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I don't usually lurk here Larry :)
I agree with Tom. Unless you plan to be the speed bump when all the Ricers and Crotch Rockets buzz by, I would bring it home first. There are plenty of roads to enjoy if you just come home...Your wife may be happier with you.
Does Mike do paint and body only? If not, why not give him a list of things to do to the car to prep it for the trip and maybe even the Gap if you have your heart set on it.
Tom and Souk:
Honestly, I know that The Tail of the Dragon is no place for a novice to experiment with high speed road racing, but I am not planning on racing it. We have driven plenty of mountain roads in our other cars while we have travelled the highways and byways of the US (including the road to Hana in HI). I just thought that it would be fun to take some twisties with the car, and we have driven the Smokeys before, just not this particular road.
And we are going to drive it in mid-week, in mid-day, so I figure that it will be a bit quieter than usual. My plan is to be the speed bump in the road. I just thought it would be fun to drive it - just for the experience. Especially after my stellar performance on the Kart track last week, Souk, I know that I am no Mario Andretti - or Chris Streit, either.
I really think that the car should be in good shape for a road trip. It has brand new tires, a new clutch and the entire brake system was new when Mike got it, master cylinder, brake pads, rotors, calipers, and new fuel lines, by the way. Now, it has sat for two years, but those items have been reworked - the fuel lines are new this month.
I know that Mike does engine work as well, but I don't know his skill and experience in suspension work. I do know that he isn't the one to have lower and corner balance the car. And to be honest, now isn't the time to ask Mike to sort out the car. I leave it to my Chicago Buddies to help me with what's needed. There is time to do that.
Thanks for the advice, but I'm not planning on being stupid on this trip. Judy's hypertension won't allow it. :)
larry
By the way, I have read the Dragon's website before. They note that the average death toll on the road is 1.3 people per year ( less than on the Kennedy expy), and there have been no recorded fatalities in a car since 1975. I don't plan on ruining their record.
Here's a little diddy from their website.
Watch for the sharp turns
BIKER IN THE BANK
(gone since 2001)
Here he lies with pistons
and crank
Burried up to his ass
In the face of this bank
He challenged the Dragon
to have some fun
As you can see, the Dragon won!!
larry
nothing better than driving on a long distance road trip, in a vintage porsche. i vote for driving. then again.. ive never had much luck with road trips, so im not one to talk :rolleyes:
screw it, drive it anyways, it will be a blast! :D
Harry "murphy really is my co-pilot," Hoffman
Hear is what you will see out your windshield next week :D
Deals Gap 2002
Larry part of the bonding process with your 911 is taking it on a long drive. Sure you will spend the first 200 miles straining your ears thinking you hear something wrong, but the rest of the time will be the pure joy of being on an adventure. Below is a post of mine from the Pelican Board that might inspire you a bit (even if it includes me trading a 72E for an '86 Carrera)
"Remember in Mid-October when BK911 wanted to trade his 86 Coupe for an early 911 Targa? He wrote "Anybody want to trade their old 911 for a newer one? You’re in luck! I want to trade an 86 Carrera Coupe for an early 911. I’d prefer a 2.4E Targa, but will consider any 70 – 73 911, Coupe, Targa, T, E or S. Let me know what you have and let’s make a deal!"
Well it so happened I had my screaming yellow 72 E which I had finally sorted out the MFI, but was secretly longing for a coupe. What started as a couple of tenative e-mails ended up being about 50 e-mails and as many pictures being sent back and forth. And now, the rest of the story. For those who don't know, I live in mid-Missouri and BK911 lives in Baltimore Maryland. We agreed that a good place to meet would be in Ohio. Naturally I was a bit worried driving my '72 as I had done a bunch of work on it and hadn't really taken it on a long trip. Anyway, at 5:00 a.m. Saturday morning, with every tool I think I might need to rebuild the car on the side of the road, I set off for Ohio. 8 hours later, with absolutely no problems with the car, BK and I meet at a grade school in the small town of Sommerford. It was cold and spitting sleet! We spent about 2 hours driving and inspecting each other's car and freezing! At 5:00 that evening I headed back to Jefferson City behind the wheel of a Guards Red '86 Coupe and BK heads off to Baltimore in my '72. This has to be the most unusual car purchase I have ever made. Oh, the '72 drove flawlessly and made around 23mpg at 80 miles per hour the entire way! Thoughts on the way home: The '72 is all snarling, in your face, brute acceleration while the '86 was a more quiet refined sports car, where the speed is there, but you don't have that wailing engine telling you how fast you are going, but one look at the speedometer lets you know you are breaking the speed limit by about 30mph or so. Anyway thanks to all for you help with my '72 and I look forward to all your help as I tinker a bit on the '86. Guess I need to also change my signature block."
Having been stranded by several cars while on return trips from purchases....
I would have the following done (didn't read too carefully, so sorry if you have already done this)..
1) New wheel bearings all around
2) New brake lines all around, and bleed and flush the system.
3) New fuel filter...
Bring with in addition:
Spare fuel pump....(really!)
Fuses
Toolkit (include the factory plug wrench, and allen wrench, and fan pulley tool)
Plugs (yes, they can foul out of the box....)
AAAPlus for long distance flatbedding to nearest "friend on the road".
Enjoy!
Eric
Eric,,, All i would add to that is pack extra fuel line in case the old original stuff cracks and decides to drip gas all over the heat exchangers ... and your set !!!!!!!!!... (definetly an extra fuel pump,,,, agreed ! )
Robert...
Cornie: Loved the picture. I've got pictures like that in other areas, can't wait to add some from the Dragon.
Tom: First you ply me with pictures and commentary about how I should leave the car Viper Green, remember? And now you threaten me with Pix of flaming cars and Smokey (in the smokeys). Hey, are you on my side?
Eric: Mike is going to repack the front wheel bearings. The rears feel OK, and he's not going to replace them just because. The car has new fuel lines all around (last week). New brake system was put in just before Mike bought the car, so if it isn't frozen from sitting, it should be OK. Got the Toolkit with a fan pully wrench (modern kit brought one along, classic one in the garage) modified 944 jack, flashlight. Need a fuel filter? OK, Fuel pump? You mean an MFI pump, or is there a second fuel pump in the car? It has a relatively new MFI Pump that works just dandy. And, my AAA plus card.
Robert: If a fuel line ruptures and leaks on the heat exchanges, I am going to need more than just a new fuel line!!! That is what my fire extinguisher is for!!!
He fired it up today. Said that the engine sounded quieter than any he has heard in a long time. He's changing the oil twice between now and Friday, so that the oil lines and cooler get flushed OK, and to clean out the engine. Filled the tank with super premium, and poured in some Techron. Long hot drive tomorrow, to burn off the carbon. Mike said he was going to spend the next few days driving the car, fine tuning it, dialing in the MFI, etc. The PPI is set for Friday. I'll let you know how it goes.
larry
Burning off the carbon? How about spending his time doing something useful like adjusting that ride height and your suspension so you're not drifting all over the freeway?