84 Carrera 3.2 Litre Performance ?

[Chris84Cab]

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I just purchased a 1984 Carrera Cabrio with a lot of work done to the car. It has a full Strosek Style Body Kit, Lowered, New Interior and Gauges, etc...
I don't have engine records on the car, but the engine has a cam and some other mods, but I don't know specs, etc.. It is supposed to have the work done, but again I don't have records.

If I hammer the car in 1st from around 10 mph it breaks loose sideways and I have New 295 30 ZR19 tires on the back. It breaks loose slightly going into second and pulls very hard.

Is this normal performance from the engine? If so, I'm impressed.

Thanks in advance for the input.

[jpahemi]

If you hammer a tractor @ 10 mph it will break loose!! I'd be careful with the 1st gear rips, you may find premature tranny issues in the near future. Bookmark this site, it's a good source of info..

jp

[GH85Carrera]

The only way my 85 Carrera ever spins the tires like that is in the rain. If you are driving in a straight line at 10 MPH and floor it and you get wheel spin with 295 30 19s you don't have a stock engine. The only other possibility is summer tires on a very cold day.

[Chris84Cab]

Thanks guys. Yes, if I am in a straight line no clutch and floor it I am spinning side ways in the lane next to me.

The cam definitely sounds like it has some serious lift at idle...just wish I knew more. It is going to Jones Autowerks in San Antonio to help evaluate the motor next week.

I am new to this site and it is a wealth of information. I've raced muscle type cars for quite some time... just new to Porsche. I see why once you own one, you never change.

[DYB]

sounds like a trip to the dyno might be in order

[Hugh R]

You keep hammering it like that and you're going to find out what a trannie rebuild costs. Buy an old camaro or vette if you want to do that. They're not drag cars. But hey it's your car, so have at it.

[kidrock]

I think I recognize that car from E-bay?

[JeremyD]

I would be VERY careful doing that with the 915 transmission you have in there. The 915 is like a high maintenance woman. They like to get there in their own time, no rushing!

[tonythetarga]

When you brake from speed in a straight line does it pull to one side as well? First thing I thought of is improper corner balance not providing equal weight distribution to the rear wheels.

[Chris84Cab]

Thanks guys...it goes straight when breaking. I don't abuse cars at all, just testing what I have with a couple of runs. Not hammering the clutch or anything else. It is at a Porsche Performance shop now getting all the standard maintenance work done, etc... It looks like there has been some tweaking to the motor. I'll know more soon.

I am moving forward with pulling the motor and tranny and doing some performance upgrades ASAP.

Thanks

[Facey]

wouldn't worry about the wussies here telling you that porsches are not meant to be given full throttle...lol :P

if you cannot give full throttle at 10mph when can you?

i agree that you don't need to be dropping the clutch.. but he didn't say that. he said that when he drastically changes the throttle position when already moving that his car gets throttle kick... to be honest it sounds like a tire or car setup issue... as our cars have some serious traction (not like american muscle).

looking forward to seeing what the shop says, just to reference..i have a built 3.5L which is making decent power (280s @ wheels).... and a built 915, but it takes it, and i'm not always gentle.

[Chris84Cab]

Thanks for the input Facey... I bought it to drive and want as much power as I can afford. But, I take very good care of all my vehicles.

I'll keep you posted...thanks again.

[fredmeister]

Take it to a dyn and see what it is putting out and take readings of the A/F ratio. As long as you're not running lean and not slipping or dropping the clutch, so what.
Once the tires break loose in first your torque loads drop to relatively nothing on the tranny. First gear is very stout on these cars, the synchros don't like to be rushed, so slow shifting will prolong the tranny life. I would not worry about breaking a tranny gear or shaft on a 915 tranny until you start getting up around 300-400ft-lbs of torque on a regular basis.
The rear weight bias and big rubber on the 911 does not allow it to break tires free like light ass ended American muscle cars. Part of the reason for such great 0-60 times for these cars because they hook up when you give it gas. Sounds like your car is abnormally powerful.

[Chris84Cab]

Thanks Fred... I am quickly learning a ton on this forum. Great info.

It definitely freaked me out when it broke loose and sideways, that is why I did it again. Might be some cold rubber, etc.. But, it does pull strong. I'm trying to get some numbers now.

[tony9704]

Hey, if my car could break loose hard enough to fishtail sideways, I'd do it too. Fun! Enjoy your rocket! They are not ALL that fast. Sounds like you've got a modified car. Post your findings!

[dfink]

Not the normal mode of operation. Sounds like a hot-rod engine with no limited slip on the tranny. Mine has 273 rear wheels and performs about how you describe yours. That would be a lot of HP out of a 3.2 carrera engine without some serious mods. Are you sure it still has the 3.2 and has not had a 3.6 dropped in it.
By the way any cab with that much HP and the body kit has to receive C.R.A.P. so there you go.
Since your new CRAP is "Cabriolet Racing And Performance" welcome to the group soft tops and hard heads because we don't know any better.

[Chris84Cab]

Man that is great...I think I'm gonna like C.R.A.P.

Not positive on the Litres, but I think it is still the 3.2.

[madmmac]

One picture will settle any questions about what engine you have.

Congrats on the new car!!

[ISpeed2day]

I had a 2003 modified SVT cobra putting 535 hp to the rear wheels. It would go sideways.

I have a 914 with a 1986 3.2 motor.

I suggest getting some new tires, it sounds like your tires are old hard and are not gripping...

[peter_soj]

Any updates on the car Chris? Back from the Mechanics? I'm sure we'd all love to see some dyno figures, and maybe some more pics!