993 Diagnostics & Wheels

[Guest]

Hi there,

First ever post, so go easy on me!

I'm a 993 "newbie", having had my lovely polar silver 1994 Carrera for 4 weeks now. Couple of queries to all you wise 993 owls out there:

What's the latest thinking on 18" wheels on early 1994 993s? I know there are loads of posts stating that it's not advised (even with the optional steering rack brace, on some early cars). However, I'm sure I read a post recently (can't find it now), which said that Porsche have relaxed the restrictions somewhat. Am I wrong? Should I be getting some 17" wheels as my car came with/has 18" hollow turbo alloys. They look really good and I would live with the tramlining & other "characteristics" if it's not going to do any harm to the car/me!

Secondly, I've been looking into engine diagnostics (fault code readers) for early UK non-OBD-compliant 993s with Motronic 2.10 and the round diagnostics connector. I e-mailed Durametric, who advise that the 964/993 round connector harness and current Durametric software WILL work with UK-spec Motronic 2.10 cars now. Sounds good...any thoughts before I buy this, I know many folk might have been waiting for this more affordable solution?

Regards,
Roddy Lennox

P.S. Adrian Streather in his excellent book The Essential 993 advises that in 2005, Porsche issued a list of 18" OEM wheels that were now approved for 1994-1998 993s. Any thoughts on this anyone?

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

Can't help with the wheels question, but take a look here for a diagnostic system Maurice has been working on: http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/fb.asp?m=227649

The Durametric system is by far and away the best DIY diagnostic software for Porsche. Shame they haven't got a connector plug for the 19-pin socket though.

 

[Guest]

Thanks Richard. Yes, I think you would have to be paying attention when putting the individual loose pins on the Durametric 964/early 993 lead into your 19 pin socket on the car. I wouldn't like to put the wrong pin in the wrong hole.

The PCB idea looks good. I'm not much of an electronics whiz however, so would have to go for a ready-made version if that ever became available.

Thanks for your help.

Roddy

 

[Guest]

Hi Maurice, are you out there? I'd love to hear what you think about these two "old chestnuts"...

Cheers,
Roddy

 

[38F3E1]

He's not around at the mo ...

http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=260782

 

[Guest]

Thanks

 

[Guest]

Hi Maurice,

Many thanks for your coments, really interesting. I don't think I've got a strut brace, but will be fitting one soon. I'm not a really hard driver, so guess the car should be okay on the 18s for road use. Wouldn't feel too happy putting round a track for example without official Porsche blessing however.

Regarding Durametric, you don't get the connector, but you do get 4 colour-coded wires and a diagram to show how to plug them into the car's 19-pin connector. They emailed me & assured me that software will work on a March 1994 UK-spec. 993. I have it now from Oregon USA...total cost about £180 including import taxes. Not tried it yet, but will soon. My ABS light came on briefly the other day but was then off when engine restarted. It should have something to say about this! I'll let you know how I get on with it if you're interested. Just need to go down & plug it into the car to see what comes up on my laptop.

My arguement to justify purchase of the Durametric was that it (could) pay for itself in labour costs on one use alone away from home on a long trip e.g. abroad, on holiday etc. Nice to know that you can get an idea of which "sensor" is likely to be misbehaving. Regarding optimising reliability, my independent specialist said to make sure the engine wiring loom's been updated, upgrade the DME relay & the only other thing that can commonly lead to a "no-go" car is the flywheel sensor.