944 v 44 s2 engine

[Capndar]

can someone point out the major differences between the 944 engine (8 valve) and the 944 s2 (16 valve engine)? I know the 2.5 - 2.7 - 3.0 difference and 16 valve - other major revisions? For reliability, which is the preferred motor?



current: Miata; still lookin' for that S2 Cab....

[SoCal Driver]

For reliability? The 8 valve. Doesn't have the added expense of replacing two cams and two two thirds of the valves when either the t-belt or the chain tensioner fails.

Would be nice to take the compression up a bit.

[ae1969]

S2 would be my choice. It will not self destruct as readily as the 944S (16V) and the power/torque you have more than makes up for the added costs of tensioner replacements........

To me it would be the best of all worlds...... unless you want crazy power then get a 951.

[rammstein]

true- the 16V 3.0 liter is a damn sweet setup.

[Z-man]

Like ae1969 said, the 944S2 16v engine isn't as suseptable to catostrphic failures that the 944S 16v engine is. For example, if the t-belt on an S2 motor goes, you may bend some valves, but you won't ruin the head, as you most likely would on a 944S motor (ref: 944S motor is a 2.5l 4cyl with a 16 valve head)

In terms of reliability, the 944S2 motor is just as reliable as the 944 8v n/a. This is assuming that these motors are all properly maintained. Speaknig of maintenance, in those terms, the 944S2 is a little more expensive to maintain than the 944 8v. It's maintenance costs are more on par with the costs associated with a 944 Turbo.

I have a 944S2 that I properly maintain. I have no second thoughts of driving my car hard on the track. It has never let me down. Well, there was that time my water pump failed at Watkins Glen, but that would have failed even if I were driving a 944 8v na. So speaking from experience, the 944S2 motor is a very robust powerplant capable of taknig alot of hard driving.

The 944S2 also have more than 50 more ponies under the hood and a broader torque curve. On some tracks, I've been known to pull away from turbos following me in the corners (only to be overtaken on the straights! ) Due to their wonderful low end torque, they also make great autocrossing cars. While I don't have the push-in-into-the-seat acceleration of a 951, there's globs of torque to be found all throughout the rev range. Think of it as a more refined delivery of acceleration.

Ok, sorry for rambling: I think I'll wash my car tonight!!!
-Zoltan.

[odie]

Reliability? I would think that there is no difference. The cam belt sent up is essentialy the same. If you don't adjust and change it, it will break and cause the same damage in either car.

The S has the additional cam. But I'd say that the chain and chain tensioner are 10X as reliable as the cam belt & cam belt tensioner.

When it breaks on an S. yes it does cost more to fix. But the probability of it breaking are the same for all.

[Capndar]

thanks...that is the information I was looking for...