New Member Introduction
 

Just joined the forum this morning after purchasing a car last night. I have been a long time member on some of the water cooled forums as well as VW, Audi and BMW boards. I was planning on buying a new GT3, but this car spoke to me much more than either a .1 or .2 GT3. My German car illness appears to be terminal and contagious since my wife and I now have four in the garages. It had an early onset at 20 with my first Porsche, a 89' 944 Turbo S. From there I wandered through 15 or so VW, Audi and BMW cars, but never got around to owning a 911 even though it was a dream since of mine since I was 12. I have already put this place to good use and fixed the motors in my sport seats (very helpful since they were in the highest positions) this afternoon.

On to the details of my new car. It is an 85' Euro car Guards Red (original paint) over black, sport seats, lowered, 7's and 9's, Steve Wong chip and a Dansk exhaust with 88K miles under two owners. I love the car already, but think there might be a transmission rebuild in my near future (grinding going into first unless completely stopped and stiff going into second). Car had a dyno this year and was producing 207 HP at the wheels. On to the pictures!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...DSC_084517.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...s/DSC_0829.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...DSC_084315.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...s/DSC_0854.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...s/DSC_0868.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...s/DSC_0871.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...s/DSC_0875.jpg

It is funny how big this makes my M3 and A4 look in comparison. Makes me realize how big even "entry level" cars have gotten in the last 25 years. My Avant looks like a Suburban next to it. Anyways, I look forward to learning a lot and being here for a long time. Any questions just let me know.

Welcome!

They certainly look a little on the small side these days. I swear when I see one on the road they don't have the exact presence as they used to because of this. Guess a wide-body and whale tail would help...

Welcome to the board. Lots of opinions here.

Nice Euro.

If you can learn to massage that 915 it has lots of life left. Change the fluid and put in my favorite 915 fluid, Kendall MS-NP, and shift 1-2 at 4K RPM. The first gear issue is just the way many of the 915's are these days. My '86 is an urban daily driver and I have just learned to drive in such a way that I don't go into 1st unless stopped. It is easier than it sounds and becomes second nature. You could spend the money on the rebuild and it still won't feel modern. Change fluid first and if that doesn't do it for you, rebuild it.

I would raise the car just a tad. You will kill the front spoiler, AC condenser, and rear sway bar at that height. Looks like the front spoiler has already taken a few digs.

Great choice, nice car, and welcome to the best board for mid year 911's.

Welcome to the forum.

I kinda like the diminutive size of my 911. Heck, it makes my garage seem bigger when it's parked inside!

Smaller means lighter. Lighter means faster.

Cars today are ridiculous, too much weight. This is why old 911s are still fast on track even when compared to new models.

Welcome punk! :D:D

Great looking car, rides on the low side but that's cool.

I will definitely change the fluid if you think it will help. I don't mind the gear box at all, I was just worried that the syncro was going. I have so much to learn on this car. I don't know what is normal right now.

I love the size of the car. Makes me feel like I am driving a go kart on the street!

I was eyeballing that car too, but had some doubts on getting it titled and insuring it. "Ya snooze, ya lose". Nice car, nice setup. Congrats. My search continues...

Nice non-sunroof coupe. The small size and light weight compared to new cars is what makes them so agile. The manual steering is another part of that great road feel. The car looks great but I agree that you should probably raise it a tad to avoid bottoming out the suspension which can result in scary snap changes in cornering dynamics, aside from the extra scrapes the body gets on the street.

Great introductory photos and story, but we also like to know where you are located. That way, others can help if you have questions or we can get a group together for drives/tours/gatherings/adventures.

Freude am Fahren! :)

Welcome to Pelican!!!

Killer 911 you have there. The stance is bada$$ but maybe not practical?

No matter, it looks sweet!!

The car looks familiar, did you buy it from a Pelican?

No, I bought it from a doctor here in San Diego. I am located in Carlsbad. Thanks for all the kind words.

San Diego Region PCA has some great autocrosses. There are a good number of POC racers who are based in San Diego, too. Black Forest and Aase Motorsports are nearby.

Great car punk! I also just bought a 85 911 a few months back. I am used of the 915 already and I would never rebuild it . At least not for a long time. I am also in the San Diego area and I take many rides up to Julian. Great ride up through Romona. You will love this car! Nick Triesch

Nice ride......

+1 on the Kendall, it improves gear shifts.

W

Nice and low... welcome..

Yes,..nice! Welcome aboard!

Best,

Doyle

slammed is kinda cool...;).. welcome!

Very nice looking car. A little too low for me but to each his own. Welcome and enjoy!

You might be able to adjust that first gear problem out.
Do a search, I'm sure you'll do plenty.
Anyways, a couple of bushings and then an adjustment at the coupler might solve that little bug.

Beautiful car. Welcome aboard.


Chris

I am absolutely ruined now. I got into my M3 and it felt like everything was wrapped in 50 layers of gauze. I almost put it up for sale tonight after I got back from picking up dinner. Why did I wait so long to get a 911!?

Welcome. I'm new too. Great car and I love the BMW as well. So much fun in one driveway.

Welcome. There are a ton of wise people on the forum, of which I'm not one. But - I have an '86 with the same gearbox symptoms as you've described. I agree with the 4k shift into second, and I've learned to just let it go in when it's good an ready.

For getting into first at a stop without grinding, I pull the lever about halfway down to second (not all the way down) before going up to first. For my car, problem solved, no crunching, slides smoothly up to first from there. It's become second nature.

Enjoy the car!

Mark

Beautiful car! Looks very similar to a car I have going in for a PPI tomorrow (minus the wing), and hopefully will see in my driveway in a week. I love the stance, despite how low. The paint looks really great. A low miles 911, great find!

Great looking car. Have any plans for it?

Pcar mechanic here that's rebuilt 100's of 915 trannies said: "don't shift these trannies into first while the car is moving, stop first... it will last a lot longer".

9's on the rear look great.

Salespunk-
welcome. I'm in Encinitas. Met some nice local guys through Pelican.

Doug

Low is great but there is no way you won't either bottom your shocks and/or get bumpsteer at that height without some modifications. My advice would be to raise it up a bit else get the struts modified and the shocks cut down... unless you are running 34/23 TB's, in which case just do the bumpsteer mod.

Nice, we will have to hook up sometime.

Yeah buddy! Nice!

+1 on the ride height. They don't need to be so low to handle absolutely great. 7's and 9's, big time score.

What's that added on light at the rear? Not liking that.

Great Car! Welcome!

Kendall will likely make a positive difference in the 915...

Milt, it appears to me to be a ROW car, side turn signal lights, smaller rear bumperettes and a rear factory fog light. My car has the wire for it, but the light is missing. Kind of funky, I agree.