Cafe' Machiatto "Full Throttle"

I'm off at dawn with Sandy and the Cafe Macchiatto(triple shot) for the first and final tour of our 356 season.  The Fuelfed Fall Classic.  We are start the touring in Northern Indiana and we head into MI were we end in Saugatuck for the night.  This was the disclaimer on the tour...

"These are not the typical boring roads chosen by most car clubs, but roads specially tested for their driving engagement and scenic beauty. That said, please make sure you have your classic safety-inspected by a qualified technician before the event. Bring any tools, oil or parts you may need. There will NOT be any chase vehicles or tools available in the chance of mechanical failure. AAA could take hours to find you".
Wish me a succseful tour

Happy motoring.

Yeah, and check out the "Press on regardless" rallys of the 1960's and '70's before you leave.....

 

Have a great time, G-Family!!

Enjoy, Marty and Sandy! And take lots of pictures and video!

Rallies - of any kind - are lots of fun. 

 

Drive wisely and enjoy!  It'll give you a great opportunity to test your new power and handling.

 

I'm envious, but I guess I had my driving for the year, out in British Columbia.

Few Pics from today.

Looks like a beautiful day.  Have fun.

When do we get the full report on performance, handling etc.  Inquiring minds want to know.

You did get a great weekend for the.  60s and sunny yesterday.  70s and sunny today.  We're quickly running out of top down weather in Michigan.

Phil the car screams and is effortless to drive.  Its hard to get over 4K RPM with cars in front of you.  It's not to scary if you don't step on it but if you do then watch out.  There was an older MB AMG and a few 944 Turbo's on hand and my car could easily keep up if not blow them away, but this was a sedate pace for the most part.

The new 911 front end rides like a dream especially over bumps and on the highway.  Its sits higher though and have to admit I like the profile of the 914 front end a tad better.  I am assuming I can lower the front end a tad (correct?). The car feels a tad heavier in the rear and and not as nimble as previous.  But this is not easy to compare because if you remember, I had the skinner Avon CRZ road racing tires and there just is no better tire for the street.  This also may be just me because I am coming into everything much quicker than before so I need to watch my speed before entering into the twisties.  The turbo comes on fast and I really don't notice lag but you do feel a big swoosh forward as it spins faster.  Its exhilarating and addicting.  It never ran hot either.  It has two circulating pumps, one in front and one in the back.  I have a separate Rad for the Water to Air Intercooler too and I also have a external oil cooler.

We drive almost 400 miles in 1.5 days and had a great time stopping at small Distilleries, Wineries and home made pie places. We had local beer tasting in the Peter Gallery in Sagatuck MI and then they moved us to a converted barn that was set up for a swanky chef catered dinner.  Really nicely done.   Like Tom said, we got really good weather for this time of the year.  Top up the ride and engine is pretty quite and top down it has a nice low growl, turbo spool and the occasionally wastage throw off that goes Pop. 

I like it so far.

Sounds nice Marty.  Love the look of the rear center exhaust pipe.  I would bet that the car doesn't FEEL as nimble but with the meatier tires the car is likely much faster through the twisties.  I'd probably give the front suspension a chance.  There is something to be said for a front suspension that soaks up pot holes and rail road tracks.  When I first got my car the first thing I did was to tighten the front torsion bars and raise the front end.  I was bottoming out like crazy before raising the front end.  It might give up a little in handling but the car is much more pleasurable to drive.  I'm sure you'll figure it out.  Congratulations.  Beautiful car.

Marty is sounds like the trip was nice and the car is running well. Congrats
I had to have my car raised a bit to not have issues with the front bottoming out
Henry suggested it after the shake down cruise I got used to it and while the low profile is nice now the car has no issues crossing tracks..
Phil your right you need the suspension travel and you do get use to it.
Enjoy.  Ray

I should mention that I went from a type One to full 911 so to me the car is like night and day compared to my first IM...
I  have driven a 914 but not long enough to know how it feels compared to 911 ... Or should I say I can't remember the feeling .
Now that you have sways it should improve the cornering for you .. How is that going?
And how is the 915 for gearing with all the extra power? Ray

My first spyder was very light and nimble with a 2109 CB performance engine.  My second spyder was heavier with a suby 2.5 and a LSD.  Suby spyder was faster through corners.  Type 1 spyder was more fun.  Go figure.  I'm not saying that is the case with your car Marty, but just sayin, light and nimble can be a lot of fun even without the brutally fast thing.

Agreed Phil, I think I am driving quite a bit faster so I'll ease up a bit and see how it feels. Everyone one loved the car,  even one of the Midwest 356 club guys was checking it out.

When I test drove Tomm's car with the 180hp+ turbo at Henry's years ago I found I spent my time getting off the line quickly, it was great fun, and I had to hang on when the turbo kicked in.   What I find with my 170 subie now is that it is very torquey, but not so lighting off the line, so I feel I am enjoying the torque and the cornering and rowing through the gears around the corners but then I have to expect I am not going to win off the line ... Ray (at 1300 lbs a spyder is always fast in my opinion )

I don't think you have to worry, Ray; that kind of power in a car that light is going to make an impression wherever you go!

I found something for your car Marty..

 

http://www.aasesales.com/colle...s/h1c-b52-24i-101034

Marty

 

I agree that the 911 suspension adds a whole new dimension to the car.  Driving mine is so different from my previous Speedster, which was a great driver.  But the IM6 is so much better - such a solid feel on the road, and no problems whatsoever going through corners.

 

You are really going to love driving your car now - more power and better ride.

 

Yes Bob, I am used to it already and the ride is superb. Took my son Anthony out for a morning cruise to coffee 32°f top down.  The mitsu 3000gt double fart can is still  scratching his head, LOL.

Bob your right the difference is night and day between your old IM torsion beam and the new 911 front end IM. It is now a modern, if you can call 1989 technology modern, car and really outperforms the old platform tremendously. I just love my new car's handling. Ray

For those not on FB.  Last sounds of the season;

Cafe Macchiato sleeping in dry storage till Spring.  

 

 

If my car sounded like that I'd never listen to the stereo. That sounds beautiful.

Damn, that sounds nice.

Nice and throaty...with that hint of turbo whine. Very sweet.