Converting 924 to turbo
 

I have the opportunity to pick up a complete turbo assembly from a 2.0 924 for a good price. I have a '78 n/a that runs great but am interested in increasing its output. I have installed a K&N filter and put 2 1/2" pipes straight back from the cat. This has created a noticible increase in acceleration, especially above 3000 rpm. I was wondering if anybody has any thoughts or experience on adding a turbo to an n/a engine.

hmm, i don't want to burst your bubble so let me give you the best advice i can for your situation:

realistically, it will cost more to convert your engine to be a turbo than it would cost to just buy a 924 turbo. the engines have different valves, different compression ratio, different heads, different exhausts, different intakes, and different fuel systems. UGH! it CAN be done, but not easily or cheaply.

if you think you can make a profit off of just reselling the turbo, do that. there are other ways to get turbo power in your car, but take it from me... it isn't cheap
http://www.pelicanparts.com/ultimate/frown.gif
i can provide you with more details if you wish.

good luck!

obin

Obin, I'm glad you replied... You've given me advise before and it's always been right on. Given the mod's that I have already done, I assume that headers and possible a cat-bypass pipe would give me the most bang for the buck. Do you have any other/better suggestions that are not bank-breakers that would give us better performance?

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NOS

let me see here:

1) i installed a Throttle body off of an Audi 5000S and i know for a FACT that it gave me at least 1-2HP. how do i know? i used to climb this one steep hill in 3rd gear. if i shifted to 4th gear, the car would bog down a bit and i'd lose RPMs. after the throttle body, the car would keep the RPMs up and not bog down. this is without ANY other modifications to the engine other than the throttle body. take it for what it's worth. the throttle body cost me $15 at a parts yard. i cleaned it up with a $.99 can of throttle body cleaner.

2) get a nice performance header. i got a Paeco one and i believe it's one of the better ones out there. i had problems with the MSDS one (again, these are MY experiences and not necessarily that of others out there). a nice header will set you back about $230.

3) get a better cam grind. the cam in the 924 is emissions and fuel economy friendly. along with the cam, get high-rpm valve springs. believe it or not, but the springs are only about $10 each (or less) because they are actaully Honda valve springs! a ncie grind will set you back around $330 and the results will be noticeable.

4) get a set of Euro Pistons. i have them in my car and i can tell the difference between my car and other 924s. they were already in my car when i bought it, but i don't think they are expensive.

5) a port and polish will REALLY help a 924. i rode in a friend's 924 that had a port and polish job done on it and WOW. his 924 is faster off the line, and has more power than my 944! i kid you not! a port and polish is the very next thing i am having done to my 924 (after the roll cage is done) a port and polish, along with a valve regrind, flowbenching, and a general "freshening" of the cylinder head is only about $500. the results are dyno proven again and again.

6) get the engine balanced. this is surprisingly cheap and if the cylinder head is going to be off, you should do it. the balancing will get rid of harmful vibrations and your engine will have less parasitic power loss due to vibrations.

7) install a cat-back exhaust off of a 924. it bolts right up and your car will sound really cool. i am honestly NOT kidding you, but my friend's car that has a 944 exhaust on it sounds ALMOST like a Viper. it has the same low grumbling tone with that "BWAAAAAAH" sound like a Viper makes. don't get me wrong, i'm not saying his car would be mistaken for a Viper, i'm saying that the TONE is in the same neighbourhood. very deep, throaty, and "ballsy"

well, the above will get youi up to at least 145 Hp. i know this because people i know that have had this done report their cars dynoing at around that level.

if you have about $1700 to spend, how about a stroker kit? it will turn your 2.0 litre into a 2.3 litre displacement. if you add a cam, and port and polish job, and the above mentioned items, your car will have no trouble PASSING older 911s, non-turbo 944s, and for a HECK of a lot less money invested.

of course, in the end, you could always just sell your car and get a 924 turbo http://www.pelicanparts.com/ultimate/wink.gif. i'd say go with your current car though. the early turbos can be problematic. for similar money, get a 944.

good luck!

obin

Obin, Thanks... I'm new to porsche, had a couple of rx7's, but I love this little 924. It is my 18 year old sons and he absolutely loves it, but wishes it had some more balls. I did the obvious, the K&N filter seems to let it breathe a little better, but the biggest advantage is that it seems to start better now (go figure???). I did have a speed shop drop the old exhaust from the cat back and replaced it with a 2 1/2 pipe from the cat to the gas transaxle where it splits into a Y and comes out on each side in the rear (under the rear bumper). It's finished off on either side with dual stainless steel resonated tips. This didn't to a whole lot off the line, but it's unbelievable over 3000 rpms. Much stronger, and the sound is awesome... deep rumble at idle and it screams (almost Ferrari souding) when you open it up on the road... Thanks again. I had a false impression from an old porsche mechanic up here that there wasn't much to do to improve the 924's. Now I have a good project list and a reasonable expectation of what each mod will accomplish.

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cool! good luck with it! the thing i forgot to mention is just how cheap the balancing is.. you can get the crank, and a lof of the pulleys balanced for under $100.

one more thing i forgot is to get a thinner head gasket. this will raise the compression ratio. you might want to go for a copper one. i've heard they are good for a few horses especialy if you install euro pistons. don't pay more than $500 for high performance pistons, i have a LONG list of places that can provide them for abount $70-$100 each.

obin

check your e-mail. i sent you some good porsche performance links.

obin

I have a 924 t. what do you need I sell you every part or the complete engine at afordable price.
The problem is the shipment.
Send me an e-mail if you want.

you want to sell the 924t cylinder head?

drew1