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Chrenan · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 3903 Location: Canada

Just as an update on my saga, here are the modifications to my car:

Eurorace (now European Motorworks) "Big Valve" Head - 44mm Intake / 37mm Exhaust
Stage I Cam - 233 duration x 470 lift
9.3:1 Compression (Euro Pistons)
Audi 5000 Throttle Body
Test Pipe (Cat Delete)

The build-up of my engine is documented in this thread:

http://www.924board.org/viewtopic.php?t=16940

I had a few clutch issues (turned out to be a pilot bearing issue), which delayed getting on the road, these problems are documented here:

http://www.924board.org/viewtopic.php?t=19382&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

So, apart from driving a combined 25 miles with a poorly adjusted clutch and failing pilot bearing, I hadn't really had a chance to drive my car this summer. That all changed last night. I got the car back from the shop on Monday after having the pilot bearing replaced, but only had time to drive it home, what a tease. Finally, last night I got the chance to really drive it. What a joy, an hour and a half on empty roads. No clutch or shifting issues, so fingers crossed I think the new pilot bearing solved the problem. The car felt great, more power than before to be sure, and that is without being able to really push it as I am obviously still in "break-in" mode. The work over the last few years is all coming together, the brakes have been done, the suspension, and also the fuel system, so the whole car is starting to feel great. Now with a new engine and clutch it is only getting better.

Now onto some random ramblings.

When the old engine came out, I saw the passenger side motor mount spring was broken, a very common problem with these cars. When the new engine went in with the new motor mounts, the difference in how high the engine sat was interesting. At first I thought it was my imagination that the spark plugs seemed more accessible. Then I noticed that my Audi 5000 throttle body was hitting the hood, I had to modify the upper nut and shaft to make extra clearance. This was not an issue with the old engine and mounts.

One thing you'll hear over and over about the 924 is that it has a heavy clutch. It is excused as a cable clutch, and that people are too used to hydraulic clutches now days, so the 924 clutch seems stiff. I've been guilty of making this statement as well. With the new clutch cable and clutch assembly in my car, the clutch is not heavy or stiff, at all. It is surprisingly light.

I was taking a look at the engine that came out of my car the other night. I noticed that three of the nuts that attach the exhaust manifold to the head were missing from the underside of the manifold. Three! Yikes.

That's all my ramblings for now...
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1987 951 - M193 Version for Japan

seanski44 · Joined: 13 Mar 2006 Posts: 532 Location: Nottingham UK

sounds great mate! - good to hear you're pleased with the results of your labours...

interesting stuff about the mounts, and I have to agree about the clutch, mine's fabulously light (had new clutch 11months ago)

( now all you need is to change that yellow colour

)
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1998 BMW Z3 2.8 arctic silver & red

1981 168HP 931 S2 blue/tan leather - SOLD

1985 121HP 924 2.0l na modded - SOLD!
1992 968 lux SOLD
1989 944 2.7 lux SOLD

Chrenan · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 3903 Location: Canada

Raceboy · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2327 Location: Estonia, Europe

Yes, 924 na clutch is really light and smooth.....when in good working order of course. Mostly bad cable is the culprit.
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'83 924 2.6 16v Turbo, 470hp
'67 911 2.4S hotrod
'90 944 S2 Cabriolet
'78 924 Carrera GT replica
'84 928 S, sold
'91 944 S2, sold
'82 924S/931 "Gulf", sold

'84 924, turbocharged, sold.
http://www.facebook.com/vemsporsche

ajm0924 · Joined: 12 Jul 2006 Posts: 3 Location: Perryopolis, PA

Glad to hear you're up and running again... nothing feels worse than having an awesome car you can't drive! I have a few newer cars with hydraulic clutches, and I think the porsche performs pretty well for being mechanical, though im sure the new clutch assembly makes a world of difference! Also glad to hear you're looking to keep original.. you seem to be in good shape mechanically now, you can always worry about the paint later!
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-Adam

1980 924... Drive a Porsche- Have a 4gasm!

Kenodog · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 2669 Location: Vancouver,B.C.

Great to hear it's running again but sad that I won't be able to see it until next year. (Don't crash it til then OK ?) jk

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1979 Euro 931, Olive
1981 931, Sabine
1991 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4, Ricky
1996 Ford E-350 ex-FedEx Van
2014 Mazda CX-5 (Kinderwagon)
2019 KTM 790 Adventure
2024 KLX300
2024 KLX140

Chrenan · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 3903 Location: Canada

I'll be careful, I promise.
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1987 951 - M193 Version for Japan

Joes924Racer · Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 3:40 pm Post subject:

Whos had a clutch cable snap.. count me in
more than once..its a matter of not buying new cause of time
restraints then forgetting about it as ion hey it working agian
brain fog brain fog

.. I now know better. You should like the power you now
can enjoy eh chrenan.
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1979 porsche 924 Na
1980 porsche Turbo 931GT Replica
Have u ever driven a turbo.

leadfoot · Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 4:09 pm Post subject:

nice one...
one thing that makes a differencein how heavy the clutch is the return spring at the pedal, swap it out for a light tension spring and you can feel exactly where the pickup of the pressure plate is...
leadfoot
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1981 ROW 924 Turbo -
carbon fiber GT mish mash
LS1 conversion in progress...

924RACR · Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 11:50 pm Post subject:

Don't forget also that often the pedal pivot itself dries out and needs greasing...
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Vaughan Scott
Webmeister
'79 924 #77 SCCA H Prod racecar
'82 931 Plat. Silver
#25 Hidari Firefly P2 sports prototype

Chrenan · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 3903 Location: Canada

Lots of good points here. Oiling the pivot has been a regular spring maintenance item for me. Got out for another drive this afternoon, I really like the new engine setup.
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1987 951 - M193 Version for Japan

Min · Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2006 11:18 am Post subject:

Chrenan · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 3903 Location: Canada

Min · Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 4:10 am Post subject:

Stampedetrail · Joined: 29 May 2005 Posts: 274 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska

Awesome, Chrenan. BTW you could post a pic of your CIS. Tuned right it seems to work right. When you get it broken in, do some 0-90 tests & weigh it so you can calculate power. Or get it dynoed. Nah, just track it against Miatas & Supras.
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1977.5 924 "Martini" head / New Old Stock rebuild
1985.5 944 Why? Because I can.