944

[chris6905]

i am interested in buying a 944 but i'm not sure what year. also are there any tight body kits? post pics if u have time please. also any advise on what to watch out for/ look for would be great!

thanks
chris

[MBuck951]

Body kits ????
This is not a Honduh site. Besides, our cars look great stock, especially 951's.



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Mike Buck
My Gallery
'88 944 turbo
'89 944 NA

[chris6905]

they look great stalk but the ones with body modifications and interior modifications look better in my opinion.

[This message has been edited by chris6905 (edited 09-18-2001).]

[This message has been edited by chris6905 (edited 09-18-2001).]

[ribs]

If this is the kind of thing you are looking for:

you will find more interested parties at honda enthusiast sites...but...there are some body modifications available to those with deep pockets...let me start with what is not available...

The "shogun" style front end or any derivative there of.

Huge, useless, heavy spoilers.

Wheels larger than 18 inches (there are some 19's available for 911's, but I think they lack taste and are more for the drug dealer type...all though they may fit)

Strange looking multi-angled side skirts.

Yellow stickers (well...maybe those are available...I don't know)

What is available...try...
Better bodies
infinite fiberworks
Some weird german people
Icy Hot Stuntaz (sorry...had to do it)
GT racing (one of my favorites)
Kokeln (they make a more agressive front end and some other stuff)
Just came across this one by accident

And some company called AIR that makes front splitters and other stuff...just I can't remember their URL.

Hope this helps...

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ribs, 86' 951

[chris6905]

thanks for the links i am not looking for usless junk to make my car a rice rocket but to just have some options. although i would like the 3 tear spoiler lol

chris

[Rollins]

If you want to make the car look better try going with something like the carrera GT. The headlight conversion does a lot in my opinion. But I would only endeavor to do that if the motors or some other part of the stock headlight system broke. Just like the rest said, keep it stock. If you want a really aggresive (ricey) looking car then buy a honda civic or mitsubishi eclipse.
OH and what the **** is this? This kit makes the 944 look like a ****ing mustang or something. YUCK!

[chris6905]

i guess i came off wrong i don't want ricey at all i just wanted to see the options that were out there

[Allldi]

Chris, before purchasing a 944, read everything in the 944 FAQ thoroughly many times. The information is pretty accurate and complete. Come back here with questions. By the way: American International Racing (AIR).

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Ryan
1991 944S2 coupe

[ribs]

Oh...also...are you interested in a turbo model? 16 valve model? 3.0L model? What is your price range for the car, and do you think you can afford to maintain the thing? A few notes about the 944's...

-started production in 1982 as a 1983 model.
-half way through 1985, a complete refresh of the model occured...this includes, but is not limited to, a new ECU with a removable chip, aluminum A-arms, brand new dash and instrument cluster, a lot of other updating in the interior, available phone dial wheels, and several other things avaiable
-The turbo was introduced as a 1986 model, is very fast(220 HP stock which can be brought to around 270 HP for $100-$400 chips, and way beyond that for suprisingly not much money), and has a much updated front end and a rear splitter, and standard 16" wheels
-In 1987, the offset changed for all 944's to 53.3MM (I think) which is very close to the 55MM (I think) offset of all of the newer porsches, so almost all of the 16" and 17" wheels from the newer 911's, 968's, and boxters will fit with no modifications. The 18" wheels maybe will fit with rolled rear fenders and 15mm spacers in the rear.
-1987 saw the return of the 924, as the 924S, which has the really old body style and interior, but the 944 engine, transmission (with a shortened 5th gear), suspension and brakes, and is lighter and faster than the 944 except for top speed
-1987 also saw the 944S, which was a 16 valve 188 HP 2.5L I4, which is basically 1/2 of the 928's 32 valve motor, while the standard 944's 8 valve 150 HP I4 is basically 1/2 of the older 16 valve 928 motor
-1988 saw the turbo S 944, which had 928 S4 brakes, front coilovers, koni yellows all around, thicker sway bars, stiffer progressive rate springs, 1" wider (9" wide)in the rear forged 16" wheels, 247 HP stock (which can be brought to close to 300 HP with a set of those chips), etc. etc.
-1989 saw the 944S2, which was had the turbo's body, the non S turbo brakes and suspension (I think), 207 HP 3.0L 16 valve I4, and an available convertable
-1989 was the last year of production for the turbo (in the US market), and they were all clad with the turbo S's upgrades, all though they were not designated S
-1989 944 n/a had a 2.7L I4 with more HP and torque (forgot how much)
-1991 944S2 was the last 944 to be made
-1992-1995 968 was basically the 3rd generation in the 924/944/968 heritage, and it had the 944S2's motor with more advanced air metering (MAF I believe), better engine management, variocam (think of it as V-TEC for porsches, all though it is better in a lot of respects and worse in a few), the 944 non-S turbo's suspension and brakes, 6 speed tranny or 4 speed manumatic slushbox, and was available with 16" and 17" wheels, and could be clad with the 944 turbo S's suspension and brakes, which were designated the M030 package, and this was also available as a cabriolet

so...I hope that sums things up for you a bit...let us know what you are interested in...IMHO, the 944 turbo is the best bang for the buck available, compared to any car out there, period.

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ribs, 86' 951

[ribs]

Look closely...that is a 4 tier spoiler...and if you include the lower rear valance and the opened sunroof as airspoiling devices, that gives the car 6 middle to rear spoilers...now...time to do my homework...

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ribs, 86' 951

[Z-man]

Chris:
Welcome to the board, and good luck on your search! I have a checklist of things to look for when buying a 944 that's based loosely on an article that appeared in the Feb 2000 issue of Excellence magazine. It's in MS-Word format. If you want it, just send me an email at z-man@944fanatic.com. It covers a lot of details.

Also: I highly recommend the following:
1. Look at and drive as many 944's as you can: it will help you find the best one for you. Get to know the car as much as you possibly can.
2. Definately get a Pre-Purchase inspection done on a car you're looking at. It's worth the $50-$100 you'll pay.
3. Read/research and read/research more! The more educated you are, the better!
4. Buy the car that's in best shape in your budget. If your choice is between a clean low-mileage 944 n/a vs. a beat up 944 turbo, go for the 944na. (You can always upgrade to a turbo later!!)
5. If taken care of, these cars run real strong for many, many miles. If abused, they can be an expensive ordeal.

IMO, the 944S2 is one of the best of the line, but I'm biased, of course!!!

Good luck!
-Zoltan.

PS: I just looked at that black 944 again: at first glace, I didn't even recognize it as a p-car!! LOL!!!!
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PCA NNJR
My Toy:



[This message has been edited by Z-man (edited 09-19-2001).]

[chris6905]

hi again thanks for all the info. so 1989 turbo's actually were turbo S they just didn't show it? thats interesting thanks for all the info guys i'm not sure on my buget yet what is resonable kelly blue book says like 10,000 and lower is that a good range?
thanks again
chris

[stupenal]

hey ribs, where were you when i posted my extensive thread about all the different 944 models? Anyways, that stuff listed the pros and cons (from what I could think of off the top of my head) of each 944 made. I posted it several weeks ago, so feel free to browse through and find it (sorry, i'm too lazy to go find it myself....). Anyways, z-man, could you email me the checklist? I'm going to go see a beautiful 83 944 with polished cookies this weekend. Thanks!

[adrial]

$10,000 and lower isn't really a good range.
Check out Bruce Anderson's market price guide thing in Excellence. I bought my '89 951 with 68k miles for $15,000. The higher mileage '89 951's are going for around $10k, but I have a feeling those need a little bit of work. Basically, the good condition 951's will USUALLY be at over above $10k.

[Z-man]

stupenal: the list is on the way. Has the clutch been replaced on the car you're looking at? If not, the rubber hub is probably shot: new clutch runs anywhere from $1500 to $2000!

adrial: I agree: you probably can't find a good TurboS for less than $10k. B.Anderson's latest price guide from 02-2001:
88 turbo-S: $8796-$10,000-$13388
89 turbo-(S): $9592-$10906-$14600
IMO: I wouldn't recommend getting a turbo in poor shape.

chris: any word on your hunt?

-Zoltan.

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PCA NNJR
My Toy:


[This message has been edited by Z-man (edited 09-20-2001).]

[chris6905]

you guys are very helpful thanks alot. i haven't found anything yet, i am not in a huge rush as long as its by this summer i'll be fine lol. anyways thanks for the info and price range. are there any good books on 944's? is there a large difference in 88 turbo-s and the '89 turbo (s)?

thanks again
chris

[Blackfoot]

chris, i should tell you that we are not so much into body kits and the like, but are more into performance modifications that are functional.



take this picture, for example. now we all know that more downforce = more grip. this tri-wing setup says downforce with a capital "D". think you're going into a turn a little too hot? the tri-wing says, "no prob, i'll keep the wheels on the ground, buddy". it's piece of mind.

as to the turbo s/89 turbo question, they are almost identical in equipment and power. i think it's like a 2 hp difference. if you're seriously considering a 944 turbo, you might want to look into an '86, which will be considerably cheaper than an "s". $3000 engine modification and will be considerably faster than an s. put on upgraded suspension, and the car will be an all-around far better performer for the same price as a turbo s.

[Z-man]

A couple of books come to mind:
"Illustrated Porsche Buyer's Guide" - Dean Batchelor ($17.95) Good source for all P-cars. Lots of historical information.
"Original Porsche 924/944/968" by Peter Morgan ($35.95) The 944 Bible. (This book was re-issued as "The Porsche 924/944 Book" by the same author for $36.95)
"Porsche 924, 944 & 968" by Michael Cotton ($19.95) Good source, British author, but a lot of US specs included for completeness.

There are other books out there, but these will get you going!

Also: pick up a copy of Excellence magazine: great source of information.

Glad to hear you're doing the necessary research!
-Zoltan.


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PCA NNJR
My Toy:


[This message has been edited by Z-man (edited 09-20-2001).]

[mideastmafia]

blackfoot,

if your so fond of posting my car, why dont you buy it off me? ill sell it to you, only to you.. you want it?


SHAUN

[mideastmafia]

i think it looks good. you dont like it, then just shut up.


SHAUN