My path to power...

[sasquatch]

I think I have finally made a decision on how to get big power out of my 87 na. I am going to buy a turbo. But not in the way you are thinking.

Background: My 87na is pristine. It has all the mods (suspension, transmission, drivetrain). I even had it fully repainted last year. On the open market, it is worth precicely squat. Good looking NA's are practically given away. Not going to do it to my baby.

So, I have been watching EvilBay for a while and see that worn out 951s can be had in the $2-4k range.

My plan is to purchase one, yank motor and electronics, pull the brakes (I have not upgraded those yet), and whatever other bits and bobs I need. I'll then spend some time and fully rebuild the motor doing all those nice power improving mods while I am in there. After all the motor and electronics are fully rebuilt, install into my NA.

I have a shop and do all my own work, so my labor is free to me. Once the car has been robbed of all the parts I need, I can sell off whatever is left and usuable. I would probably have around $6-8k total investment into my car for this upgrade.

Now, before you say it... Can I buy a nice 951 for that price? Yes, maybe. But my car is fully restored and I would have a hard time letting her go for peanuts. It is a pride thing. Besides, even the best 951 would need something attended to, where my car is flawless. Every suspension bushing, joint, bearing, shock, etc., has been rebuilt/replaced/upgraded. It would be a shame to me to sell her for the $5k that I might be able to get out of her.

Thoughts? Pittfalls?

[Ferrara_racing]

Hey Sas,

Went through a lot of the same angst when I had my 944. I had put well over 5k into it. Like you, I did some of the work, other work I had done by the best mechanics I could find. I think a lot of the answer to your question lies in how much you love the 944 and what you use it for. As much as I loved my 44 I wanted to get a new Porsche experience. Like you, I was concerned about the 944's you see being sold for peanuts. As it turned out, I was able to get a fantastic value from my car because the buyer recognized how it had been cared for, paper trail back to 0 odometer. Before you conclude you will be hosed on a trade or sell, maybe you need to look further into it. I totally agree with you not wanting to give it away, if nobody will give you a fair price then keep it. I don't know if you hate the Boxster, if you don't you will find a lot of them for sale fairly cheap with low mileage. Find a dealer sitting on one in February like I did and you may be amazed at the deal they will make on the 944..Good luck.

[earlr85944]

Buy a Turbo. And drive it. Keep the N\A as it is. In 5years you will be seeing the value of your car go up as an original clean restored 944. Drive the turbo hard!

[yellowline]

If you can, try this:

1) Buy the worn out 951.
2) Buy a NA with a broken T-belt, but otherwise decent: $1k at most. Rebuild head yourself for $600 or so, almost break even by selling the engine afterwards. That gets rid of the engine.
3) Rebuild engine at leisure. Part out nonessential 951 parts for $.
4) Install, keeping the nice NA nice.

The Excellence value on the early cars has risen enough that the transaction price is more than the late cars. They're getting parted and becoming scarcer...Keep the good NA. It won't be an investment, but a good one will get hard to find.

[CJFusco]

Sasquatch,
I have thought along the same lines as you... what is keeping me from doing it is EXACTLY what you have: your own shop. I don't even have a garage. DO IT. Make your 944 your own. Make it something special. And screw the resale value anyhow... I have said many times already that I will probably be the last owner of my car.

In your corner,
CJF

[sasquatch]

This is why I want to keep the 944. See how she looks? I am actually winning this concours the photos are taken at.







And the car is sooooo ready for power. I tossed my transmission 2 years ago so I installed an S2 unit complete with short shift. Plus the turbo suspension bits, coil over Konis, big sway bars (regularly beats boxters and most 911's at the auto-x).

I still dont think I could get more than $5-6k for the 944, and that is on a good day to the right owner. For that, screw it. I'll build a monster turbo motor and slide it in.

I just am thirsting for HP. I made the mistake of buying a BMW 750il as a daily driver once the 944 was completed. That big V-12 has me lusting for HP in the 944.

[fast924S]

SAS hell ya man, I think its a great idea

[CJFusco]

gorgeous car, great project... i only wish you lived nearer so I could help it along.

[BananaClip]

soooo you've already got the 951 suspension on your baby?
meaning you won't need the suspension from the future donor car?
im just sayin in a few months I might be in the market for some better stuff for mine.
you know.
just sayin

edit
if its not all ragged out
and i have a job.

[CJFusco]

if you end up buying a white 951, i will buy the rear valance...

[sasquatch]

I will keep the collective here informed on my progress. I need to finish my house now so I can move in. They are starting the framing this next week. Nice 4 car garage is on it's way...

[bryanthompson]

My first thought is to keep your perfect '44 perfect, and find another junker to molest. But... You'll do this the right way. It's your car, you know what you're doing, you don't plan on selling it, etc. Go for it, but take TONS of pictures

[Dougster]

You have a very beautiful car!
Enjoy it as you wish...

I was driving my car home last might from my GF's and thought...I LOVE this 944...Yet, from time to time I also wish for more POWER!

[scottmandue]

Funny you didn't title this thread "how do I turbo my 944?

Of course those threads are usually started by a kid who just picked up a very cheap 944 that would blow out the trans/CV joints/ rings/crank as soon as a turbo was added.

Sounds like you have upgraded everything already and you know the car very well so if it is what you really want to do it why not?

Although I like the idea of keeping it as a show car and buying a beater 944 to make a hot rod.

[ae1969]

YOu know.......... Normally I would say don't do it....


BUT I am caught in a quandry myself. I frankly should of done just what you are planning on doing.

I now have an N/A that is in great shape but don't want to get rid off.

- Complete Engine 2-3 K
- Replace computer with stand alone 2K
- New suspension 2K
- New Brakes 2K
- LSD tranny 1.5 K
- New exhaust 1K (or make it)
- New turbo (1-1.5K)

And you will have a MONSTER.

Power is not cheap.

[sasquatch]

Originally posted by ae1969


- Complete Engine 2-3 K
- Replace computer with stand alone 2K
- New suspension 2K
- New Brakes 2K
- LSD tranny 1.5 K
- New exhaust 1K (or make it)
- New turbo (1-1.5K)

And you will have a MONSTER.

Power is not cheap.

In my car, the suspension is already done, as is the tranny. I would make the exhaust or buy a B&B for the turbo motor. The brakes would get drafted over from the donor 951.

I would kind of like to go hog wild on the motor though. THis car only gets about 1500 miles per year so might as well push the envelope on power.

I love this car so much that even if I spent $10k on the motor rebuild/upgrade alone it would be worth it if I could spank almost anything on the road around here.

With the research I have done, 350-400hp from a properly built turbo motor is very doable. Spendy, but doable. That kind of HP in my car would make me giggle like a school girl.

[CJFusco]

Sasquach - there is a 2.8 Turbo Broadfoot motor for sale on eBay. Nicely powdercoated, too! Why buy a whole car when all you need is the engine?