Inside a 944 or 928...
Inside a 944 or 928...
Author
Discussion

danielw

Original Poster:

210 posts

264 months

Monday 25th August 2003
quotequote all
I've been lurking on the list for a while, but its time for a bit of advice...
I have a 944S2 which I really like, fun, slideable, practical when required i.e. I can fit two mountain bikes & luggage inside.

However, I really fancy something that is a bit more, well a bit more "hooligan". The S2 is great, but just not quite fast enough. I'm not a turbo fan, I have considered a Supercharger but I wondered about other options.

Can anyone comment on the load carrying capabilities of a 928 as opposed to a 944? I can see that a 928 is a little larger, but with the seats down can they carry the same?

Would a 928GT be that much more flexible, quicker, fun, hooligan than my 944?

Has anyone track-dayed a 928?

If not, any suggestions for something fast, fun, sports (not an Audi estate please) that could replace my much loved (and cared for) 944!

Thanks.

granville

18,764 posts

277 months

Monday 25th August 2003
quotequote all
The 928's a different beastie altogether; it CAN do very well on track but ultimately, a 944 is that much nimbler on the twisties.

For classic GT bruiser cruising, however, typified by traction ripping globules of richly delivered torque, it's a masterwork. Take it to Europe, pick a traffic free route and revel in it's Lufftwaffian ability to bellow all day at speeds of - and above - 150 mph.

Load carrying is still at something of a premium and I'm not sure you'll find appreciable extra capacity - that rear loading area - even with seats folded is pretty miserly.

Would you have fun in one? In a manual, most definitely but in the autos (most common), maybe not as readily as in the 944. If you DO go for an auto, ultimately, I always found the S2 the best of the bunch: best engine note and strangely the more frantic accelerative feel, despite it's relative bulk and 'meagre' 310 bhp.

diver944

1,846 posts

292 months

Monday 25th August 2003
quotequote all
Hi Daniel, I'm wasn't normally a Turbo fan myself preferring the instant response that a N/A engine can give but I went down the same thinking as you after 5 years of S2 ownership and decided on a Turbo.

The 944 Turbo generally has awful turbo lag but that is down mainly to the very weak wastegate that Porsche equipped it with. Over time this wastegate gets even weaker and you lose valuable boost straight down the exhaust and the Turbo takes an aaaaaaage to spool up.

I tested many 944 Turbos and thought 'yuk whats the big deal' until I finaly tested one that had a boost enhancer fitted www.autoporsche.co.uk for £99. Wow what a difference! This device delays the wastegate opening until the correct boost is reached. Even better is a modern dual port wastegate for around £500, combine this with a rolling road rechip and you have circa 300bhp

I have recently upgraded my Turbo using a cheaper option from www.gururacing.net in the USA. For only $290 this includes a rechip, their verion of the boost enhancer, wastegate shims to hold higher boost and an uprated Fuel pressure Regulator so the car doesn't run lean at high revs. I have not yet been dyno'd but many 944 owners on Rennlist are reporting slightly over 300bhp

ran out of space.......continued

diver944

1,846 posts

292 months

Monday 25th August 2003
quotequote all
......continued

I would recommend you test a Turbo that has at least had a boost enhancer fitted. Also have a look at www.titanic.co.uk/944 there are a few on there for sale including one with a dual port wastegate and remap already fitted. I am biased because I know most of those guys and have seen the cars.

I love the shape of the 928 and always fancied a GT (or the rare SE) myself but after sitting in the back of one there really isn't any more space than a 944. Which I can't understand, because outside they are huge! Reverse Tardis effect?

AJLintern

4,296 posts

279 months

Monday 25th August 2003
quotequote all
I know exactly what you mean Whilst I love my S2 very much, I still sometimes feel the need for something rather insanely fast with V8 or Flat-6 sound track I also don't really want a turbo, which is why I went for the S2 in the first place.
Over the past few weeks I've been thinking about a project car for track day use - maybe an older 944 lux with a knackered engine for a few pence. Take out any unnecesary weight, uprate brakes to turbo spec. and replace the engine with an alloy block V8...

diver944

1,846 posts

292 months

Monday 25th August 2003
quotequote all
Andy

DO IT

NOW

domster

8,431 posts

286 months

Tuesday 26th August 2003
quotequote all
Yeah, I wouldn't recommend a 928 for trackwork. They are big heavy cruisers really. The 944 Turbo option is the best, coupled with some sensible weightloss/brake/suspension mods.

iguana

7,197 posts

276 months

Tuesday 26th August 2003
quotequote all
AJ I drove a sweet little V8 engined 944 v recently that might just be your cup of earl gray so to speak.

An article should be coming to PH soon.

err on reflection a subtle edit




>> Edited by iguana on Tuesday 26th August 22:23

diver944

1,846 posts

292 months

Tuesday 26th August 2003
quotequote all
Well we do now

I must admit I thought that Dr Alex was some highly intelligent and respected motoring journo

My illusions are shattered

AJLintern

4,296 posts

279 months

Tuesday 26th August 2003
quotequote all
iguana said:
AJ I drove a sweet little V8 engined 944 v recently that might just be your cup of earl gray so to speak...

Is it for sale? How much???

williamp

19,857 posts

289 months

Tuesday 26th August 2003
quotequote all
iguana said:
AJ I drove a sweet little V8 engined 944 v recently that might just be your cup of earl gray so to speak.

An article should be coming to PH when i've(*) got 2 seconds to put quill to parchment.

For God's sake, hurry! That sounds amazing. I can't wait to read that.

Which V8 engine is that? was it the 928 engine???

iguana

7,197 posts

276 months

Tuesday 26th August 2003
quotequote all
AJ- not for sale at the mo as far as I'm aware.

WilliamP- all in good time my good man

Diver- I dunno about highly intelligent as for respected- well probably a bit by his mum if not anyone else

AndyS2

869 posts

274 months

Wednesday 27th August 2003
quotequote all
For gods sake man, spill the beans!!!

lotusnobles

731 posts

268 months

Wednesday 27th August 2003
quotequote all
Nice lookin 928 GT manual in the classifieds.. only went on yesterday

danielw

Original Poster:

210 posts

264 months

Monday 1st September 2003
quotequote all
Well that 928 GT didnt hang around, it had gone two days later...

Anyway, thanks for all of your comments. In truth I fancied a 928 for those "traction ripping globules of torque" (thanks Deresrictor!).

I've now been in one and in answer there does appear to be less room inside a 928. Less headroom, legroom, space under the hatch, space under the bonnet... However, there is a nicer noise (in the one I saw twice as many ticking tappets and noisy injectors) which makes up for it. And of course this is the whole point of the thing... Thankfully it didnt feel markedly bigger than a 944.

Anyway, i'm mulling it over. I do wonder about putting a V8 into a 944 (looking forward to seeing AJLinterns when its finished:-) ) its probably cheaper than a supercharger...

I was interested in 9M's quad throttle bodies, but I guess that the silence means that he had no luck? I'm still not altogher sold on a turbo...

AJLintern

4,296 posts

279 months

Monday 1st September 2003
quotequote all
danielw said:
Anyway, i'm mulling it over. I do wonder about putting a V8 into a 944 (looking forward to seeing AJLinterns when its finished:-) )
Me too - tis but a day dream at the moment, that's unlikely to become reality at this rate