Ehhhh me again. Some questions.

[cvriv.charles]

I dont know if anyone noticed but I tried selling my car again only to cancel the sale again. I have a lot going on in my life right now. The first time I tried to sell it was because I was having a lot of trouble with the truck. I got that kind of sorted out. Now,... my girlfriend is leaving me. Im not having a good 2010. Anyways. even though she is leaving me, we're splitting on good terms.

Now,... I was going to sell the car because she's keeping the house. Im leaving and would have no where to park it. Now,... I was going to sell it and use the money to pay off some debt. I was going to use my 10000 tax return to buy a new compact car. But i decided to not do that because even with 10000 down I would still have to finance 10000 plus the 6000+ I still owe on the car.

I talked with her and seeing we're on really good terms. I will be staying at the house for while. Atleast until I fix my car Basically im going to use my tax return to fix my car. This way I dont accrue more debt. I get my car back and I can even pay off most of my currnt debt too. This will be good for when I go to nursing school.

Anways,... my question is, how long do you think it would take for someone with mech skills between a newbie and a pro to pull off a job like this if that person had all the money needed up front? I need to move everything from my car over to the new car.

I would like to check everything over and replace what needs replacing while im in there. I would like to do some engine work too. Maybe tear it down and check/ replace. I just want to check everything over to make sure everything is in tip top shape while I have the car dismantled. Do some engine performance upgrades along with suspension upgrades.

About how long? Not that I have a time limit. Im just curious. Thanks.

[cvriv.charles]

im going to really try for a 951 chassis. Or maybe even a so so cheap 951 that still running. sell what I remove from it. I need to get this done.

[Cocacolakidd]

The last 85.5/944 I restored came as two cars ($3000.00 for both). After taking apart both cars and evaluating excellent parts from the so so, then selling the rest I came out very close to even from the purchase. From there on it was still allot of cost to restore the kept car to my standards. Rebuilt motor complete - rings, bearings, all new fasteners, all new sensors (Temp, oil press, ISV, fan switch, etc.), rebuilt throttle body, new water pump, new oil pump, belts and pulleys - much smaller list of used parts over new parts used - head completely rebuilt - on and on, etc. Then there was many new interior parts with new leather covers for the seats, new carpet , new leather covered dash - on and on, etc. The body on the kept Black/black had 6 or 7 small dings which were repaired. The complete body was Soda Blasted down the the galvanizing and new Acrylic Lacquer applied - Total cost to attend to every detail that could be found, and on receipts kept was $5645.00 - This does not include my labor for a year and a half. It was as close to new as I could get it so it drove, looked, felt and smelled like a new one. There again I was building it for my self and little did I know I would sell it - er, it was pried from my hands for $7K and now I'm doing another one.

The first one is the hardest, they get easier after that.

This is what I did - what are you going to do.

[cvriv.charles]

Price wise I can deal with that. Im thinking im going to spend about 7000 - 8000 of the 10000 im getting back. Time wise,.... im not going to spend that much time doing it. I want to do it all within a few months.

Now you did the engine rebuild completely yourself? Or only some of it? I have some experience working on vehicles. I have time under the hood of an S and my current 4x4. I replaced the heads for both of them. Im thinking I'll send the head out to be rebuilt for me. I'll do the block myself. Send the block out to be bored and honed. I'll replace all the pumps, sensors, hose, belts, everything. New rims, tires, brakes, suspension, sway bars,.....whatelse?

[Cocacolakidd]

I sent out the crank, rods and pistons to be micro balanced, micro polished (Crank), and complete inspection for tolerances. Block inspected for tolerances and trueness to Porsche specs. Honed cylinders with paste (Cylinder hone tool was covered with felt so a light re-do was the paste itself). Sent the head to the same shop for new guides and inspection - cracks, trueness/flat and light clean up on intake and exhaust ports. I found fantastic deals on new water pump, new oil pump, new valves, new valve springs, new lifters and a new cam - none of the above was over $150.00 ea., and they were all new out of the Porsche box.

While the motor, transaxle, torque tube, complete suspension and entire interior was out I repaired or replaced all wiring from engine bay to tail lights - inch by inch. All ground points, connections, plugs and sockets were all at least cleaned and repaired to be as new. New Positive and negative 01ga battery cables. Spliced into the positive cable and added an emergency cut off switch at firewall near battery.

[Dave L]

I hate to be the voice of reason but if you are in debt, dont really have a long term solution on where to work on the car (ex might decide she doesnt want the car there forever) and you are planning to go to school taking on a big project might not be a great idea. Aside from that for $8000 you could probably buy a really good, already done 944.

[cvriv.charles]

@Dave - Everyone is in debt and will always be in debt. My debt will be a total of about 4 - 5000. Thats not bad at all My girlfriend or now ex,... wont kick me out until the car is done. I know this for a fact. Technically the house is still mine too. So i definitely have a place to do this. Plus she needs me to finish what I started doing in the house, work wise. Im not worried there. I just want to fix my car up. And yes I could probably buy a nice 951. BUT,... this new 951's condition in unknown. I would probably have to sink additional money into it right away regardless. Plus most 951's dont have a LSD tranny or a K28 turbo and the extra goodies my car has. I need to do the right thing and fix this car.

@Cocacolakidd - great list. I will keep all that in mind when it's time. My priority is that the car is running sweet and handles great. Looks,... I can worry about that later. Except for the exterior. Panels have to be nice.

[John_AZ]

I totally agree with DaveL. Stop reading my post now.

You are just pissing away money on a project.
You have had a bad year with the skid in January.

Cut your losses. Your even tempered ex girl friend will kick you out in mid project and your tax refund will be a pile of steel and parts for eBay.

She wants to move on and you are putting a 944 anchor around both of your necks.

Keep the tax refund for a new start.

Best of success with your decision.
John_AZ

[cvriv.charles]

I do respect your opinions. But I am going to fix the car. This money is a free ticket into the past before the wreck. If I dont fix the car,... what am I left with? 10000 and the need for another vehicle. I cant fully rely on my truck. do I use the money as a down payment on a new car? That will add another 10 - 11000 to my current debt which is money I still owe for my 951. More than 500+ in monthly payments right there. Use the 10000 to buy another used economy car with unknown problems. Been there twice already. Sunk 1000's into each car. Buy another good condition 951 with unknown problems? Why? I already have one. Yes it needs work but i have the time and money to do it. I will use the money to fix this car so thats its in superb running condtion. I will have the same debt i already have. Which is a loan for my 951. $245 a month I have as debt. Seriously,... this is the best way to go. No more accrued debt, I get my car back,... my girlfriend gets to keep me long enough to get work done on house. She cant kick me out. I own half the house. There are many people who have seperated but still live together. we're not the only ones.

So i am going to fix the car. You might be surprised how fast this turnover might be. So what I need from you guys is help when I need it. Cool beans? Please. I just need help and advice on how to do this job. Thanks.

[carlege]

charles, This is really good advice. First i would suggest you sell the car for around 3500 with all the nice parts that should be reasonable.

Second Buying a 25 year old car on credit just might as well be the dumbest thing you have done in your life. Lets stop it there

If you do fix the car you will regret it (and it will turn into the dumbest thing you have ever done so far). Go to school get a good job then buy the car of your dreams. Even then its not guaranteed (with the economy) but keeping the car isnt something that you need to do. Staying around the Ex cant be good and she will get tired of the car thing. fix her house like your suppose to and get out as quick as you can. 10k will get you and apartment for atleast 10 months and cover some bills.

[cvriv.charles]

OK look. Im not buying anything on credit. Im getting 10k back from the gov as a tax return. Thats free money in my eyes. Im not getting an apartment, im moving back home with my mother for 2 years for almost rent free until I finish school. I really wont have any debt after fixing the car. I will probably cut down to part-time at work while I go to school. And I plan on home schooling everything up to the actaul nursing course. No drvie to school everyday. I can stay at home in my undies and study study study. It will be faster that way seeing that I learn better on my own anyways. I dont have to fix her house and she cant make me leave! She can get sick of the car all she wants but she has no choice! I will have it pretty damn sweet once the car is done. It wont take me long to do with because I'll be in there everyday working on it. Plus I know I will be taking some nice vacation to work on it too because I have a TON of paid vacation time. I have it good. im going to take advantage of this and get my car back.

I understand where you guys are coming from but this is not about my debt, where im going to live, and how long I got in my house. Its about how long it would take to fix the car.

Im going to fix my car.

[cvriv.charles]

Maybe I wont completely rebuild the engine. I'll do a leak down and see how that goes. Maybe I just have the head reworked. Change out all the pumps, sensors, check all the wires. Do all the obvious stuff. Only do as much I as need to do. I just want to get to the bottom of the idle stumbling and the oil blow by I was experiencing.

The PO already completely resealed the engine. I pretty sure I heard him say he replaced the crank bearings. I check the cars records. It just that I dont trust anyones work other than my own really. I just want to get my car running good again. Thats all. Not looking to spend forever doing this.

[Arizona_928]

hmmm...

what about sleeving the engine, and running a bigger turbo?.. hmm Two turbo's!
I dunno, there are better ways to waste.. err spend 10 G's.


Soo what is actually wrong with your 951. Is it just lacking maintenance or do you want some serious HP?

My oppion. I think it's absolutely stupid to put 8k into a car you owe 6k on. "not a personal attack or anything" If the engine is strong and has good compression, I would just do a complete reseal, maybe a HG, water pump, and clutch. maybe rod bearing while your in there. you could probably do that for 2k, and probably could get some weltmiester springs to boot.
If you plan on doing a whole frame off restoration, it's gonna take a lot of time and money, and will probably be something you regret.

Have you seen the rennlist thread of the guy that did a complete restoration of his 951? I think he spent 15k, redoing everything.

To answer your queston. It would probably take you 2 months to a year. depending if you worked on the car everyday. But I have a feeling you would get very burnt on this project alone. That's why I have two.

[Cocacolakidd]

Sounds like several Grandmothers have commented on your living conditions, spending habits, and girl friend relationship. Only you are famillar with your personal conditions - some of the other comments barely touched on the complexity of the job you are undertaking.

No matter how long you think it will take to do the job, being as this is your first time to do this much to the car, always double the time for the finished product. This is mainly because as you start to do one thing there will almost always be three other things associated that must be done also. Details, details and more details - you have not counted them yet.

You are not the first to start a project like this, nor the last, there are thousands of others who have done the same thing. The worst case senario is if you give up before you are finished - then you sell an unfinished project at a very discounted rate because you ran out of patience, money and or time.

[Arizona_928]

Originally Posted by cvriv.charles

only do as much i as need to do.

+1.

[cvriv.charles]

Geez,... Cocacolakidd is the only one who truly understands me. Yes I am the only one who knows whats going on under my roof. if I say I have the time I have the time. If I had the slightest doubt that I wouldnt be able to pull this off,... I wouldnt do it! Im not entirely stupid.

I know one thing leads to another. I think anyone with a car knows this. Plus I have done enough on cars to seriously realize this.

I dont know what the big deal is when spending a ton of money on a car that isnt even worth that much. The rule of thumb is and I think it's obvious,... dont spend the money if you know your not going ot get it back when you sell it. Spend it if your going to keep it. I mean really. obvious. If I didnt care about the car I would of sold it already. I S@#$ ytou not when I say this is my favorite car. Even my ex knows this. Im willing to spend the money because I know im going to keep it foooooorever.

For those of you who dont know,... I wrecked it this past winter. The chassis is trash. I want to swap all my stuff into another 951. YES I want power. YES i want handling. Who doesnt? I pretty have all the power I need already. Im running a K28 right now. 65# delco's, chipped, LSD,.... all I need is the chassis. YES, I with throw in some extra performance stuff like a tial wastegate and other various tid bits while ill in there. But the whole point is to do enough to get the car running goooooooood. Thats all.

I just found 2 potencial 951's in my area. One for 3500 and the other for 3000. Both of which arent running. PERFECT! BUT! My luck the GOV hasnt given me my damn tax return yet! So,.... isnt that just great! Im going to call them monday. its been 14 weeks! My ex kind of screwed up my return by not sending in a copy of my W2 but its been 7 weeks since I mailed that in to them after them requesting it. I mean really! If you owe they want it now! If they owe,... they take their time. What is wrong with this picture!

[cvriv.charles]

Originally Posted by 944 Ecology

bookmarking

Funny. Your not getting my car. You can have whats left once Im done with the fix. But thats about it. I'll probably end up selling all the remaining stuff myself actually.

[Grandad#3]

Hi Charles, You are one hard headed guy. Everyone is looking out for your best interests at heart and you are just blowing it all away. If I remember right you were driving in snow with bald tires and slide into a post or tree. That right there shows you don't look ahead for the "What If's". Did you have any insurance on the car? You should have had full coverage if you owed money on it. If you are bow, bent, and determined to fix the car do the necessary work and forget about the nicey upgrades. Pay down some of what you still owe on the car with that 10K you have burning a hole in your pocket. Save that money for the breakdowns ahead. The car is 25 yrs old and it will break down. I don't care what you replace on it now. These cars dollar us to death and it seems if we get bloodied working on one we are doomed. I would love to have a 951, but they cost too much to keep up, so I settled for a 944na and I can afford to throw the money away and still have fun driving it. You are letting this car dictate your life and it should be the other way around. All of us on here just what the best for you.

Cheers,
Larry

[cvriv.charles]

I was not asking for advice what to do with my life. I gave the scenario and asked about how long it would take to fix the car.

I was not driving in the snow with bald tires. The road was clear and dry. I took the car out for a quick test drive after replacing the CV joints. The car slid off the road onto a snowy lawn and that was that. Yes my tires were old and pretty much bald. That im guilty of.

Old cars break down new cars break down. I fix this car and by time im done with it most of the this car WILL be paid off. I will have hardly any debt! CLEAN SLATE! If i buy a new car I will still have car trouble and I'll be 16000 in the hole! Maybe a bit less. There are a ton of people out there with new cars with tons of problems! I know my car and its condtion. I have TWO vehicles! ONE to back up the other!

I dont understand what the problem is here! Really. I want to fix my car. End of story.

[carlege]

then fix your car! and the answer to your how long will it take? depends on alot of things like how fast you work. a week to get the Engine in then 1 day - 1 year to get it running right. Does that clear some things up