Random Questions about Random 944/968s

[Wolf1]

Originally posted by Zlatko
My budget will be around 15K Canadian..that should be about 12k USD.

With that amount of money you could either "Buy a 951" and upgrade it or, do the LT1 swap and 951 transaxle.

[Zlatko]

Im not buying a 951 cause the few that i went to look at had terrible bodies..

And when i jacked up one of them the frame started to bend..where as mine was as stif as a brick.

As i said, my car has a very nice body..and im not too keen on re-enforcing the frame on those busted up 951s.

Also the work done is not really a big deal for me..i have lots of time to spare, and i wanna learn how my 944 works inside and out

[UconnTim97]

With that kind of money, and keeping your car...I would think you would be able to get a 968 engine and drivetrain in there. Not sure it would be all that easy, but with 15K, I am sure it could be figured out.

God luck

[ronin]

didn't we already answer this a few months ago?

[1.2gees]

As with almost any other car that's worth playing with, there's no real limit if the modifications are carried out well and sanely. Meaning there's 944s that push over 400hp from a stock untouched crank, going through a stock torque tube and transaxle, axles, etc. The 968 engine is a little stronger of a starting point vs. a 2.5liter 944, however the head retains more heat compared to a 944 turbo head. The gearbox/diff in both the turbos and the 968s are adequate for everything that's been done to them so far. The torque tube and axles take the power fine as long as no repeated abuse is taking place. Otherwise 1st and 2nd gear in non turbo S transaxles, input shaft/reverse gears, and axles especially in the earlier cars retire from duty. Non turbo 944 transaxles are weak also.

The answer to this question is so long and complicated in reality, or very very simple, depending on how you look at it.
Ahmet

[Blackfoot]

You want power? You can't handle the power!!

-Jack Nicholson in A Few Good Mechanics

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Cars

[AFJuvat]

The limitation of the 944 NA is, as always the DME system. You can fool it a few different ways.

The next greatest weakness is the Ring and Pinion - on a NA, about 300 HP is the limit. You can stretch that out a little bit by using a bit of care when driving it (no dumping the clutch)

A perferable option is to find a 951 transmission with integrated oil cooler - you would be good up to around 400 HP.

Your most reasonable option for boosting power is a Supercharger kit with a different ignition system. However, before you were to do that, it would serve you well to have the engine gone through to make sure everything is up to standard. A supercharger or a chip will not make a poor running engine run well, and in fact can make any existing problems you have significantly worse.

You will also have to upgrade the brakes on the car - 300 HP with brakes rated for 170 HP does not make a good combination - in short there are several ways to stop a car - only one correct way.

Another option to consider is swapping your engine out entirely. As has been pointed out ad nauseaum in the past, you are swapping out motors, wiring harnesses and other assorted goodies. - very labor intensive. If you cannot locate a motor used, you can contact ANDIAL Porsche in California, or Brumos Porsche in Florida - Both places would have good leads on getting crated motors. (Yes, 944, 951, and 968 motors are still available in the crate)

That all said, I still think that it would be cheaper in the long run to look for and find a 951 and start modifying from there. It is rather easy to get a 951 up to near 400HP for a lot less money that doing the same thing to a 944 NA.

AFJuvat

[Wolf1]

Heres a thought Zlatko........

Maybe consider keeping your 944 na as your daily driver and purchase another, faster P-car to have as a toy.

12K could buy one hell of a nice example of a 951 or a 928s4...

Just a thought.....