911 wide body

[hpaulb]

Going to start my search for my next project. I want a 911 wide body but know little about them. What years and alternate model numbers reference the wide body version.

[cellison]

Think it's 84 - 89 option code 491. There is a 491 wide body registry web site.

Charles
88 Cab

[bigrubberjeep]

What is your budget?

[wholberg]

For a factory wide body, plan to spend $24 - $35K. The really nice ones run about $28K average for a well kept, fairly low mileage car. Occasionally one comes up on EBay. If It has been repainted, or otherwise modified, they sell for only a couple of grand over a similiarly equipped Carrera of the same year.

[911mot]

A wide body without a turbo is OK.
A turbo without a wide body is better

[bigrubberjeep]

Originally posted by johncarlos2003
they are also heavier and slower- unless you're gonna deal with that- they do look cool though- i think it's odd to have a wide-body and no turbo- (unless it's a 964 anniversary c4, 993 c2s or c4s)--- anyway, kinda sucks to have someone see your 84-89 and say "oh, turbo" then you say no- "looks like it though, huh?" again, if you are gonna do exhaust and strip it down a bit then i think it's okay- i don't know- to each his own- just my humble opinion-

Only thing slow about these cars is the driver. Heavier? Maybe a bit, but then again how many people do you see adding flares to the narrow body cars? How many people do you see adding turbo brakes? So were back on par except the M491 came that way from the factory, everything else is a "replica"


So take you pick.

BTW - "Turbo Look" is only called that here in the U.S. because Supper Sport was already taken by another marque, if you check, back in Europe the M491 is called by Porsche and those who know "Super Sport" which is what it really is, the Supper Sport version fo the Carrera.

[NoLift911]

I am in the "never got the point camp" on this...there is the weight issue which is worth noting but at speeds there is the aero issue, which IMO is greater.

Take an 84 Carrera for example (narrow body 3.2) and an 87 turbo (widebody 3.3) ...one is clearly faster.

Reach speeds of 100mph+ and the playing field gets even quick -real quick.

Aero is a big deal at those speeds.

And just as an aside, a turbo look with no turbo to back it up is like Carmen Electra with no teets. Just my 02.

-Jeff

[bigrubberjeep]

Originally posted by nolift911
I am in the "never got the point camp" on this...there is the weight issue which is worth noting but at speeds there is the aero issue, which IMO is greater.

Take an 84 Carrera for example (narrow body 3.2) and an 87 turbo (widebody 3.3) ...one is clearly faster.

Reach speeds of 100mph+ and the playing field gets even quick -real quick.

Aero is a big deal at those speeds.

And just as an aside, a turbo look with no turbo to back it up is like Carmen Electra with no teets. Just my 02.

-Jeff

I agree, the aero issue is an even bigger issue at high speeds, front spoiler, and rear turbo tail vs. NONE.

[NoLift911]

Originally posted by bigrubberjeep
I agree, the aero issue is an even bigger issue at high speeds, front spoiler, and rear turbo tail vs. NONE.

I think I even had a front chin spoiler and Carrera tail on at the time... without them it would be like a bullet vs. a 2X4 at those speeds of course...

Most of the RSR's conversions etc. running around have the 3.6 to back up the fat ass...

-Jeff

[bigrubberjeep]

Originally posted by nolift911
I think I even had a front chin spoiler and Carrera tail on at the time... without them it would be like a bullet vs. a 2X4 at those speeds of course...

Most of the RSR's conversions etc. running around have the 3.6 to back up the fat ass...

-Jeff

Interesting, most RSR's I see have front "RSR" or "IROC" spoilers and a 3.8 tail. I don't think I have ever seen an RSR or IROC at the track without some kind of aero addition to the front and rear.

BTW - The Original RSR were M491's. Hence the pedigree.

[wholberg]

You have to be the right person to own one and love it. I have a M491 because:

I love the Turbo body, I always have, and I could not afford a Turbo Carrera when I purchased this one.

It's somewhat of a rarity as only around 200 were imported to the US in 84-89 (I have 1 of 4 Targas imported in 1987).

I consider the standard Carrera engine easier to maintain and repair, with greater longevity, than a turbo motor. Since I do my own repairs, this is important to me.

True, it's about 150 lbs heavier than a standard Carrera, but it's still faster and handles better than most other modern automobiles.

Lastly, its got 930 suspension and brakes., and it feels more planted around corners than a standard Carrera

For all-out performance, no, it not the best choice, but as a daily driver, it's cool (except for the AC), it's reliable, it get's noticed a lot, and it's fun.

[Wil Ferch]

More than 200 M491's were imported over 84-89....many more.....

Wil

[JBO]

... many folks prefer the wide body looks (doesn't everyone?!), and the normally aspirated engine is plenty fast... there is no perceptible difference 0-60 between wide and narrow body...many people put custom wheels, etc on their cars, because they like the look, though they add nothing to performance...It's hard to ever do much over 75 in the ATL and the wide body is as fast to that speed as a norrow body, especially with 964 cams and stainless steel exhaust If ultra performance is the criteria your in the wrong car anyway, get a ZR1 which will blow us all away, regardless of body style, and with or without turbo. If you like the look of the wide body and don't want the extra maint/issues of a turbo, by all means get one. The only thing you may not like about it is some people saying your a poseur because you don't have a turbo bolted to the exhaust. Though I don't want or need one, I may add a turbo to mine just to squelch those naysayers, or at least one of those tornado things to the intake

[Nine9six]

Due to the upgraded suspension and brakes, a turbo look may also be quicker around a track than a 911

[johncarlos2003]

you know what? get whatever you like- it is true that the other upgrades of the ss or turbo look are beneificial- and yes, i love the look of the widebody- and yes, they are still faster than almost everything on the road cept other exotics and near exotics so--- just get what you like- you can't go wrong- plus, if you want to cut weight, if that bothers you at all, it's not hat hard to drop some- personally, if i had a widebody id leave it unmolested- so, party on with the m491!

[bigrubberjeep]

Originally posted by Wil Ferch
More than 200 M491's were imported over 84-89....many more.....

Wil

I wouldnt say many more, but it was more then 200,do know that in 84- 85 there were 400+.

[NoLift911]

More power to the M491er's. There are some folks that do not want or can handle turbo power and like the look of the mean turbo.

I guess it is better than getting a real turbo, not really knowing how to drive it; adding mods for more horsepower; then wreck it because of the latter; then sell it because they are afraid of it; then come up with another reason for the sale.

These people do exist...

-Jeff

[bigrubberjeep]

Some of us just like being different

[Bill Verburg]

If you like the wide body go for it. factory 911 versions were available from '84 to '89

Big things to look for besides the fenders

• wheels 7 & 9 x16('84 & '85 did have 7 & 8 x16)
• turbo brakes w/ perforated and vented 304 x32 and 309x28mm rotors
• bilsteins(green strut, green or yellow shock)
• 930 trailing arm pickup(this one is hard to check on

[Wil Ferch]

{quiote}.. "I wouldnt say many more, but it was more then 200,do know that in 84- 85 there were 400+...."

Well lessee.... that would be 100% more, right? ... I consider that plenty "off".

Maybe we can dig up BA's response to Excellence, where a year-by-year breakdown was provided.

Wil