C5 vs Porsche 914
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 110
Likes: 1
From: Fredericksburg Virginia
C5 vs Porsche 914
I'm having a debate with a coworker of mine and am curious what opinion others might have. My coworker has a late 80s/early 90s Porsche 914. No mods as far as she or I know. I have a '98 C5 convertible. Only mods I know of are racing clutch, short throw shifter (MN6), and perhaps exhaust (not totally sure).
She admits that my C5 would beat her Porsche on a straight stretch and a drag strip. However, she says as soon as the road gets windy and you start factoring a lot of curves into the equation that she'd kill me. Frankly I think my Vette handles exceptionally well. I have the adjustable suspension and I know with it set to Performance it really corners.
Is she right? If it were a windy road would her 914 really beat my car? I personnally don't think so having driven mine though some rather high speed curves but having never driven a 914 can't really compare exactly.
By the way, can't totally go against her with the Porsche. Her husband has a fully restored 1965 Corvette.
She admits that my C5 would beat her Porsche on a straight stretch and a drag strip. However, she says as soon as the road gets windy and you start factoring a lot of curves into the equation that she'd kill me. Frankly I think my Vette handles exceptionally well. I have the adjustable suspension and I know with it set to Performance it really corners.
Is she right? If it were a windy road would her 914 really beat my car? I personnally don't think so having driven mine though some rather high speed curves but having never driven a 914 can't really compare exactly.
By the way, can't totally go against her with the Porsche. Her husband has a fully restored 1965 Corvette.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 589
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From: Alberta
I thought they only made 914's in the early 70's? And if I'm not mistaken, they were pretty slow unless heavily modified. They probably turn about the same, but because they dont have the same power, I dont know if you could really compare the two since the vette would kind of leave it in the dust - provided the drivers are equal. IF I'M WRONG CORRECT ME 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 7,765
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From: Kansas City MO
Originally Posted by Bracketman
I thought they only made 914's in the early 70's? And if I'm not mistaken, they were pretty slow unless heavily modified. They probably turn about the same, but because they dont have the same power, I dont know if you could really compare the two since the vette would kind of leave it in the dust - provided the drivers are equal. IF I'M WRONG CORRECT ME
It is a 2900 lb car, with a 80-110 HP motor if stock, depending on the year, that is going to be a hard HP difference to overcome, going to be some REALLY twisty roads.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 426
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From: Annapolis MD
Originally Posted by RedeyeJK
...My coworker has a late 80s/early 90s Porsche 914.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 361
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From: elgin illinois
Both my brother and his girlfriend are Porsche technicans and they have driven my MN6 C5 coupe and they say that comparing the two cars is hard but they both agree the C5 would take the porsche in both a straight line and on a curvy road and I agree. not saying the 914 is a bad car though.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,469
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I can't imagine a 914 holding a candle to a C5 unless it was REALLY set up or modified with a flat six (or Chevy 350, as a few were!). A 944 is a different story... they were pretty much considered the best handling cars of their ilk in their time (84-Early 90s), and some of the S-models and turbos made some real power.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,272
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From: Bradenton Florida
sure its a 914? or a 944.....some of the 944's came turbo'd and were very quick cars. no idea if it was faster than a C5 but my guess is that you would not just walk away from one on a slalom or tight course.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 283
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From: Mason OH
Originally Posted by RedeyeJK
Sorry, Brain is messed up...been a long day. She has a 944. Same question but 944 vs. C5
Sounds like she might be right. Interesting....
Sounds like she might be right. Interesting....
I drove one once back in highschool, and came up on a 90 degree turn I wasn't expecting. It handled it like nothing. Real fun little car......
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,424
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From: Las Vegas Nevada
St. Jude Donor '07-'08
Originally Posted by JackTsDBG
914s were only made from 1970 to 1976. I guessing that the car in question is a 944. Someplace between 217 and 250 hp depending on model and year. Probably give you a run through the twisty bits.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,122
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From: MCO
Here are some comparisons of Porsche 944S to various other totally 'stock' cars during the April 9, 2006 Central Florida Region Solo II trials (avg. of four runs):
Porsche '91 944S which runs in 'B' Stock: 50.242 sec.
Corvette '02 Z06, which runs in 'Super Stock': 44.537 sec.
Mustang GT '03, which runs 'F' Stock: 46.927 sec.
Nissan '04 350Z, which runs 'B' Stock: 47.943 sec.
Obviously, different drivers have different skills. The above is just a comparison of one event.
(unfortunately, no standard Corvettes were listed)
Porsche '91 944S which runs in 'B' Stock: 50.242 sec.
Corvette '02 Z06, which runs in 'Super Stock': 44.537 sec.
Mustang GT '03, which runs 'F' Stock: 46.927 sec.
Nissan '04 350Z, which runs 'B' Stock: 47.943 sec.
Obviously, different drivers have different skills. The above is just a comparison of one event.
(unfortunately, no standard Corvettes were listed)
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,566
Likes: 52
From: Colorado Springs CO
Originally Posted by PUREFUN
Use to laugh to myself in the 70's about these cars. How could they possible call those a Porshce? Actually we would call them a poor man's Porsche
Is anyone remembering exactly what these cars were? I don't care if it's repowered or not!! My GOD man! Wake up! We're talking a forty year old four-banger that you'd need to "repower" with a friggin 427! Take another look, since no one has posted a picture......
Beat a C5 in the twisties? I don't think so.........I'd believe it about some pimped Civics and Eclipses, but not this little daisy of a car......
Having said that, they're fun when driven in their class....
