Just bought a 1985 944 Turbo to do up
Discussion
Hi folks I'm new here, but I've had loads of quick cars in the past, including 2 Escort Cosworths, 2 Sapphire Cosworths and loads of RS Turbos, XR3i's etc.
I've curently got a Vauxhall VX220 but I've just bought a 1985 Porsche 944 Turbo.
It's my first Porsche and I wondered whether anyone can tell me what they think of the 944 Turbo generally, good or bad.
Cheers
Trev.
I've curently got a Vauxhall VX220 but I've just bought a 1985 Porsche 944 Turbo.
It's my first Porsche and I wondered whether anyone can tell me what they think of the 944 Turbo generally, good or bad.
Cheers
Trev.
Can't really tell you about the turbo version (not keen on turbos to tell the truth, generally I mean not specifically 944s as I haven't driven one) but I have an '85 NA and they're great cars. I changed the shocks on mine (just standard OE ones) and rebushed the whole front and it transformed the handling. Great cars that are pretty straight forward to work on, good luck with yours.
Regards,
Mark
Regards,
Mark
Congrats on your choice. I have two 944s ('84 and '90) a '83 5-speed 928 and a 1974 2500M TVR, and the 944s are awesome road cars. I think very highly of them. My 1990 3.0 litre 944 isn't turbocharged but it is fast enough to get respect in any company, and it will outhandle just about anything at any price. They're great driving cars, very well built, and a great choice. Get some Amsoil Series 2000 75W90 synthetic gear lube for the transaxle (or GL rated equivalent), keep power steering fluid out of the power steering system (use ATF) and have fun.
Dogsharks
Dogsharks
Thanks for the replies guys. I'm looking forward to having it on the road. I might have to try the 3.0 NA car at some point as well. I really wanted a Guards Red one but this one is white and came to me at the right money so we shall see how it goes.
Anyone else got any comments about the 944, I'd be really interested in what anyone has to say?
Anyone else got any comments about the 944, I'd be really interested in what anyone has to say?
The S2 is probably an easier car to live with and makes a good road car. Got more low down torque and of course no turbo lag. The turbo - I assume yours is 220? has the booost effect which makes it a lot of fun and of course makes it easy to get lots more power! This means a turbo is more expensive to run, as appart from the extra complication of a turbo installation (a bit more in maintanance) you end up being tempted to spend lots of money making it faster 
Promax Motorsport sell lots of tuning bits for 944s - I think you can get 400 BHP for about £2k!
Oh yes and join the Titanic 944 Register
>> Edited by AJLintern on Saturday 6th November 10:33
Promax Motorsport sell lots of tuning bits for 944s - I think you can get 400 BHP for about £2k!
Oh yes and join the Titanic 944 Register
>> Edited by AJLintern on Saturday 6th November 10:33
AJLintern said:Sorry AJ, your car has no turbo, which never ever spools up, so you've got infinite turbo lag
The S2 is probably an easier car to live with and makes a good road car. Got more low down torque and of course no turbo lag.
TC, nice move. I had a Sapph once, and for my second tongue in cheek comment I'd have to say that even though it was a straight and clean car, it was slow, unreliable, expensive to keep on the road and one long headache. Always wanted to own one though, so no regrets. Anyway you should find your 951 a different cup of pork. Try here for experts and owners notesEnjoy!
Thanks for the replies guys, I'm learning more with each one. I did like the Escort Cossie I must admit, and I do miss it, but time to move on and all that, and at 36 I think I'm getting a bit long in the tooth to be a boy racer, so I thought the 944 was a good option, powerful but with a bit of refinement. Although I've always been a fast car nutter, and that won't ever change. 
>> Edited by TrevCos on Saturday 6th November 10:59
>> Edited by TrevCos on Saturday 6th November 10:59
>> Edited by TrevCos on Saturday 6th November 10:59
>> Edited by TrevCos on Saturday 6th November 10:59
But for most road driving you're off boost under 3000rpm - so you actually driving a low compression, detuned Lux! AJLintern said:Nope. For most road driving that's not what I'm in
But for most road driving you're off boost under 3000rpm - so you actually driving a low compression, detuned Lux!
yes I know what you mean, fifteen all, play...TC, see what happens when you post on this forum, the porcine eeejits take over and...
Well I'm greedy and I have one of each (well my wife has one).
The 944T is a great car and has masses of potential. The main thing is that it's between 15 and 20 years old so may need a bit of work to bring it back up to scratch in the engine, shocks and brakes dept
The wastegate is notoriously weak and is probably bleeding away valuable boost and adding to the lag so I would recommend you stick the car on a rolling road and just find out what power you are making now. Many of the vacuum lines will have leaks (again losing boost) and I can almost guarantee that if you are on the original dump valve that its plastic diaphragm will have split (again losing boost).
Once you are back up to scratch then you can look at taking it further
if that is your wish
(well my wife has one). The 944T is a great car and has masses of potential. The main thing is that it's between 15 and 20 years old so may need a bit of work to bring it back up to scratch in the engine, shocks and brakes dept
The wastegate is notoriously weak and is probably bleeding away valuable boost and adding to the lag so I would recommend you stick the car on a rolling road and just find out what power you are making now. Many of the vacuum lines will have leaks (again losing boost) and I can almost guarantee that if you are on the original dump valve that its plastic diaphragm will have split (again losing boost).
Once you are back up to scratch then you can look at taking it further
if that is your wish Another thing worth investigating on a 944 is the suspenion alignment and general condition. 944 suspension is completley adjustable back and front for camber, castor etc.
The rear geometry on my N/A 944 was making the handling very dicey until I had it sorted. Well worth the money, my car now feels very planted.
The rear geometry on my N/A 944 was making the handling very dicey until I had it sorted. Well worth the money, my car now feels very planted.
Great cars but lots of things to look after and money to spend on if you want everything well tight and clean, as this is definitely how they should be if you want to find out what that 944 thing is all about.
In the case of the turbo, beware of NOT dropping anything into the air box.
In the case of the turbo, beware of NOT dropping anything into the air box.
Join the club! I picked up my 87 944 Turbo last week. I actually spent a long time looking for an S2, but they were all either over priced or high mileage and tired. My turbo was owned by an old(ish) lady for 9 years, and only has 54K on it. Whether I will regret not getting an S2 in the long term I'm not sure. On the coupe of hundred miles thus far it seems like the turbo is nevertheless a fantastically balanced car which is quite steerable on the throttle.
I'm trying to figure out what I should do with it in the the short term to bring it up to scratch. I'm not that fussed about performance right now (its enough!).
However the brake disks are on the way out. So if you had a 1987 944T and needed all round new brakes what would you do? I need to do just the odd track day.
I'm trying to figure out what I should do with it in the the short term to bring it up to scratch. I'm not that fussed about performance right now (its enough!).
However the brake disks are on the way out. So if you had a 1987 944T and needed all round new brakes what would you do? I need to do just the odd track day.
ambrose said:
I'm trying to figure out what I should do with it in the the short term to bring it up to scratch. I'm not that fussed about performance right now (its enough!).
However the brake disks are on the way out. So if you had a 1987 944T and needed all round new brakes what would you do? I need to do just the odd track day.
Congrats on your purchase.
Get a set of cross-drilled Zimmerman discs with Pagid or Mintex pads accordingly. Not more expensive than OEM parts and more effective.
Then get a good suspension set up. Try original M030 Koni all round or Leda shocks (better quality and durability than Konis). Fit 968 M030 sway bars (30 mm front, 19 mm rear), 15 mm wheel spacers all round, a Car Graphic or KLA strut brace and the handling will be way better than stock.
Stock wheels are very good, by the way. Later turbo 220 are rather light socked compared to later turbo 250 and the front feels more lively and adjustable. Think ballerine against Eurostar.
>> Edited by Thom on Monday 22 November 22:30
Thom said:
Congrats on your purchase.
Get a set of cross-drilled Zimmerman discs with Pagid or Mintex pads accordingly. Not more expensive than OEM parts and more effective.
Then get a good suspension set up. Try original M030 Koni all round or Leda shocks (better quality and durability than Konis). Fit 968 M030 sway bars (30 mm front, 19 mm rear), 15 mm wheel spacers all round, a Car Graphic or KLA strut brace and the handling will be way better than stock.
Stock wheels are very good, by the way. Later turbo 220 are rather light socked compared to later turbo 250 and the front feels more lively and adjustable. Think ballerine against Eurostar.
>> Edited by Thom on Monday 22 November 22:30
Thanks. I think I'll take one step at a time. Suspension wise, it only has 54K on it so I presume it isn't in too bad a state. I'm pleased to hear what you say about the wheels. I don't like over-tyreing. In fact, I really like my phone dials. If you hear of some going cheap with some good rubber on them, I'd be interested. Less tyre = more fun + cheap fun!
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