Turbo 2: Electric Boogaloo

"K-Roll-PorscheTamer" (k-roll390) 07/23/2020 at 21:59 • Filed to: 924 turbo, Turbo Thursday

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I bought a second turbo! Why? Because I can! But actually, these oil cooled KKK( Kühnle, Kopp & Kausch) K26 turbos, as with most period turbos, are oil cooled predominately. Without the addition of water cooling or proper shutdown procedures, these things wear out prematurely. About 50,000 miles is the typical lifespan for one. The 951/ 944 Turbo solved this with the aforementioned water cooling, but this is one of the 931/924 Turbo’s Achilles Heels.

At nearly 54,000 miles, I figured it was time for a rebuild. But rather than remove the current turbo and leave the car siting for who knows how long, I bought this used one for $275 as a core to ship out for a full rebuild while I continue to drive the car! That way I’ll have one factory fresh and a spare I can tinker with myself. The swap should ideally only take a few hours when that time comes.

66P1800inpieces > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 07/23/2020 at 22:44

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That is a smart move and relatively cheap because you can sell your potential future core when you swap in the rebuild. Question- on the license plate there is a 25 sticker, is that when your inspection expires. 5 years would be nice. In NJ it is every 2, although it is just a OBDII connection. All cars prior to 1995 are exempt from inspections.  Years ago it was a full on mechanical and emissions.  I remember they would drive onto a shaker plate and lift the front end to rattle it around a bit.  

Long_Voyager94 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 07/23/2020 at 23:14

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Unrelated note, I love that 924 Turbo decal.

Great idea on having a spare!

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > 66P1800inpieces 07/23/2020 at 23:15

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That is a possibility. Michigan has no inspections, so that’s actually when the registration needs to be renewed. Cars running historical plates here only need to be renewed every 10 years I believe.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Long_Voyager94 07/23/2020 at 23:38

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Me too! It’s an early 1979 German market variant. Just about every Turbo you’ll find will have this 1980 variant in some form or another. But when I saw the former, I had to have it.

A great Oppo made me a few decals based on the early design with a vector image I found online!

Saracen > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 07/24/2020 at 00:02

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You mentioned shutdown procedures. So, a long with the new turbo, is it gonna be turbo timer...time?

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Saracen 07/24/2020 at 00:09

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Probably.....not? That’s actually a good question. As I typically give the car 30 seconds to a minute or two before shutting down, I never gave it much thought. I’m not sure what it’d entail to make it work. But it could be something worth looking into.

promoted by the color red > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 07/24/2020 at 00:15

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Can you convert to water cooling? Volvo had an aftermarket kit with intercooler and tank to convert your oil-cooled unit.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 07/24/2020 at 05:03

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You are contributing to my unrequired and unrequited interest in owning a 924 for no good reason...

Long_Voyager94 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 07/24/2020 at 07:02

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Super cool!

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > promoted by the color red 07/24/2020 at 09:01

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You can, by swapping one of the housings, but I believe it requires some custom work I’m incapable of doing myself and could even need my buying a third turbo.