Nice buy on a '79 928

[dheinz]

A car enthusiast friend Al just picked up this 928 three weeks ago. He was at the right place at the right time. The car was dirty, the paint faded, and it had just been "hit and run" in the right rear quarter.

Al has restored a few muscle cars to a very high standard. He always liked the 928 style and class and was very happy to obtain this car.

He had the quarter professionally done. Al brougth the mostly original paint back to a high lustre.The car has 49,000 miles and a stack of documentation back to 1979. It is a 5speed and runs out very nice. Al just bought the wheels fom LA Rims? He would like to lower the body at least an inch and add front and rear spoilers.

Comments?

[dheinz]

More pictures of Al's 928...

[Linderpat]

beautiful car! I absolutely would not lower it under any circumstances - it is no fun to "bottom out" all the time, especially during a spirited run. My car was lowered by an inch when the Eibach springs were installed, and I hit all the time. I did install the 928 Motorsport protection plates, and they help to preserve the chin spoiler. Still, it is a pain in the a$$, and diminishes the driving experience.
As to adding spoilers, I wouldn't do that either. It's a '79, so spoilers weren't offered. He'll have to drill the fenders to install, and the hatch in the back. Why ruin what looks like a very well preserved low milage speciman? He should get an "S" if he wants the S look, imho.

[Linderpat]

By the way, where did your friend find that car - I don't recall seeing it at any western PA/central PA functions?

[Danglerb]

Very nice looking car, ride height looks kinda funny though, has it been on a lift recently? It takes the front end a bit of time and miles to settle after being on a lift. The back looks kinda low to me too, but maybe its just the front being high or something.

Lowering REALLY does NOT work well on a 928. The oil pan, alternator, and AC are all already very close to the ground. The Eibachs will lower the car, but are too stiff IMHO, and good luck ever getting it to align properly if lowered.

[Rixter]

early cars don't have adjustable front spring perches, the ride height is correct
adding spoilers requires some work, drilling into rear of car and fenders.... since the spoilers are mostly cosmetic I personally wouldn't add them

[dheinz]

Hey guys,
Thanks for all the responses and info. I will show this thread to Al, who is somewhat computer challenged.

[QUOTE][By the way, where did your friend find that car - I don't recall seeing it at any western PA/central PA functions?/QUOTE]

I believe the 928 was puchased in Monaca. The previous owner didn't use it much.

has it been on a lift recently?

Yes, it was on a lift recently.

early cars don't have adjustable front spring perches

Al is under the impression that the front end can be lowered with a spanner wrench. Apparently not but he will learn.

I can see that Al is becoming addicted like the rest of us.

[Danglerb]

Its not unusual on these old cars to have parts from various years instead of what came from the factory, so it might have adjustables, its just not a good idea to lower it unless you like hitting stuff.

[pcar928fan]

Very great find there! That interior is AWESOME! You just don't see nice interiors like that in the early cars! At least not original interiors that are nice anyway! Well done! What was the buy in price on that beauty?

[rhjames]

many times, there are those who should be left untouched---unmodified.


had either of mine been in this great shape, particularly with the low mileage number, they would not have been modified with anything that didn't come on them.......


I vote for leaving this one alone....Service it, care for it, drive it......and enjoy it.




--Russ

[785sp]

So... what did Al pay for it?

Super interior. Wow.

Al might want to know that some very minor mods will really pep up the early series: a high-flow cat, a lightweight exhaust, and then losing a few more heavy items like the spare tire and tool kit, maybe the air pump, etc.

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by Danglerb

Lowering REALLY does NOT work well on a 928. The oil pan, alternator, and AC are all already very close to the ground. The Eibachs will lower the car, but are too stiff IMHO, and good luck ever getting it to align properly if lowered.

Mine is lowered, i have none of these problems. The alignment is perfect, and as long as i KEEP IN MIND that i'm in a lowered EXOTIC, i have no problems with ground outs, even on HORRIBLE philly roads.

Originally Posted by 785sp

Al might want to know that some very minor mods will really pep up the early series: a high-flow cat, a lightweight exhaust, and then losing a few more heavy items like the spare tire and tool kit, maybe the air pump, etc.

Agreed. Bumping the timing and adding an adj fuel pressure regulator also really helps too.

Originally Posted by Danglerb

... its just not a good idea to lower it unless you like hitting stuff.

If you pay heed to the fact that the car is lowered you'll have no problems.

Gorgeous shark man, tell your friend we wish him the best with it.

[dheinz]

So... what did Al pay for it?

$5400

Thanks for all the responses...

[Danglerb]

Sniper you took a bunch of weight out of your car which would raise it up, is the lowering measured from the factory height, or just lower than it was?

If someone is dead set on lowering, first I would replace the shocks and put in a skid plate.

[devilinblack]

It also depends on the year of the car. According to Jim at 928 Intl (and backed up by my car) the 78-79's have a front end that rides much higher than the later years. The front of my car has a very 4x4 look and forget about it after I've had the front end jacked up, it's ridiculous.

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by Danglerb

Sniper you took a bunch of weight out of your car which would raise it up, is the lowering measured from the factory height, or just lower than it was?

If someone is dead set on lowering, first I would replace the shocks and put in a skid plate.

My shark weighs about 3000lbs with me in it now, and rides about .5" lower than the stock setting up front, and just slightly higher than stock in the rear(i like a nice rake, IMO it makes the car look more aggressive). It rolls on 245/45/16s all the way around.

This picture shows the front ground clearance i get in my S pretty well:


It sits low, but as long as you keep in mind that it does, you should be OK. Of course, i am on my second spoiler, but that's because i listened to an ex-GF when she told me to pull into her driveway despite my better judgement. "Are you sure i'm clearing it?"

LOL...no. I wasn't.

[DanielDudley]

I agree with Sniper that a lower 928 does not have to bottom out, but you need good shocks, and the originals can be tired, even with low mileage.

I have to agree that that is a nice low miles original, but a repro S4 spoiler on a spare trunk lid would look very hot on that car, esp painted body color. Also hubcentric 1'' spacers on the rear wheels would really fill out the wheel arches, and I have done this with those wheels so it works.

Sounds like a great car. OBs are our friends.

[rhjames]

Originally Posted by DanielDudley

I agree with Sniper that a lower 928 does not have to bottom out, but you need good shocks, and the originals can be tired, even with low mileage.

I have to agree that that is a nice low miles original, but a repro S4 spoiler on a spare trunk lid would look very hot on that car, esp painted body color. Also hubcentric 1'' spacers on the rear wheels would really fill out the wheel arches, and I have done this with those wheels so it works.

Sounds like a great car. OBs are our friends.

Agreed as well---

Mine has Bilsteins/Eibachs and is plenty stiff--no bottoming out. Not particularly lowered, but the sidepipes make it appear much lower than stock.

get an original S4 wing, leave it black-it will stand out on that red paint-if you feel the need for a wing.


Nice ride....again.






My name is spelled correctly here>>>>>>>Russ

[N2O-SHARK]

^Agreed, adding the S4 spoiler will be much easier thant he S spoiler set. It's also easier to find decent used or reproduction S4 spoilers than a whole set of S spoilers in decent shape.


Oh and just my asspinion...either loose the mudflaps or put nakid ladys on them.

[rhjames]

Originally Posted by N2O-SHARK

^Agreed, adding the S4 spoiler will be much easier thant he S spoiler set. It's also easier to find decent used or reproduction S4 spoilers than a whole set of S spoilers in decent shape.


Oh and just my asspinion...either loose the mudflaps or put nakid ladys on them.

well....I have two sets of "S" rear spoilers, and an S4 wing----if anybody wants them!




Ladies on mudflaps belong on these^^^^^^^^^^ (well, somebody else's....not mine)




My name is spelled correctly here>>>>>>>Russ