92 968 junk yard find

[FIREMN]

Hi All.
I am new to the 968 world.
I have had 87 924S and now drive a 87 928 S4.

I came across a 92 968. I first noticed it about 4 years ago. At that time it was very sharp. Well, the mechanic apparently took apart the cam and saw that the variable cam timing mechanism failed. So bent valves. He said he had the head reworked. But, never put it back together, and left it out in the elements uncovered. The engine compartment was never put back together either. The front of the engine is apart and all components are there, but rusty...gears and pulleys..
fast forward to now. The owner of the car has since died and the car is up for sale. The mechanic told me 3500.00.

96,000 miles
Paint is in bad shape, clear coat peeling.
Hood is dented from someone closing it on top of the cam cover.
Seats are in good condition.
wheels are cup II look great, tires still have air.
6 speed tranny.
Carpets and rest of interior are surprisingly in good shape.
There are a few new parts but nothing fantastic. Belts possibly a W/P.

Here is the VIN
WPOAA2969NS820321

I am pretty well versed in the 2.5 that was in the 924S that I had, and also know the V8 in the 928 really well.
I have no idea about the VariCam 3.0 tho.

So, I think i can get this car for 1500. and bring it back to life for my Son..he is 13 now..haha it will take that long to get it finished probably But it would be a good project for us.

My questions..
How does this car rate. Was the first year of the 968 a good one or not?
Are parts available?
What is a fair price for this basket case?
If i write the engine off, how hard and expensive is it to rebuild or find another?
If it is not worth trying to bring it back to life, what is it worth for parts?
seats and interior, tranny wheels, straight body panels engine, suspension.

Thanks, trying to feel this out before i go to Hershey on Sat.

[Gawernator]

$1,500 doesn't seem terrible.. so a new hood or repairable? Looking at a full respray right, and probably should drop in a replacement engine, if everything is rusted and just sat...

[FIREMN]

yea, thats about right.
thnks

[saxen]

pics???

[mueller944s2]

It'd be cheaper to buy one in good condition honestly. An engine rebuild WILL get really expensive really fast. And that's just the engine. You can pull one out of a wrecked car for about $3k. Rebuilding it would probably cost more because you always spend more than you plan on spending. One thing you could do is buy a running takeout, fix the hood, and repaint it (assuming that's all it really needs) and rebuild the blown engine on the side in your spare time. Your son can see how an engine works from the ground up.

Personally I wouldn't buy this one, my dad taught me to buy a Porsche that somebody else spent their life savings on. Chances are if it's been sitting, you'll find a lot more wrong with it. Parts are available, expensive but available.

As far as value goes, technically all of us have probably spent more on repairs than the cars are worth anyway. I think on average I dump $3-4k every year on my S2, so unless you're going to dump significant amounts of money in it, I wouldn't be too concerned. I mean you'll eventually spend more on it than it's worth (in dollar values, not fun factor!). But there's also a reason why owners spend so much on them and put up with the maintenace/repairs, they're AMAZING to drive!

The year isn't really important. If you can work on a 928 then a 968 should be downright simple!

[flash968]

first off, hershey will be all but a total waste of time if you are looking for anything 968. you just won't find anything. in all the years of me going, i found very little at all, and nothing i would buy. the 968 crowd just doesn't go there to sell stuff. it's too easy to sell things without having to do that, because the rarity generates demand.

as for the 92 being a "good year" there are only a few things that differ between the 92 and other years, and most of those are cosmetic. there isn't really anything mechanically different, though a few parts are 92 specific.

a used motor will set you back about $3k if it runs well. a rebuild can be expensive, depending on how far you have to go, and if you do it yourself or not.

one thing to understand though is that the 968 is NOT a 944. many things are very different, and it is a lot harder to deal with than a 944. parts are harder to come by, and more expensive too. they just didn't make many of the cars, so year by year things get tougher.

that being said, i now have over $160k into my blue one, and i love the car, and many other feel the same way about their car. you just have to want it.

[kfanazini]

This sounds like a bad idea to me, 8 valve 944 parts are cheap and easy to find. A 968 in this condition is going to be a money pit.

[flash968]

the 968 groups has come to the realization that no matter which way you approach it, whether buying it already done, or buying a lower condition car and restoring it, a 968 in good condition will set you back about $20k in hardtop form, and a few grand more in cab form.

also, there are very few mechanics who know how to work on them, and they are not like a 944 in many respects. many 944 mechanics find this out the hard way, and lose their butts on jobs.

if you aren't prepared for that, then run away.

[FIREMN]

Thanks everyone. That is why i posted. I knew that i would get great council. The previous owner took good care of it and did regular scheduled maint. He may be the original owner. The only mistake he made was taking it to the guy who has it now. I dont think the engine has been infiltrated with water, but who knows. The plan would be a long time build for my son and I.
I go to Hershey just for fun. I have trouble finding things for the 928 there, so doubt that i would even know what to look for on a 968.

[flash968]

as long as you know what you are getting into, the 968 can be a great car. like any semi-rare car though, especially one that shares lineage, there is good information and bad information, and the sifting process can be time consuming and costly. so can the parts and work. even a belt job on the 968 is much more complicated, and requires special tools, if you want all the power available.

unfortunately you won't be able to tell what all is needed on the car, until you get it running, and it may then be too late to avoid big costs.

i would start with the numbers i quoted above, budget for that, and count yourself lucky if you come in under it.

[rhett]

Finding a 'junk yard' grade 968 seems to be a rare occurrence and always one to be considered. If this project is going to be a long term one for you and your son..then go for it, if you can actually get it for $1500. You obviously know your way around Porsche engineering (a 928 owner has to!), and although there are many differences here and there it is still a '92 year car and '92 technology. If the head has been repaired (as stated), then getting the engine back together should not be too much of a problem as time is on your side and there are plenty of real (grease under fingernails) experts to assist on this very forum.

In my experience, if you are prepared to play the waiting game, 'stuff' generally becomes available and sometimes at relatively low cost.

It would be great to hear that you are going to give it a go rather than part it out..we need to keep these rare Porsches intact and on the road.

As an aside, and perhaps another forum member can answer this...is it possible to retrograde the 968 to fit a late 91-92 944 S2 engine + ancillaries. These units are pretty close in performance, easier to work on, cheaper to repair and plentiful. If possible, you might be able to fit one of these...just my 20cents worth!

That last question just might start a bit of debate, or get me kicked off the forum as a heretic!

Take care..

[rick13]

You could always dive off of a tall building with one of those Base jumping Bat suits.

[mueller944s2]

Originally Posted by rhett

Finding a 'junk yard' grade 968 seems to be a rare occurrence and always one to be considered. If this project is going to be a long term one for you and your son..then go for it, if you can actually get it for $1500. You obviously know your way around Porsche engineering (a 928 owner has to!), and although there are many differences here and there it is still a '92 year car and '92 technology. If the head has been repaired (as stated), then getting the engine back together should not be too much of a problem as time is on your side and there are plenty of real (grease under fingernails) experts to assist on this very forum.

In my experience, if you are prepared to play the waiting game, 'stuff' generally becomes available and sometimes at relatively low cost.

It would be great to hear that you are going to give it a go rather than part it out..we need to keep these rare Porsches intact and on the road.

As an aside, and perhaps another forum member can answer this...is it possible to retrograde the 968 to fit a late 91-92 944 S2 engine + ancillaries. These units are pretty close in performance, easier to work on, cheaper to repair and plentiful. If possible, you might be able to fit one of these...just my 20cents worth!

That last question just might start a bit of debate, or get me kicked off the forum as a heretic!

Take care..

It can be done. There really isn't a big difference in acceleration, I was in a 968 last month and was expecting it to be faster, nope. I think one reason why its 0-60 is higher is because of the S2's inability to hit 60 in 2nd gear (I think the 968 can), 0-58 would be a different story. I have an article where the S2 was over revved in 2nd and hit 60 in 5.8. But they made about the same number of S2's as they did 968s (give or take). I'd just stick with the stock engine. It's a little quicker with a 6-speed and you don't need to do the conversion (exhaust, intake, DME I believe)

Some of the parts are more expensive, some aren't. Depends on what breaks. Belts and rollers are the same, water pumps are actually cheaper, intake manifold gaskets are more expensive. In any case you'll want the special tools for the 944/968 belt job, timing belt wrench and balance shaft locking bar.

[flash968]

the S2 engine can be made to work in there, but it takes quite a bit of doing. as for performance, while the hp numbers aren't that far off, the torque curve tells a different story. the 968 has a much flatter and wider torque curve than the S2, with the S2 barely tipping over 80kw at peak and the 968 spending all of its curve above 2k rpm well over that.

[FIREMN]

MORE PIX TO COME.

Engine is not seized. plug hole were covered, dont know where the intake and front of engine covers are.

[rhett]

Doesn't look too shabby at all - seen a lot worse! However, what actually caught my eye was the Daimler (or MK2 Jag - difficult to tell) hiding in the grass. Over here, they are truly collectable and in good order fetch a lot of money. But, if you thought a Porsche 968 might be a money pit...just try one of those!

Go on, haggle with the man and get the 968..

............How can a 'mechanic' leave an engine in that state? He is a disgrace to the trade....

[strath44]

DO IT!

looks not bad but then so does everything from 10 yards!

If you can really get it at that price its worth a punt.

It looks like its sitting quite high!?

+1 on the jag it could cover your 968 costs if you get it for a song, and move it straight on!

[strath44]

if you do get it the head must come off for inspection no matter what he says!

[ibtisam.jawad]

If you get the car and for some reason do not want the interior... i will buy the interior pieces from you.

[saxen]

if you don't buy it can I have the contact info? I would love to fix her up!