Road trip in a 930

[Tom C.]

I'm planning a long drive in a 930 in July. Going from Northern Idaho to Southern California . . . about 1200 miles. Hoping to do it over three days, so I won't be in any hurry. I'd like to know what are the recommended 'spares' to carry with me . . . just in case. The car is in great condition, but has never been on a long drive like this over several days.

I should also add this is a 1978 930 and it is factory original stock with low miles.

Are there any known electrical issues?

Any mechanical issues that I should prepare for?

Thanks for all feedback.

[Elombard]

I would bring.....a back up plan.

A fully functioning credit card, a cell phone and a listing of tow companies.

Probably no problem but it would be so easy on one of these to have a little thing go wrong and you would have to order a part....from Germany and wait until it comes in or something.

There was a time when I was brave enough to do this...that time has passed :-)

It will be an adventure.

A metric socket and open end wrench set, a few pairs of pliers a small pry bar and some screw drivers...beyond that its seems like guessing.

[paulgtr]

try to have a list of contacts along your desired route. plenty of folks here I am sure.

[bourgeois911]

You don't want to end up like this guy
Doc Hollywood 1956 Porsche Speedster

[paulgtr]

I drove from the east end of long island down to naples florida, 23 hours straight. stopped for gas coffee and bathroom breaks only. how many miles is that? just make sure you get a tune up first. you'll be fine

[willtel]

The first time I ever drove my 930 was an 800 mile trip on the way home from Texas. All I took was a credit card and a cell phone.

Just make sure it is running well before you leave and the trip will seem short. The factory tool kit is pretty good and it wouldn't hurt to have some of your favorite oil. My biggest concern would be a tire failure and trying to get a replacement in the odd sizes you might need, Tire Rack should be able to help out in a pinch.

[equality72521]

Fuses and relays.

[nesslar]

1200 miles in three days in a 930? Tantamount to impeding traffic. Have fun!

[dshepp806]

spare parts,..my friend.

Best,

Doyle

[ManaMan]

I concur, especially a fan belt, having a extra saved me a headache.

[vash]

Originally Posted by bourgeois911

You don't want to end up like this guy
Doc Hollywood 1956 Porsche Speedster

actually, didnt he get laid?

[vash]

tom, you coming thru the bay area?

[j8tg]

Fuses, relays, CDI box, fanbelt,fuel accumulator---these are the items I have had to replace over the years, some that had stranded the car. There may be more----

TG
1986 930

[NaplesBound]

The first time I drove my 1980 911sc was a 1500 mile trip from the twin cities to my home just south of Jacksonville. I took three days and throughly enjoyed it. If it is properly maintained, I'm sure you will be fine. Just bring a little oil and some metric sockets like everyone else said. Have fun.

Chris

[Ed Bighi]

I drove my 930 once from New Jersey to Phoenix. With a few broken head studs. No problem, no damage to heads. Took a fan belt and whatever I needed to change it. Right now I drive it from San Diego to Phoenix and back about 3 times a month. About five and a half hours each way. I also take a lot of side trips from that route in order to go up some mountain to ski. I take a fan belt, the tools to change it, duck tape and a can of fix-a-flat. Anything more would take the adventure out of it. In about a month I'll take it from Rotterdam down to Salzburg. I'll take the same. Since I was twenty years old, I have driven my old SC or my 930 all over this country. I have lost count how many times I have driven some air-cooled 911 from coast to coast. The only issue I have ever had was a broken fan belt. Once. I had head studs break on a 3.2 I bought in Miami while driving to Phoenix. They broke in Texas. I just accelerated slowly to reduce the pounding and kept going. If it's air-cooled, you are over-thinking this. Now, if you were talking about a water cooled car, then take a rosary bead or some other prayer paraphernalia, phone, AAA card, whatever. Also, when I am in the middle of the desert about 3 hours away from the nearest Porsche repair facility, I feel far better having CIS than Motronic or some other system that requires far more wires and relays to function. So did Porsche when they built the 3.2 PFM airplane engine which also had CIS.

[flat6pilot]

911SC's would sometimes have the starter get hot and not restart after a long drive (500+?). It needed to cool down again and was fine after that. It was hit and miss. Some would do it, and others it would be fine.

Did/do 930's ever have this problem?

[Grady Clay]

WHAT!
1200 miles in the Continental USA…
Peace of cake.

A friend drove his then new ’76 930 from Guatemala City to Denver.
It was almost uneventful.

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.
.
.

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The ‘almost’ part was a wiring fire behind the dash in Southern México. Overnight the hundred wires damage were re-wired – all yellow wire. Never a problem after. I think it is still yellow to this day.

Best,
Grady

[carreradpt]

Enjoy the ride, the car will be fine. Besides the extra parts and some tools to help, a AAA plus card, cell, and credit card will get you by. Of course a laptop, to keep in touch with the Pelican crowd, and a camera to document the journey for the Pelican crowd as well.

Have a great trip Tom C.

[jtratza]

1998 Wife and I drove from Houston to the Colorado Springs Parade. I asked my Porsche shop what spares I should bring along. He recommended, "A young woman." Actually the old one (wife not the car) made it fine even with a women running a red light in Pueblo T-boning us. Car didn't make it all the way but fixed up nice.

[NewfieMZ3]

Picked up an 88 Targa in NC this past April, 46K on the clock, immediately drove to Toronto, Ontario then over to Ottawa in three days.........about 1200 miles........the car actually ran better after the trip. A good road trip will clean it out........don't hesitate, but have spare belt and DME relay.