Just bought a 924S

Hoss Ghoul · 08-15-2005, 12:27 AM

Hey all, just wanted to introduce myself and post a few pics of my new car....it won't let me, arghhh!

I've been lurking and reading up here for a few months on and off, and a little more heavily since the purchase 2 weeks ago.

The car is in good overall condition, the mechanical bits are basically sound with only one major job(knock on wood) needing to be addressed. Shocks.

Other minor issues include needing a new front valance, and the piece between the headlights...horn doesn't work, AC doesn't work(no fluid whatsoever...leak I assume), one brake light is dimmer than the other(believe it is a two bulb system...haven't pulled lenses/covers), sunroof doesn't lock(just lifts right out from the inside), dash is cracked(totally normal, I understand), headlights aren't ligned up perfectly(unit, not bulbs).

My only concern right now is the shocks, they need replacing, was thinking of going with Bilsteins, Konis are a bit too expensive, and KYB/Boge may not offer what I'm looking for even though they are much cheaper.

Well, any thoughts/opinions you have are welcomed. The bodywork on the front that I need is relatively minor, but if you know a good parts supplier speak up.

Know how to fix the horn/sunroof, let me hear.

Anything else...let me have it.

Cheers.

Hoss Ghoul · 08-15-2005, 12:53 AM

Oh yeah, forgot this other issue.

Small coolant leak when I first got the car...turned out it was just a bad radiator cap, no biggie...but the car does run a little hot when idling around town/in traffic.

My understanding is that this is not uncommon to these cars and that it can be avoided/watched, and just don't let it get to far into the red.

I am going to do a coolant flush, and make sure the right coolant is in the car. Any recommendations regarding a lower tempature thermostat. I've read of folks going lower(160, etc) and even adding fan switches. All of this is familiar to me, but not on a Porsche.

Please give me some educated experience with these issues, those who have done this and their results, thanks.

P.S. Oil. Lots for a car with a fairly small motor, which is great, what do you run, and what are your intervals. I was planning on going synthetic with seasonal changing intervals(sping/fall). I live in Northern California and will be putting anywhere from 4-8K miles on the car a year...weekly use, no long periods of sitting.

herdman · 08-15-2005, 07:12 AM

Hey, Hoss, Welcome to the site. Replacing the panel that runs between the head lights is simple. Look on the 924,944,968 classified side of this site and I,m sure someone will have one for sale. I,m also sure that someone out there will tell you to check your water pump, belts,and rollers. If the pump leaks fluid on the belts, they will streach or break. These are "interferance" engines and if the belts are loose or break, pistons come up and hit open valves and causes all sorts of damage. What year is your 924S? 88's have a little higer CR that gives them a few more HP. Other than that the two years are about the same. Would love to see those pics. Good luck with your new toy. Larry. PS I've got an '87 guards red with black interior. Just put 4 wheels off of a 968 along with a 944 rear wing. About those shocks and struts. KYB's will firm up your ride and are cheap. A lot less front end dive while breaking but might be too stiff for some people. I've heard they don't last as long as some other shocks but the set on my 1968 mustang are still good after 10 years of hard use.

Hoss Ghoul · 08-15-2005, 11:28 AM

Hey, thanks for the reply.

The timing belt and waterpump were both replaced in March of 04, the car has 17K miles since then, but both seem to be in good shape.

The car is a 1987 924S, has 113K miles. Black on Black(grey inserts on the seats).

I'm working on posting the pics to a hosting service, hopefully will have some up today.

blk924s · 08-15-2005, 11:39 AM

I bought Boge "Turbo" (advertised as giving more control) shocks/struts for my 924s, which I like a lot. My understanding of the kyb option is that you can only get performance shocks (white shocks), not struts (you have to buy the silver ones which are just "normal").

Hoss Ghoul · 08-15-2005, 11:45 AM

Thanks for the info, I went with the Bilsteins and will let you all know how they feel once they're installed.

Here's a few pictures of the car:

fast924S · fast924S's Garage

Welcome to the board. Nice 924S, I too have a 87 924S red on black. WHere are you located??

bobcat0 · 08-15-2005, 03:18 PM

Hey Hoss...congrats and welcome...like the "Ferrari like" Porsche logo on the front quarter panels...

pokey · 08-15-2005, 03:43 PM

Welcome! I have an '87 924S black on puttyish (not sure what to call the interior color) with a later higher CR engine.

lousailor · lousailor's Garage

I'll join in... Welcome. My 924S is a long term project, and I went with the full turbo suspension upgade with adjustable Koni's.

Dougster · 08-15-2005, 09:05 PM

Congrats!
Take good care of her & enjoy the ride!

Hoss Ghoul · 08-15-2005, 09:17 PM

Thanks for the kind words everyone.

Right now the car is back in Virginia and I'll be driving it out here to the Bay Area, California in about a month.

bobcat0, yeah, those stickers are going to have to go, lol...

bryanthompson · bryanthompson's Garage

wow, that's quite a drive. If you want to compile a list of support-pelicans along the way, just ask and you'll probably get a flood of messages.

mattdavis11 · 08-16-2005, 09:45 AM

On the horn issue, check the ground from the steering rack to the cross (engine support) member. Brown is ground all around. If all is well there, pop off the horn pad on the steering wheel, check that the horn pad wire is connected. If not take a 23 mm socket and pull the wheel. Clean the contacts, you should see a tab and it's relation to the ring on the wheel.

Congrats! Nice ride.