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Yeah, I don't want to start sounding like a broken record, but the photograph makes it look like the car is riding higher than US spec. I'm no suspension expert, but I would worry that this could affect the handling of the car. You don't want to be doing your first corner carving in a 911 and not have the suspension at least at a reasonable baseline.
Maybe it's sitting on a jack in the picture?
Sandy:
Mike is very good at engines. He is very good at bodywork and paint. I don't think that suspension work and tuning are his forte. I would rather wait and get it done where I can be part of the process. I don't exactly know what height I want to lower the car to. He admits that the car looks high by even American standards, but we are in the final throes of delivery. I would rather have him spend time working the engine and MFI than the suspension.
:edit: Jack, you posted about the same time I did. I'll have to ask him about it. I know that he doesn't have corner balancing equipment, so if he does lower it, that means work done at another shop as well.
:second edit: Just spoke to Mike. He said that he would see if there is any adjustment room left on the torsion bars in the front. We'll see what comes out.
But I will admit that the suspension needs some work. Kermit looks like he's on stilts!!! :eek: ;)
larry
Issues of appearance and fine-tuning the handling can always be addressed. I think the important thing here is safety. The car doesn't need to be corner balanced to the N-th degree, but you don't want it to be unstable and/or unpredictable. He should at least get it to 25.5 front 25 rear. If he can do an inch lower than that, all the better.
Jack:
You don't sound like a broken record. I appreciate your advice and comments. I'll talk to Mike and see what is easily done. He suggested not going too far below the USA height, in order to protect the S spoiler in the front from damage from curbs, driveways and parking lot stops.
Maybe, I've just gotta learn not to pull in as far. :o ;)
larry
OK, I have finally gotten the map together for the trip through Deal's Gap to look like I want it to, so I thought that I would post it. This is about 110 miles round trip, from Robbinsville around and back. Should take the better part of the morning to drive it. Looking forward to the fun. (And YES, I am going to take it slow, real slow!!)
larry
How's your overall trip timing?
I'd get some local miles (a decent loop of a couple of hunfred miles) near Mike before you drive into the sunset....
That way you will get a feel for the car by yourself knowing that any concerns you may have you can take right back to him for reassurance or rectification before you leave...
It might make those miles down to the Dragon more 'relaxing'...
Regardless I'd drive it home......carefully.
Silver:
I agree with you completely!!!! The plan is to arrive in Westport late Sunday Night. Then we will meet up with Mike first thing Monday morning to pick up the car. The day will be spent visiting antique shops and enjoying the coastline roads in Connecticut before we head out to meet a friend in New Jersey for dinner and the evening, about an hour away from Mike. We'll spend Monday night in NJ, before heading out Tuesday morning.
I suggested to Judy that we spend a couple of hours driving around first thing in the morning - on Monday, so that I can familiarize myself with the car, and be close enough to ask questions if I need to. Your point is well taken. Great Minds . . . . . :D:D thanks
larry
I know my mind isn't great, just seared with the memories of my own little pick-up adventure....
Ok it was not a restoration job, just taking over somebody else's pride and joy.....in Paris, in the evening with a definitive arrangement to be honored the next day in the south of France....at 0800.
I'd drive the car a couple of times before and was pretty confident that there were no show stoppers but still, my first solo drive was at night from Paris to the coast in a single hit...I think every sinlge squeak, bump and knock had my adrenaline kick in again...
In hindsight it was lucky I did have any trouble at all....
After that I had to get the car home from the south of France to London but that's another story (involving a drunk Frenchman pissing in the middle of the road..)
Have fun with Kermit
Larry,
If I recall correctly, you have NEVER driven an early 911, let alone Kermit. This will be an event all the way around for you.
No one else seems to have mentioned this yet. Perhaps it goes without saying but while driving you should keep an eye on your oil pressure and oil temp gauges. Oil pressure should be above 80psi until the car warms up. After engine temp reaches 180 or more, the pressure should drop off to appr. 60psi while at 4,000 rev's. At red lights or stop signs, oil pressure will drop down to 20psi or below. This is normal.
With the cooler weather in the n'east, your oil temp should be around 180-200. Make sure to let the car up warm before pushing the rev's above 4,000.
You may also want to let Mike the painter/mechanic know that the Porsche community is well aware of your venture and that your favourable or unfavourable experience could have a significant effect upon his reputation and future business prospects.
May the wind be on your backside, and check your spare before shoving off.
Silver: I think that everyone that is "car-aware" knows every squeak and knock in their cars. It is the unfamiliar sounds that raise our attention. That unfamiliarity with Kermit is something that raises caution in my brain. I don't know what he sounds like. That first few hours will be spent driving around nearby, and listening and feeling. Getting used to the shift lever, the pedals, the steering wheel. Part of the adventure.Quote:
Originally Posted by silver911
Gruen: You are very right!!! :eek: :D I haven't driven an early 911 before. I need to learn about the oil pressure, (thanks for the lesson) and how to measure the oil level. Have seen too many posts on Pelican about the newbie that loaded up his car with oil after he measured it with the engine off!!! :rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by gruen911
Mike is well aware of my "visibility" here and on Pelican. I think that the quality of his work has been largely his own obsessiveness, but also my being "out there." I have posted pix and my story here and on Pelican. I am putting together a web page that needs to be pared down from the current "War and Peace" length. People both here and on Pelican have asked me for Mike's number. Mike knows that, and is expecting to use it as a reference. I don't need to threaten him - he's doing the right thing, because it is the right thing. He said to me yesterday, "do you think that I spent the hundreds of hours working on the car, and talking to you on the phone to leave something out at this late stage?"
No, I certainly don't think so. The final PPI is just an independent confirmation of the work and condition of the car. (BTW, I found out yesterday that one of the PPI Shop's customers just gave Mike an engine to rebuild for a racing car he owns.) Mike told me yesterday that the clock works (surprise, surprise) and the radio sounds pretty good. The engine is the quietest he has heard in a long time - clatters, clunks, and chain chatter. I'm hoping for just good news on Friday (Geez, that's tomorrow) and a Great Day in the Mornin' on Monday.
:edit: BTW, yesterday, Hagerty bound my insurance policy. $25,000 stated value, no deductible collision (heaven forbid) and comprehensive, 100/300 liability for $224 annually, with a 5K stated annual mileage.
Thanks
larry