new 944 member

[drift a 944]

Hello everyone, I'm new to this forum and I dont really see any welcome sections, so I figured I would just make one here. Anyway my name is Elliott, I am 19 and live in Central Florida, and I have an 86 944. I have had it for three years, and I've learned nearly everything about it, had major and minor problems with it like breaking the timing belt and bending valves, and stripping the pinion gear in the transmission, but in the end it all works out and I love this car!

yes my user name says "drift a 944," and thats exactly what I love to do. I know the 944 is set up for grip, but I dont get a better rush than drifting. I also autocross it very often, as well as take it to local meets and shows.

below the pictures is a complete list of modifications, not the best but it's the best I can do with my budget. Thanks and enjoy!









the monster 944! ^ running on small 215/50/15 Proxes RA-1 tires and with no drop.

my dad is also a BMW enthusiast/fanatic, and these are his two cars ^ ... 83 633csi with a 3.5 swap and a 93 850ci with a few things.


so here's my official 'mods' list...

- Bilstien heavy duty shocks
- A-1 Racing front coilover kit
- K&N cone intake
- Cat-delete/ Flowmaster muffler
- Weltmeister throttle response cam
- Broadfoot Racing underdrive pulleys
- Weltmeister short shift kit
- Converted tan to black interior
- Momo Champion steering wheel
- Corbeau race buckets/harnesses
- Whiteface gauges
- Smoked tail lights/front turn signals
- 87 951 transmission open diff
- Ronal R9 16" red rims
- ROH 16" rims painted black
- Web-cam performance cam (on it's way!)


feel free to comment in any way you'd like! thanks.

[Techno Duck]

I like the Ronals!

How do those side markers look at night when illuminated? Was thinking of doing the same.

[CJFusco]

Welcome to the forum

[drift a 944]

Originally posted by Techno Duck
I like the Ronals!

How do those side markers look at night when illuminated? Was thinking of doing the same.

they all light up fine, just a tad bit darker, but you can still see the light from very far away..


and thanks guys for the compliments

[Ford-o-phobic]

Ive seen you on Cardomain, welcome to pelican.

[ae1969]

Welcome......

You definitely have learned all the major hard lessons.

Pinion and valves. The only thing left is to blow the rubber centered clutch.

I actually like that drifting picture. DO you recall if you were in 2nd or 3rd?

[drift a 944]

Originally posted by ae1969
Welcome......

You definitely have learned all the major hard lessons.

Pinion and valves. The only thing left is to blow the rubber centered clutch.

I actually like that drifting picture. DO you recall if you were in 2nd or 3rd?

haha blown the rubber a couple years ago, replaced it with the spring type of course

and most of my drifting occurs in 2nd gear, unless its higher speed drifting. That drift shot was taken a long time ago, so I cant remember, I just wish I had some recent shots, they would make that shot seem worthless

theres usually nobody around to photograph while drifting unless its other friends, who are also drifting at the time...

[Ford-o-phobic]

Whats the best way to drift? In a 944?

[drift a 944]

Originally posted by Ford-o-phobic
Whats the best way to drift? In a 944?

The best car to drift is definately not a 944, I just like to see different cars in the sport instead of the same ones over and over (Nissan 240sx).

There are a few ways to learn how to drift, and a few ways to actually drift correctly. Since the 944's parking brake is on the left, it is very hard (nearly impossible) to use for drifting, so you have to resort to other drifting techniques such as weight shifting (the feint) and clutch kicking. Beginning the drift in a 944 is the hardest part since its naturally hungry for grip, not slip. The best way I have learned to do it is just get the weight of the car shifted over to one side, and pop the clutch while you do. If you do not feel the tires loose traction then you either need to turn in harder or kick the clutch until you feel the tires spin. Maintaining the drift once you get started is easier, and is very controllable by using the throttle to control your angle and speed. Let the steering wheel naturally go where it wants, if you are fighting the wheel a lot then you are probably understeering too much. If you feel like the car is about to spin out, lightly let off the throttle and try to catch it.


Hooray for my mini-writeup, I know I went way overboard answering that question but maybe it will help answer questions people have in the future!!

[Razorback1980]

Welcome. What took you three years?

Yes, it does sound like you learned a lot the hard way.

[drift a 944]

Originally posted by Razorback1980
Welcome. What took you three years?

Yes, it does sound like you learned a lot the hard way.

Three years of working for $6 bucks per hour!



bent valve compared to straight valve ^





mangled pinion gear... you cant really tell because of the flash, but if you look at the bottom of the opening you can see all the metal shards that came off.

[Slam]

Welcome! Very nice car, too. Here in Canada we drift all the time...

...in the winter.

Interesting how your description of drifting is also a description of exactly what to do with the car to stay in control on ice.

[drift a 944]

Originally posted by Slam
Welcome! Very nice car, too. Here in Canada we drift all the time...

...in the winter.

Interesting how your description of drifting is also a description of exactly what to do with the car to stay in control on ice.

haha yea, well ive never driven on snow before but i can imagine the main difference is that when you drift on hot dry pavement, you have to basically hold the throttle close to the floor to keep the tires spinning... i couldnt imagine trying that in the snow

[conradmc]

I noticed in one of the pics you have your phone dials painted black. I have been wanting to do that and just wondered what paint you used and what method to paint them.

[drift a 944]

Originally posted by conradmc
I noticed in one of the pics you have your phone dials painted black. I have been wanting to do that and just wondered what paint you used and what method to paint them.

yes, the process was rather simple and extremely cheap, and they turned out very nice.

First clean the wheels as much as you can with degreaser or however you prefer, and make sure you let them dry. Then wipe them down with denatured alcohol or even mineral spirits, then let them dry again.

Next I used basic high temp engine block spray paint which I bought at an AutoZone, I think DupliColor makes it. You should only need one full can to cover all 4 rims, and I applied 2 coats on each rim. I painted the the entire rim including the back, but make sure you mask off the tires for overspray. No clear was needed, and after changing the rims numerous times, they have yet to scratch even once.

Good luck with the project if you go through with it and thanks for asking!

[Tervuren]

Once you get a 944 drifting, its fairly easy and controllable, realy does what you want. Initiation is the hardest part, I've only done it a few times in the dry. My brake bias is currently so far to the rear, I bet i'd be easy to start a slide, then apply power. Not that I'm gonna try.

[callmethewander]

nice 944 drifta! i've heard some negative comments in the past about people "abusing" their 944's, but i believe it's yours and you should enjoy it to the max. you likely will break something but as long as your into workin on it and have the money, i say, go for it. i'd love to do a little of that with my '87, but it's my daily driver. i do autocross it and love it! Did you have to up the horsepower to be able to spin the tires like that and do you use certain, less sticky, tires? i wonder how the phone dials would look in red? welcome aboard and keep that beauty running!

[drift a 944]

Originally posted by Tervuren
Once you get a 944 drifting, its fairly easy and controllable, realy does what you want. Initiation is the hardest part, I've only done it a few times in the dry. My brake bias is currently so far to the rear, I bet i'd be easy to start a slide, then apply power. Not that I'm gonna try.

yep precisely. dont be afraid to try drifting as long as you're in a big open area where you wont hit anything

[drift a 944]

Originally posted by callmethewander
nice 944 drifta! i've heard some negative comments in the past about people "abusing" their 944's, but i believe it's yours and you should enjoy it to the max. you likely will break something but as long as your into workin on it and have the money, i say, go for it. i'd love to do a little of that with my '87, but it's my daily driver. i do autocross it and love it! Did you have to up the horsepower to be able to spin the tires like that and do you use certain, less sticky, tires? i wonder how the phone dials would look in red? welcome aboard and keep that beauty running!

haha thanks! yep, this car is my daily driver too, and I abuse the hell out of it, but I also make sure to keep it clean and maintained in every way specifically mechanically.

Tires play a major role in drifting, so I usually have an extra set of rims handy to use for specifically for drifting. Currently my red Ronal rims are sporting some old dry-rotted miscellaneous tires for drifting, and I am using my ROH set for daily driving. Anything you can do to increase horsepower will help the drift, espeically mid-range hp mods.

Thanks again to everyone for the comments!

[callmethewander]

cool, i love that! i do drift in the snow whenever i can, it seems less harmful, maybe after i wear out a little more tread i'll try it before buyin new tires. anyway keep enjoyin that car, it's a beauty.