[rkatz]

Hi all,

I'm in the first stages of research on buying a 968. Looking at a couple of '94s that look promising.

Aside from my obvious preference for a manual transmission, is there anything in particular that I should look out for with either the 6-speed manual or the Tiptronic? I have heard of some issues with the manual regarding synchro and clutch.

Also, if I pursue the car I like, I will need to get a PPI done near Islip, NY. Any help in finding a knowledgeable, reuptable tech would be greatly appreciated. I'd be coming out of the Toronto, Canada area to do the deal, so I need to have everthing lined up.

TIA

Rob

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[BruceWard]

Some six speeds suffer pinion bearing issues. If the car is currently suffering from the problem you should be able to hear it. Although it can show up very early or very late in the life of the 968. Not all, probably not the majority of 968s will suffer this problem. There is more info at http://members.rennlist.com/martin/ . If you remove the transaxle yourself you may be able to have the issue corrected for $1500 or less.



The flex plate on the tiptronic transmission can fail. My guess is that this will occur at some point on most tips. A flex plate failure is likely to be more expensive. I believe I have heard numbers quoted in the $2K to $3K range for this repair.

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[flash]

while this is really only a problem in as many as 10% of the manual cars, if you remove the transaxle yourself, you can get the pinion done for 750 at an independent shop just about any major metropolitan area - many folks have gotten it done for 1500-2000 at independent shops having them r&r it - we got ron's done last year for 1600 - bobby hall (hart? i always for get this), who is arguably the best guy in the country, does the box for under 750 plus shipping

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[ron1688]

[quote name='flash' date='Mar 6 2006, 01:52 PM']while this is really only a problem in as many as 10% of the manual cars, if you remove the transaxle yourself, you can get the pinion done for 750 at an independent shop just about any major metropolitan area - many folks have gotten it done for 1500-2000 at independent shops having them r&r it - we got ron's done last year for 1600 - bobby hall (hart? i always for get this), who is arguably the best guy in the country, does the box for under 750 plus shipping

[right][post="16971"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



The dreaded pinion bearings are being done as we speak, 23k on the car and a cost of $1,800.00 by Mark at Sportech in Campbell, CA. Regardless, the car outweights any so-called pinion bearings defects that can or may not happen. Go find yourself a good six speed car and buy buy buy... On another matter, hey flash, how long did it take you to put your RS Barn system on...Im still waiting for the header, cat and software... cant wait

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[ether_joe]

welcome Rob, I am a recent 968 owner and I am in total automotive bliss with the car. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



PPI mechanic recommendation by searching the forums (try here, 968.net, and the 944/968 forums on Rennlist.com), you might also try contacting the PCA branch for that area. You should be looking for a mechanic who is knowledgeable about 968's.



Great car, great forums and online support. Welcome!

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[ether_joe]

[quote name='ron1688' date='Mar 6 2006, 09:51 PM']The dreaded pinion bearings are being done as we speak, 23k on the car and a cost of $1,800.00 by Mark at Sportech in Campbell, CA. Regardless, the car outweights any so-called pinion bearings defects that can or may not happen. Go find yourself a good six speed car and buy buy buy... On another matter, hey flash, how long did it take you to put your RS Barn system on...Im still waiting for the header, cat and software... cant wait

[right][post="16992"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



Also had a good experience with Mark at Sportech, he also quoted me $1800 although I ended up not buying that car. Seemed like a great guy and glad you are having a good experience.



Sportech +1

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[flash]

i've heard good things about sporttech - very cool



total install took me about 4 hours - 1/2 hr was getting the car up in the air (complicated process in my garage) - another 1/2 hr was making rear hangers - i have a different setup back there that holds the exhaust much more firmly - i didn't like the swing the stock hangers makes - it lets the tip jiggle and looks goofy to me



the hardest part was the forward most exhaust nut - tough to get to - i ended up moving the power steering pump out of the way long enough to get to it - i also removed the now unused 4 studs



i recommend picking up the 4 copper sealing rings, just in case - you can always return them - i didn't need them, and pete says he has not yet either, but it would be a drag if one got crushed in the process and left you stuck in the air



all in all though, a very simple process - the header went in with the car on jack stands with no issues - 2 beer job - no knuckle busters - no explitives

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[rustech]

[quote name='flash' date='Mar 7 2006, 09:37 AM']all in all though, a very simple process - the header went in with the car on jack stands with no issues - 2 beer job - no knuckle busters - no explitives

[right][post="17015"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



If it was only a 2 beer job, then you did something wrong. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/rolleyes.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[flash]

i'm not as young as i used to be - can't drink like that anymore

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[rkatz]

Hey all,

Thanks for the input. Great info. I've found what looks to be a good buy. Everything of concern checks out except that the car has the original clutch with just about 60000 miles on it. If it seems OK at PPI should I consider it as a case of "if it ain't broke..." Or should just get it done and reduce the purchase price accordingly? What should I reasonably expect to pay for a clutch replacement?

Note: I'm a driver, not a mechanic, so I wouldn't even want to attempt a DIY to save some $$$

Rob

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[968bill]

[quote name='rkatz' date='Mar 9 2006, 08:55 AM']Hey all,

Thanks for the input. Great info. I've found what looks to be a good buy. Everything of concern checks out except that the car has the original clutch with just about 60000 miles on it. If it seems OK at PPI should I consider it as a case of "if it ain't broke..." Or should just get it done and reduce the purchase price accordingly? What should I reasonably expect to pay for a clutch replacement?

Note: I'm a driver, not a mechanic, so I wouldn't even want to attempt a DIY to save some $$$

Rob

[right][post="17122"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]

At 60k you've got very little to worry about with the clutch unless it's been driven daily in San Fran.! Seriously, I just bought a car w/ 104k and it has the orig. clutch still in it. I will be replacing it soon only because I'll be using it as a track car and don't want to blow a DE by having my clutch fail the first day of a DE w/e. I believe I was reading on this board the other day where someone had 11xk on their stock clutch so 60k it's barely past half life if driven properly.



Welcome and enjoy.

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[Greimann]

The car's history is a big player in clutch life. Mine went at 85k. Was a daily driver in relatively flat Southern CA.

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[jww968]

The dual mass flywheel causes the clutch to have a different "feel" on engagement compared to my 924S. When I bought my car, I thought it needed a new clutch at 49k. No worries now that I have gotten used to it.

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[flash]

this is an incredibly subjective area - it really depends on how and where the car was driven



i've seen cars with dead disks as low as 55k too - there are at least 2 here in the area that were well under 70k, and needed them - whoever had the car before was not gentle on the clutch



the average i've been hearing is about 75-85k - some more - some less



the good news is that a clutfch is pretty easy and inexpensive on this car, assuming you get to it before it torches your pressure plate and flywheel

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[Royal Tiger]

I've seen the ad for the 94 in Islip, Autotrader or Cars.com, can't remember. It sounded like a nice car. I hope everything works out for you and she turns out to be a "keeper". Good Luck.

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[gofaster]

Hey guys good thread I am also looking for a 968- leaning towards a

6-sp, but here is a question for all of you guys who have a tiptronic. What are they like to drive? Is the tiptronic worth looking at? It seems like there are plenty of great condition tiptronics for less $$$....By the way I am in the ATL area and am thinking of having a PPI done at Hennessey or Jim Ellis they (Hennessey, quoted $163)

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[ron1688]

[quote name='gofaster' date='Mar 10 2006, 07:59 PM']Hey guys good thread I am also looking for a 968-  leaning towards a

6-sp, but here is a question for all of you guys who have a tiptronic. What are they like to drive? Is the tiptronic worth looking at? It seems like there are plenty of great condition tiptronics for less $$$....By the way I am in the ATL area and am thinking of having a PPI done at Hennessey or Jim Ellis they (Hennessey, quoted $163)

[right][post="17189"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



My first 968 was a tip and it was okay and great during rush hour in San Francisco. That being said, I would not trade my current 6 speed for a tip.. no way no how...rush hour traffic or not...

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[ether_joe]

[quote name='gofaster' date='Mar 10 2006, 07:59 PM']Hey guys good thread I am also looking for a 968-  leaning towards a

6-sp, but here is a question for all of you guys who have a tiptronic. What are they like to drive? Is the tiptronic worth looking at? It seems like there are plenty of great condition tiptronics for less $$$....By the way I am in the ATL area and am thinking of having a PPI done at Hennessey or Jim Ellis they (Hennessey, quoted $163)

[right][post="17189"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



Colorado Cab on this forum races his tippy and gets good results. Personally I couldn't do a tip but I haven't driven one either so what do I know?? <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/blink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> I absolutely adore my 6-speed. Don't commute with it though.



if you are serious about a particular car, then don't worry about PPI cost, pay them extra and have them take off the engine cover and inspect the variocam - you probably have to specifically ask for this. But there are threads on this board regarding catastrophic variocam failure and it's not pretty. I say pay the $ to get a really thorough inspection by somebody who is familiar with 968's in particular.



Good PPI recommendation for ATL could also be found on rennlist.com in the 968 and 944 forums. I know ventoGT on that board lives in ATL, I almost bought his black on black 968 last christmastime.



Good luck, terrific cars. . . <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[Jacks968]

I am a happy Tip owner - second one I have owned (prior 964). If you have poor traffic conditions it is a good box and most comments I have seen say it is the most reliable tranny Porsche had through the late 90's - not just 968's but the 964 & 993's. It should be noted that the actual tranny is not the same in 968 and 964/993. The 968 uses the same ZF transmission found in many Audi's like my 98' A6. Porsche added the "Tiptronic controls" and of course the Tip in the 968 transaxle is configured "backwards" from a 964. The Flex Plate issue is - as I understand it - unique to the 924/944/968 design. My only complaint is that for what ever reason Porsche really geared this Tip high. For top speed? & economy? - and you loose a lot of the line because of the 3.25 R&P. I would love to see mine with the 3.78 from the 6 speed but that won't happen unless my R&P goes.

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[gofaster]

(ether joe) Good point about the vario-cam wrt the PPI, I thought that 163 seemed low for a good PPI but I guess its about par How are the a/c units in these cars?, thats going to be a concern with summer coming up

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