Differences in 993 from 95-98?

[Sacto S]

Is there a preferred year for the 993? What improvements were made of the span of the 993? Are there any consistant issues with the 993 in any given year or over the whole span?

Thinking of making a '97 or '98 or other 993 maybe even a C2S my next Porsche and would like any insights people could offer. I'd even like to hear if there is another between the 993 and present that folks feel would have a good dollar for dollar value as a club event driver/ club concour type car. Something to just get in a drive.

I saw the last 993 offered here and gae it some serious thought. Is that "the One" most folks would target as the best of the 993's? Very pretty!

[ajwans]

Porsche introduced Varioram somewhere in the 993 series.

andy

[mjmoran]

first year 993s have OBD1 and later have OBD2 and vario ram. Therefore the earlier ones are easier to tweek from what I understand.

[Sacto S]

From what I found, the VarioRam boost low end torq by as much as 20% and added 3% to top end.

Are there any issues that a person should steer clear of with these cars? Any tell tale areas to look for if the car has been abused?

[ajwans]

A guy I know bought a 1997 993 just last year. He found rust in the
lower left of the rear windscreen. It was just out of its 10 year
corrosion warranty.

andy

[Sacto S]

I had to repair that every area on my '67 and now you're telling me I may have to do the same on a 1997. Shoot! That's not at all what I was expecting to hear.

Thanks......I think.

[preS]

A guy I know bought a 1997 993 just last year. He found rust in the
lower left of the rear windscreen. It was just out of its 10 year
corrosion warranty.

andy

A sunny Los Altos Hills '95 993 that I inspected about 2 months ago had that same issue. Some one knows if it's an issue?

Richard

[Mr9146]

All 993s were hydraulic tappet motors = no valve adjustments.
The 1995s were the only year without VarioRam (a personal favorite).

The biggest problem with the VRam motors was their tendency to trip a Check Engine light due to clogging of the Secondary Air Injection passages. This light will prevent the car from being smogged and can "only" be cleared by doing a valve job ... yes, rebuilding the top end. However, there have been many attempts by independant shops to circumvent this problem ... some have been successful and others have failed. THAT is the biggest 993 issue.

All 993s have fairly weak bottom ends that don't respond well to abuse. High RPMs are a NO NO with the 993 3.6 because of the poor quality of the rods ... failures tend to occur on the big end.

993s don't leak much oil ... when they do it's usually from the valve cover gaskets and/or the oil filter on the back of the motor.

Some 993s also had problems with squeaky windshields ... a problem from the factory that is easily cured with a re-seal. The rear window mouldings have a tendency to lift with age - this can be cured with either a)a new rear glass or b)a good glass guy.

All in all the 993 is a GREAT car. However, they can get VERY expensive if you fall behind on your regular maintenance. The maintenance schedule is 15/30 - every 15 is a minor and every 30 is a major.

That's all I can think of right now...

[RodKnock]

If you go to the 993 Forum at www.rennlist.com, this subject is discussed in great detail. Some people claim they can feel the extra HP that the Vram gives, some people, especially in CA, prefer the OBDI without immobilizer. The Vram enthusiasts claim that SAI port cleaning and changing the SAI valve solves the CEL issue.

The '95's also has the 3rd brake light that looks like a basket handle on the rear of the car, most 993 enthusiasts are OK with it on a Cab, but the Coupe fans hate it and some remove it. The '95's also had some issues with the steering wheel and I think the early 993's ('95's and '96s) had a recall on the convertible top motor. Not sure about the years involved in the recall.

[RodKnock]

Also, I think the HP difference is 12HP (270 versus 282) for the '95 non-Vram 993 and the '96-'98 Vram 993's, respectively.