930 Buying Advice

[donbecker1234]

Hi,*

I've owned a variety of both older and newer sports cars in the past, but my only experience with Porsche was a Boxster S.*

I'm currently thinking about buying a 911, which was originally a wide body (M491) car with a 930 turbo transplant and a G50 transmission.*

I'm definitely more of a driver than a concours / collector. I'm only interested in Coupes, no Targa's or Cabriolet's.*

I've always wanted a 930 turbo but unfortunately the current prices are above what's reasonable for me at the moment.*

Given a good PPI, this seems like the most likely route for me to end up in something like a 930 turbo.*

Interested to hear from other's experience on here, thanks!

[Mocker]

You forgot the last asterisk.

[colingreene]

user name appropriate for the last comment.

[T77911S]

I don't understand the route to get a 930 if they are above whats reasonable for you.
a good PPI does not lower the price

[Bucketlist]

Are you looking to buy a 930 clone instead of a real 930? You could save some money this way especially if you have some skills and can find someones unfinished project.
In the marketplace a nice 930 clone can bring the same money as a real one needing some work. I think 50-60k would buy either one.

[plexiform]

"turbo look" is the way to go and then make the engine however you want. And depending where you are make sure to get an old enough car that getting it smogged or E-checked is not an issue. In CA that means 1975 or older. But if you do it right, it is not going to be much cheaper than just buying a real 930. Might even be more expensive in the end....it's a slippery slope.

[RarlyL8]

I'm currently thinking about buying a 911, which was originally a wide body (M491) car with a 930 turbo transplant and a G50 transmission.

Essentially this is a 1989 930. The M491 IS a 930, neutered with a Carrera engine. Someone fixed that problem for you and added a cool trans as well. If you are looking for fun buy this car.

[donbecker1234]

Originally Posted by T77911S

I don't understand the route to get a 930 if they are above whats reasonable for you.
a good PPI does not lower the price

What I meant was, the current prices for actual 930's are presently higher than I want to spend. Since originality isn't a concern of mine, I'm trying to learn about any potential pitfalls with going with a 930 clone.

[jwasbury]

Originally Posted by donbecker1234

What I meant was, the current prices for actual 930's are presently higher than I want to spend. Since originality isn't a concern of mine, I'm trying to learn about any potential pitfalls with going with a 930 clone.

The pitfalls of going with a 930 clone are similar to any modified vehicle: quality of execution. Don't get me wrong, I love modified 911s and 930s, and the quality and performance of them IMO can exceed factory original cars by a substantial margin. On the flip side, at least with a stock example when something breaks you can refer to the factory service manual and know what you're dealing with.

A real M491 transplanted with a stockish factory 930 engine is pretty easy to execute and therefore IMO carries little risk of it being boogered up by DPOs (Dumb Prior Owners). Therefore the remaining residual risk to a buyer of that kind of 930 clone is being looked down at by some owners of "real" 930s. Thankfully this sub forum doesn't have a lot of folks like that. At the extreme, there are some folks who think that the only "real" 930s have VINs that begin with 930.

[donbecker1234]

Originally Posted by Hot Euro

Are you looking to buy a 930 clone instead of a real 930? You could save some money this way especially if you have some skills and can find someones unfinished project.
In the marketplace a nice 930 clone can bring the same money as a real one needing some work. I think 50-60k would buy either one.

Thanks, that's the range I've been seeing as well. Any links to more info about your car?

[donbecker1234]

Originally Posted by plexiform

"turbo look" is the way to go and then make the engine however you want. And depending where you are make sure to get an old enough car that getting it smogged or E-checked is not an issue. In CA that means 1975 or older. But if you do it right, it is not going to be much cheaper than just buying a real 930. Might even be more expensive in the end....it's a slippery slope.

I'm seeing around 50-60 for an M491/widebody/turbolook. There are some high priced ones, but they are low low mile examples and not what I'm looking for.

Currently the large $ items I can think of are top end rebuild, dealing with the old EFI systems and possibly exhaust, but unless I need an entirely new engine, I wouldn't anticipate a 50-60k clone costing another 60k. But I'm here to learn so please feel free to correct me if I'm off.

[donbecker1234]

Originally Posted by RarlyL8

Essentially this is a 1989 930. The M491 IS a 930, neutered with a Carrera engine. Someone fixed that problem for you and added a cool trans as well. If you are looking for fun buy this car.

Thanks, were there any other differences in the M491 and turbo cars aside from the engine? I believe the brakes were the same, but was any part of the suspension different?

[donbecker1234]

Originally Posted by jwasbury

The pitfalls of going with a 930 clone are similar to any modified vehicle: quality of execution. Don't get me wrong, I love modified 911s and 930s, and the quality and performance of them IMO can exceed factory original cars by a substantial margin. On the flip side, at least with a stock example when something breaks you can refer to the factory service manual and know what you're dealing with.

A real M491 transplanted with a stockish factory 930 engine is pretty easy to execute and therefore IMO carries little risk of it being boogered up by DPOs (Dumb Prior Owners). Therefore the remaining residual risk to a buyer of that kind of 930 clone is being looked down at by some owners of "real" 930s. Thankfully this sub forum doesn't have a lot of folks like that. At the extreme, there are some folks who think that the only "real" 930s have VINs that begin with 930.

Thanks Jacob, I appreciate the advice.

[plexiform]

Originally Posted by donbecker1234

I'm seeing around 50-60 for an M491/widebody/turbolook. There are some high priced ones, but they are low low mile examples and not what I'm looking for.

Currently the large $ items I can think of are top end rebuild, dealing with the old EFI systems and possibly exhaust, but unless I need an entirely new engine, I wouldn't anticipate a 50-60k clone costing another 60k. But I'm here to learn so please feel free to correct me if I'm off.

Depends what you want to do with it. Once you start going down the road of upgrading everything: brakes, suspension, interior....it really adds up. Rebuilding or completely replacing the engine can cost a lot if you have a reputable shop do the work. If you decide to do a complete custom engine build, budgeting $30-50k just for the engine/trans is not unrealistic.

[donbecker1234]

Originally Posted by plexiform

Depends what you want to do with it. Once you start going down the road of upgrading everything: brakes, suspension, interior....it really adds up. Rebuilding or completely replacing the engine can cost a lot if you have a reputable shop do the work. If you decide to do a complete custom engine build, budgeting $30-50k just for the engine/trans is not unrealistic.

Thanks!

[Bucketlist]

Originally Posted by donbecker1234

Thanks, that's the range I've been seeing as well. Any links to more info about your car?

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-marketplace-discussion/1038030-should-i-sell-my-81-sc-turbo.html

You can click my user name and check statistics to bring up all of my former posts.

[Capt Bob]

I have a 1982 slightly modified 930...I really enjoy the performance, the sound, all the curves. Wonderful car, just is old school and it really is only enjoyed by me... I'm thinking of selling as my wife is not completely thrilled with with the 930...if interested let me know.