from master porsche mech. improve 944!

butziporsche944 · 02-20-2006, 04:44 PM

Few weeks ago I contact a famous master porsche mechanic from Anderson Motor Werks , and send him letter asking for some upgrades form my new 944 , this is what he send to me I hope can help somebody else , and I will like to hear waht you guys think about it......

First change the oil with synthetic motor oil.
Buy new headers, but them will loose power unless you do other things to go with them, and then they help!
I would install cam, install cat- back pipe, remove cat and make bypass pipe, install power pulley's, install adjustable fuel pressure regulator, install fuel pressure gauge, install K&N replacement filter in place of the stock one. Also if the car has an oxygen sensor - unplug it. Get a Wide band fuel /air gauge to read fuel mixture accurately.
Now put the car on the dyno and have someone tune the engine on the dyno using the fuel pressure regulator and by adjusting the spring tension up or down in the Air Flow Meter. Make sure the engine is not running too lean or too rich.
If all this is done you should have about 145 to 155 HP at the rear wheels (175 or so engine HP)
I personally would check the compression before doing anything to make sure the engine was built correctly!

Any comments?

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

Can't agree on the air filter. This has been proven to NOT add any thing.

Better fuel management is always a plus. This would include using an MAF in place of the AFS, chipping the DME, refinded sensors in the exhaust, possibly a header system, a better fuel pressure regulator system -- possibly active, tweaking the cam.

Don't know about getting 30 hp unless you also add higher compression pistions.

Granite 944 · 02-20-2006, 05:28 PM

IF.......your all about HORSEPOWER...........DITCH THE na car, and put your money into a later turbo car. Upgrades are not money well spent on ANY car's engine, if, what you have is tired and needing attention anyway. ESPECIALLY, an NA car. You'll get more from a 951, and get your ***** too. NOT from an na car.............HP wise. Get used to it, if your gonna keep the na.

"famous master porsche mechanic".........I like THAT!

You got the money honey, they'll ALL be more than HAPPY to take it from ya. Aspirations of 175 HP. Not all that high, if ya ask me. Especially for the money it'll take ya to get there.

Eldorado · 02-20-2006, 06:05 PM

SoCal, just offering food for thought and not arguement sake..

just wondering if the air filter replacement combined with the cat pipe would accomplish anything... you know, more air in/more air out...

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

The stock filter is over sized. No need to change the design. Do need to keep a clean filter in it.

Engines require a bit of back pressure to work properly at their designed torque range. Changing the back pressure can change where in the rpms the engine developes it's best performance. Sometimes not to the engines benefit.

As was noted in a prior reply; if you want HP get a turbo.

Eldorado · 02-20-2006, 07:10 PM

i wasn't inquiring because i plan on doing it, i dont.. just for knowledge sake.

have there been any testimony (dyno or otherwise) that show exactly what deleting the cat does to the powerband of an n/a? you say it changes where the best performance is in the rpm range.. does it shift it? lower it?

yellowline · 02-20-2006, 07:14 PM

You have a later car. I don't know what would be good for exhaust.

For the early guys: Yesterday, I read in Excellence that bolting on late 944 manifolds saves about 20 lbs and gives you 12 ft-lbs of torque at 3300 RPM. The author cited dyno tests, and I don't think Excellence contributors are prone to hearsay or BS. I swapped on my car, and I notice a definite improvement in pickup if I floor it at 3300 in 5th.

Eldorado · 02-20-2006, 07:16 PM

I'm not the OP - and i have an early car.
what is it about the late manifold that gives it the extra torque?

yellowline · 08:04 PM

Flow pattern, I'd imagine.

I also had an old cat on the car. Replacing it must have also helped flow. There is a definite kick across the RPM range. Judging by running the gears up to 5500 and giving the synchros time between shifts, it feels quicker by the butt of the pants. I think it's a good upgrade, considering it's about the only good bolt-on upgrade for an NA. For $30 at a swapmeet, it's pretty cheap.

Even if you don't buy into the extra torque, losing 20 lbs is a good thing.

Eldorado · 02-20-2006, 08:16 PM

i wish i could lose 20 lbs that easily

Dantilla · 02-20-2006, 08:30 PM

I see you're in California. You may get a slight bump in power with the mods mentioned, but at the expense of no longer passing a smog test.

I don't believe engines need back pressure as much as they need the right velocity through the exhaust system. An oversized exhaust slows the velocity too much for efficient flow.

AA_Ezra · 02-20-2006, 10:43 PM

wish i had known that header upgrade. I just took the head and cam off and 85.5 and headers were in great condition, Guess i'll have to go back to the junk yard and hope there still there.

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

Later cams have a bit longer exhaust timing. About 3 HP.

AA_Ezra · 02-20-2006, 11:04 PM

i belive you made that comment on one of my last post's. Thank's it was an unsuspected bonus. Now for the headers

CJFusco · CJFusco's Garage

If you want to get faster, do two things

1) FRWilk chip (he is also working on a MAF)
2) Take weight off the car

I had never heard about the later car's manifold... that's something to keep in mind. Where was this in EXCELLENCE? Was it the HOW NOT TO OWN A 944 article that I haven't gotten to yet?

CJFusco · CJFusco's Garage

More on this manifold thing....

I assume you are referring to the intake manifold? Did they change materials or something (iron to alluminum)? Also, if this is from an old issue of EXCELLENCE, can you tell me which one?

yellowline · 02-21-2006, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by CJFusco
[B]
I assume you are referring to the intake manifold?

The person in Q+A asked about tubular steel headers, so it was definitely exhaust.

Quote:

Did they change materials or something (iron to alluminum)?

Cast iron to steel. I hear they're prone to cracking and sometimes need to be welded, that's their only downside.

Quote:

Also, if this is from an old issue of EXCELLENCE, can you tell me which one?

My uncle always brings a bunch of Porsche lit when he comes over, so I can't tell you which one I saw it in. It was a newer one, though...I believe it was the newest issue with 944 values in it. I'd check the Q+A section of that one.

scottmandue · 02-21-2006, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by CJFusco
More on this manifold thing....

I assume you are referring to the intake manifold? Did they change materials or something (iron to aluminum)? Also, if this is from an old issue of EXCELLENCE, can you tell me which one?

I'm pretty sure our (my 84 and your 83) have aluminum intakes, after 20+ years I'm sure there would be some sighs of rust on an iron intake. Plus don't we have aluminum heads and block?

Usmellgass2? · 02-21-2006, 09:18 AM

Untill there is a replacement for the tiny AFM there will not be a lot more power available. I belive the ROW cars make suprisingly more hp than North America cars useing slightly higher compression, no O2 senser and DME at setting #2 Stock cams dont have enough overlap to take advantage of a good tuned exhaust. The biggest problum I see with headers, exhaust cams ect is the inability to remap fuel curves to re tune the engine.

Usmellgass2? · 02-21-2006, 09:29 AM

Hmmm just thinking out loud...When was the last time someone put a set of Webers on one of these things? A ignition controll box shouldnt be that hard. I think MSD allready has one on the shelf.