Project 924S

I've been wanted to have another Porsche to have fun with. A big toy.  Not a Concours level car (although it did take 1st place at Porsche Parade in Touring 924/944), but a good clean car that I could use for weekends, some Autocross, and maybe a Drivers Education Event of two. The goal is to do everything for under $5000. 

[Update 12/06] After spending a good deal more than $5K total, and having enjoyed the car for three years at Autocross and DE, and sold it to a friend. I bought a '93 Porsche 968 as it's replacement, details can be found here.  1993 Porsche 968

The car took 1st in the Hershey Porsche Parade for Touring Class, and embarrassed more than it's share of "newer, more powerful" Porsche's at both Autocross and the track then it's 147hp should have.  Great little car, and I would highly recommend one to anyone who wants to have a Porsche without selling the farm to get it.  :)

I began my search in the Summer of 2003, and was fortunate enough to fine a nice car, relatively locally (150 miles).  It was a 1987 924S, with 60K original miles, original owner, no option car (No Sunroof, No Rear Wiper, no extras).  It was mid-November when I found the car, and it was in upstate New York.  The owner had it listed on a local Want Ads site, and I found it via a Google search.  He was asked $4500, but given the desire to sell, the coming winter, and a few maintenance items the car required, I was able to take it home for $3000.  This is how looked in the Fall

The way it looked before I bought it

When I actually went to go buy the car, it was snowing.  I still drove it home, hard dry tires and all.  Overall, the car was in excellent shape, but dirty, and probably hadn't been washed/waxed in many years.  All  original though, except the Radio (it didn't come with one from the Factory), it even had the original window sticker, and service gloves.  Nice Find.  Needless to say, I couldn't leave well enough alone.  I started ordering parts, and maintenance items.  Although the original owner had not kept all the receipts for the repairs over the years, it was very apparent it was well maintained.  The water pump was new, as was the Oil Cooler (Date stamp on the housing), new Fuel lines.  Even the clutch spec'ed out to 90% of new.  It had received its 40K maintenance, but that was several years ago.  The Timing belt was loose, and worn, so I started on the real work there.  Here is the work in progress:

As it arrived, AFTER two washes.  The harsh fluorescent lights bring out the worst, as does the flash.

Lovely Dark Brown Brake Fluid, and Green Coolant.  Leak Cam Seal, and ten year old belts.  New water pump though.	Crystal Clear ATE Type 200, and proper Dexcool.  Replaced plug wires, resealed engine, and replaced/tensioned belts.
The beginnings of rust under the battery, and rotting leaves	Cleaned, treated, and repainted battery area.  Exhaust header re-gasketed, and remounted.
Interesting original plastic three-spoke wheel, and JVC aftermarket Radio/CD.  Toasted mats.	Momo Competition Wheel, and radio removed and replace with factory pocket.  Matless for now.
Fresh from its first Autocross	Hard at work First Autocross on 4-19-2004, First in Class, Third Overall in Novice
	Needs a Limited Slip Diff or Sticker Tires!
	Sticking better with the M030 Rear Bar and a proper Autocross Alignment Suspension Improvements
Grey, flammable snow on everything
Wet conditions, but good fun.  Front tires washing out at the limit due to lack of camber	Too much body, and tires losing contact.  Active tail is enjoyable however!
First Outing with the M030 Front Suspension.  Less roll at the limit, but more understeer.  Need the rear suspension done to balance out the car.  Harder to throttle steer.  I will like it better when the tail is "active".  Enough grip now to lift the inside tires!	Understeer everywhere at the limit.  Less body roll though.  Surprisingly better grip even in this over cooked corner.

The intent is to apply all the Concours Tricks of the Trade, and bring all the mechanics up to date.  Given the budget, everything is being purchased second-hand, or from eBay.  Thus far both have been very useful in sourcing parts at very reasonable prices. 

Upgrade log:

• Design 90 Wheels / Dunlop SP8000 (install 4/3/04- Street Only Now)
• Bilstein Struts/Shocks (rears install 4/3/04, Front 6/1/04)
• 968 M030 Swaybars (install 4/3/04) (went with 26.8mm front, instead of 30mm, 19mm Rears)
• Reinforced A-Arms with fresh stock bushings (install 4/3/04)
• KFP brake pads (Installed 9/1/04))
• WeltMeister Harness Bar (install 4/3/04)
• Four-point Autocross belts (Schroth 9/16/04)
• Strut Tower Brace (install 4/3/04)
• Kuhmo Victoracers V700 (205/50-15) (Installed 8/1/04) on 15x7 Phone Dials,
  • Replaced with V710 (225/50-15) (9/10/05)
• Competition Seat (Drivers Side Only)  - 4/15/2005 (Momo Corsa)
• Competition Seat (Passenger Side Only)  - 8/15/2005 (Momo Corsa)
• M030 Adjustable front Perches, with matching 150-175 progressive rate springs (2.7 degrees front Camber) (6/10/05)
  • 2.5 degree front camber more balanced (9/10/05)
• Factory LSD, in rebuild transmission (6/26/05)
• M030 Rear Torsion Bar (~175), Delrin bushings, 1.3 degrees camber (9/10/05)
• Braided Brake-lines (DOT) Rear Brake lines (9/10/05)
• Braided Brake-lines (DOT) (Front) (6/06)
• Remove Air Conditioning (6/06)
• Install 931 Header Panel (6/06)

Open Projects:

• Tubular Headers (Stock '88 purchased, cracked and need welding)

Maintenance

• Timing/Balance Belts and rollers (purchased and installed)
• Brake fluid flush (Finished
• Coolant flush (nice a clean and Red)
• Ignition Wires (Done)
• Engine/Transmission fluid swap to synthetics (Done)
• New front A-Arm Bushings (6/1/04)
• New front right Ball-Joint
• New Strut Bushings and bearings
• Repacked/adjusted front wheel bearings
• Cleaned and lubed rear Brakes
• Cleaned and Repacked Rear CV Joints, and refinished Axles (6/26/05)

Autocross record to date: