Hi all,
Just picked up a 97 960 wagon in great shape , I have read from several sources that the exhaust system is a choke point and wonder if anybody knows of an upgraded exhaust system and if possible suspension upgrades like lower chassis braces and tower braces ???

Howdy,

I also have a 97 965, what kittysgreyvolvo said, especially the part about the timing belt and idlers, in case you didn't know the white block is an interference engine. If you don't know how many miles the timing belt has on it, I would change it, if you change the timing belt, you might consider the water pump also. Also info about 960 upgrades on Turbobricks.

There is a known problem with the fuel rail, the end facing the radiator, will leak fuel, due to vibration, mine did. As a stopgap measure while I looked for a fuel rail I cleaned the leaking part very well, mixed up some JB weld, and didn't drive it for a day and half, that was in 2011, and has held up ever since.I did find the fuel rail kit on Ebay.

One other non front end thing, I chased a CCU issue for a bit before reading about the dome light sampling port I took photos:

http://s1227.photobucket.com/user/darkdelta99/library/965%20CCu

I also need to do some front end work. The only strut inserts I could find were OEM/MOOG, I got mine from Tasca pn# 271911.

Mine has the original exhaust, I live in Georgia, no winter road salt exposure.

One other thing, if you have any weird electrical problems, accessory related IE: power windows, etc, consider the ignition switch, an easy repair. Battery unplugged (must have code for radio, if factory) steering wheel covers off, unscrew switch, replace, reverse operations, and Bob's your uncle!

Sorry, my replies didn't answer your queries, these are great road cars, if the front seats fail to move forward and back, post back, it's a no parts needed repair.

Enjoy your 97

Fred

I now own a 1993 960 with 7 k original miles; I love this car, should still make this Powerful comfortable, safe and very big car, but handles as if were on rails. A question is the 940 same year the same chassis and the 960. Sure looks this way.

Dear chugiaknorth,

Hope you're well. Presuming the "7 k original miles" is not a typo, this 23-year-old car could still have the factory-installed timing belt, timing belt tensioner, and water pump.

As noted in the preceding posts, 960s have interference engines. Thus, failure of the timing belt, timing belt tensioner, or water pump causes pistons to strike valves, requiring a costly repair and possibly ruining the engine.

Thus, you should AT ONCE change the timing belt, timing belt tensioner and water pump, unless you have documentary proof this work has been done, i.e., a dated invoice with these specific parts noted on it as having been changed.

You're correct: the 940 and 960 chassis are the same.

Hope this helps.

Yours faithfully,

Spook

Thank you for the information. I changed the belt. And it only has 7k. what
a deal. Going to add a strut support if it is the same as my 940. Tom

Dear chugiaknorth,

Hope you're well. Besides changing the timing belt, a change of the timing belt tensioner and the water pump is in order. If either of these fails, the impact is the same as a timing belt failure: bent valves and possibly holes in piston tops.

With an engine having only 7,000 miles on it - despite being 23 years old - there's no reason to take any risks at all.

With all three mission-critical items changed, you'll be good for at least 20,000 miles, possibly more. I'm unsure of the timing belt change interval for 1993 960s.

I recall posts stating that as the 1990s unfolded, there was an increase in the 960 timing belt change interval. I do not know if this longer interval was due to changes in timing belt format (e.g., width) or strength (better materials).

I hope one of the Board's 960 experts will comment.

Hope this helps.

Yours faithfully,

Spook

May want to explore turbobricks.com,

Search the forum index:
http://forums.turbobricks.com/

Also, some i-net searches and youtube videos await you. The 960 / 90 series are sort of a cultish fancy, now. Yet plush and powerful.

Just take care of the wear items like timing belts and stuff. Get it to stage 0 tuning. Fluids and stuff.

Those models sent to North America were down-tuned through engine control for emissions. So, you may have ways of uptuning it, so I've read, through engine control.

Others 960 / 90 series folks may offer other ideas.

Search the FAQ here and search the RWD forum for articles.

Questions?

Hope that helps.

Slum Boy wants a 164 and a garage to put it in.
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