Is the 930 significantly better than SC ownership?

[Joe Bob]

An SC with a 3.6...best combo I've driven.

[j911brick]

Originally Posted by javadog

That's surprising, since I consider them night-and-day different. FWIW, the 2 930's I had the longest were a bone stock '80 ROW version and an '86 US car that I bought new and kept for 25 years. I had them both at the same time, so I got pretty familiar with their characteristics. Even my wife liked the '80 better than either the '86 930 or her '86 911.

I ran the '86 for years, bone stock, then modified it like most other US cars (cams, turbo, exhaust, intercooler, etc.) and either way, the ROW car was easier to drive.

Oh well...

JR

The car I have the most time in is a 965 which I really like. I've driven early (pre '79) US 930s, but never a late (post '86) one. I would think the later ones were better, but can't say for sure. And I have never had any of them back to back.

I'm not arguing with yo; just relaying my different experience. I think the 930 I'm driving now may have an issue due the recirculation valve leaking excessively causing A/F metering problems off boost.

Another thing I just noticed the other day is when you get off the throttle the motor is still making power for a brief second, further complicating drivability.

[Ronnie's.930]

Originally Posted by j911brick

Another thing I just noticed the other day is when you get off the throttle the motor is still making power for a brief second, further complicating drivability.

This is the deceleration valve (aka: vacuum limiting valve) at work - it sends air into the intake manifold when the throttle plate closes . . . many, including me, have removed this component and capped the appropriate ports (several threads on this) . . . when done, the 930 decelerates like a "normal" car but exhaust popping, while decelerating, is increased dramatically . . . some have put the valve back on, despite the dimished throttle responce with it in place, due to being annoyed by the popping.

[McLovin]

Nothing could possibly be better than an '83 SC, black black, all stock.

[javadog]

A '78 or '79 US 930 is much different than an '86-on US 930. I can't say the later cars drove "better". I think if you ask most people, the things that most people complain about in a 930 were more pronounced in the later US cars. Still, any 930 can be made to run well.

I also like the 965 cars. They'd be a much better car for daily driving. I don't like the 5 speed, though. First gear is just too short. The later 6 speed cars are worse in that respect, in my mind. You spend so little time in each gear it's ridiculous.

JR

[Ronnie's.930]

Originally Posted by McLovin

Nothing could possibly be better than an '83 SC, black black, all stock.

Given that line of thought, you might need to perform one of the exams you advertise on yourself.

[Joe Bob]

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by j911brick

I think the 930 I'm driving now may have an issue due the recirculation valve leaking excessively causing A/F metering problems off boost.

Another thing I just noticed the other day is when you get off the throttle the motor is still making power for a brief second, further complicating drivability.

This is good info for Pleco. The 930 has the added layer of boost maintenance on top of CIS maintenance. Not referring to big dollar fixes like a new turbo but the fussy stuff - the "noise" - that detracts from performance and suck resources to repair.

[woywitka]

Where I live the 930 is absolutely pointless unless you want to end up on the front page of the paper with quotes of "antisocial personality disorder".

That being said, I still want one. Since I was a kid there is no car for sale that makes the hairs on the back of my spine tingle so much. I become weak in my knees when I hear one. Tears come to my eyes, dogs run inside, the sun slips behind clouds, thunder strikes, and most importantly once you overcome that turbo lag fire shoots out the back like a rocket ship to the moon.

I still haven't driven one. A 911SC is very fun, but my Saab 900 turbo is faster, more comfortable, and has handling good enough that I pass up driving the SC often to enjoy my Saab.

One day, I hope to have the chance to drive one.

[LOWFAT]

The best advice would go and drive "good" examples of both. Drive the car's in the city and if the owners will allow get out on the highway and maybe a back road. get the feel for both car's power delivery and handeling traits. When I started looking for a 911 I knew there was no other car out there that I would rather have. I started looking at 3.2's but the turbo was always in my mind, The look the sound the smell I knew the turbo was the way to go.If you learn to work on the car yourself and get familiar with the search engine on here then doing repairs and upgrades can be done on a budget.It's true the turbo wants to get out and run where it can stretch it's legs but will happily take you to work also if you learn it's traits. Don't be scared off by repair cost's all of these car's are getting old and will need repairs. The cis injection has a few quirks but is easily diagnosed and repaired after you get familiar with it. All you need is a good set of cis gauges a multimeter and some carb cleaner and you can find most problems. Yes the turbo has a few more cis parts but most of these systems can be eliminated when they fail if you don't live in a smog check area I have never had a frown on my face when I was behind the wheel of my 86 930.

[Les Paul]

I SERIOUSLY doubt few 930's have the original K-26 let alone the early K-27's. Most people that have these cars for any period of time have gone to headers, a K-27 hybrid and a muffler. Very little wait wait then boom like the K-26.

I had a good friend that bought an 89 911 about 15 years ago. He'd been in my car many times with any new engine configuration I made. He spent a bunch of money on bolt ons for his 911. He thought he had about 270hp with his mods and came over. I had never driven a 911 so we swapped out. I let him lead us on a 45 mile drive. It felt like his car had a frickin boat anchor. He sold his car a couple of months later and admitted he should have gotten a 930.

All that said I would not want the 930 as a daily driver.

[mppickett]

Bingo. Exactly my experience, too. If you love a thrill, there's nothing like a turbo, though.

Originally Posted by PorscheGAL

I have never driven an SC only my Carrera vs the turbo. I will say that comparison is like apples and oranges. A turbo loves the highway and long leg drives. It is not happy until 15 to 20 minutes into the drive and once the oil gets warm it is ready to go. They are sad in traffic and uncomfortable in short stops and starts. They want the open road with wide turns with a few cars to pass. If you live in an area with lots of commuter traffic then owning a 930 is like having a Great Dane in a small apartment. It just doesn't work or if you force it to work you are both unhappy.

On the other hand, a Carrera, and I suspect an SC, work in both worlds. It can handle traffic, and enjoys small twisty roads. On the highway, a Carrera is fun, but not to the level a 930 is.

When I walk out the door, I pick the Carrera for short traffic trips and the 930 for those that will allow it to stretch its legs.

IMO: neither is "significantly better," just different.

[Plecostomus]

Originally Posted by McLovin

Nothing could possibly be better than an '83 SC, black black, all stock.

McLovin!! Messin with my head again! :]

[Plecostomus]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

Ok! You guys are killin' me!

[Plecostomus]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

This is good info for Pleco. The 930 has the added layer of boost maintenance on top of CIS maintenance. Not referring to big dollar fixes like a new turbo but the fussy stuff - the "noise" - that detracts from performance and suck resources to repair.

Thanks, Bob. Nice kitty, btw

[Joe Bob]

pull the trigger already!!!!!

[McLovin]

Originally Posted by Plecostomus

McLovin!! Messin with my head again! :]

lol.

I still think this thread should be titled "Is the 84-89 Carrera significantly better than SC ownership."

Get an '84 or '85, backdate the front valance and fog lights, swap emblems on the decklid and you are good to go.

While it seems black/black wasn't all that common on the SC, it was a very popular color combo on the Carrera. Lots of them out there.

[Plecostomus]

Thanks McLovin and Bob! I've got ants in my pants for a 911. I've considered other colors, but the wife agrees it must be a black sc. I'd easily hop on a black '86 turbo. Will keep u guys posted otherwise.

Thanks again everyone else for the suggs. Regards,

Kurt

Originally Posted by McLovin

lol.

I still think this thread should be titled "Is the 84-89 Carrera significantly better than SC ownership."

Get an '84 or '85, backdate the front valance and fog lights, swap emblems on the decklid and you are good to go

While it seems black/black wasn't all that common on the SC, it was a very popular color combo on the Carrera. Lots of them out there.

[Aussie Thunder]

A photo of my 930 89 black 5 speed to make you jealous !!

[dhagood]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

pull the trigger already!!!!!

this. the best 911 on the planet is the one parked in your garage.