Carrera Tensioners

[glenndeweirdt]

Have recently purchased ORIGINAL "83 911SC with 25,000
miles. Car is in excellent condition (9.75/10). Will use only 2-3000 miles per year on street only, no track.

Do I really need to upgrade chain tensioners and install popoff valve? Your thoughts please gentlemen (and ladies).

Glenn DeWeirdt
Excited new Porsche owner

[Targa77]

Well, for peace of mind, I would. Mechanical tensioners can fail with no warning and if that happens you are looking at a total rebuild (Big $). If your car backfires, it can blow your airbox ($40.00 vs. $350). If you decide to stick with the stock tensioners, you can install chain guards that will prevent total collapse of the tensioners. However, I have read that if it fails with the guards in place, it hard to tell that they have failed at all. Over time, with slack in the chain, you can risk even more damage. The pop-off valve I would consider mandatory.

[thrown_hammer]

I would recommend both. One backfire and you need a new airbox. (OUCH)
The tensioners may be hydraulic on an '83.(not sure) Look to see if the timing chain covers have small oil lines running to them. I updated mine in one afternoon, more time removing and replacing stuff than actually replacing tensioners.

[makaio]

Pop off valve is mandatory, unless you like buying new air boxes! I would install the carrera tensioners as well. Only $400 if you do the labor. Both are cheap insurance.