New Pelican - my first 911 - wow!

[plug&play]

It was inevitable. Both my brothers have driven 911s for years. They currently have a 77 turbo look and a 86 930. I was able resist because of my motorcycle but finally made the move. (It is faster than a turbo) After looking for six weeks my brother (Tim) and I drove 13 hrs to FL (through the hurricane) to get an 87 Targa with 87k miles and an engine that had a new top end at 60k due to valve guides. From there the adventure began. It would be 2 weeks before before the car was back to normal.
At the first rest stop it wouldn't start. Tim checked but couldn't identify a problem. We pushed it and kept going. I guess I might need an ignition switch soon.
3 hrs later outside Savannah, the tire blew. Car had a spare, tool set, and pump but the pump wouldn't make a connection in the cigarette lighter. Is there some kind of sleeve needed so it will connect? It was extremely loose in the lighter. Took AAA over an hour to get there to inflate the spare. Also started raining. Sidewall was bad on the tire so it couldn't be plugged. We spent 2 hours in Savannah trying to get another tire. We still had 500 miles to go. No luck. We decided to finish the trip on the spare. We picked up the 930 at the Savannah airport, got an air pump and headed out for Tennessee. If the spare blew, we would use the spare from the 930, find a motel and call it a night. What a sight, two 911s doing 60 mph on the interstate. We were passed be everyone. We were lucky, the spare made it and we got home at 5am - a 17 hour trip.

Oh, and some where on the trip one of the rear sway bar mounts broke loose.

Sat and Sun we did a tune up and valve adjustment. I switched the straight pipe cat bypass for a used fabspeed I got on Pelican so it would look like there was a CAT. It took three days to get the replacement tire in so on Thursday I could finally drive it, but only to the emissions inspection. It failed but was close. I took the bypass off and put on a CAT the PO gave me. It failed again but was much worse. I took it to a mechanic here. He said the CAT didn't work and MAF was going bad. He said he could extend the life of the MAF by retensioning the clock spring. Has anyone heard of that? I never have. Anyway he got it to pass, charged the AC and replaced both sway bar mounts. Mechanic had it for a week so it was two weeks before I really got to drive it on something other than an interstate. It does run better after the clock spring adjustment and WOW. This car is wonderful. It pulls hard from 3k through redline and even has a little surge. I let my wife drive it and she was all smiles. I said she should start looking for one for her .

I put the fabspeed back on. 4th cat change in two weeks. I have a few tasks left and then I am just going to drive it a while before considering any other mods.

1. Replace torn CV boot. I been reading the posts and may give this a try.
2. Replace the sound mat which was falling down.
3. Backdate the heater blower/venting. I had the blower off in order to replace the hood strut. I like the look. I'm going to see how clean I can get the engine bay.
4. It also appears I may need to replace the turn signal/dimmer switch. If I just barely touch the switch it puts the lights on bright. Sometimes after a turn when the switch resets itself, it turns on the brights.

Here she is. great paint and upholstery for 21 years old. Diamond Blue Metallic with burgandy interior.

[Jbizzle78]

Have fun!!! Great Car!!

[Oh Haha]

Welcome to Pelican, Tony.

That is one of the best colors from Porsche, IMO.

Have fun with her.

[Jagshund]

Welcome to the site! It's always fun to have your first 'adventure' in a new car. Murfreesboro must be growing- I don't recognize that neighborhood at all. Although, I moved away in '97. That paint looks like it's been taken care of. On the car, of course . . .

[911Rob]

Welcome aboard!

Great looking ride

[slow&rusty]

Cooool story, glad you got home safely!

Enjoy your new 911, the smiles are for freeee

Yasin

[dentist90]

Your story made the car sound like a rolling disaster. It looks great.

[WIL84911]

Congratulations and good luck! I'm sure you'll love the experience. New Pelican here myself. Drove my 84 from VA to NJ (first time driving a) 4 months ago after getting on a 1 way flight. Was looking for a Datsun Z till I realized this was a better car for about the same price if not lower. Here she is (after installing the rear spoiler). SSI's are next (waiting on GHL's).

[MattKellett]

Welcome

Do you have more photos of interior, it looks like a great contrast to the blue exterior.

Matt

[Diamond911]

Welcome. Nice car, great colour (slightly biased mind you!)

cheers,

[Mr.Puff]

Your car is very similar to mine.

[slodave]

4. It also appears I may need to replace the turn signal/dimmer switch. If I just barely touch the switch it puts the lights on bright. Sometimes after a turn when the switch resets itself, it turns on the brights.

You can fix the turn signal. Do a search.

[jwetering]

Originally Posted by slodave

You can fix the turn signal. Do a search.

+ 1 - just disassemble it and it should be obvious what the problem is.

[Zef]

Very nice looking Targa.Welcome aboard.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by plug&play

....
1. Replace torn CV boot. I been reading the posts and may give this a try.
2. Replace the sound mat which was falling down.
3. Backdate the heater blower/venting. I had the blower off in order to replace the hood strut. I like the look. I'm going to see how clean I can get the engine bay.
4. It also appears I may need to replace the turn signal/dimmer switch. If I just barely touch the switch it puts the lights on bright. Sometimes after a turn when the switch resets itself, it turns on the brights.

Welcome to the "Diamond Blue Club"!

#1 - was my first project after acquiring my car...a messy job but very doable.
#2 - Get rid of it (and lose 4 whole lbs)
#3 - You're heading down a slippery slope

Gratuitous pics of Carrera heater backdate...

Enjoy your 911...I know I have mine, and this board has been a big part of it...welcome aboard!

[jkarolyi]

Welcome to Pelican! Hope your future "adventures" are better than the first.

Here's the best link for the turn signal switch...easy fix:

turn signal switch quick fix pictures

[gerrygug]

Welcome --- lots of good info here.

[Hobby Logger]

Welcome, have fun with the new car.

[BAD930]

Welcome, Cool ride I love non-common colours on porsches

[dshepp806]

Welcome,..enjoy that baby,..and the great people in this group.
....so begins the journey,......


Best,

Doyle