1988 911 Coupe

[agent00eleven]

New member here, and finally found a 911. I was thinking of backdating her. Any suggestions? However, first I was going to upgrade the wheels. I hear moving the rear 16 x 7's to the front and getting something large in the rear is what most do. I will also get them refinished black instead of the white.

[dfhtrhjn]

Nice car!

16 inch tire selection is pretty slim. If you're buying wheels anyway, you could take a look and see if you like the 17" rota fox fuchs our host sells. 17" tire selection is awesome, though I think most people use 225/44-17 and 255/40-17.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/SuperCat/0819/POR_0819_BDYWHL_pg2.htm#item6

[TheSt|G]

I would hang onto her for a bit before you jump on the backdating wagon. I had similar ambitions when I first got mine, now I just love it for what it is and just want to drive/improve/maintain it.

[christiandk]

Keep it as is! Looks great!

[BE911SC]

Clean this one up, get it well-sorted, leave it stock and then sell it. Then look for something more appropriate to backdate. This one looks too nice to molest.

[darrin]

you sure your rears are 16x7? A lot of the 89s had 16x8 rears and 16x6 fronts -- while putting 16x7 fronts on can fill things up nicely, you may experience tire to fender rubbing if you don't roll your fenders --

also, there are still plenty of NICE tires available in the 225/50-16 rear tire size used on 16x8 inch rims, I believe it's the 245/???-16 size used on 16x9 inch rims that's hard to come by.

[Rich Gas]

I'm running 7 and 8s, no tire rubbing at all. Get 9s if you can...costly if original, but it will look cool and be stickier back there.

[TheSt|G]

Michelin classic can fill the gaps for the oddball sizes, but for the stockers I had no issues finding quality tires for the 16"s.

[Geneman]

Welocom to a fantastic forum this place will turn you int a craving porsche head nut.. it did to me ( be careful of joe bob…)

i had a pristine white 88 coupe 81 k miles that i bought new… garage queen supreme then i ran afoul of the track rats here on Pelican and have fallen off the slippery slope of DE and racing here is my before and after of the track car conversion:

i had gorgeous set of 17 inch genuine , back-in-the-day Ruf wheels … 17 inch , 8s and 9s perfect for a narrow body… … see the pic. bought new from stefania and gary at EMC motors in Montclair NJ.. i still have them and you ,as a lucky guy, can buy them now.,.. 2500 including Ruf boxes . see pics I went from stock 15 inch t fuchs to 17 inch Rufs the difference was amazing.. email me for more pics if interested frank

I also have a genuine Ruf polyurethane front spoiler/airdamn with slots for fogs perfect for narrow body g50 coupes painted pristine porsche GP white $600

rauscher@wistar.org

[teleski42]

I also have an '88. The road surfaces here in MA. are not great and the standard 16's make it work. Only advice is similar to what has been given already; enjoy it, get it sorted as is, and in a year make changes if needed. FYI mine is dead stock excepting an upgraded AC. No complaints!

[Unobtanium-inc]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

I would hang onto her for a bit before you jump on the backdating wagon. I had similar ambitions when I first got mine, now I just love it for what it is and just want to drive/improve/maintain it.

Good advice! When I first got my Carrera I had backdate plans, too. I decided to hold off, had a bare metal repaint done (thanks Ray at BTO!) and reassembled it with rocker covers and all. I love the car and I'm so happy I made no permanent mods to it. - Matt

[amitch]

I've had mine for a year now. I was thinking of removing the whaletail, but after using it for a while I have decided to leave it as is. My only change was the wheels which were white, but after 29 years had become almost a cream colour. I had them cleaned and painted black.

[darmahman]

Looks great with the wheels redone and the whaletail.

[m110]

I have an 88 too. My recommendation is to drive it and maintain it. There will be more than you expect that might need maintenance in the next 10K kms. Only after learning the car and what you intend to do with it will you be able to forge a path to what you want it to be.

[Geneman]

btw if you want a pristine 88 bolt on rear deck with factory whale tail i have one,,,,grand prix white not a mark on it! rubber perfect! cheers frank

[GeorgeK]

Originally Posted by teleski42

I also have an '88. The road surfaces here in MA. are not great and the standard 16's make it work. Only advice is similar to what has been given already; enjoy it, get it sorted as is, and in a year make changes if needed. FYI mine is dead stock excepting an upgraded AC. No complaints!

rear wing without front spoiler is a BAD idea at higher speeds. Enough so that the factory warned about it.

Beautiful car otherwise. The way prices are going, it iswWise to keep them as original as possible.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by GeorgeK

rear wing without front spoiler is a BAD idea at higher speeds. Enough so that the factory warned about it.

Beautiful car otherwise. The way prices are going, it iswWise to keep them as original as possible.

Indeed.

Rear spoiler(not technically a wing ) and front spoiler actually make quite a big difference in lift reduction.

3.2 Carrera tail is essentially the Turbo tail(or in my case I just have an early Turbo tail):

[CCM911]

Backdating has been so overdone lately. I would keep it stock, and make it as nice as you can. That way, it will always be worth decent money.

Geneman has serious emotional problems(just kidding), and has taken a beautiful example and is turning it into a real track monster. He is having fun, but this is going to cost him in the end.

There is room here for all of us, so just pick your direction and most importantly, have fun!

[Storage Man]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Indeed.

Rear spoiler(not technically a wing ) and front spoiler actually make quite a big difference in lift reduction.

3.2 Carrera wing is essentially the Turbo wing(or in my case I just have an early Turbo wing):

Interesting Chart.
Any lift data on effect of chin spoiler and no tail?

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by Storage Man

Interesting Chart.
Any lift data on effect of chin spoiler and no tail?

Not that I personally have.