What exactly is a Porsche 930 Turbo?

The Porsche 930 manufactured between 1975 and 1989 , known as the 911 Turbo, or der Witwenmacher (the Widowmaker) was the fastest production car available in Germany.

The 1975 Turbo powered by a 3 litre engine, total power output from the engine was 256 hp at 5,500 rpm and 243 lb.ft of torque at 4,000 rpm, much more than the standard Carrera it was based on.  Fortified by a  Kühnle, Kopp and Kausch (KKK) blower serving up 0.8 bar of boost meant 0-62mph in 5.5 seconds and 155mph: within spitting distance of the Lamborghini Countach and Ferrari 365 GT4 BB. In order to ensure that the platform could make the most of the higher power output, a revised suspension, larger brakes and a stronger gearbox became part of the package, although some consumers were unhappy with Porsche’s use of a four-speed transmission whilst a five-speed manual transmission was available in the “lower trim” Carrera. A “whale tail” rear spoiler was installed to help vent more air to the engine and to create more downforce at the rear of the vehicle, and wider rear wheels with upgraded tyres combined with flared wheel arches were implemented in order to increase the car’s width and grip, making it more stable.

In 1978 an increase in displacement and addition of an intercooler increased power output and torque, these changes also increased the weight of the vehicle, especially the engine, which contributed to a substantial change in the handling and character of the car compared to the earlier 3.0-litre models. While the increase in displacement and addition of an intercooler increased power output and torque, these changes also increased the weight of the vehicle, especially the engine, which contributed to a substantial change in the handling and character of the car compared to the earlier 3.0-litre models. By cooling the pressurised air charge, the intercooler helped increase power output to 296 hp at 5,500 rpm and 412 N ⋅ m of torque at 4,000 rpm; the rear ‘whale tail’ spoiler was re-profiled and raised slightly to make room for the intercooler and the spoiler was now infamously called the ‘tea tray’ spoiler by the enthusiasts. The suspension benefitted from new anti-roll bars, firmer shock absorbers and larger diameter rear torsion bars. Porsche also upgraded the brakes to units similar to those used on the 917 race car.

The Turbo also walked the talk, of course. The 1978 update brought a 3.3-litre engine and 917-derived brakes. Power leapt to 300bhp, 0-62mph dropped to 5.4 seconds and top speed was 160mph. Even quicker versions followed, including the limited edition 330bhp LE immortalised by Judas Priest, also available in ‘Flachbau’ SE spec with pop-up headlights. Despite its steady evolution, however, the Turbo retained a four-speed ’box until its last year of production in 1989, when the slicker G50 five-speeder was finally introduced.

Our Project car is a 1983 930 Turbo with the 3.3ltr engine and 4 speed manual transmission.  The previous owner has started the rebuild. but clearly the work done was of a poor standard and it was clear that all the parts required to rebuild the car were not present.  So our project began…