How much power??

nomadclimbing · 07-31-2008, 10:39 PM

I just rebuilt my 944 na. I dropped a newly rebuilt 1983 engine in an 1986 chassis. Got everything together with no problems. Wiring harness turned out to be no big deal. I put all 1986 sensors (TPS, AFM, Idle stabilizer, O2). I put in brand new fuel injectors, new Bosch platinum 4 tip plugs, new cap, rotor, new magnacore wires, fuel pressure regulator and dampener, new belts, new exhaust system, new KN cone air filter....... It started on the first try and runs great. No problems at all so far. Its been 2 days of running for 1 hour each day.

My question is how much power should I be getting? Its an automatic so I know that doesn't help. but when i put it in drive and floor it, it seems gutless. No hesitation just not very fast at all off the line. I never had a 944 before so I dont know how it should drive, but my 1999 jeep cherokee has more response than this and this is a Porsche.

Other than that this car runs great. Fires right up as if it was new and runs and idles like it was new.

Any suggestions? Thanks

944 boy · 07-31-2008, 10:59 PM

125 give or take. Normally not too bad, but the Auto kills any oomph it had. It is only a 3-speed after all (right?)

944's are not the fastest cars in the world, but I bet it handles better than the jeep though!

Techno Duck · Techno Duck's Garage

You will probably not get more than 130whp.

nomadclimbing · 08-01-2008, 08:33 AM

Ya I realise its only a 4 banger. But I guess I thought it would be alittle more powerful. Are there any upgrades for more hp. How hard are the DME chips to upgrade? And wold it be worth the money? Im not looking for top end speed just more response off the line. It does handle and ride much better than the jeep for sure.

nomadclimbing · 08-01-2008, 08:37 AM

Has anyone put nitrous on one yet with any luck or is it a waste of money. I know I should just sell it and get a Turbo.

paper1122 · 08-01-2008, 09:15 AM

The power in the car seems to come on fairly late, if you're driving a Jeep you are used to a torquier engine. I've never driven a slushbox 944 but my manual isn't fast but it's quick towards the top of the rev range.

Dantilla · 08-01-2008, 10:05 AM

The 4.0 6 cylinder in your Jeep is a torque monster. The stock 944 engine is adequate, but your automatic tranny tries to keep the engine out of the higher RPMs where it really shines.

My brother-in-law breifly owned a 924S with a slushbox, and when I drove it, I was suprised how gutless it felt compared to a 5-speed tranny.

Any simple upgrades to your engine provide minimal improvements. To get the performance you're looking for will cost quite a bit. Sorry.

earlr85944 · 08-01-2008, 10:51 AM

drop in a 5sp, otherwise just drive it as is

Aslet · 08-01-2008, 11:43 AM

As said, they are not huge motors with a lot of torque. So off the line they don't fly, but with a manual, you can get a good take off. Also as said, the most torque from these motors is 4-5k rpm, give or take, so if the auto doesn't get to those rpm's it won't feel like you have any power. The cars also aren't super fast, but there are very few cars on the street that can keep the speed through a turn like the 944 car.

As far as more power... It sounds like you have at least some mechanical level, so I would say try to do a tranny swap, or sell yours and get a manual with the money. It would overall be easier and cheaper to get a different car I would think, maybe even a turbo...

-Randy

Dantilla · 08-01-2008, 11:49 AM

For daily driving, an S2 or 968 is friendlier than a turbo. The turbo is still a 2.5 litre, and before it builds any boost, suffers off the line because of its low compression pistons. It is also geared taller.

The 3.0 litre cars have low-end grunt, no turbo lag, and traffic-friendly gears.

Just in case you're considering a different car........

nomadclimbing · 08-01-2008, 05:48 PM

Hey thanks for the replies. Very insightful info. I will probably play with this car for a few months then sell it for a turbo or at-least a five speed.

CJFusco · CJFusco's Garage

In response to your question about DME chips - if you can purchase a FRWilks PowerProm2 chip (I'm not sure if he is still producing them), the difference would be amazing to you. Horsepower gains are modest with the chip, but the chip remaps the air/fuel ratios to emphasize power instead of smoothness/fuel economy. The torque curve is shifted down/left (if you're looking at a dyno chart) about 800-1200 rpm. The power comes on much lower and pulls much harder.

That being said, the 944's true greatness lies in its handling. They are not powerful cars, but they are among the most fun to toss around ever produced. If you want power, you should look into a 951 (944 turbo) - they START at around 220hp (or 250 for the later cars) and have a considerable amount of torque (270ish peak, I want to say?)... and that's out of the box. The turbo has a very large aftermarket, the best supplier (IMHO) being Lindsey Racing, due to which a relatively small investment ($1000) can get you over 280hp and slightly more ($2000-3000) will have you between 300-350hp.

Aslet · 08-02-2008, 04:21 PM

Chipping these cars has been shown to give a better torque curve, but at the expense of what? Porsche designs their cars to be sporty and get the most out of them... So if the factory didn't think it was wise to do a chip like this, what does that say? I personally think that chipping the 944 will just decrease its margin of reliability and cause a motor to wear out quicker... I have no proof of this though, just that Porsche gets all they can out of an engine, while keeping it reliable, so changing it around may not be the best.

-Randy

rmconner80 · 08-04-2008, 05:59 AM

I think the trade off with chipping is gas mileage, not engine wear. Porsche had to balance fuel economy and emissions compliance against performance in order to make the car as broadly marketable as possible. So yes, there are a few hp to be gained on these motors with more aggressive fuel maps, more aggressive camshafts, removing the cat, or whatever. Not a lot, but a little bit.