result in a car that handles very well. The brakes are more than up to anything that the stock 3.2 will do. Make sure the rotors are in good shape and good pads then stop. Thats all you can do here for now. While in here it might be a good idea to replace all flexable brake hoses with new. 21 years old is enough and they keep you alive. Its very cheap insurance and as well a good time to flush out the brake fluid.

Steve Wong (again do a search) does a very good chip for the 3.2. Pelican sells them. I put SSI heat exchangers on my car with a old style "banana" muffler and it really transformed the car over the stock exhaust. Well worth trying.

Thats about it for now. When thats done get back to us and we can give you the next steps!

Joe A

[Joeaksa]

Also, look here:
Got a bit of money...what would you recommend as SC upgrades?

See the post by Grady here. Also Warren, John W and Bill Verburg on these forums are gospel. They have forgotten more than we know about 911's and when they talk, everyone should listen!

Joe A

[einreb]

Originally posted by The Donkey
i have all records since brand new totalling about $35k and all maintenance is up to date. just had the tune up and valve adjustment.

any ideas as to what suspension, names, types, cost, etc?

Thanks.

Also, why do you say that? Is the stock suspension not good enough or is it probably old? I don't know.

If the suspension hasn't been 'gone over' then it should likely be done. There are a lot of rubber bushings and such that 'flow' over time.

These cars are amazing when stock and in good shape, but if you're redoing it anyway then you may want to consider a bit of 'upgrading'.

turbo tie rods (get the quality ones like pelican sells, there are some slightly cheaper... but they have a bad rep)
a-arm bushings (oem, polygraphite, or polybronze to pick from)
stiffer torsion bars may be in order(21/28, 22/28, 22/29, 22/30 are common upgrades for your car)
new spring plate bushings (neatrix, polygraphite, polybronze, wevo to pick from)
new shocks (bilstien sports or hd combo)
strut brace (sort of a bling factor )
new sway bar bushings.

then take it in and get cornerbalanced and aligned!

not to be a prick, but spend some time on pp doing lots of searches, use the suspension wizard and find your budget. theres +/- to polygraphite, oem, polybronze.... find out what you're comfortable with.

enjoy!

-Bernie

[Icemaster]

I've got the same ride.

Suspension suspension suspension is correct. I second what Joe sez, although I went sports all around.

Followed by exhaust (MB911 makes a great setup...), Steve Wong chip, upgraded brakes, Magnecore or Clewett wires, a heater backdate might be ambitious but is doable, stainless brake lines, flush the 915 and replace with Swepco, look at the shifter bushings (host sells a great kit).

First thing I did when I got mine home was replace oil, fluid, and filters so I had a baseline. Then got started on the upgrades.

Oh yeah, and you're obligated to post a pic. You're not officially part of the club until you do.

[The Donkey]

Icemaster - I'll post a pic ASAP. It already has Clewett wires, they were just put on. Also, it just has Swepco put in and it also has new tranny bushings. It also has new tranny mounts. I just didn't consider those upgrades rather standard maintenance.

[The Donkey]

[The Donkey]

i am having trouble uploading pics. they are too big, over 100k. the one i put in was right at 103 and made it. i need some help.

[Joeaksa]

Email them to me and I can resize them for you.

Joeaksa AT attglobal.net (replace the AT with @) keeps spammers away!

joeA

[DonkRado]

Hi guys, I'm William's brother.
I'll be working with him a lot on his 911 and teaching him a whole lot in the process.

Here's a pic of his car when we first picked it up:


It's not the best picture, but I haven't had time to wax it yet and get in a real picture day.

I don't have a Porsche, but I'm a firm believer in german engineering. Here's my car:


I'm pretty well versed in the various top manufacturers for my car, and I'm sure several of them are the same. Of course, many will be different.

Exhaust-wise, I've always felt that you can't really go wrong with Borla... but what's this I hear about Bursch exhaust? Anyone strongly prefer one over the other?

Suspension-wise, I'd love to put coilovers on this thing, though I'm not sure we've allotted quite that much to the suspension just yet. I am pretty sure he's not looking to really drop his car, but I think (hope) we'll be going at least an inch or so down with a sport suspension.

Chip-wise, I think he's pretty well sold on the Steve Wong chip. I just have to convince him to wait until we have at the very least an exhaust on it.

Do people even put Cold Air Intakes on these engines? I honestly don't know. That'd be an easy immediate upgrade as well. I'd like to do the manifolds as well, but we're really tacking on some expenses then.

I am very interested to hear what the recommended brake upgrades are. Of course, for my car it's going to Wilwood's, TT, or Porsche calipers and rotors (vented/drilled/slotted). My best guess would be a retrofit from as new a model as easily convertible.

Anyway, PP looks like a great community and it's yet another auto forum added to my list. Thanks for all of your help guys.
Outside of that, everything seems to be in great shape.

[The Donkey]

i emailed them to you. let me know if you don't get them at sfkmbk at earthlink.net

thanks,
william

[einreb]

Exhaust-wise, I've always felt that you can't really go wrong with Borla... but what's this I hear about Bursch exhaust? Anyone strongly prefer one over the other? Lots of exhaust options. You're going to be more picking up HP with a euro (no) cat.

Suspension-wise, I'd love to put coilovers on this thing You rarely see coil over conversions on street/de versions of these cars. Don't knock the torsion bars until you've maxed them out.

Chip-wise, I think he's pretty well sold on the Steve Wong chip. I just have to convince him to wait until we have at the very least an exhaust on it. yup. Match it with a euro premuffler for the most bang for the buck.

Do people even put Cold Air Intakes on these engines? Not really. You're pulling reasonably cool air through the rear lid. HP increases on these cars doesnt come that easy (other than exhaust/headers and chip tuned). Some folks cut the box or go to a cone filter just because its cleaner to get to the engine. Though others will argue that a filter change and a MAF will get you more HP

I am very interested to hear what the recommended brake upgrades are. Well, the stock brakes on that car are quite good. Track pads and cooling ducts can get you even more braking on the track. There are brake kits available and lots of different combinations. upgrading from the '85 brakes aint cheap... however, the big porcshe brakes do look good through the spokes.

Keep in mind that this car in its stock form can really be enjoyed on the track, driven hard and then driven home. i owned (and loved) my g60 corrado... but the porcha is a different animal. bigger/more isnt always better/faster.



-Bernie

[dfink]

85' cab.... I would so the simple stuff first and see how it runs. These cars are awesome just the way they are but after 20 years get a little loose. i would say sport shocks all the way around, for sure new sway bar bushings, I would stay with stock brakes if not drastically increasing the HP. I can go at the track all day and never overheat. I use metalmaster brakepads available from pelican. Very easy to install work well on the street but will still shut you down at the track. Don't forget you can adjust ride height quite a bit on these cars without using coil overs or such. I think you will find that would be for a pretty dedicated track car. The problem with lowering is tire rub. One upgrade you may want to look for is wider rims. I am going to assume that you have 15X6 and 15X7 which would have been stock. They may be 7" & 8". Finding a good set of 16" 7 & 8 and some wider tires will give you more bang for the buck than nearly anything. Besides the wide tires at least 16-245-45 on the rear look real good. As you will find tire choice is also a give and take. I will reserve my opinion on track tires for a beginner as I am not that experienced. Do a search for tires and you will find many suggestions and comparisons. As a conclusion - the simple stuff can make an already race capable car very steady. Because they are already near the peak of performance getting much more out of them starts to get expensive. (Shocks and tires on my car droped 10 seconds off track time - experience may have helped a little) Have fun.

[creaturecat]

don't forget the headlight relays.

[NY65912]

Very nice, you'll find the Carrera a very reliable and fun Porsche.

1. Shocks, suspension freshening
2. Euro premuff & hi flow muffler
3. Steve W chip !!!!!!!!
4. General maintenance
5. Enjoy and drive the H-ll out of it!

Good Luck

[The Donkey]

Here we go with some pics thanks to our friendly member Joeaksa. Thanks Joe.

[anthony]

Originally posted by SoCal911SC
nice car, you'll have fun, my suggestion would be to slow down a bit, enjoy the car as it is for a while

I'd also recommend slowing down. Do immediate maintenance/wear items if they need it like rotors, pads, brake hoses, brake flush, new tranny fluid, shocks, tires, etc. if needed and then just enjoy the car. The capabilities of these cars even in stock form are simply amazing.

Finally, your best money will be put towards a PCA driving school.

[The Donkey]

The PCA driving school is a great idea. Do you have any links towards this? do you mean a DE?