Buying a decent 944 and tuning it

obi_waynne

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I'm going to do an article on the 944 to attract more owners to the forum.

What tips and pointers would you like to pass on to someone buying a 944?

Which years and engines are the best value? Which tuning mods are best and in what order should they be done?
 
Hi Waynne

Nice one on the article.

1st. All 944s are good, practical cars. 2.5s are the common ones and are easiest for home mechanics. 160bhp standard but not much tuning potential. 2.7 engine was better but has some specific parts which are expensive. The more modern 3.0ltr S2 is a very good all rounder and entry into Porsche ownership. 211bhp standard so plenty for most people. If you want tuning potential though then the turbo model is the way to go. 220bhp to start with then in 1988 they did the 250bhp S model which became a standard model in 1989. A highly regarded 'sweet spot' for this engine is around 330bhp. Achieved fairly reasonably (need to spend around £2.5k) and is reliable. After this you start changing turbo's and Maf kits etc and you jump to 400bhp+ for around another £3k+! There are 600bhp+ cars out there!!

When looking at a car, condition and history is more important than mileage (they are all at least 18-27 years old these cars!) Sills are notorious for rust, blocked drainage tubes are also rust traps. Belts, rollers, tensioners etc should be done every 4 years along with water pump every other belt change.

Ask if the owners a clup member (PCGB or TIPEC) shows it's probably been cherished a bit more. Actually join a club like TIPEC because they are friendly and have monthly meets around the country where someone will have a 944 and can show you what to look for before you commit.

Put aside at least a £grand contingency fund, there will be something wrong with the car when you buy even from a dealer

I can find some more info if you want Waynne with regards to tuning potential, just need to look up the technical terms as I'm not that mechanically minded.

Andy
 
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Please do, the more the merrier. You can PM me with it if that is easier -you won't have to worry about spelling.

I think it will be a great way to get more 944 owners on board.
 
Excellent job Waynne, should get people interested in the marque and the potential these cars have. Nice pics too ;) pre and post Huge spoiler addition the old rubber spoiler profile still looks good.
One point you might like to add is if fitting 18" wheels, get the castor mounts upgraded to the 968 versions as you tend to get bad tramlining if the originals are still on and the bigger size also puts extra strain on them. Get a 4 wheel laser alignment done at same time to set everything up.
If running 300bhp+ then a 3" exhaust is best and change the turbo downpipe if you can afford it, the spool up response is brilliant:blink1::bigsmile:
You can see what I fitted to mine to achieve 330bhp in my other thread. My original power was 250bhp.

WELL DONE Waynne again :cool::D
 
guys whatcha think about fiting a turbo in stock 2.5 944(163 hp)??is it a good way to start tuning??or smt else i shall do before that??
 
guys whatcha think about fiting a turbo in stock 2.5 944(163 hp)??is it a good way to start tuning??or smt else i shall do before that??

Not heard of one being fitted but a super charger then yes several guys in Porsche club have done this or drop in a 2.7 engine. One thing to make sure first is that all 163 horses are still residing in under the bonnet. Seen many older cars running as little as 95 bhp on some dyno days I've attended :amazed: I know you've just aquired this car but a 220 turbo model would of been a better start ;) you would of got the beefier suspension, brakes, ARB and bigger wheels to start with to take the extra performance. Guy to talk 944 modifications to is Jon Mitchell PCGB and TIPEC technical advisor http://www.jmgarage.com/index.htm
 
whatcha think if i maybe saved some money and go for fitting biger engine??mb v8 or smt...but then i would need to adjust suspension,brakes etc right???
 
whatcha think if i maybe saved some money and go for fitting biger engine??mb v8 or smt...but then i would need to adjust suspension,brakes etc right???

Chevy LS1,2 or 3 engines popular but expensive £8k for a crate engine if I remember rightly plus other bits and fitting. Look up 'Renegade Hybrids' in USA who are the specialists in these conversions and could give idea whats involved.
 
I was wondering what you guys think about the 85 944s for track use? I can get a pretty good deal on one locally (stock) and would use it primarily as a track car. Are the older ones fairly spendy to modify and do you happen to know if the 83 is the same car as the 85? I don't know anything about these cars, but see many of them at track days so I am assuming they must be good cars.

Any help or help on good references would be greatly appreciated.

James
 
I was wondering what you guys think about the 85 944s for track use? I can get a pretty good deal on one locally (stock) and would use it primarily as a track car. Are the older ones fairly spendy to modify and do you happen to know if the 83 is the same car as the 85? I don't know anything about these cars, but see many of them at track days so I am assuming they must be good cars.

Any help or help on good references would be greatly appreciated.

James

Hi and welcome to Torquecars. To answer your question then 944s are excellent track cars because of there front engine, rear gearbox, RWD layout giving perfect weight distribution. The range was ugraded in February 1985 with some suspension changes and ABS was starting to come in as an option. It is commonly known as the oval dash model as the old dash layout used from the 924 was dropped for the more user friendly and stylish oval dash. Modifying a Porsche NA engine is tricky. Breathing, a chip remap will give about 10 horses more maybe at best but the mid range torque is much improved by doing this but TBH Porsche did a good job with power in the first place. Better to spend your money on getting the engine running absolutely perfectly as stock and you will have a really fun car to throw around a track and will leave a lot of more modern machinery in your dust. If you really want power then better to get a turbo model and then the skies the limit on what power you want :bigsmile: You'll also get much better brakes, supension and maybe a LSD if you can find one with that option fitted.

Hope that helps but ask away with any other questions as I'll talk all day about 944 :love:

Andy
 
Andy, Tricky question I know, but what would one expect to pay for a 944 turbo off a dealer, A mate who is a high class classic dealer has offered me his, interior is tatty and burgundy exterior not too bad says he;ll tidy it up and it;s mine for 3 to 3.5k.
 
Andy, Tricky question I know, but what would one expect to pay for a 944 turbo off a dealer, A mate who is a high class classic dealer has offered me his, interior is tatty and burgundy exterior not too bad says he;ll tidy it up and it;s mine for 3 to 3.5k.

Probably about right for say condition 2 car, i.e that's showing it's age but mechanically is perfectly useable daily. What model turbo is it, 220hp or 250hp? Any options fitted i.e ABS if it's a pre 1988 model, LSD, MO30 suspension/brake option, leather seats etc
Just seen your're in Dorest which is not far from me, I'm near shaftsbury (North Dorset) If you want to see my 944 to see what can be done then you're most welcome. Do you live anywhere near Christchurch? Jon Mitchell Garage has 2 really nice 1986 220hp 944T in white one's a customer car @ £4500 and one's his own car from his collection at £7k If you want an inspection on the one you're offered he's the 944 guru and will give an honest appraisal. PM me if you want his details.

Any other questions then fire away

Happy Booooosting

Andy
 
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