993 Q&A

  
Question: How do I know if I have "Big Blacks" (calipers) on my 993? Also, what are the benefits of upgrading to the Big Reds over the Big Blacks?  
     
Answer:

The 993 comes with a caliper that is larger than the caliper that came on it's predecessor, the 964. This caliper uses the same pad as the 928 S4, C2 Turbo and the 964 RS. The rear caliper is the same size as the '92 and later 964 C2, all 964 C4's, all 944 Turbo models, 944 S2, 968, as well as the 3.6 Turbo Big Red rear - even though it uses a wider rotor. The 993 Turbo rear uses a pad that is the same size as your front pad but has 4 tiny pistons of equal size to decrease the braking in the rear. There would be no huge benefit in upgrading your brakes to the Big Reds other than a slight performance increase and the obvious aesthetic appeal.

  
     
Question: I would like to install the factory short shift kit on my '97 993, what is the difference between the 2 pc. kit and the 3 pc. kit?  
     
Answer: All of the pieces in the kit are factory 964/993 RS parts. The 2 pc. factory kit consists of the shift lever and fork. The 3 pc. kit uses the same lever and fork but also includes a shift rod that eliminates the rubber coupler, using a special U joint that makes for a better and more precise shifting with a more positive feel. You can use just the 2 pc. kit on your car but the 3 pc. kit is such a great improvement and is what comes as standard equipment on the 993 RS.  
     
Question: How can I tell what shocks are on my 993?  
     
Answer: The 993, from '94-early 96, was equipped with Boge shocks that are all black in color. The only way to know what type Boge installed would be to know if your car has the sport chassis (M030) which will be on the option sticker under the front hood. Some time in '96, Porsche switched to Monroe shocks. The Turbos and C4's have red Monroes (early Turbos and C4's still have black Boge's). The European (Row) Cars with M030 will have the red shocks, however, the U.S. are green in color. The front shocks on the Turbo and C4's are the same as the Row cars but have a different rear shock for the shorter spring.  
     
Question: My '97 993 has M030 suspension, but it doesn't seem to feel much different than my neighbor's '95 993 with standard suspension. Any ideas?  
     
Answer: The U.S. version for 993 M030 suspension is not much different from the standard suspension! It includes slightly stiffer shocks, slighly larger sway bars and 17" wheels. This is a far cry from what is available in Europe for the M030. The shocks are more aggressivly valved, the rear sway bar is larger yet, and the ride height is approximatly 1" lower. Because of U.S. bumper height requirements, and for 5 mph bumpers, Porsche can not have the car at that ride height. They feel that the U.S. market would not like a car with that firm a ride (I disagree).  
     
Question: My A/C was just charged on my '97 993. It does not blow cold when driving around town but will eventually cool off going down the freeway. My mechanic checked the freon, this is not the problem. He gave me some options as to how to fix the problem but I am not happy with the with any of the options. Do you have any suggestions?  
     
Answer: This is a fairly common problem. Assuming that the refridgerant level is okay, your problem is most likely with the A/C condensor fan resistor. The fan should always be running at low speed with the A/C on; you can tell be either listening or putting your hand under the outlet vents on the left front bumper in front of the wheel. If you do not feel any air with the A/C on, or if the fan is cycling at high speed intermitently, the resistor will have to be replaced. The A/C will cool off on the road since there is enough air flow over the condensor to cool down the freon but in any kind of traffic the condensor will get too hot and shut off the medium pressure switch not allowing the A/C to function.  
     
Question: The third brake light on my 993TT went out. The dealer told me that to replace it, the rear windshield has to be replaced. Is there an alternative to this?  
     
Answer: Unfortunately, your dealer is probably correct. I'm not sure what the circumstance is that the window has to be replaced, but if the light is out, the rear window will have to be removed to fix the third brake light. The problem has to do with how the wires for the brake and defroster run up the side of the window. This is a known problem and we have seen it a few times before.