New to Me 88 Coupe...Yet Another Slippery Slope

[FLA997]

I bought this 88 Coupe with 51k miles two months ago with the intentions of just driving it and not feeding my usual desire of making a car perfect. I've owned several air cooled cars and modern GT cars (993, 964, 997 GT3) and also have a 997.2 Cup Car that I race and am pretty fanatical about, each, eventually becoming full on restos in every regard....Bill V can attest to a 993 RSCS I did, and dearly miss. The 88 was to be a no stress car. Drive it on select days and make the most of Florida winters.

Well...all that changed once I spent some time with the car learning it's "issues" and flaws ...so here we go again. The car was left at Orbit in Riviera Beach, FL this morning and will undergo a pretty good strip down, cleaning, refurb. Orbit recently did a 1989 resto and after laying eyes on it this morning we have our "target." The 89 car is literally better than new (pics below).

Major issues on my car that will be addressed are suspension rework, fuel lines, oil lines, clutch, pedal cluster, axles, miscellaneous worn trim pieces, and a host of other things on a very long detailed list that only a nutcase would be concerned with.... a lot of preventative work, and massive chassis cleaning effort. I am almost certain the list will get much longer as the car is stripped down.

Pics to come with progress. It's going to be fun.

My new 88:



The unbelievably perfect 89 car at Orbit (pics don't do it justice):

[Dmitry at Pelican Parts]

Very much looking forward to following this thread/build. Keep the pics coming!


-Dmitry

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by FLA997

I bought this 88 Coupe with 51k miles two months ago with the intentions of just driving it and not feeding my usual desire of making a car perfect. I've owned several air cooled cars and modern GT cars (993, 964, 997 GT3) and also have a 997.2 Cup Car that I race and am pretty fanatical about, each, eventually becoming full on restos in every regard....Bill V can attest to a 993 RSCS I did, and dearly miss. The 88 was to be a no stress car. Drive it on select days and make the most of Florida winters.

Well...all that changed once I spent some time with the car learning it's "issues" and flaws ...so here we go again. The car was left at Orbit in Riviera Beach, FL this morning and will undergo a pretty good strip down, cleaning, refurb. Orbit recently did a 1989 resto and after laying eyes on it this morning we have our "target." The 89 car is literally better than new (pics below).

Major issues on my car that will be addressed are suspension rework, fuel lines, oil lines, clutch, pedal cluster, axles, miscellaneous worn trim pieces, and a host of other things on a very long detailed list that only a nutcase would be concerned with.... a lot of preventative work, and massive chassis cleaning effort. I am almost certain the list will get much longer as the car is stripped down.

Pics to come with progress. It's going to be fun.

My new 88:



The unbelievably perfect 89 car at Orbit (pics don't do it justice):

Nice car Rob!

Besides cleaning and polishing the only thing I'd do is
7 & 9 x16 Fuchs w/ 205/55 & 245/45
full Bilstein suspension
maybe an lsd
maybe sport seats

The old 993 is still going strong up in Canada w/ occasional trips to the Glen

assuming any of the above are missing

[FLA997]

Originally Posted by Bill Verburg

Nice car Rob!

Besides cleaning and polishing the only thing I'd do is
7 & 9 x16 Fuchs w/ 205/55 & 245/45
full Bilstein suspension
maybe an lsd
maybe sport seats

The old 993 is still going strong up in Canada w/ occasional trips to the Glen

assuming any of the above are missing

Those things are definitely already on the list. In fact the Bilstein suspension and every bushing that's replaceable etc. has already landed at Orbit for installation.

I occasionally see Matt make a post on the other forum about Smurf. To think that car started as a plain-jane red C2 is mind boggling to this day. Hope you are still enjoying those OEM Speedlines....I cant imagine what they cost 10 years later.

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by FLA997

Those things are definitely already on the list. In fact the Bilstein suspension and every bushing that's replaceable etc. has already landed at Orbit for installation.

I occasionally see Matt make a post on the other forum about Smurf. To think that car started as a plain-jane red C2 is mind boggling to this day. Hope you are still enjoying those OEM Speedlines....I cant imagine what they cost 10 years later.

They don't get much use


most of the time these are on the car

[FLA997]

Originally Posted by Bill Verburg

They don't get much use


most of the time these are on the car

But they sure look proper on your car.

[FLA997]

Bill this is what replaced Smurf. There is no slope more $lippery.

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by FLA997

Bill this is what replaced Smurf. There is no slope more $lippery.

Don't I know it, the trend I see up here is to go back to less wallet intensive rides, at least for us normal folks

[FLA997]

Originally Posted by Bill Verburg

Don't I know it, the trend I see up here is to go back to less wallet intensive rides, at least for us normal folks

That was my thought with the 88 as a "distraction" from racing the Cup. To think I passed up basically the same 88 car I just bought, in 2008....for 1/3 the price....sigh. Around the same time as a $29k 95 993 (what I paid for Smurf) and a $50k C2S.

[azhodge]

You obviously have an incurable infection. congratulations on having the resources to enjoy the addiction.

[FLA997]

Some disassembly pics:

[FLA997]

Apologies for picture orientation - no clue how they ended up like that.

[jlex]

Don't forget to have them update the clutch fork when they're doing the clutch work. Haven't done it on my '88 yet but keeping my fingers crossed as it only has 36,000 miles...

[FLA997]

Anyone have a part number for that, or kit? I searched but the results are, at best, confusing.

[Mrdi]

There is a complete up date kit posted on this site.

[FLA997]

Originally Posted by Mrdi

There is a complete up date kit posted on this site.

Thats exactly what I am trying to find.

[FLA997]

I see the arm shaft retrofit on Pelican....but is there a kit that includes the updated arm? i cant seem to locate it on a parts search:

Pelican Parts - European Automotive Parts and Accessories - Porsche • BMW • Mercedes • Volkswagen • Audi • Saab • Volvo • MINI

[jlex]

May want to do a bit of reading on the update:
G50 clutch fork update
Update G50 Clutch Fork

[Mrdi]

Isn't this it ?

G50 Clutch Release Arm Shaft Retrofit Kit
Part #: PEL-ZMTK-116710
(Be the First to Review!)
View Product Details | Related Products
Ships in 4 Business Days
$158.95
Quantity:

[jlex]

Another one that's been widely read:
G50 Cross-shaft Update