Too Much Info!!

[P0WER]

So now that I have my 84 944 (n/a) running just OK, I want to do a good tune up and add some performace to the mix.
So I did a search here on the best plug wires and plugs.. So many opinions I don't know what to choose.
Right now, everything on the car is stock.

So your mission, should you decide to accept it:
With a budget of about $600.00, doing the work yourself (except exhaust work).
And being totally un-familiar with the Porsche (so far) but knows how to turn a wrench.

What would your shopping list look like?

Am I trying to get you to choose my mods and best combo?
Yes.....

[ilikemy944]

I have the magnecor wires and they seem to be great.
And when you say its running "just OK" I don't know that I'd suggest any performance mods until its "just right"

;P

[brianc944]

Well, one thing I know you'll want in that baby after you get her running OK will be a fr wilk chip.

[Eldorado]

- Wilks chip
- new air filter - (stock or cone.. your choice)
- oil change with the good stuff...
- bank the rest for your first repair....



or.. take the wad and blow it all on checking your belts..... and a new pair of socks.

[CJFusco]

well, the first thing to do is get your car to optimum running condition in stock form. So, what I would do is:

Oil Change (with the good stuff) - $30, give or take
Cap, rotor, spark plugs - $50, give or take
Air filter - $20

There's your first hundred. If you ask me, the best 944NA upgrade is FRWilk's PowerProm chip. Since you have a 84 car, you will need the adapter board... that combo will run you $300.

TRUST ME, IT'S WORTH IT.

I would personally go after suspension upgrades next. Decent size swaybar upgrades can be had on eBay for pretty cheap (I just purchased a 27mm front bar for $15)... so it really just depends on whatever deals are out there. Stiffer front springs would be a decent upgrade, as would KONI adjustable rears. A front camber brace would also improve handling. Any of these suspension upgrades will probably run $150-250 by themselves.... so chose carefully.

[ilikemy944]

And yes, I also have and recommend the fr wilk chip

[Baza]

I'd go for:
1) Belts, 2) Belts, 3) Belts. well its alot more cost effective than the other option (BV club) 4) any suspenion improvements, 5) chip.
My theory is handling is the most important thing as I just love under braking some big HP car into a corner and the out accelerating on the exit. (I love corners).
OH and get yourself a good set of sports sox.

[P0WER]

OK...
All the fluids are changed as of this week.
Brake system flush, cooling system flush, Motor flush, tranny fluid changed, rear end gear oil changed, everything!
The belt issue was delt with about 500 miles ago.
When I say running just OK, that's because it a little hard to start when cold but fine once it warms up.
So I just wanted to do a tune up but can't decide on which plugs and wires.

Should I go ahead and replace the entire ignition system (coil, dist. with point less ignition), add an MSD, etc......???
What about adding a throttle response cam?

[VINMAN]

Throttle respnse cams a waste of money in my opinion.
Leave the stock ignition alone, it is fine. Just replace the components.

[yellowline]

Take the $600 and buy yourself a P9201. (T-belt tool)

You should have a little money to put into Swepco or Redline tranny oil, which will improve your shifting. IMO, shifting is what makes the car slow...the car does 0-50 in 6 seconds, but you have to upshift soon after, which makes 0-60 look worse. My changes are a lot quicker and smoother, and the car feels quicker, even around town.

[924Sman]

Best performance items you will get are.....

1. Seat Time

2. Suspension

You will not find a better use for the 600.00 and 600.00 won't buy squat in HP.

[944 boy]

I agree with Sman, 600 is worthless in HP but suspension or tires is a good investment. When a 911 leaves you on the straitaway and you catch back up to him on the corners the look on his face is priceless. ;-)

[Verruckt]

New shocks! Seat time! Tune up!

[Don 944 LA]

Originally posted by Eldorado
..... and a new pair of socks.

make sure there the ones with yellow on the toes.

[pokey]

Originally posted by Don 944 LA
make sure there the ones with yellow on the toes.

Those would be Koni socks, wouldn't they?

[Britwrench]

Koni Sport socks, the Touring ones are red.

[Baza]

Would that be long or short travel
( long or ankle sox)

[Dougster]

I always say, your car is only as strong as its weakest link...

Sounds like your tuneup is first...

How many miles on her?

How are the brakes?
Struts?
Go over everything and deem whats needed most...

Good luck/skill!

[onZedge]

I agree with ilikemy944. Running just OK is unacceptable. It should run just right before you consider any modifications. Forget the shopping list for now and make a TO DO list first. I suggest the following:

- make sure the battery is good; get it load tested
- make sure the battery, starter and alternator cable connections are CLEAN AND TIGHT
- make sure ALL the ground connections are CLEAN AND TIGHT; find them all; solder on new ring-tongue connectors and use new stainless steel gound screws or brass nuts as applicable
- identify all devices connected to the DME and make sure all the connectors, plugs and sockets, especially under the hood, are CLEAN AND TIGHT; test and adjust these components as required
- identify all important devices not directly connected to the DME and make sure all the connections are CLEAN AND TIGHT such as the fuel pump, tank level sensors, oil pressure sender, water temperature sender, headlights, gauge cluster and cigarette lighter

This all may sound anal, but no veteran owner would disagree that this will eliminate and prevent many "running just OK" problems. Once the electrical system is "tuned up" and eliminated as a possible cause of a running (or not) problem, troubleshooting the real culprit is greatly simplified. I had a stalling/not starting/rough idling problem and after farting around with the usual "maybe it's the DME relay or maybe it's the flywheel sensors or maybe it's the injectors or maybe it's the AFM or maybe it's the BRT" syndrome for a few days, I decided an electrical system tune-up was in order before I went any further. Turned out to be a failing/intermittent FPR. 60 bucks.
I know all veteran owners are secretly admitting that they really need to do this but have no time. I say: MAKE THE TIME

As for that shopping list and your 600 bucks, I would START with new fuel/air/oil filters, cap/rotor, NGK iridium plugs, Magnecor Electrosports 80 wires, MSD Blaster II coil (use the additional ballast resistor on a stock installation!!), MSD ignition (additional ballast resistor will no longer be needed when the MSD is installed but don't throw it away). Do these in this approximate order one-at-a-time to see how each item improves drivability. Resist the urge to do it all at once or you will never know what the hell it was you did that made your car run "just right". SoCal will probably mention something about belts...

[Brando]

Agreed... tuneup first, toys later.

I'd replace those belts on a newly-purchased car, with the exception that it was done and under warranty of a shop or dealership.