Is it worth changing my 944 s2
Discussion
At some point I had asked myself the same question and I am lucky enough to have a friend who let me drive his for a good time.
The experience was let down by that six speed gearbox. The six ratios are the equivalent of the five ratios of the S2, so what usually sounds as a performance increase from 211 hp to 240hp is ruined by the gearbox : indeed does the engine rev (a bit) quicker, but mostly thanks to those closer ratios.
My bet is the same engine in an S2 won't offer any performance increase, at least any noticable difference from the driver's seat.
The 968 of my friend also has a complete Car Graphic exhaust line (!)
The 968 timing belt tension is maintained by a hydraulic tensioner which is more prone to failure with oil thickness changes and is simply just not as reliable as the later 944 spring tensioner.
If you have a look at most people who turbocharge their 968 you will notice they adapt a 944 spring tensioner on the block for better reliability.
'Cherry on the cake' : the variocam.
As the tension in the cam chain tensioner varies with the revs cam sprockets usually wear out MUCH quicker than the S2 cam sprockets.
So in my experience, a 968 is definitely NOT to be considered an upgrade to a good S2.
Better save the extra cash on maintenance and upgrades, or even better in a stripped-out track 944 turbo, IMO.
>> Edited by Thom on Tuesday 18th May 20:35
The experience was let down by that six speed gearbox. The six ratios are the equivalent of the five ratios of the S2, so what usually sounds as a performance increase from 211 hp to 240hp is ruined by the gearbox : indeed does the engine rev (a bit) quicker, but mostly thanks to those closer ratios.
My bet is the same engine in an S2 won't offer any performance increase, at least any noticable difference from the driver's seat.
The 968 of my friend also has a complete Car Graphic exhaust line (!)
The 968 timing belt tension is maintained by a hydraulic tensioner which is more prone to failure with oil thickness changes and is simply just not as reliable as the later 944 spring tensioner.
If you have a look at most people who turbocharge their 968 you will notice they adapt a 944 spring tensioner on the block for better reliability.
'Cherry on the cake' : the variocam.
As the tension in the cam chain tensioner varies with the revs cam sprockets usually wear out MUCH quicker than the S2 cam sprockets.
So in my experience, a 968 is definitely NOT to be considered an upgrade to a good S2.
Better save the extra cash on maintenance and upgrades, or even better in a stripped-out track 944 turbo, IMO.
>> Edited by Thom on Tuesday 18th May 20:35
& upgrade the breaks & suspention on your 944, will cost about the same as upgrading to 968 but extra 100bhp
Have you considered a manual 928?
I have recently changed from a 944S2 to a 928GT and other than increased running costs (< 20 MPG - although see www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=96988&f=48&h=0 for how to get 30MPG perhaps) I dont yet see a major downside.
My 928 is certainly faster, makes a much nicer noise, and is a lot more of a car than my 944S2. From the driving seat it doesn't feel much bigger or heavier either!
I have recently changed from a 944S2 to a 928GT and other than increased running costs (< 20 MPG - although see www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=96988&f=48&h=0 for how to get 30MPG perhaps) I dont yet see a major downside.
My 928 is certainly faster, makes a much nicer noise, and is a lot more of a car than my 944S2. From the driving seat it doesn't feel much bigger or heavier either!
I made this decision and went from a lovely 944 S2 (J-reg – ’68 rear spoiler – late one) to a 968 sport, about 5 years ago. I was most disappointed. I personally felt the ride of the sport to be too stiff, I know I brought a sport, therefore expected it to be well more sporty, but it just didn’t seem to suit any other road’s than ultra smooooth ones. I felt the 6 speed box was a waste of time, living in MK, I was always going up and down the box, between straight and round-about – basically every ½ mile. It felt no quicker than my S2, although the way it looked and those 17 inch wheels were nice. Shame as it looked a nice car, but not worth the extra money, once I’d paid for it. It just wasn’t enough of a step forward, everything felt the same.
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). The basic chassis is the same ain't it? 
Tough choice.
Personally never understood 968 prices either, feeling that (968CS aside) an S2 does 95% of what a 968 does for at least half the price & personally ive never been a great fan of the 968s looks.
As already mentioned the 968 engine over the S2 does eat cam teeth which costs a few quid to sort & every 968 ive know of sold recently has either recently had or has needed new cams becasue of this.
The CS I see slightly differently yes you can turn an S2 pretty much into a 944 version of a 968CS by riping out the gayboy interior & bunging in Recaros sort the suspension etc etc & is the route I considerd myself.
Trouble is it will cost you a fair few quid- similar perhaps to the inital purchace price of a complete tatty S2 & also after mods your resale market will be much narrowed & the car will be worth less than as standard.
So when left hook 968CS's can be had for say £2-3k more than nice RHD S2's, if you can afford the difference & can cope with siting on the wrong side to drive you may as well plump for a 968CS in the first place, far more desireable come re-sale time too.
Oh don't belive a 968 engine will always pump out the quoted 240bhp either, some pump out less than S2s....
Personally never understood 968 prices either, feeling that (968CS aside) an S2 does 95% of what a 968 does for at least half the price & personally ive never been a great fan of the 968s looks.
As already mentioned the 968 engine over the S2 does eat cam teeth which costs a few quid to sort & every 968 ive know of sold recently has either recently had or has needed new cams becasue of this.
The CS I see slightly differently yes you can turn an S2 pretty much into a 944 version of a 968CS by riping out the gayboy interior & bunging in Recaros sort the suspension etc etc & is the route I considerd myself.
Trouble is it will cost you a fair few quid- similar perhaps to the inital purchace price of a complete tatty S2 & also after mods your resale market will be much narrowed & the car will be worth less than as standard.
So when left hook 968CS's can be had for say £2-3k more than nice RHD S2's, if you can afford the difference & can cope with siting on the wrong side to drive you may as well plump for a 968CS in the first place, far more desireable come re-sale time too.
Oh don't belive a 968 engine will always pump out the quoted 240bhp either, some pump out less than S2s....
If you do fancy updating the look of your S2 a little you can easily add the 968 mirrors, door handles, bridge spoiler and 17" wheels. This can be done for around £1000-£1500 and you get to keep a car that you already know well without the risk of dipping your toe into the S/H market for a higher priced 968.
Personally I think the main reason that 968's are higher priced is simply that there are so few of them. They are a pretty rare car as they were sold at a 'slump' time for Porsche. I do wonder what the 968 would have developed into if it was not dropped, as Porsche always evolve their cars in time
Personally I think the main reason that 968's are higher priced is simply that there are so few of them. They are a pretty rare car as they were sold at a 'slump' time for Porsche. I do wonder what the 968 would have developed into if it was not dropped, as Porsche always evolve their cars in time
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