Facing a tough choice about a 911 Turbo: "You'll Certainly Die In A Fiery Crash" Edition

"Nate" (etangrubsov)
11/11/2014 at 11:25 • Filed to: None

I'm looking for a Porsche 930 (I know — super late to the party, and I'll be paying for that misfortune). I've been in the market for over a year, but this week I have the opportunity to get what I think is a deal on an extensively tuned Porsche 930. Basically, the owner has put a sizeable amount into the car, building it almost as I would if I were him — quality components in the cabin and in the engine compartment. BUT, he's going for way more power than I would. It's getting ~600whp now, depending on the tune settings, and now his business needs some cash so he's gotta let go of the car for what he has in modifications alone (so, basically discounting the value of the base car — I know, right?)

It's a quality build by a good shop, but my concerns are: that 1) even detuned slightly for street use, it won't be particularly streetable and 2) that my skills aren't equal to the demands of such a car. I'm a young driver, but have had 8 years of accident-free, spirited driving. I have a 964 C2, so I'm familiar with snap-oversteer and other attributes of the rear-engined layout, and I know the need for slow-in-fast-out, etc. Still, an experienced Porsche-racing friend is warning me that it's too much power.

Now, I've always been resistant to this kind of warning, because I've always thought that a healthy measure of self-control + respect for the machine means you don't have to find the limits to enjoy it, or even approach them. I began riding my uncle's '79 Honda Elsinore 250 — a pretty hot two-stroke bike — as soon as my feet reached the ground (I think I was 14). I spent some time on the rear wheel ( usually intentional), but never laid it down or had close calls because I had a healthy respect for the top-end torque that the bike liked to surprise it's rider with. In fact, the dealer steered my uncle toward the 125 Elsinore back in 1979, insisting he would hurt himself on the 250. He bought the 125, and a week later, came back for the 250... and lived to tell the swagger-ific tale.

I'm inclined to think it's the same way with this 930 — that high horsepower does not mean I'm required to end up going backwards into a pine forest after lifting in a corner — but I don't have experience with big turbos and laggy boost, which changes things a little, maybe more than a little. I wasn't worried about it until my friend advised against it — maybe I'm still not worried, just unable to wrap my head around what it will be like having twice the power of my Carrera in a car that weighs slightly less, plus the added factor of turbo lag.

Give it to me straight: Is this car one hundred percent likely to kill me, or is that fear overblown as long as I'm not an oafish moron at the controls?

DISCUSSION (15)

505Turbeaux > Nate
11/11/2014 at 11:26

you'll shoot your eye out

Saracen > 505Turbeaux
11/11/2014 at 11:28

Edit: Kinja'd

Saracen > Nate
11/11/2014 at 11:29

It's a 930 Turbo. Fucking glorious. Buy it and just downsize the turbo.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Nate
11/11/2014 at 11:32

You want K-Roll's answer to that question:

If you're not prepared for the instant boost at like 4k rpm, you will die.

If you lift off in a corner, you will die.

If you let Jesus take the wheel, you will die.

If you can't drive a 911 or any of its derivatives of any generation, you will die.

If you think the engine is in the front, you will die.

If you think you will die, you might not die, instantly.

That being said. As long as you're comfortable driving the car, get some good track days or Driver's Education time with it, you should be alright to hoon away! :)

Tell me more about the car, color, options, year of manufacture? Give me the info!!

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Saracen
11/11/2014 at 11:37

Nein!! Downsizing the turbo is for babies!

KEEP IT THE SAME SIZE OR MAKE IT BIGGER!!

Nate > Saracen
11/11/2014 at 11:42

That's a shockingly sensible solution that I hadn't thought of. The ECU is Motec so I'm probably flexible, and it seems like over-sized oil cooler and intercooler that were required by the big turbo would have plenty of performance to spare, adding a measure of safety to the drivetrain. At full tune this car has eaten a couple of 4-speeds and now has a G50 5-speed that is working so far, but dialing down turbo capacity will ensure that this one holds up.

deekster_caddy > Nate
11/11/2014 at 11:46

You are being overly cautious with your fear. Sounds like you can handle it. 600 whp CAN kill you, but is absolutely streetable!!! Hell 100 HP can kill you so what difference does it make? Go for it!!!

TheBaron2112 > Nate
11/11/2014 at 11:48

If your friend that tracks Porsches says it's too much, then it's too much.

crowmolly > Nate
11/11/2014 at 11:53

If anything will kill you it will be 600whp. Not the car itself.

It's been obviously heavily modified and the boost lag and so on will not resemble the way it was in the stock configuration.

Changing the exhaust alone on a 930 will yield a noticeable difference.

Source: I wrench on a 930 turbo and did an exhaust job on it last year. Turbo comes in a lot smoother and the car is a bit easier to drive.

Nate > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
11/11/2014 at 11:55

Ha, this is awesome — much appreciated. I may give a full report after test drive! Worried that if I give away too many details, some Rennlister will be posting about their sweet new 930! But, it's black (b/c ominous), manufactured during the Reagan presidency, unsure of options.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Nate
11/11/2014 at 15:28

Don't post it to Rennlist then, or else I may buy it before you. ;)

IF I HAD ZE MONIES!! -_-

Steve in Manhattan > Nate
11/11/2014 at 16:52

I think the most sensible advice here is getting lots of track time with it before you take it on the street. That way if you stuff it, it's just into a gravel pit, and you'll learn the limits. My experience consists of just one mid-90s 911, and even it deserved respect and care.

Tohru > Nate
11/11/2014 at 18:50

It's going to kill you.

Not right at first, of course. At first you will respect the machine completely. It will have your complete focus as your drive it. It will demand this from you, and you will give it.

After you have it awhile, you'll start to feel out the edges. Trying to see how far the car's comfort zone extends. This will be your first mistake, as a 930 Turbo has no comfort zone. It does not suffer fools, and it does not take kindly to any slights.

You will get to the point where you feel comfortable with the power, you'll think you're familiar with the car and how it will react. This is your second mistake, as the 930 Turbo is not a machine to be tamed, its spirit broken. It is not a housecat for you to sit next to and scratch its head while you watch Netflix. It is a wild lion you've let into your life. Much like a wild lion, if the mood strikes it, the 930 Turbo will take your head off and feast on the carcass.

One day, while driving in what you think is the comfort zone - which I remind you it does not have - a distraction will chance upon you: a cell phone call, adjusting the radio, a McLaren headed the other way on the Interstate, a spilled drive-thru soda. Instead of ignoring this, you will let this incident distract you. This will be your final mistake, as the 930 Turbo will violently and brutally remind you which one of you is truly in charge - which one of you is made of steel and is easily repaired, and which one of you is made of soft squishy stuff that leaks all over the interior.

Until then, it will be a hell of a ride.

Kinja'd!!!

Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert > Nate
11/11/2014 at 20:12

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/4743139025…

stoke > Saracen
01/19/2015 at 09:27

Seriously, this. More linear power delivery, better road manners, slightly reduced chance of fiery death and better reliability as well.

A friend of mine built a nearly 600 whp STi (E85, forged pistons, huge turbo, the works) and ultimately decided the big number just wasn't what he wanted. Plus it was overheating on the track. Swapped to a smaller turbine housing and retuned it for pump gas and he's much happier with the way it drives.