Porsche 993 AC Belt Size

Properly sizing the AC belt on the 993 seems to be problematic.  I have tried two belts, one of which was barely long enough and the other was impossible to make fit.  I think the problem is two-fold.  First, I think the Porsche spec calls for a belt that is a little too short.  Second, some vendors sell a belt as compatible for this application, but it has a different tooth design and will not fit.

993 Engine Drop: It's Out!

Where'd my engine go?

Ella's engine is out!  It actually came out about three weeks ago, but I'd rather be wrenching than blogging :-).

The process is well documented on pcarworkshop.com and the rennlist 993 forum, and I also purchased the Bentley 993 manual. With those sources already available, I don't have much to add to the technical instructions, but click past the break for some notes on moving the engine around in a home garage and, of course, some photos.

993 Engine Drop: Prework

After reading others' experiences, I realized I would have to upgrade my 993 jacking and jack stand procedure for the engine drop.  The engine drop requires a lot of clearance at the rear!


Click for more photos and my lifting procedure.

FD Motorsport SSK and Goldenrod Install

FDM Goldenrod

Over the Easter weekend, a friend and I installed the FD Motorsports Goldenrod and SSK.  Despite having read many glowing reviews, I was somewhat skeptical that the setup would live-up to the hype.

Wheel Refinishing

Wheels have been Ella's weakest link ever since I purchased her.  The original equipment 17" wheels were, in my opinion, too small for the 993's wheel arches and their finish was also in poor shape.  Almost immediately, I began searching for replacements.  In January 2013, I bought a used set off eBay.  While the size and style were perfect, the wheels were beat-up.

Click past the break to see the before and after photos.

Key Fob Replacement

Skiing, business trips and a baby made for a very busy winter season and left little time for Ella, but I still managed to squeeze in a little "project" - replacing the key fob and key head.  My excuses were crack in the key fob and a key-head light that didn't work.

Part numbers, pricing and photos after the break.

DFW 993 Meet - January 2014

A simple request to hear some modified 993 exhausts led to quite a 993 meet in Dallas this January...and I missed it.  Fortunately my sister and brother-in-law drove Ella over took some photos for me.

The whole story can be found in this Rennlist post:  http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/993-forum/785079-looking-for-fister-users-in-dallas-north-dallas-area.html, but here's the short summary:

1. Dallas rennlist forum member rsabeebe wants to hear some exhaust setups
2. Area 993 enthusiasts get excited and join-in...nearly 30 of us
3. A raffle gets started
4. An ice storm covers North Texas, event gets postponed
5. New date selected when I'm out of town :-(, but at least now Darin from FD Motorsports can fly in.
6. More that 30 993's show up at RAC in Addison

Click past the break for some photos.

Photoshoot, July 2013

It took an ice storm in December for me to get time to process photos taken in July, but that's what happens when a future Porsche driver is added to the family...

One of My Favorite Ella Pictures

Click past the jump for additional shots.

Porsche 993 AC Compressor Replacement

As mentioned in this previous post, Ella's AC compressor was suspected of leaking r-134a refrigerant and needed to be replaced.  The repair quote from the mechanic was absolutely ridiculous, so I felt free to buy tools and equipment as well as the parts. :-D

For an excellent how-to article, check-out http://www.pcarworkshop.com/index.php/993_-_A/C_Evaporator_Replace.  Although the title says "evaporator" replace, it also covers the compressor and the receiver/dryer.  Rather than re-create the DIY here, I made a few small contributions to the article on pcarworkshop. Ella even makes a cameo appearance!

In this post, I will cover some of the special circumstances and considerations from my install.

Porsche 993 AC Bracket Repair

Broken Piece of Porsche 993 AC Compressor Bracket

As I was lifting the AC compressor off its base, I heard something metallic falling into the engine bay.  My first thought was that I had missed a bolt or nut somewhere, but I was very careful about that. I looked down into the engine bay to find a piece of the AC compressor bracket.

You could see from the changes in color along the break that it had been cracked for sometime.  I also know of one other 993 owner who experienced the same issue.

Update: Porsche 993 Fog Light Reconditioning

In preparation for a bumperette delete and taking advantage of a Pelican Parts, I ordered "clear corner" lights for the 993.  Excited to see how they would look, I popped them...and was pretty bummed.

A couple months ago, I painted the inside of the fog lights silver to take care of yellowing plastic (post here).  The fogs look great on their own, but when I installed the clear corners, they don't match color wise.  The fit between the corners and the fogs is not as tight as I would like either.

Porsche 993 Fog Light and Clear Corners

At this point, I have a couple of options:

• Get over it
• Repaint the fog light plastic trying to match the clear corners
• Replace the fogs with one of the brake duct fog light replacements
• Swap clear corners for amber corners

Not sure which way I will go yet.

Porsche 993 Fog Light Reconditioning

Ella's fog lights needed some reconditioning.  The passenger side fog light had been cracked by a large stone, and was very yellow.  The driver side looked much newer -- like it had been replaced once already (hmm...don't remember that in the car's history, oh well...).

Porsche 993 Headlight Overhaul (or Ella's New Glasses)

Ella's headlights were looking a bit tired from the rock chips to the yellow-hued bulbs to the yellowed headlight lenses.  She was ready for a makeover.

Replacing Porsche 993 Third Brake Light Bulbs with LEDs

When I purchased Ella, she was sporting a gap-toothed look on the 3rd (middle, high mounted) brake light.  This is really no surprise as the design uses 24 (yes, you read that right, 24) individual incandescent bulbs.

A quick search on rennlist revealed several others had the same thought I did: replace the incandescent bulbs with LEDs.  Even better, several options had already been tried and validated.  I just followed their lead.  Read on for the details and lessons-learned in my install.

[Update 12-Feb-2016]  I recently noticed that Tore at Bergvill FX is selling a kit to replace these incandescent bulbs with LEDs.  While I haven't tried this specific product, my experience with Tore has been great on other products, and I would use his kit if I was to do this job again.

Ella's 5-year PIP (Porsche Improvement Plan ;-))

My back log of projects is nearly complete, so I started day dreaming of where to go next.  Based off a list I put together a while back, here's my "plan" for the next five years.  The only thing that is certain is that this project that won't go according to plan.  Have suggestions; please leave them in the comments below.

"Temporary" Rock Guard Replacement for My 993

The clear rock guards on my 993 are in pretty sad shape.  On both sides, chunks are missing and multiple rock hits have gone all the way down to the paint.  They are also anything but "clear" or "paint colored".

I have been wondering if re-doing them in black would lend a nice retro look, and I found the perfect way to give it a trial:  magnetic rock guards from MagnaGrafik (thanks to Bruce7 on rennlist for the pattern)..

I installed them over the existing stone guards so that I can go back anytime.  Someday I hope to get the paint fixed, but until then this is a very budget friendly way to improve Ella's appearance.  These looks so nice, we may even play with some additional magnetic decals :-).

Before                                               After

Porsche 993 Online Media Catalog

A simple list of links to my favorite online Porsche 993 media.  I will add to it as I go. Enjoy!

Articles

A sentimental story from Road&Track:  http://www.roadandtrack.com/features/magazine/features-magazine-features-breaking-promises-jack-baruth-porsche-911

Buyer's Guide from Car&Driver:  http://blog.caranddriver.com/1995-98-porsche-911-carrera-buyers-guide-econo-exotics/

Videos

Patrick Stewart narrating a Porsche Production

Porsche 993 - An Owners Perspective

Chris Harris's Review of the Singer 911

If you aren't familiar with the Singer 911, do NOT watch this video...you are better off ignorant ;-).

Blogs and Personal Websites

Jackal's Forge

Photos

Porsche's 50 Years of 911 Photo Stream:  http://50years.porsche.com/

How to Install a Strut Tower Brace in a Porsche 993 (and drill-out a broken strut stud!)

Installing a strut tower brace in Porsche 993 is really pretty simple, but I still managed to make it take forever.  The  brace discussed in this post is a TechArt model I bought used.  The seller shipped it with absolutely fantastic packaging -- I've received new items with less professional packing.

Read on for a few notes on the install.

Road Trip: Dallas to Arkansas Scenic Highway 7

The Goal

Simply put -- experience our Porsche 993 on winding roads, take some photos and enjoy a long weekend (and, as my wife said, not get a ticket!).

A friend had strongly recommend Arkansas's Scenic Highway 7, so we headed that way.

Porsche Photoshoot, March 2013: Ella Makes a Friend

Ella made a friend for this photoshoot.

Whereas the February shoot turned out more good photos than I expected, I struggled with this one.  The light was a bit harsh, I was using a wide angle lens for the first time and the disparity in the cars' colors all contributed.  Fortunately, I happened across a professional photographer and he offered some pointers.  Hopefully the next shoot will be better!