Whaddaya think of this? I'm thinking I'll link this thread as an abbreviated version as well.
For Sale: 1985 Porsche 911 Cabriolet. Actual mileage is unknown. The title is listed as not actual mileage which probably happened due to an odometer failure. I've worked for the last 8 years on making this car what it is today.
History is below so read on if you’re so inclined. Asking Price is $38,000.
This is going to be a bit long but should answer any questions about the car if you take the time to read it and follow the links.
I’ve been contemplating selling my Cab for almost two years now. The decision hasn’t come easily as I bought the car from my brother and it has been a project my son and I worked on together. I just don’t drive the car enough to justify keeping it any longer.
My brother purchased this 1985 Porsche 911 Cabriolet back in 2009/2010 as a donor car for the 3.2 and 915 transmission. His intent was to keep the engine and transmission and part the rest of the car out. I asked that he not part the car out because it was still a solid 911 Cab and it just didn’t seem right to part it out. My brother sold me the roller on the condition that I “finish it”. I said “deal”.
Forward to 2013. The car had been sitting in my shop waiting for a 3.2 transplant for about 4 years while I searched for a donor car. I finally found the donor in Springfield IL in a 74/5 tub that was being fashioned to be a wide body speedster.
I was told the engine and transmission came from a low mileage 911 that had been wrecked but I have no verification of mileage on the donor engine.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-used-parts-sale-wanted/762733-75-targa-tub-partial-strosek-964-speedster-kit-installed.html
I installed the donor car engine and trans in September 2013 not knowing if either worked. After a few stumbles, I had everything up and going.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/769731-installed-3-2-wont-start.html
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/770518-smoke-smoke-more-smoke-but-not-coming-out-exhaust.html
One of the first things I noticed when driving was that the 915 was a bit “clunky” when going from 1 to 2 or from 2 to 1.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/781765-grinding-when-downshifting-into-first.html
So I dug into the shift coupler and replaced the tunnel bushings as well.
The current coupler has brass bushings but I have another coupler with new Delrin bushings I’ll include with the car.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/782334-shift-coupler-bushings-prothane-delrin-brass.html
In 2019 my brother finally talked me into doing a refresh of first and second on the transmission that came from his 83 Targa. The work included new first and second gear synchro rings, sliders, dog teeth. I replaced the needle bearings because I found a few cages with cracks when I removed the gear stack to inspect everything. In the spring of 2021 I installed the refreshed transmission. The transmission now shifts flawlessly.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/1044627-cabs-915-1-2-refresh-check-your-needle-bearing-cages.html
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/1091762-mating-older-915-car-speed-ref-sensors.html
April of 2014 I decided to tackle the interior since I knew the engine and transmission were okay. This escalated quickly into a full paint, interior refinish, body seal replacement and new cab top being installed.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/paint-bodywork-detailing-forum/797267-while-im-there-strikes-again.html
I always thought the engine had a weird exhaust note! With the interior and exterior looking good I moved onto some performance upgrades. I was doing some testing of my engine in preparation for a new performance tune by Sal when I figured out what that weird exhaust note was. Yep! Broken head stud.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/865247-well-cant-good-exhaust-leak-head.html
Once I had the head stud issue taken care of it was back to tuning. Sal helped me make sure everything was in tip top shape prior to him checking my DME and installing a performance tune. Sal recommended that I have an AFR gauge installed to help determine engine health so I installed a system with data logging capabilities
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/886498-wiring-14point7-wideband-connect-lsu-4-9-power-source-only-when-engine-running.html
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/907707-another-satisfied-sal-scarceller-customer-chipped-my-dme.html
From this point it was basically just refining the car. I removed the central lock system due to a micro switch issue. The original central lock parts were kept and will come with the car.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/798449-central-lock-help-before-i-scrap-system.html
March 2015 I installed turbo tie rods, new front struts, new rear shocks, rebuilt the brake calipers, installed new ceramic pads and installed new rubber bushings. The only bushings that have not been replaced by me are the spring plate bushings.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/853727-turbo-tie-rods-worthwhile-upgrade-street-car.html
Some engine bling was added recently when installing the refreshed transmission.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/1091507-brought-my-fan-housing-gun-shop.html
I could probably keep going but at this point you should have the idea that this car has had the attention it deserved. It’s not a “perfect” example of a 1985 Porsche 911 Cabriolet but it’s a damn nice example of one. Most of the history during my ownership exists here on Pelican in the tech section. I have a binder with receipts dating back to the original owner.