Know when to say "When"

gt350mike · 07-09-2006, 09:10 AM

After sitting in storage for a year, we brought home the yellow 87 N/A to determine if we should rebuild the car, buy a car with a bad motor (swap the motors) or part it out. When my son had the accident in April 05, he hit the ditch at an angle which trashed the front valance (and fog lights), both fenders & bent the uni-body. After we pulled the fenders off I found the inner apron (around the headlight bucket) is bent a little, but most of the warpage is under the driver's floor pan.....the pan is buckled about 4" to 6". The ball joint on the driver side broke, and we also have a few small creases on the roof so that is the worst of it (wheels/tires, radiator & condenser are ok). The car does have a clear title.
The car has 92k miles and we spent a lot of time replacing belts, w-pump, & filters so mechanically the car is in great shape. I already have the driver's fender so that leaves me with finding a front valance & passenger fender. I've talked to a friend that has a body shop & he told me that to have the frame "pulled" would run between $400 to $600. Painting the car (if we do the prep work) will cost another $600 to $800. Planning on the un-expected misc. expenses I figure that I'll about $2000 in fixing the car. My question is should I call it a day and find another 87-88 944 (with a bad motor and/or trans) or do you think I'm on crack wanting to repair the car?

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

Find another chassis and swap things over. If you have noticeable distortion in the roof the chassis is shot. Been a few chassis (blown engines) mentioned here and on Rennlist. Check around the local independent garages. Especially the ones that work on imports. Owners take them in and find they can't pay for the engine rebuild.

gt350mike · 07-09-2006, 09:54 AM

Thanks Hugh.........I've spent a few hours looking for a chassis but no luck so far. I did notice a roller in Canada but its 1300 miles so I'm waiting for something a lot closer. If anyone knows of a car, PLEASE let me know.

It looks like we're about 95% sure we're not going to rebuild this car, but I hate to scrap it because:
a) It was our "first" Porsche (but not the last)
b) Because it was our first, we spent a lot of time "bonding" (with my son & with the car)
c) Even though my son was driving with his head up is *** when he wrecked it, he get's choked up everything he looks at the car.......He's learned a valuable lesson!

Schumi · 07-09-2006, 10:01 AM

Even if the body guy pulled the frame the car will never be perfectly straight again. Never.

Keep the heart. Transplant it into a needy patient.
There are roller chasis all around. It can be another 'bonding' project.

Razorback1980 · Razorback1980's Garage

I'm with Schumi and SoCal. They will never get it right.

Dave L · 07-09-2006, 10:50 AM

my darn near perfect 944 8v with no dash cracks, perfect tan leather seat and carpet, new waterpump, timing belt, shocks and clutch was rear ended. I told the shop where I had it towed to that if there was any damage to the unibody or shock towers I did not want the car. My reasoning was that there was no sense in having an ill handling porsche. The car was totaled and I have a new car. the new car has a cracked dash and crappy seats but I know that its straight, for me that was more important (plus it gives me an excuse to buy sports seats

)

along with Schumi, socal and Razor I think they will never get a perfect as a car like a 944 deserves.

find a new shell and transfer parts, you and your son can continue to bond and you can have a nice 944 again. maybe start pulling parts out now, refresh the engine while waiting for a good shell to come up

Dave L · 07-09-2006, 05:37 PM

There is a red 951 roller in Alabama on Renlist, no price listed but worth a look

gt350mike · 07-09-2006, 06:01 PM

Dave.....Can you email the link to me? I just checked and I can't find it.

Schumi · 07-09-2006, 07:18 PM

It would be a nice project to drop a NA engine in a turbo roller or better yet an S2 or cabrio roller. There are slight differences as far as the piping of wires and fuel lines but thats why its fun...

ae1969 · 07-09-2006, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Schumi
It would be a nice project to drop a NA engine in a turbo roller..............

HEHEHEHE

Never thought I would see the day that someone would actually recommend ....

NA my turbo.........

-------------

I would wait and find a suitable transplant.

Schumi · 07-10-2006, 01:42 PM

I have never seen the turbo engine mounts so I don't know if its a direct fit or not. Of course the engine management and the computer would all have to be replaced. But you would end up with a nice turbo look car with a stong transmission with the NA engine.

Dave L · 07-10-2006, 02:02 PM

1986 944 turbo rolling chasis red

Category: Racing Parts for Sale Ad Number: 9284
Date Posted: 06/30/2006 Price: open
Expires On: 07/30/2006

Description
roller 1986 turbo no engine or tranny, all else is there

Seller Information
Contact: Dave
MiamI, Fl. 33014
US Telephone:
E-mail: dapagan@bellsouth.net
Web Site:

gt350mike · 07-10-2006, 02:49 PM

I guess this board needs a change of pace. How many times have we seen someone ask the turbo/SC question? Leave it to me to be the first to post "Can I NA my 951?"

I have enough problems finishing out my 83 car (won't start.....I think its the fuel pump) so tackling a NA to 951 project may be out of the question. BUT, I have all of the NA parts so I might........

gt350mike · 07-10-2006, 02:54 PM

Dave L.......Didn't think to look in the "racing section".

Thanks for the info!