VirginiaF1

( Last thread on this was 2/2009 from what I searched)

As a reference to other new lurkers considering 944 ownership, I wanted to re-post my Pelican post today..

"I totalled all of my service receipts since 1990 for a grand total of $14,165..
Does not include the fluid/flushes or oil changes which totalled $3,205..
(40% dealer vs 60% local Euro shops)

Now... I saw no clutch receipt so I called all 5 shops that have worked on this car. ( Texas, Maryland, Virginia)

NO clutch work in any of their records so is it possible still on factory rubber-centered clutch.. ?

Clutch Window shows plate has used 26mm of the 34mm avail.
(rev-matching / no racing / never over 4500 rpm.)


Last week, P-Dealer quoted me $2950 P & L for a full clutch kit / inclu Release Bearing. Locals quote $2100 for same using OEM.

So from Houston, TX in July 1990 to Annapolis, MD in 1995 to Richmond, VA in 2008 this Porsche costs less than $69/mo in total care..... Awesome.
( If a clutch receipt is missing from an unknown wrench then add $10/mo..)

Still an amazing car..
NO Substitute..

Mikey

Reimu

Never over 4500rpm? Really?

VirginiaF1

Howdy
Neither I now nor my seller prior took the car beyond that rev... I believe him.

As the 2 previous owners were female doctors ( googled ), my supposition is possible but unproveable.. should've typed that more distinctly sorry..

V2Rocket

If its been carefully driven, I don't see why not.

I have to ask...WHY never over 4500? That's where the fun begins. Even taking it to redline isn't going to slip the clutch at all, or even hurt anything.

elzergone

This is criminal.

VirginiaF1

I am a fugitive and carefully avoiding law enforcement...

Moreso, I live in the police state of Henrico, Virginia where cops out number citizens. That coupled with a desire to not significantly exceed posted limits obviates revs past that range...

At 4.5k rpm my '88 with Bursch headers ( adds 50 hp right?) gets me down the road with aplomb.

When I hit powerball I promise to track the Red Baron and redline it..

Thanks all!

s14kev

He must be old

VirginiaF1

Old enough to ignore your provocations...... doh!

s14kev

Old to some. Mature to others

Post pics of the clutch plate if you get it out. Will be interesting to see what 232k mile clutch looks like.

VirginiaF1

Will do mate...
Last month the spec thru the inspection port window miked at 50%..
( @26mm vs 18-34mm limits)
http://www.clarks-garage.com/graphics/clutch-wear-2.jpg

Hopefully at this rate, no pics for many moons...
Cheers! mikey

V2Rocket

I was too young to remember the roads when I lived in VA but if it really is the original clutch, there must not be many hills...

VirginiaF1

Almost flat here in 23060; plus the car lived equal time in Houston and Annapolis... also flattish.

As a Thanks!: here is that awesome promo vid of our car... plenty of hills there.

youtube.com/watch?v=el4gCf3gElI
(Love the man with ***** and a skirt at 1:42... ahhhh Europe)

ernie9468

Even if the car was never shift over 4.5 RMP or abuse ,age would have taken it's tool on that ruber center clutch after 23 years and 232k ,are you 100% sure the clutch wasn't change along the way .Miracle do happen but are very rare in the 944s world.BTW why go to a P dealer for a clutch job ,worst place you could end up they will suck you dry.Just buy the Vertex kit it come with a Sachs Pressure Plate__sachs release bearing & your choice of Sachs disc or Heavy Duty Power Friction Disc, and get it done my a competent 944s mechanic in your area.I personally went with the HD one on my ex 83 944 & never look back been on the car almost five years now & still going strong,Lol then you migth be able to shift over 4.5 without having rubber rubbles coming through your clutch inspection hole.

M758

I race an NA for 5 seasons and 80 races. The clutch was friction surface still nearly new. Well except for the center that broke out (spring centered). Still that was racing duty and no shift under 5800 rpm.

VirginiaF1

Howdy!
With 40+service records spanning 21 years and calling all 5 of those shops, none of whom had a record of a clutch replacement.... is that dispositive?
Not completely...

So just now I called ZF/SACHS USA and spoke to a well-versed engineer:


"The rubber-centered clutches eventually suffered delamination between the rubber and the metal..." "Subsequently, Sachs convinced Porsche to replace with spring-centered..." he said.

So then I asked (courteously): "If the the delamination was a factor of use/miles or simply and unavoidably a factor of oxidation/age...?"
He responded: "What is the purpose of this call?"

I (again courteously) asked if it were at all possible to still have the factory rubber clutch at 232k with "very soft use"....
He responded: "How could I possibly answer that.."

I indicated that my understanding is that rubber-centered offered a softer torque tube pick-up and less gear rattle.
He did not respond... so I figured we were done. Ouch..

So is it certain the rubber-center would've decomposed/deteriorated since 1988?
Who knows...