1979 Porsche 930 (...and 78's too!)

True, but the 917 floating rotor brake design give the ’78-80 930’s a unique racecar heritage - the only Porsche street cars of that vintage so equipped. Porsche racecars (917, 3.0 RS/RSR, 934 and 935) all used floating rotors as a necessity with amazing results on the track.

http://i418.photobucket.com/albums/pp269/carrlane/porschefloatingrotors.jpg

 

I totally get your point, and agree that many of the components used on 930s give them racing heritage, considering the engines, brakes, running gear, body-shells etc.

But we have to be careful: when people start saying 930s "have 917 brakes", some people could take that absolutely literally, as if the factory took 917 brakes off the shelf and bolted them on the production road cars. Obviously, that is not the case. I'd easily settle for "917-inspired brakes" or "917-style brakes" as that would be correct to say in the spirit of accuracy.

 

Agree, good point, should be “917-style brakes” vs. “917 brakes”. In the book “Porsche 911 Performance Handbook”, Bruce Anderson correctly uses “917-style brakes” when he refers to brakes on the RS/RSR 3.0, 934 and 935. For these race cars (like the '78-80 930's), Porsche did not just bolt 917 brakes on the cars since they had to change wheel hub/spacer, add cooling ducts (935), change calipers, etc.

 

bummer. i thought i was on to something.

 

I dont see the ad mention a different engine size. If it is a US spec 1978, it is then a 3.3 litres with the intercooler. I bought a new one from Vasek Polak in 1978.

 

Charles,

I know your 930 door comment was just a jab at my brake description but it is relevant for a homlogation discussion of the 934's and 935's.

Here’s some photos of a 935/78 from “The Porsche 911, History of the Legendary Sports Car” by Randy Leffingwell. Caption on the photo: “From this high view, the original doors and original roof (with the curved rear side-window visible inside the race car’s elongated version) are apparent. Singer’s concept was so brash-and just barely within regulations-that FIA officials compromised, permitting half-covers on the two doors. Testing revealed the need for a higher wing. Porsche Archives.”

http://i418.photobucket.com/albums/pp269/carrlane/930door1.jpg

http://i418.photobucket.com/albums/pp269/carrlane/930door5.jpg

 

onboost,

The 3.0 RS/RSR caliper is interesting as they had horizontal vs. vertical cooling fins (see link below).

From “Porsche 917, The Ultimate Weapon”, Ian Bamsey, Bill Oursler (Foulis, 1987), there is a description of the 917 brakes: “The 917 was equipped with ATE cast iron discs of 12” diameter and 1.2” thickness with radial ventilation channels. Each weighed 9 kg. ATE also supplied four pot calipers having two aluminum pots either side of a titanium bridge.”

It’s interesting that the 917 only used 12” (300mm) diameter brake discs but this was necessary to fit inside 15” three-piece race wheels. Porsche used the same size brake disc on the 934, 935 and 930 (starting in 1978).

http://i418.photobucket.com/albums/pp269/carrlane/rsrbrake.jpg

http://i418.photobucket.com/albums/pp269/carrlane/rtrsr1-1.jpg

 

yes that was my smart A$$ side coming-out.

 

It was good though – made me find out more about 930 brakes and doors.

I wonder if this 2002 post on Pelican is true - anyone have a really early, unmolested ’78 930?:

“The very few first '78 3.3 911 Turbos had the ATE 4 piston calipers (the same as on the 917) instead of the Brembo ones, because of a delay with the Brembos.”

Somebody needs to write that book on the 930, all years '75-89.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/87025-917-brake-caliper.html

 

Tartan and Pasha fans, these fabrics were available on ROW 930's in the early 1980’s.

From the “Porsche Red Book”, “Tartan Dress” was available until July '81 (B Program) and “Checkerboard Velour” through July '83 (D Program).

 

Q:This week a Friend and FerrariChat member bought an original 930, 2 owner 930. Car has the 3.3 with inter-cooler, and 917 brakes. VIN comes in at a very early 1980, so we think its a late 79 Titled in 1980? Ill have to get permission from him to post the VIN, but we are confused as to when the 917 brakes were discontinued.

Car is a gunmetal gray, no sunroof, with wicked, beautiful BBS 15inch wheels. Story is man and his wife bought the car while he was in the Military in Europe. He bought a car, and she bought a car as they could each get 1 Exemption from EPA DOT for import. They kept the Turbo, and sold the other 911 they had purchased.

Thanks for any info.

 

i assume it has flush headlight washers?

 

out of curiosity, how may 930 folks that monitor this board and are active on the Pelican 930 board? if you are good at troubleshooting these cars, please read my post on Pelican as i am working on a no start issue on my 79.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/911-930-turbo-super-charging-forum/696378-go-ahead-flame-me-no-start-issue.html#post6920308

 

More on the different character of the new ’86 911 Turbo compared to the '78/79 930's in the May 86 issue of Sports Car Illustrated…

“The engine: Absolutely excellent. It will do anything you want it to, according to Lee, and that ranges from putting around all day collecting groceries and kids from school and never passing 2,000 rpm or 35 miles per hour, or keeping a heavy foot buried from 3,500 rpm and up and gong like Hell. Keeping the engine wound-up “you really can’t tell it’s a turbo,” says Lee, “just superfast all the time.” Interestingly, it isn’t as explosive as the ’79 version and Lee thinks it’s because Porsche buyers today need a little slack time to think things through. At 2,220 rpm in third gear, say, you can stomp on the accelerator and wait about ten seconds or so before the fire gets lit. This gives the driver time to change his mind and say “gee, this isn’t what I want to happen.”

Speaking of magazine road tests, I just bought the new Excellence Magazine Porsche Buyer’s Guide yesterday and it includes a nice piece about the collectability of the ’75-77 911 Turbos. I totally agree that the 3 liter cars have been undervalued but not sure about the statement they made about the 3 liter cars acceleration: “The Turbo exhilarated with its astonishing 0-60 mph time of 4.9 seconds and top speed of 155 mph…” I wonder what vintage magazine road test Excellence Magazine (The Magazine about Porsche) used for this 0-60 mph reference? This is the same reference guide that prices a ’67 911S from $50-60K.

http://i418.photobucket.com/albums/pp269/carrlane/sci86turbo.jpg

 

Ah yes, love the nine thirty with suger scoops! Owning an '86 930 and currently in the market for a '76-'79 930, I had the chance to take a spirited drive in a low mileage '79. Note, both cars are under 41k miles and completely stock. I didn't like the exterior condition on the '79, or it would already be in my garage, but I digress... The '79 felt noticeably lighter and more responsive at lower RPMs. The later cars definitely have more grip and are more secure in holding the road. Obvious reasons, bigger tires, more weight, and a lower suspension, among other things. The '86 feels like a true Grand Turismo compared to the '79 which felt like a Go Cart. Or maybe a modified blown ricer... Interesting how the "same porsche" could feel so different. I could definitely see why these early cars had such a bad reputation, very unforgiving in comparison to the later cars. It definitely left an impression on me. Very fun and fast as hell. I think faster 0-100mph compared to my '86... Being it's a ferrari site i can't comment on any relative comparisons...

 

Monterey Motorsports Reunion 2012
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