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Car Forum / Porsche / Porshe 911 / February 2004Porsche 911 Turbo / 930 Questions
Hello, I have always loved the Porsche 911 turbo (type 930) cars and am thinking that now is the time to purchase one for myself. However, I have a couple of questions that I'm hoping the experts out there can answer. So here it goes: 1) I have three choices available to me: a 1978, a 1986, and a 1987. All the cars have low mileage and are in good condition and only really vary in color. I have been told by a local auto shop that I should by the 1978 if they are all equal because the car is much faster as it has less "smog stuff." He told me the numbers for the late 1970's 930s were around 300hp and the late 1980's 903s had 285hp, but that there was a noticeable difference in the performance. Is this true? 2) Regarding "smog stuff", does anyone know exactly what emissions equipment is these cars and how they differ by year? My dad is a retired mechanic of 30 years and I remember him telling me that in the 1970s California cars (I live in CA) switched to catalytic converters, but I do not remember the year. Did the 1978 models have converters? Also, what other emissions equipment did they have? I'm assuming that the emissions laws got tougher (especially in CA) between 1978 and 1986 and Porsche was required to "put more stuff on." 3) The same local auto shop told me that all the 930s will benefit from a muffler change (supposedly a 25 to 30hp increase). Does anyone know if this is true? Will the 1978 benefit as much as the 1986 or 1987? If there is really a big difference in performance, I might lean more toward the 1978 (despite it being 8 years older) as it will be exempt from smog checks in for years (instead of 12). Thanks, Julie >If there is really a big difference in performance, I might lean more >toward the 1978 (despite it being 8 years older) as it will be exempt >from smog checks in for years (instead of 12). http://vista.pca.org/stl/turbo.htm This will give you a quick overview. Both cars are quite fast and are a challenge to drive quickly. Compared to modern Turbo Porsche they can be beasts to the novice Porsche driver. Have you driven these cars? I would have them checked by a reputable Porsche mechanic prior to purchase as each has potential issues. Bi!! >>If there is really a big difference in performance, I might lean more >>toward the 1978 (despite it being 8 years older) as it will be exempt [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > potential issues. > Bi!! You might also try rennlist.com. Generally it's better to buy the latest model Porsche you can, since the company is committed to constantly improving the breed. I'd agree with Lee's assessment that the cars are a challenge to drive quickly in the sense that the cars will generally exhibit trailing throttle oversteer at the limits of lateral acceleration. If you go into a turn fast and the rear starts to slide, most folks get off the gas and go for the brakes. In the earlier 911s once you got off the gas the rear end came around and you couldn't catch it. You have to stay in the gas and steer. A driver who's comfortable with the oversteer characteristic and is able to use it effectively can be awful fast in a 911, particularly on slippery surfaces. Thanks for the link; however, there is not anything on the page relating specifically to the exhaust/"smog stuff". Does anyone know this information, or can someone point me to a web page?? Thanks! Julie > >If there is really a big difference in performance, I might lean more > >toward the 1978 (despite it being 8 years older) as it will be exempt [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > potential issues. > Bi!! >Thanks for the link; however, there is not anything on the page >relating specifically to the exhaust/"smog stuff". Does anyone know >this information, or can someone point me to a web page?? It references the difference in performance in this paragraph: "Sadly, 1979 was the last year for the 930 in America. The 930 was discontinued in the US due mainly to emissions requirements. There are grey market 930's running all over the states, though. After a 7 year absence, the Turbo finally returned in 1986. It was virtually the same model, sporting the 4 speed gearbox and a very nervous rear end. Yet by 1989, the car had a 5 speed box, 285 horsepower, a better suspension, better brakes, and wider tires. Performance was down from the Euro version due to strict emissions laws. It was unfortunately slower than the 1978-79 model. What specific info do you need? The 1978 is faster than the 1986 or 1987 due to emissions standards, ergo, more smog controls, but the newer models have a bit more technology and sophistication. I've always felt that the early Turbo's were beasts to drive with a fairly heavy steering effort, heavy clutch, long, hard transmission throw, and a very tricky power band that tended to launch you right in the middle of the power band when downshifting for corners which required a very deft touch with the steering and throttle through a curve. Bi!! > It references the difference in performance in this paragraph: > [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Bi!! Thanks for all the info! I'll well aware of how hard it is to drive a 911 (I have owned both an SC and a Carrera many years ago), but have always loved the 930s. The specifics I was hoping to find were: 1) Did the 1979 California 930s have a catalytic converter(s)? I'm assuming that all of the Porsche 911s had them by 1986, so then 2) What is the exact difference between smog/emissions "stuff" between a 1978 and a 1986 and/or 1987 930? The article you point out says there are "more smog controls", like what components exactly? Thanks! Julie Response embedded below. > Hello, > [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > but that there was a noticeable difference in the performance. Is > this true? Always buy the latest model 911 you can afford (at least in the air cooled) > 2) Regarding "smog stuff", does anyone know exactly what emissions > equipment is these cars and how they differ by year? My dad is a > retired mechanic of 30 years and I remember him telling me that in the > 1970s California cars (I live in CA) switched to catalytic converters, My 1977 had heat exchangers, not catalytic converters. Automotion sold pipes that you could install after taking the heat exchangers off the car, which ironically passed smog inspection. Not sure what the heat exchangers were supposed to add. Don't know about 1978. > but I do not remember the year. Did the 1978 models have converters? > Also, what other emissions equipment did they have? I'm assuming that [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > Thanks, > Julie I agree with the other reply - always buy the latest year you can afford. > Response embedded below. > [quoted text clipped - 42 lines] > > Thanks, > > Julie Hi Julie, I have read in several places that there was alot more smog "stuff" on the 1986-7 models. I can't recall where I read it though. If you do a general internet search on the Porsche 930 I think you can find that info on some of the history type sites. Anyway, I have a 1978 930 and love it!!! I'm forced to put it up for sale though. If you decide that a 1978 is for you lemme know....I have one for sale. Low miles, great condition, and in Cali. hrtpmpr@pacbell.net |
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