My new journey with an '88 911 Targa!

[Marc718B]

Hi everyone! Newish to the forum (although I already posted some questions and been obsessing over all the info) and it is amazing to see how many people are in here willing to help newbies like me with basic questions as well as helping others with more advanced questions. I'm in northern NJ and already purchased the 101 Projects book (really nice) as well as the Bentley one to start getting acquainted into this passion.

So first of all, here are some pics of my new to me '88 911 Targa with 84K miles in it.






The car is in good shape, although it would benefit from some detailing and paint correction in several places but the interior is almost perfect! That being said, yesterday I took it to a shop that was recommended to me and he gave it a clean bill of health with these items popping up:

1) Clutch is hard: seems like clutch is worn. Gear box oil is full and clean.
- You have to press on the clutch really hard and deep and even then shifting isn't smooth on 1st, 2nd and 3rd (doesn't matter if it has been just started or driven a while).
- Previous owner replaced Shifter and Coupler Bushings back in 2013.
- It was recommended that we replace the clutch and probably also add a short shifter.
- This can be done later this year (see below)

2) Oil seepage from cam carrier: it is not bad at all as no drips falling on floor.
- They will need engine out for this so probably can be scheduled for end of year (and we do this together with the transmission work).

3) Distributor rusted inside: will need to be rebuilt
- To be done also end of year together with replacing the ignition cables (which seem to be original).

So I wanted to get the feedback from experienced people on the following areas:
a. Being that I would have the engine out, would you do anything else? for example, replacing engine and trans mounts?
b. I mentioned a short shifter, any recommendations on this?
c. I was thinking of some modifications to exhaust system. Looking for a "deeper" sound without being the terror of the neighborhood each time I turn the car on or drive by. I also would like to stick with one exhaust rather than two in order to keep the bumper as stock as possible. Any recommendations on this?

Thanks and looking forward to becoming more and more active in this forum.

[Otter74]

Congratulations on your new-to-you 911!

You might want to consider replacing the tunnel fuel lines when you have the drivetrain out. Or at least inspect them.

[Marc718B]

Thanks Otter74! The fuel lines were replaced by previous owner on 2012 but will inspect them. Thanks for pitching in!

[da Vinci Dan]

Originally Posted by Marc718B

So I wanted to get the feedback from experienced people on the following areas:
a. Being that I would have the engine out, would you do anything else? for example, replacing engine and trans mounts?
b. I mentioned a short shifter, any recommendations on this?
c. I was thinking of some modifications to exhaust system. Looking for a "deeper" sound without being the terror of the neighborhood each time I turn the car on or drive by. I also would like to stick with one exhaust rather than two in order to keep the bumper as stock as possible. Any recommendations on this?

Thanks and looking forward to becoming more and more active in this forum.

A. Do all the normal engine out stuff mentioned in the 101 book. Mounts, yes.
B. Do you really want a short shift for the G50? I would start with rebuilding the shifter bushings and the linkage too (don’t skip the linkage). See how you like it after that. My experience with putting a short shifter in my last 915 was not so great. It’s different, I know. But wow - when I learned how to shift that thing! It was amazing. I personally think Porsche did a great job out of the factory on these as long as 1) you know how to really shift (i.e. double clutch and heal-toe downshift).
C. I put on a cat bypass one my 88 that I found here for $100 and a $50 used magnaflow - sound is awesome. Being the terror of the neiborhood is fun too. For this i would recommend connecting a straight out pipe to the cat bypass. There will be drone. Depends on what you like more. Definitely delete the cat either way.

Most importantly, have fun and do what you want. Just keep the original parts for later if you change your mind. I have a cat and OE muffler as wall art in the garage. Who needs pansie vintage posters anyway.

[Trakrat]

Originally Posted by Marc718B

3) Distributor rusted inside: will need to be rebuilt
- To be done also end of year together with replacing the ignition cables (which seem to be original).

How on earth would the distributor be rusted inside? That's not something that has water/moisture in it.

[da Vinci Dan]

Originally Posted by Trakrat

How on earth would the distributor be rusted inside? That's not something that has water/moisture in it.

Agree. This sounded odd to me too. Pics?

[Marc718B]

Thanks da Vinci Dan and Trakrat... I'll check that out this weekend. Wonder if somehow water got to it as some point in which the car wasn't driven for a while... but will know more once I have time this weekend to look into it.

Regarding the short shifter.. I'll take the advice and test it out first after rebuilding. In any case, I'm assuming if I want to go with a short shifter I can do that later on without taking the engine out.

I'm actually trying to avoid being the terror of the neighborhood... but will look for videos with your setup (if you have something already out there let me know).

Thanks!

[rokemester]

You need to study up😉 that’s a nice looking Anniversary Edition 911. It’s a special car. Keep every part if you decide to change anything.

[Marc718B]

Originally Posted by rokemester

You need to study up😉 that’s a nice looking Anniversary Edition 911. It’s a special car. Keep every part if you decide to change anything.

Thanks Rokemester! It is actually a Commemorative Edition (anniversary ones were 89), but yes, it is a beautiful car and plan on keeping track of everything done as well as keeping all parts removed from vehicle.

Thanks for pitching in!

[rokemester]

Originally Posted by Marc718B

Thanks Rokemester! It is actually a Commemorative Edition (anniversary ones were 89), but yes, it is a beautiful car and plan on keeping track of everything done as well as keeping all parts removed from vehicle.

Thanks for pitching in!

Cool, I learned something new! I need to study up!! I never had the Commemorative and Anniversary Editions fixed in my head. The script on driver seat and special interior/exterior color are quite special. What is your car’s color code?

[Marc718B]

Originally Posted by rokemester

What is your car’s color code?

The color is called Diamond Blue Metallic (pretty interesting color that varies based on light). The paint code is L697 (interior RZ). The interesting part is that while the sticker under the hood states paint code L697, the window sticker states it as F5V9

[rokemester]

Love that color! I have color envy. My 87 is L980 silver metallic, prefer the Diamond Blue but will stay with stock color down the line.

[jlex]

Am wondering if the slave cylinder for that clutch and it's flexible line needs to be changed out. May want to give that a try before pulling the engine and doing a clutch job. May save some money if that's the reason for the stiff clutch action. Had to change it out on my '88 last year when the slave cylinder started leaking. Had bled it the year before that and the fluid was quite dark.

[Marc718B]

Originally Posted by jlex

Am wondering if the slave cylinder for that clutch and it's flexible line needs to be changed out. May want to give that a try before pulling the engine and doing a clutch job. May save some money if that's the reason for the stiff clutch action. Had to change it out on my '88 last year when the slave cylinder started leaking. Had bled it the year before that and the fluid was quite dark.

Thanks JLex! I was thinking the same, but could that also cause the shifting not being smooth? It is not just the clutch pedal stiffness but also the shifting.

[911tracker85]

I have a cat and OE muffler as wall art in the garage.

LOL... I do too, came off my 85. installed a CAT bypass and single out free flow muffler. sounds great and definitely way louder than stock but not too loud.

I also have the cracked B&B muffler that allowed hot exhaust to burn through the rubber seal and burn engine bay wiring from my 78 930 conversion project. that is how I got the car. so kept that cracked muffler also as garage art.

have fun with that car!

[jlex]

Originally Posted by Marc718B

Thanks JLex! I was thinking the same, but could that also cause the shifting not being smooth? It is not just the clutch pedal stiffness but also the shifting.

Do you know what kind of gear oil the PO placed in that box? Maybe it was filled with Swepco (used in 915's) instead of oil designed for the G50. I'd pull the shifter and look at the coupler to double check on the bushing replacements that were supposedly done in 2013.

[Marc718B]

Originally Posted by jlex

Do you know what kind of gear oil the PO placed in that box? Maybe it was filled with Swepco (used in 915's) instead of oil designed for the G50. I'd pull the shifter and look at the coupler to double check on the bushing replacements that were supposedly done in 2013.

I don't know for sure what oil was used, but my mechanic said it was the "blue" kind... I don't know if that rules out Swepco or not, but I'll note these points to check. The engine will have to come out as I want to tackle the seepage but maybe if this takes care of the clutch issue I can push the seepage issue to later on. :-) Thanks JLex!

[jlex]

When I had an "85 with the 915 transmission, I used Swepco 201 the "blue kind". When I stepped up to the '88 w/ the G50, the recommended oil was clear, not blue.
Maybe someone can chime in & say whether there is an acceptable G50 oil which is blue.... don't believe there is, but I could be wrong. Am wondering if they put blue Swepco in accidentally which is causing your shifting problems

[gamin]

G50 uses synthetic gear lube. I use Mobile 1 Delvac.

[jlex]

Here is a recent thread on what to use in a G50:
G 50 trans fluid
Again, I could be wrong, but I don't think any of those fluids are blue...