I have a 1986 944 turbo that has 87,600 miles on it. The paint is starting to oxidize on the hood and the top and front sides, but it's also 24 years old. I had my timing belt and waterpump done 12,000 miles ago along with the balance shafts, front crank, and upper cam housing resealed. The power steering rack and power steering pump were done 5,000 miles ago. I just put on a Fabspeed 3.0" Exhaust with Cat bypass a couple of months ago. The A/C Compressor and Condensor as well as the control unit were replaced 15,000 miles ago. Today, I paid $4,600 for a Sport Clutch with Fork + Pressure Plate, Master & Slave Cylinder. This was done at an independent shop and that price seems like a dealer price to me. Oh Well, If anything else happens within the next 20,000 miles, the car is gone! Thoughts on what I am doing?

 

I'm sorry, but sounds like your shop took advantage of you and I would highly consider ever taking a car back to them. That's too bad. Even on an early 86 with a one piece crossover pipe, book time is about 18 hours. If it had a 2 piece crossover pipe (late 86) then book time is about 15 hours. I have done clutches on 86 turbos with a 2 piece at the track in under 4 hours with minimal tools (on jack stands no less). Shop still needs to make money and most techs don't work that fast, but I have never seen a 944T clutch bill that high. I feel guilty when they start getting near 2500-3000.

 

Wow, I think you could have gotten it cheaper at the dealer, that's something I don't say everyday....

-Eli

 

Yep,

Even with a New Fork, Pressure Plate + Master & Slave,

I still think I got ripped off. The markup on their Pressure Plate and Sport Clutch was 100%. I should've purchased it from Pelican & had them do the Labor - So Stupid of Me! Oh Well, A lesson learned! Thank you for the feedback and I'm switching shops!

 

I'm going back to my original shop, Black Forest, in San Diego to have the Lindsey Boost Enhancer installed on my 951 in several weeks. What can I expect from this with my setup?

 

Well the LBE just make the boost come on slightly sooner. If you want a real change, get a set of chips from Vitesse and a boost controller, manual or electronic.

 

I have the Stage 2 from Autothority & I 've been happy with them. I'm not looking to add more than the 1 bar of boost they give me, but I'm looking for better mid range response from the boost to eliminate most of the lag. I'm wary of increasing boost past about 1 bar as I worry about decreasing my engine's natural life.

 

Most chip manufacturers run their boost levels right at 1bar, so that won't change. The difference is that autothority makes that 1 bar boost by using a jetted banjo bolt, where as other chip manufacturers use a boost controller to set the boost. IMHO autothority chips are 1980's technology, and the tuners have greatly improved since then. Their stuff runs quite rich at the top end.

 

I've had the car since April of '02 and that is when I put the Autothority chip in it. I'm reluctant to spend any more significant amount of money for the next few years so I can recoup the cost of my clutch I purchased the Lindsey Boost Enhancer & w/ shipping it was only $95. I'm going to attempt to install it myself as it seems pretty straightforward.

I found a shop about 30 minutes away from me that has 20 bays and they do a boatload of porsche work. The owner has a 944 Turbo trackcar as well. However, I was thinking of having my fluid changes done somewhere locally. Do you think I should drive the 30 minutes to have the fluid changes as well?

 

They definitely got you on the clutch job! Mine run around 1500+ parts!
LBE is a do it yourself job, takes about 15-20m tops! I have an S, so it definitely helps with the bigger turbo. IMO, great bang for the buck!!!

 

When I used to own a 951 back in my college days (UCSD), the guys over at Black Forest were honest and pretty fair with the labor rates. $4500+ for a clutch job is WAAAAAYYYY too much!

I've changed a clutch out myself on a NSX (much harder job) and even that wasn't a $4500+ clutch job in my eyes.

Get away from the shop and check out a few other indie shops. San Diego is a great PCA chapter and those guys have helped me learn the ropes on Porsches - even though I own a BMW now!

 

Wow! Way to much.

 

my dealer quoted me $6200 for a clutch job

 

wow thats crazy. I admit its a tough job but not $4600 tough. I would find another mechanic in the area if you can.

 

Yikes !!!! Did they give you an estimate before starting the job ?