Newb question here. Did a search and couldn't find the ans.

Is there any signifigant difference between the non vario ram cars of 95 versus the 96,7,and 98?

 

Well the 95's the OBDI, and do not have a CEL light. The 96 and later have the updated vario ram obviously, but they are also OBDII cars. They have the secondary air injection system that is prone to clogging the ports in the head, which will throw the CEL light in the later cars. At that point you have two options, pulling the heads and drilling out the ports, or trying to flush the system out, which is about a days job, and sometimes works, sometimes doesn't. At that point, you are doing a top end rebuild. Since it really is only an emissions thing, having clogged ports really doesn't effect the engine per sae. Since the 95's don't have a CEL to come on, it is easy to ignore since you are oblivious to whether they are clogged or not. It is a lot harder to ignore in the later cars once the light comes on. I have seen the ports get clogged after doing a top end rebuild within 50k miles. Stop and go driving seems to make the issues more prone.

Other than that, I am sure you know about the valve guide issues in all years, so it is crucial to do a leakdown and compression test with your PPI.

Finding a car that has upgrade shocks and struts is a bonus as well. The crappy Monroe shocks they used on the 993's are usually shot after about 20k miles. Bilstein HD replacements run about 2000 installed, and coilovers about 3000-3500 installed. Every 993 that I see needs new shocks (unless they have already been replaced with bilsteins, etc).

 

Thanks Doc. What should the compression #'s be if the car is real strong? And what would they be if the engine was tired?

And leakdown #'s should all be relatively close to each other is that correct? Thx

 

Good compression numbers are in the 175-180's on the 993. Getting them even across the board is the most important thing. Low numbers are outliers that start getting down in the 130-140's. Leakdown obviously you want as low as possible, and again even. The gauges say a leakdown below 20% is still considered good, but I look for everything to be below 10% worse case, but ideally 5% and below.

 

Can the 95 993 be flashed or chipped?


How involved is a leaking valve cover gasket (both)?

 

I've never flashed a 993, but I am sure it can be done. I would assume it is a soldered chip though, but that is a guess.

Lower valve cover gaskets are fairly easy, couple hours for the 1st timer. Upper ones are a little more complicated (at least the right side). Typically though, it is the lowers that leak as they are next to the exhaust.

 

Are only the OBDII 993's able to be chipped?

 

And what does a 30K mile service usually cost? at dealer....and at reputable shop?


How much for a clutch job (full,pedal catches kinda high)?

 

30k service is just fluids, inspection, etc. 60k is the big service with spark plugs, caps, rotors, etc. The 60k is about 10 hours. 30k is probably less than half that IIRC.

You also want to have the distributor belt done every 60k or so, if the car is over that, and has never had it done, then it needs to be done.

Clutch job is about 8-10 hours IIRC. It can be done with the motor in the car, so it isn't a huge deal. I wouldn't touch the clutch until it starts to slip.

I don't have my labor book in front of me at the moment, so those times are about what I would charge. Book time may be slightly more.

 

Wish you were more local to me. Thanks for the help. I like this place

 

Hi ********, 993s are chipped not flashed. Chips are about $300. Don't be too obsessed about the Vario Ram. My 95 (non-vario ram)actually pulls stronger then most vario rams. Maybe I just have a good production day. My car has been rock solid over the years.

 

Don't get hung up on VR or non-VR. Get a car that is in good shape, that you like!!

The VR cars feel much faster, & really have a lot more mid range torque. The non-VR car feels more raw, & seams to really come alive over 5krpm.

BOTH, YES, both cars have the SAI issue, the 95 just doesn't monitor the SAI, so you have the problem, just not the light. There are things that can be done to clean out the ports, it's not all hard, or expensive. It seams like cars that are in hot places, & not well cared for are more prone to the problem.

1995's can be chipped, it's not hard at all, just remove the old chip, & pop in the new one. 1996 cars can not be chipped. 97-98 can. 1995 chips are around $300, 97-98 are around $1000!

Yea, just about any car you look at even if it has 30kmi chances are one of the shocks are blown.