ADDED 924 Turbo to stable!, New Restoration Project Options

[Gatornapper]

Dear 914 friends -

At 76, I think I've got one more project in me. My Porsche genius friend Rick found me this in Cleveland:

https://cleveland.craigslist.org/cto/d/lake...7387301032.html

And I have a contract on it for less than asking price. Friends in Cleveland looked at it closely on Wed. nite, sent me 7 close-up videos of it and gave it a huge thumbs up. Engine did run for few seconds with starter fluid, started immediately and sounded like new. Almost no rust, interior immaculate.

This is a very rare Special Edition with custom interior, wheels and two-tone paint.

Looking for a great source of info on 924's but can't find much. Nothing like 914 world.

Any pointers for a resource like 914world would be appreciated - tho I'm sure there is none.

NO - not selling the 914! My garage has room for both cars.

TIA,

GN

[Big Len]

I would have bought it too. Best of luck with it.

[Chris H.]

Nice buy! Those are increasing in value for sure.

Here's a site I found when I considered buying a very low mileage 924:

924.org link

and the forum BBS:

924 forum

Be VERY careful when you go to start it. The timing belt has to be changed beforehand, and you should also make sure the internals are well lubricated and nothing is stuck. Maybe you are planning to rebuild so that advice doesn't apply but just in case...

[infraredcalvin]

Nice buy, love the pasha doors, looks nicely preserved!

[mate914]

I had a few 924's NA in high school. They are very good in snow.
I'm sure it will be a fun car, if you can get the fuel system cleaned.
Please don't get to excited, it is now where near a 914.
Matt (IMG:style_emoticons/default/flag.gif)

[914Sixer]

IF you can, hold out for 1981 924 Turbo. In the 90's I did the 1981 model. 80 model has a bunch of quirky things. 81 model has 5 bolt wheels, larger brakes, bigger engine, revised fuel injection system, different transmission. 81 has interchangeable parts with 944. PLEASE read up .

[ClayPerrine]

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/c.tenor.com-1143-1634913927.1.gif)


My first Porsche was a 79 924. It was, without a doubt, the worst car I ever owned.

This is my opinion. Your experience may be different.

Clay

[jesse7flying]

Congrats on your find. You might be interested in a YouTube channel by edredas. He owns a 924S and fixes 924, 944 and 928. Wealth of knowledge in his videos.

[JamesM]

I picked up a non runner with the 5bolt/sport package a few years ago after encountering an offer I couldn't refuse. Had been sitting since 97 for unknown reasons.

Its a whole new learning curve but a fun car to both work on and drive. Very limited resource out there as far as information and even worse as far as parts availability (and that continues to get worse every year). I have encountered situations where all progress gets halted for months as i attempt to source parts.

Start by going through the entire fuel system (mine was completely gummed up and mechanical injection hates that) the cooling system, the timing belt (fond a major issue was the PO had it off by 2 teeth) and the vacuum elbows. That will most likely be enough to get you going.

Check to see if someone installed a manual boost controler... found one on mine and that that PO had it maxed out pushing near 30 PSI

They are fun cars to drive, though the gearing on the turbos is a little strange. I have both 914s and a 944 turbo and to me the 931 feels like a mix between the two. The Chassis being more solid and comfortable + boost makes it feel like the 944 turbo, but the lack of power steering and just overall rawness of nothing being electronicky controlled reminds me a lot of 914s.

[Root_Werks]

Had a few 924's, never a 931 though. Nice find!

Favorite is the 924S, Wife had one for a number of years. It was hands down the easiest car to drive fast I've ever driven. Very forgiving, made it super fun.

[JamesM]

IF you can, hold out for 1981 924 Turbo. In the 90's I did the 1981 model. 80 model has a bunch of quirky things. 81 model has 5 bolt wheels, larger brakes, bigger engine, revised fuel injection system, different transmission. 81 has interchangeable parts with 944. PLEASE read up .

Thats sort of a toss up. the 81s (S2,S3 cars) have a critical sensor for the ignition system that has been NLA for years and will leave you completely non-operational with no recourse if it isnt working,

Engine on the 81 is the same size, the turbos are smaller though for faster spool up, and thats personals opinion as to which is preferred there (a lot of people prefer the S1 cars as you can get more top end with the larger turbo.

The 80 Turbo also uses the Porsche G31 transaxle (shares a lot of parts with the 915 box)and the same shift pattern as a 914. It is both stronger and has better weight distribution than the Audi 016 box used in the 81 cars with a standard H shift pattern.

The 5 bolt pattern was not dependent on the year but rather the included packages. my 80 is 5 bolt.

[Mayne]

The 924 turbo is a cool car! I almost bought a green two-tone with green Pascha interior some years ago. I believe it uses the Audi-derived engine of the NA 924, so quite different than a 944/924S motor. I think it would be a neat car to restore.

Speaking of the 924S, my brother is selling his 88 on eBay right now. Lovely car.

[Gatornapper]

To all -

Thanks TONS for all the help!

Been out all day driving a 944 friend Rick was looking at. Rick is a Porsche genius and encyclopedia and already told me most of the details you have noted. I've also studied everything I could find on the early 924 turbos and read what's out there.

Reason I am going for the '80 with it's "deficiencies" is this is an exceptionally rare car - both a Turbo and Special Edition with that great interior - and a rare find I'm not likely to run across again. 5 wheel lugs, all disc brakes, better turbo, etc. are not worth passing by this gem. I'm not looking for 914 handling - I have that. Looking for rare collectible old Porsche worth restoring in not too bad shape. This car nails it!

Owner bought w/5,000 miles in '86. Was honest about smallest details, wanted to revive car himself he loves it so much but realizes he's not going to do it. E.g., front right drain from sunroof stopped up or broken. But as car has been stored, dampness in floor is recent from recent heavy rain.

I found 924.org, but did not find the forum and will check that out - what I was looking for.

I'm an old mechanic so I know what to do first - fuel tank, pump, lines, filters etc. renewed. Coupe tablespoons of Marvel Mystery Oil to sit in each cylinder for several days before starting. All new belts, hoses, especially timing. Oil & filter change, coolant change/flush soon after car is running well.

Car is in amazingly good condition and I'm hoping it will start easily once the fuel system is renewed.

Welcome more thoughts as you all have them.

With my '11 Cayman S, '76 914 and '80 931 - I think I'll have an outstanding and unusual Porsche NON-911 collection!

[Tdskip]

The bird has a fairly active 94–944 community, I’m sure they’ll be happy to help out.

I’ve always liked the purity of the early design, if it makes you happy go for it and please do keep us posted

[JamesM]

I'm an old mechanic so I know what to do first - fuel tank, pump, lines, filters etc. renewed. Coupe tablespoons of Marvel Mystery Oil to sit in each cylinder for several days before starting. All new belts, hoses, especially timing. Oil & filter change, coolant change/flush soon after car is running well.

Car is in amazingly good condition and I'm hoping it will start easily once the fuel system is renewed.

Welcome more thoughts as you all have them.

If it sounds good running on starting fluid that's a good sign, sounds like you may mainly be dealing with fueling system issues.


Thoughts...

A couple things that i remember when i brought mine back from the dead 7 or so years ago.

The fuel/vacuum system accounted for 90% of the work in getting it going again.

The car has 2 fuel pumps an external high pressure pump, and an in-tank pump with attached filter. The high pressure pump can be had fairly cheap and is no big deal to replace. The in tank pump on the other hand may have you questioning your life choices if you look at how much it costs (north of 800 bucks last time i looked). More bad news is that i hear the pumps available today have fitment issues in the 931 tanks as well. If the in tank pump has failed (which after 17 years it is almost surely frozen) you can get the car to start and idle, but it creates enough of a restriction that it impacts fueling under load. Thankfully is there a part from later 928s that can be used in place of this pump (928 201 081 04) however the nipple is larger so the fuel hose to the pump will need to be replaced as well.

The piston in the fuel distributor is most likely seized due to varnish. This is probably the most critical part of the fuel metering. Be careful getting it out as you wont want to scratch it at all.

The fuel filter installs in the reverse orientation of what you would think it would due to how the lines are routed.

There are I think 5 different formed rubber elbows in the intake system. I was able to still source them back when I got mine going, but last I looked many of them are now NLA everywhere so you may need to get creative. These have most likely cracked and all are critical for proper fuel control. the injection system on these things is very sensitive to vacuum and fuel pressure issues. One of the elbows is right off the turbo and more or less behind the water pump so plan on doing the water pump and timing belt as well as you have to go through those to get there.

Some some of the coolant hoses are shared with the NA 924 but a lot of the turbo specific coolant hoses are NLA.

931 coolant expansion tanks are (or at least were) extremely hard to come by however the VW scirocco tank is a very close fit and can be made to work.

There was a 931 specific vendor (ideola) around when i brought mine back that had a lot of cool bits for the 931 however he recently closed up shop. Not aware of many vendors that specifically cater to the 931 anymore. Thankfully Porsche has brought some of the more impossibly critical parts for this car back into production since then (see cam oiler elbow) though others like the air flow meter to turbo boot are still impossible to come by.

There is a group on facebook for 924 Carerra GTs/Turbos that I have found to be far more active than the 924 forums.

Start your hunt for a Canadian Speedometer now, the 85mph thing gets old real quick as the car easily buries the needle long before you even hit 5th gear. 160MPH speedos exist BUT the green gauges were 1 year only (like many of the 931 parts), all the US cars had the legally mandated 85 MPH speedos and all the Euro cars had KPH gauges so the green 160MPH gauges are like hens teeth. They do exist though

good luck. They are fun (and now EXTREAMLY rare cars). Seriously in 30+ years of Porsche obsession the only 931 I have ever personally seen on the road is mine. I have seen more people driving 959s and Carerra GTs.

[Gatornapper]

Mark -

Thanks for tip, but I'm committed. If I get this car running like new and fixed up - and don't like it - I'll look for a later model or even a 944 Turbo.

And sell this one at a profit. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

What I like most about this 931 are it's being a Special Edition, its rarity, and my fav colors - silver & grey - and its price. Not likely to find all those in a newer model.

GN

IF you can, hold out for 1981 924 Turbo. In the 90's I did the 1981 model. 80 model has a bunch of quirky things. 81 model has 5 bolt wheels, larger brakes, bigger engine, revised fuel injection system, different transmission. 81 has interchangeable parts with 944. PLEASE read up .

[Jett]

Love the car!

[Gatornapper]

Thanks Clay - I always appreciate and respect your input/feedback.

But see my reply to Mark....

GN

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/c.tenor.com-1143-1634913927.1.gif)


My first Porsche was a 79 924. It was, without a doubt, the worst car I ever owned.

This is my opinion. Your experience may be different.

Clay

[Gatornapper]

Jesse -

THANKS! Will do!

GN

Congrats on your find. You might be interested in a YouTube channel by edredas. He owns a 924S and fixes 924, 944 and 928. Wealth of knowledge in his videos.

[Gatornapper]

James -

Wow - great list of tips - thank you. Glad to know you are there for 931 details. Watch out - I'll be pinging you I'm sure!

As to 2 - fuel pumps - from all I've read so far, that began in '81 and the earlier 931's only had the HP pump.

I'm not buying this car for its performance - I have both a Cayman S and 914 for that. I'm buying it for its rarity and great condition at a great price. Hey, a 914 is fairly rare in central VA - I get waves and thumbs up everywhere I go. And if RickB45 doesn't bring his sweet '72 914 (like new) to C&C - mine's the only one there.

GN

I'm an old mechanic so I know what to do first - fuel tank, pump, lines, filters etc. renewed. Coupe tablespoons of Marvel Mystery Oil to sit in each cylinder for several days before starting. All new belts, hoses, especially timing. Oil & filter change, coolant change/flush soon after car is running well.

Car is in amazingly good condition and I'm hoping it will start easily once the fuel system is renewed.

Welcome more thoughts as you all have them.

If it sounds good running on starting fluid that's a good sign, sounds like you may mainly be dealing with fueling system issues.


Thoughts...

A couple things that i remember when i brought mine back from the dead 7 or so years ago.

The fuel/vacuum system accounted for 90% of the work in getting it going again.

The car has 2 fuel pumps an external high pressure pump, and an in-tank pump with attached filter. The high pressure pump can be had fairly cheap and is no big deal to replace. The in tank pump on the other hand may have you questioning your life choices if you look at how much it costs (north of 800 bucks last time i looked). More bad news is that i hear the pumps available today have fitment issues in the 931 tanks as well. If the in tank pump has failed (which after 17 years it is almost surely frozen) you can get the car to start and idle, but it creates enough of a restriction that it impacts fueling under load. Thankfully is there a part from later 928s that can be used in place of this pump (928 201 081 04) however the nipple is larger so the fuel hose to the pump will need to be replaced as well.

The piston in the fuel distributor is most likely seized due to varnish. This is probably the most critical part of the fuel metering. Be careful getting it out as you wont want to scratch it at all.

The fuel filter installs in the reverse orientation of what you would think it would due to how the lines are routed.

There are I think 5 different formed rubber elbows in the intake system. I was able to still source them back when I got mine going, but last I looked many of them are now NLA everywhere so you may need to get creative. These have most likely cracked and all are critical for proper fuel control. the injection system on these things is very sensitive to vacuum and fuel pressure issues. One of the elbows is right off the turbo and more or less behind the water pump so plan on doing the water pump and timing belt as well as you have to go through those to get there.

Some some of the coolant hoses are shared with the NA 924 but a lot of the turbo specific coolant hoses are NLA.

931 coolant expansion tanks are (or at least were) extremely hard to come by however the VW scirocco tank is a very close fit and can be made to work.

There was a 931 specific vendor (ideola) around when i brought mine back that had a lot of cool bits for the 931 however he recently closed up shop. Not aware of many vendors that specifically cater to the 931 anymore. Thankfully Porsche has brought some of the more impossibly critical parts for this car back into production since then (see cam oiler elbow) though others like the air flow meter to turbo boot are still impossible to come by.

There is a group on facebook for 924 Carerra GTs/Turbos that I have found to be far more active than the 924 forums.

Start your hunt for a Canadian Speedometer now, the 85mph thing gets old real quick as the car easily buries the needle long before you even hit 5th gear. 160MPH speedos exist BUT the green gauges were 1 year only (like many of the 931 parts), all the US cars had the legally mandated 85 MPH speedos and all the Euro cars had KPH gauges so the green 160MPH gauges are like hens teeth. They do exist though

good luck. They are fun (and now EXTREAMLY rare cars). Seriously in 30+ years of Porsche obsession the only 931 I have ever personally seen on the road is mine. I have seen more people driving 959s and Carerra GTs.