Help on 930 info (semi Long)

villaconn · 06-21-2005, 07:58 AM

Greetings all:

I've been lurking and reading here for a little while. I finally subscribed. I am starting to do homework on 930's 'cause I want one bad. You know the story...ever since I was a little boy...

I've had a few P-cars so I'm no stranger to them. I am just not versed enough on the changes the 930 has undergone through the years. I tried looking for a 930 buyers guide to no avail. I found one on Amazon but it was in e-book form. I like books. Maybe I have not looked hard enough. What I am basically looking for is some literature that would reflect the differences within the years 76 to 89. What are the idiosyncrasies, pros, cons etc within the model years and such. What to look for in a used 930. Etc. This way I'll be able to make an educated decision as to which model year to look for and finding the perfect car. I "think" i want an 89 (the 964's are great I just prefer the older body style) but I might be mistaken. I know I want an intercooled engine. I know I don't want CIS. I know I need A/C.

I am not looking for repair guides or Haynes manual although they are useful. I am decently mechanically inclined so I'll be doing my own repairs. I've worked on a bunch of 911's. Not many 930's and that was a few years ago. I do not mind fixing some issues in a car I just don't want to get a car that I'm going to have to tear into right away. Hence the homework I need to do.

Any help in pointing me in the right direction as to where to find this information would be greatly appreciated.

Regards and later apexes,
Ricky

Cory M · 09:12 AM

You'll get a better response in the 930 forum on Rennlist. Also take a look at 911turbo.com and turbo911.com

A history of changes made to the model can be found in "The 911 Story" by Paul Frere.

twin plugged targa · twin plugged targa's Garage

Welcome aboard Ricky,
I am currently in the hunt for a 930 - this is a huge subject and not a 5 minute e-mail post. But some of these guys may be able to reccomend a book which will help. Me I have picked up most of my feeble knowledge from just reading posts here.
You can pick up advice on the gearing i.e changing the gearing on a 4 spd to make it more 'driveable' or put in a modified 915 tranny!.
There are not thatr many 89's around which are'nt high numbers so I would not rule out a 77-88 car.
I would not rule out a 964 turbo as it has the G50 tranny and more power, better suspension and more creature comforts!.
You may do a search for archive threads on modifications- ie. intercoolers , exhausts, cams, etc.
Good luck and happy hunting
Ben

Slant930 · 06-21-2005, 09:17 AM

If you don't want CIS you're out of luck for the model years you are looking at. I'm pretty sure up until '94 they still have the CIS. '89 had the 5 speed which is desirable for most, and most draw a premium because of that. I would say '86-'89 is good bet for most. Having a car with good history and records also helps. Plenty of unknowns can pop up on these babies. Feel free to drop me a PM for any specifics. I've had my 930 for 8 years and it was actually my first Porsche. I've learned a lot, and still learning.

Timothy

hobieboy · 06-21-2005, 09:50 AM

BA's 911 performance book would also be another good source that describes the engine changes through the year. All turbos prior to the 993TT uses CIS though displacement goes from 3.0 for the earlierst ones to 3.6 for the 94 (think that's the only year).
89 is the only year prior to 964 that has 5 speed so tends to draw a premium.
Good luck in your search.

David · David's Garage

I'm sure I'm missing a lot and probably some of this is incorrect, but here's what I can think of:

76-77, 3.0 engine, no-intercooler, small brakes, 4 speed tranny.
78-79, 3.3 engine, intercooler, 4 piston brake calipers, floating front disks(very expensive).
80-85, non-floating front disks, all else the same. Not available as a US model
86-88, US model available, larger AC vents (I think), formed fender flares instead of the previous welded on flares, 9" wide rear wheels.
89, 5 speed G-50 tranny.

930addict · 930addict's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by villaconn
I am just not versed enough on the changes the 930 has undergone through the years. I tried looking for a 930 buyers guide to no avail. I found one on Amazon but it was in e-book form. I like books. Maybe I have not looked hard enough. What I am basically looking for is some literature that would reflect the differences within the years 76 to 89. What are the idiosyncrasies, pros, cons etc within the model years and such. What to look for in a used 930. Etc. This way I'll be able to make an educated decision as to which model year to look for and finding the perfect car.

Get Bruce Andersons performance handbook. It'll give you all the information you are looking for and then some. Bruce talks about how the 911 evolved and details all of the changes made year by year. He also talks about popular modifications.

The biggest difference between an 89 930 and the earlier 930 is the transmission. The 89 came with a 5 speed G50 tranny which is more refined and has shorter gears. The earlier 930's (86,87,88? - someone correct me here 'cause I don't know the exact years) had a 4 speed gearbox with tall gears.

villaconn · 06-22-2005, 07:31 AM

This is great. Thanks to all that replied. I will be getting Anderson's book for more insight. I did browse through the rennlist bb and even though some of the guys here post there as well it seems like a "different" kind of crowd. I find this board more useful as it is more technically oriented with a lot less bling. (that last statement might bring some flames). I'll start doing my reading and homework and go searching for an example I can live with. In the meantime I'll hang around and see what you guys are up to.

Ricky

PS: Any Philadelphia area 930 owners want to get together and chat cars and bikes? I've got a couple of interesting things in my garage worth chatting about.

arrivederci · 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 125shifter
I'm sure I'm missing a lot and probably some of this is incorrect, but here's what I can think of:

76-77, 3.0 engine, no-intercooler, small brakes, 4 speed tranny.
78-79, 3.3 engine, intercooler, 4 piston brake calipers, floating front disks(very expensive).
80-85, non-floating front disks, all else the same. Not available as a US model
86-88, US model available, larger AC vents (I think), formed fender flares instead of the previous welded on flares, 9" wide rear wheels.
89, 5 speed G-50 tranny.

One more thing to add for the 78-79. They had the euro fuel system which apparently was capable of supporting more fuel at the higher boost levels. I've heard that the limits of the US fuel system are about 400hp, whereas the euro can support up to 450hp.

A basic rule of thumb on the interiors: the 930s shared much with the 911s. So improvements (dash vents, headlights, seats, other creature comforts) you'd find in the 911 line are also seen in similar vintage 930s.

You may want to seriously consider a 964 Turbo. They have a significantly improved A/C system, whereas my A/C always left a lot to be desired, even when fully charged. There are aftermarket kits that will covert A/C to R134a and improve its efficiency at the same time, but they are $$$.

FYI - my 930 is for sale. It goes in for a PPI tomorrow and might be gone as soon as this weekend.

villaconn · 06-22-2005, 01:08 PM

FYI - my 930 is for sale. It goes in for a PPI tomorrow and might be gone as soon as this weekend.

That's a nice example.

vlocci · 06-22-2005, 01:19 PM

Rick,

I'm inches away from putting my current 930 up for sale, after just placing an order on a 997 twin turbo. Still trying to find a wway to avoid it, since the 930 was (and is) one of my favorite cars.

I've owed several 930 over the years and have learned a lot. (trial and error is an expensive teacher with these cars)

Shoot me an email at vlocci@gmail.com with your phone number and I'll spout at the mouth for an hour about what to look for, what to avoid, costs to operate, etc.

No charge, I like hearing myself talk

Vin

David · David's Garage

I forgot about the 78-79 fuel distributor. Mine will be for sale one of these days when I get my EFI system on. I guess I'm just holding on to it because one of these days I'm going to realize how much money I've spent, stop spending, and put whatever old stuff I have left back on to get it running.

slow&rusty · 06-23-2005, 05:58 AM

I recently bought an '89 930, this was the only model year I was looking for due to the G50/50 transaxle, plus it has the lovely tan interior which I prefer over the black.

I have been looking for quite a long time before I found the right one, and I paid a solid price for it too.

My recommendations are as follows:
1) Buy the lowest mileage one you can afford
2) Buy one that service records, through the years
3) Buy one that has had the least number of owners

Get a full inspection by an independent Porsche dealer, it will be the best $225 you will ever spend. Peace of mind all day long, for that you get a full leak down, compression and mechanical, drivetrain and electrical health report.

Good luck - Yasin

BlkBird · 06-23-2005, 07:11 PM

Another Turbo addict - isn't it great to convert someone to the dark side?

villaconn · 06-24-2005, 07:09 AM

BlkBird:

I've always been a turbo addict. Its like heroin! Always wanting more. 2 out of three of my street cars are Turbocharged. There was a period in the early 90's where a good friend of mine had a ton of forced induction cars in his shop in the Annapolis area. He did mostly Porsche, Ferrari and MB. But at that time there were a lot of GN's, Turbo Firebirds and supercharged 'stangs running around that would come in for tuning and mods. It was crazy. I got to test drive a bunch of them. That was the first time I saw the glow of a 930 compressor emanating from the rear left as I was following him on a test drive one night. He built a 600HP Starion that was a piece of art. Some kid's daily driver. It even had an alcohol fuel cell in the back for hi boost runs. That's where i learned all my Porsche stuff. He got out of it and he even offered me all his Porsche special tools and factory manuals. No cash at the time and other interest kept me from getting them. But yes, to get back to your statement, you guys are bringing me back to the D A R K S I D E. . . I'll probably be fully victimized by the fall

Ricky

rick conrath · 06-24-2005, 07:17 AM

I have always understood that there wasn't any difference in the fuel distributors (Euro, US) for the '78 and '79 model years. Even the US version was capable of supporting 450 hp +/-.
Rick
'78 930

arrivederci · 06-24-2005, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rick conrath
I have always understood that there wasn't any difference in the fuel distributors (Euro, US) for the '78 and '79 model years. Even the US version was capable of supporting 450 hp +/-.
Rick
'78 930

That's correct Rick. They changed it for the US from '86 onward after they started importing the 930 again. Why? Dunno...