Intro - 1st Porsche - '82 911SC

[rdonahe]

Hi folks,

I figure it's time to introduce myself. A few weeks ago I finally pulled the trigger and bought my first 911 (first Porsche for that matter). It's a gorgeous, mostly stock, 1982 SC. I've had 80s/90s era BMWs in the past and it's interesting to see the similarities and differences. Owning a 911 has been on my list literally for decades (common story I know...) and so far I'm loving the car.

The car is Bamboo Beige and has just shy of 90K on it. Notables:

• PO installed a big brake kit and the stock Fuchs won't clear the calipers, hence the Turbo Twists. I have the OEM braking parts and Fuchs. Current thinking is to rebuild the OEM calipers, install new rotors and pads and reinstall the original Fuchs wheels.
• PO removed AC, I have all original components. This is fine by me, I live in Seattle!
• PO installed H4 headlight upgrade, I just added the headlight relay and 80/100 bulbs.
• Popoff valve installed.
• Stock tensioners.

I've got mild upgrade plans but ideally will keep the car period correct. A little faster, a little louder, a little flatter through the twisties...

I've been lurking awhile and know how this board loves pics, here they are:







Thanks for looking.

-Roger

[Oh Haha]

Nice looking 911!!

Welcome to the Pelican family.

[NY91184]

Welcome! I really like the color, nice choice. If you decide to ditch the big brake kit, let me know. I might be interested.
-Brian

[theFONZ]

Nice car! I agree with getting rid of the twists. I've never liked those on the older 911s. I wonder what motivated the previous owner to install big brakes on an otherwise stock SC?

[Hugh R]

Not to insult on a newbie, but I agree on the twists. Nice car.

[Brown747]

Welcome Roger. Good looking car...
Join in on the 2nd Saturday of the month at the XXX in Issaquah

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Thor

[javadog]

Nice purchase. I would definitely encourage you to put the original wheels and brakes back on. Not only will it look better but it will be a little faster, as well. It's hard to tell from the photos but that may be an original sport steering wheel on the car.

JR

[Dublinoh]

Welcome and nice car. Could you elaborate on the headlight 80/100 upgrade..mostly any difficulties? Big improvement? I have the parts waiting to go on my 87, so curious. Again welcome.

[GaryR]

Nice car, will look great with the Fuchs back on and stock brakes are more than adequate!

[rdonahe]

Originally Posted by theFONZ

Nice car! I agree with getting rid of the twists. I've never liked those on the older 911s. I wonder what motivated the previous owner to install big brakes on an otherwise stock SC?

I'm wondering same. He's local to me and had the car for ~11 years so I've got the question in to him.

Originally Posted by Hugh R

Not to insult on a newbie, but I agree on the twists. Nice car.

No worries, I'm no fan of the twists on these cars. It's just too much wheel. Plus these are replicas and seem to weigh a ton.

Thanks all for the compliments. The car is well preserved, a nice time capsule into '82.

Question for the experts regarding the brakes. The big brake kit was supposed to be a Brembo Gran Turismo, I have the original receipt and packaging. However, the fronts appear to be Boxster calipers from what I can tell and definitely don't match the rears. Fronts are branded Porsche w/a Brembo casting, the rears are a different caliper altogether labeled Brembo.

Here's the question, the OEM 16" Fuchs will clear the front calipers, it's only the rear that interferes. I'm considering leaving the front as is and rebuilding only the rear OEM calipers. Any concerns there? Will my brake balance be skewed?

[mlfox]

Very nice SC. I like the looks of the rear bumper.

Regards,
mlfox

[McLaren-TAG]

Congrats, beautiful color.

If you plan to do DE or Autocross, I say keep the upgraded brakes and buy a set of 17" Rota Fox wheels. You'll get the look you're looking for but 16" performance rubber is getting harder and harder to find. Otherwise, go back to stock since you have all of the necessary hardware.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by rdonahe

I'm wondering same. He's local to me and had the car for ~11 years so I've got the question in to him.

The usual reason is that most people think they need more brakes, if they want to go fast. Never mind that the stock brakes are more than capable of locking all four wheels at any speed and that they will run all day on the track with upgraded pads and better cooling.

Originally Posted by rdonahe

Will my brake balance be skewed?

Yep.

Not only that, I like the smaller brakes on a 911. I spent 25 years with a couple 930s in my garage, in addition to various 911s, and I can tell you that you have to be much more careful driving a car with big brakes. It's way too easy to lock a wheel on initial brake application with the bigger brakes.

JR

[Paul K]

Nice car, never seen that colour before.

Instead of Fuchs, you might consider a set of 17" replicas. Wider is better!

[javadog]

Most 17 inch wheels, factory and aftermarket, are just too heavy. It's a night and day difference in weight between a set of 16's and a set of 17's. I can feel it from the driver's seat.

I run 15's now..., as they are that much lighter (with tires).

JR

[Plecostomus]

Beautiful car, but u have to go back to stock rims

[rdonahe]

Originally Posted by Dublinoh

Welcome and nice car. Could you elaborate on the headlight 80/100 upgrade..mostly any difficulties? Big improvement? I have the parts waiting to go on my 87, so curious. Again welcome.

Thank you.

As far as the headlight upgrade goes it was fairly straightforward, toughest part was figuring out how to remove the trim rings on my H4s. I bought the relay kit from our host PP, and also the 80/100 bulbs. The instructions that came with the relay kit were spot on. My car had the H4s already and it took me a few minutes of head scratching once I had the trim ring screw removed to figure out how to get the headlight out. Once there it was pretty standard issue.

It is a noticeable improvement over the 55/100 bulbs that were in there. It's not "night and day", but definitely noticeable. I think it's worth doing. The relay kit should also prolong the life of your expensive turn signal switch, which is my next replacement project.

[zacharyminot]

Great color!

[rdonahe]

Originally Posted by zacharyminot

Great color!

I'm seeing double!

[Jesset100]

FYI Your speedometer/odometer was changed, it should have the 85mph one, and the temp gauge too.
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