A list of all the things wrong with my Project Porsche 924.

"Mathias Rios" (Mars478)
04/29/2014 at 11:53 • Filed to: Project Cars

I bought this Porsche 924 a few months back. There are many things wrong with it. I got it on the road for a weekend as Aaron Brown, JgrabowMST, Offroadkarter, A3Ro, 190E30, and ShelbyRacer78 can attest to. On the way back home after Caffeine and Carburetors the fuel system committed suicide on the side of the Merritt Parkway.

This list is for myself in a way, and for you guys to see what project car hell is like. As the age old adage goes, the cheapest Porsche is usually the most expensive. (Problems are listed from biggest to smallest)

-Fuel system does not work, car turns on for half a second and dies (working on this one).

-Steering alignment is wayyy off and the steering is completely vague. You can see that the wheels are both slightly outward (\ / <—- not that extreme but a slight case of this) when the steering wheel is straight. Also, ricer steering wheel.

-Brake pedal feel is practically non existent, brakes work and brake properly, but only at the very end of the pedal, leading me to think that there is something wrong with the front calipers (the rear drums are working properly as they lock up the wheels easily), master cylinder, or brake booster. Also the replacement brake line I made is super ghetto.

-The lack of exhaust makes the car horrifically loud. and the car makes back fire-y noises when letting off throttle (good thing?)

-drivers door handle does not open the door, there is a fragment of a key in the passenger door, so to lock the car I have to shut both lock pins, close the hatch, and then unlock it through the hatch.

-it's really slow, but I guess that's just #924lyfe.

-Blue LEDs in gauge cluster make my eyes bleed

-the car leaks like a sieve in rain.

-I have to remove the super way too nice Ferrari 348 seats that the PO managed to put in the car because they are probably worth more than the car is.

-Dash cracked, a lot.

-Cracked windshield.

-No inspection.

-Hella body roll.

-Headlights are horrific, but thats probably just sealed beams and me being used to HIDs.

-Big-ass dent on the passenger door that I need to pop out, lower valence is destroyed.

-Paint is OK on the rear half of the car, really bad in the front half.

-Speedo doesn't work.

-A/C doesn't work (obviously.)

-Horrific window tints that I can't remove easily.

-The carpets are destroyed and moist.

-Hatch is delaminating, and putting new struts on it caused it to delaminate even more.

These are all the things off the top of my head. I'm thinking of solving many of these problems by just going "race-car" style and stripping the interior bare, adding tons of lightness, coil overs, and just delete all the unnecessary garbage like A/C, unnecessary electrics, rear seats, plastic pieces, etc. And give it the non pop-up headlight mod with projector HIDs so that I can actually see at night. Ideas?

DISCUSSION (37)

crowmolly > Mathias Rios
04/29/2014 at 11:56

Start with the fuel system. The fact that it went belly up and the car was backfiring means something is up, even if it's as simple as a fuel filter.

Describe your "ghetto brake fix". Please tell me you did not use compression fittings.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Mathias Rios
04/29/2014 at 11:57

make it disappear, report it as stolen. thats quite a complicated list you have.

JGrabowMSt > Mathias Rios
04/29/2014 at 11:58

You sir, will have the fastest Type II VW Bus on the track.

offroadkarter > Mathias Rios
04/29/2014 at 12:02

I know a 928 you can buy if you want to jump ship to a new porsche.

BondoSpecial > Mathias Rios
04/29/2014 at 12:03

De-contenting rather than fixing is a cop-out unless you really have a need for a track car (but a track 924???) If the car is too far gone maybe it would be a good parts car for another one. I am $12,000 in parts into a 32 valve 928 over the past year and a half (with me doing all the labor), and the car is worth very little, but I'm still plugging away at it. That's just the way these cars go.

Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez > Mathias Rios
04/29/2014 at 12:06

That's quite a list, but doable. The only gripe I have is that you didn't get a 944. The 924's engine would need to be changed to something bigger (944 16 valve, or turbo 8 valve) to be anything racecar-worthy.

As far as the fuel system, how is that managed? Is the car carburated or fuel injected? I would start at the fuel filter and pump and see if pressure gets through to the engine. then I would check injectors/carb jets.

My 944S had an issue with running rough and that was because the fuel filter was never changed and the distributor cap had a lot of carbon buildup that had to be sanded off. Also, heavily varnished gas.

The best thing you can do in this case is lay out a realistic budget for all of your goals. Most of this is fixable quite cheaply (using ebay and CL), and you'll learn a ton along the way.

If you ever want to chat about the car, let me know.

I also have some 944S seats in salvageable shape that you can have for free if you want.

Brian Silvestro > Mathias Rios
04/29/2014 at 12:06

I like the "stolen or totaled" ideas being thrown around.

All Motor Is Best Motor > Mathias Rios
04/29/2014 at 12:10

At this point ghetto racer will probably be a cheaper option than trying to fix the car up. It's going to be a money pit, because Porsche.

davedave1111 > Mathias Rios
04/29/2014 at 12:10

"Ideas?"

Is it insured against fire damage? Because that fuel system might involve a petrol leak somewhere, and it would be terrible, just terrible if some bounder happened to throw a cigarette down nearby...

Kinja'd!!!

JGrabowMSt > Mathias Rios
04/29/2014 at 12:11

In all seriousness though, I would get one of those old school see-through fuel filters that are a whole hell of a lot easier to check, at the very least.

I'd go to town with a caulking gun, and then drop it off at Ammo to see if Larry has an aneurism or sends you a bill, in which you negotiate the seats as a trade to cover.

Then I'd take it to get the wheels aligned, straightened, and brakes done. I would have Aaron do it, he did his brakes, and his car can stop, as far as I can tell. At least, I didn't rear end him, so they must, right?

Then if you want, I can try and re-wire that bitch and do new dash lights. I'm still iffy on car electronics, but I did manage to make the car simpler while we were there, so I must know what I'm doing right?

I'd also just go for rubber mats instead of new carpets, and just crack a bottle of "Dun Give a F*ck" and call it a day.

Then, go 100% Roadkill, and put a piece of lexan in after you destroy the windshield. +.15HP for ever zip tie, amirite?!

You're going to cage it, so screw the door handles...(you're going to cage it)

I mean, your 924 is louder than that FR-S, and the owner even admitted, he can't compete with that!

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > crowmolly
04/29/2014 at 12:14

If he did, I'm not letting him follow me anywhere. Single flares and copper tubing - same thing.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > davedave1111
04/29/2014 at 12:15

Plus one for Terry-Thomas.

Meatcoma > Mathias Rios
04/29/2014 at 12:15

Fuel pump/filter are relatively easy to change. as they are accessible from behind the pass rear tire and from underneath in that same area. I am basing this on the fuel pump/filter I changed on my 86 944. You need a wrecked donor car for super cheap.

On my porsche, when it rained the water could come in the passenger side and would knock out the ECU. They made the windshield drain into the battery box and then through a chute and out behind the front pass wheel. I had a rusted through hole in the bottom of that chute that I had to fix, and I had to fix it from the inside up under the passenger side dash. Before I fixed it, every time it would rain the car would not start until it dried out. My carpet was fuzzy and once I seen mold starting to take hold in the rear pass footwell I knew it was time to remove it all and replace it, which I did with some cheap black carpet that actually turned out rather nice.

Mathias Rios > Meatcoma
04/29/2014 at 13:15

Pics of your carpet? My 924 has a dual fuel pump setup, with one of them in the gas tank, and replacing that is a pain in the ass because they don't make those to the right specifications anymore and they cost 300 bucks...

Mathias Rios > JGrabowMSt
04/29/2014 at 13:17

I'll probably install one of those filters after the solid filter, since I have to replace that rubber plastic line anyway.

I did the brakes on Aarons car :P along with mostly everything else haha.

The electronics are fine it's just that the PO put some horrific blue LEDs.

Yeah I think I'll go classy track rat style.... hmmm

Mathias Rios > All Motor Is Best Motor
04/29/2014 at 13:17

I'm thinking the same. It will be more fun as a light nimble car as a clean example of a 924... they aren't worth much anyways.

Mathias Rios > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez
04/29/2014 at 13:26

I know, I know. The 924 is crappy, but my budget was strictly 500 bucks for a project car and this was the best I found. :P

It's mechanically fuel injected using K-jetronic... aka fuel injection hell. I think my fuel pumps both died. (It has two).

I had the car running and everything, it just died after a weekend of hard use...

I may have to take you up on that offer! What's your email?

Mathias Rios > BondoSpecial
04/29/2014 at 13:27

I just want something light and tossable and nimble for the twisties and for the occasional Autocross and other related events where my SUV doesn't make the cut.

Mathias Rios > offroadkarter
04/29/2014 at 13:27

Auto?

Mathias Rios > crowmolly
04/29/2014 at 13:28

I am in the process of overhauling the fuel system right now.

No, no compression fittings were used, but I had to make a replacement line from the master to a rear drum brake, and the bends were made by hand mostly even though I have the tool. There aren't any kinks in the line luckily. System holds pressure and everything.

Meatcoma > Mathias Rios
04/29/2014 at 13:32

Sadly I did not take any pics of it before or after. I was just having fun working on it with my son. It's some work but most of it was just folding and cutting the carpet to lay right, then using some spray adhesive to hold it to the sound dampening pad and metal floor and tucking it under trim/seats etc.

offroadkarter > Mathias Rios
04/29/2014 at 13:36

yeah, manuals are rare

JGrabowMSt > Mathias Rios
04/29/2014 at 13:36

Why bother with the solid filter then? It's just a PITA to get out and do anything with (until it's out, and then it's real easy to throw away!).

I think you forgot something on that list...You need a battery tie down to race it.

Mathias Rios > JGrabowMSt
04/29/2014 at 13:46

True, but the way the fuel lines are setup in the engine bay there isn't really anywhere to put it because the rubber lines are actually plastic. I'll see if I can build one in when I replace the filter to fuel distributor line.

Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez > Mathias Rios
04/29/2014 at 22:07

apidaonline@gmail.com. Feel free to email me any time, or text me through facebook. My page is facebook.com/usualrhetoric

cretony38 > Mathias Rios
05/01/2014 at 10:23

Any chance of buying a better newer car a 928 maybe? and just replacing the key fob with the one from the 924?

michael bleggi > Mathias Rios
05/01/2014 at 10:23

i know you can swap in a 750il e32 BMW master cylinder (and maybe booster?...) and they give a lot better pedal feel and response

Mathias Rios > cretony38
05/01/2014 at 13:04

Not really. This is just a project car, paid 500 bucks. I have a solid reliable daily.

Mathias Rios > michael bleggi
05/01/2014 at 13:05

Really? Any idea why it improves pedal feel? Any link to this mod?

The Real Dacia Sandero > Mathias Rios
05/01/2014 at 14:21

Kinja'd!!!

Bosch E-Code Headlights

I have these in my Miata, and they are light-years... better than the stock sealed beams. They aren't perfect, but for $50 shipped with bulbs, they are the best affordable option. Low beams are almost as good as the lights on other cars I drive, and the high beams are way better.

http://www.busdepot.com/nl910ch4/

Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder > Mathias Rios
05/01/2014 at 14:23

Please make it a ghetto DD like the 911 in Californication.

Kinja'd!!!

Mathias Rios > The Real Dacia Sandero
05/01/2014 at 14:30

Thanks! This is strange but how did you find this article? It's getting a bunch of views and I don't know from where.

Mathias Rios > Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder
05/01/2014 at 14:31

That's basically what it is right now if it ran...

The Real Dacia Sandero > Mathias Rios
05/01/2014 at 14:45

Your post about it getting a ton of views on Oppo...

Mathias Rios > The Real Dacia Sandero
05/01/2014 at 14:49

Oops. Hmmm

The Real Dacia Sandero > Mathias Rios
05/01/2014 at 14:50

It's all good.

michael bleggi > Mathias Rios
05/01/2014 at 15:15

it's a larger size piston or something.... i'm an e30 owner, so it's a difference perspective, but the e32/e30/944/924 all share a very similar brake booster/master cylinder.... i will try and find a source when i get home, however you'll probably have luck finding e30 forums regarding interchangeability. all i know is the 924/944 has a master cylinder that is the least desirable of the bunch