New 928 Owner/ Former 944 turbo Owner

[onehot951]

on the 6th of this month my 944 turbo was totalled on an interstate when someone in a minivan wasnt paying attention. i was having a hard time finding a replacement for it until i came across a 1986 928S. i know quite a bit about the 944's but very little about the 928's as far as failure points, things to watch for, and so on. so here comes the question, what are the main points to watch for and is it any harder to work on a 928 versus a 944 turbo?

thank you

[rhjames]

just twice as much engine......

things to watch out for? not much different than any other 20 something year old Porsche...

wiring
fuel systems
rust
timing belt/h2o pump replacement records (if any? When?)
suspension alignments (done correctly front and rear?)

stock or modified?

as many suggest, a PPI is recommended, and a copy of the FWMs is good thing to have.

Be patient with your search. There are some fine examples out there, and some real junk.

--Russ

[Stan.Shaw]

Originally Posted by onehot951

on the 6th of this month my 944 turbo was totalled on an interstate when someone in a minivan wasnt paying attention. i was having a hard time finding a replacement for it until i came across a 1986 928S. i know quite a bit about the 944's but very little about the 928's as far as failure points, things to watch for, and so on. so here comes the question, what are the main points to watch for and is it any harder to work on a 928 versus a 944 turbo?

thank you

Two key issues to be aware of with a 928:

1. timing belt maintenance issues
Generally all 32v variations are interference motors with a very long timing belt, when it breaks , not uncommonly due to ignored maintenance in that area, the pistons will bend valves. Generally the older 16v motors are not interference, unless modified or perhaps with carbon deposits.

2. thrust bearing failure issues
On later automatic 928s (87+) the flex plate can be improperly adjusted resulting in wear on the thrust bearing and ultimately engine failure with a ruined block.

P.S. I had a 944 Turbo S once, great car, very different from a 928. 928s are great in a different way.

[surfdog4]

I think if you are shopping in general it is harder to find a "nice" 928 than a 944 (not having any idea of what your budget is)

I bought my 944 (non turbo) and it was in pretty nice shape. My 928 was a basket case (some might argue it still is ) but am having fun working on it. I think some issues are common (electrical, timing belt, etc) I think the 928's especially the older ones, might have more electrical issues.

The 928 will put your head on the back of the seat when you mash the gas.

[Danglerb]

Maintenance is not the issue with a 928, its part of the appeal, just not in some healthy way.