Not Possible to "avoid the hefty price of a damper". Pelican price is $1341.

The only DIY to remove the automatic trans is in the WSM Vol 2 section 37.
No links available but a WSM CD is available on ebay.

???

J_AZ

The alternative, something unique to the 944, is that in place of the automatic flex plate and damper you can bolt a standard 944 manual flywheel, clutch disc, and pressure plate to the crankshaft, and the driveshaft will engage the clutch disc splines like in a manual car.

Without any hydraulics, the clutch disc remains permanently engaged, allowing you to drive the car again. The torque converter is at the back of the car, in the transmission, so it will still slip as intended.

The rubber damper served to isolate some driveline noise/vibration, so you may find your automatic is a little louder/rougher (but barely anything) than before...but it will drive.

I've read that some folks with your problem have replaced the broken rubber damper and flywheel with a used clutch setup (a closed clutch).

You would only need an old manual flywheel, pressure plate & clutch disk.

Sadly the labor evolved is probably about the same but you may never have the problem again (and a lot of folks here probably have the used parts you would need).

(someone beat me to it.)

clutch
 

anyone have a used clutch set up i could buy for cheap if possible damper plate broke