eventual rebuild or upgrade?

[phil823]

eventually when my car comes time for a rebuild or upgrade what would be recommended. im trying to plan current upgrades based upon future desires.


i was wondering if it would be best to rebuild the stock motor replaceing alot and beefing up up. also what would you include in a rebuild to make more power? new cam pistons (i know little about engine work)

on cardomain i saw a 91 944 with a beefed up 968 motor put in the car. i was wondering if this would be a better option for producing a better power gain to price cost.

EDIT: yes i know ls-1 can be done or it *could* be made a turbo but i like the porsche engine thats stable and reliiable from normal aspiration.

[Techno Duck]

I debated this topic heavily while i still owned my n/a. The elusive quest for more power.

My debate was between two options.

Rebuild my existing motor, euro high compression pistons, JME cam, knife edge and balance crank, lightweight flywheel, custom tune...all the works when it comes to the tricks at getting the most power available. The goal would be a lightweight car with a free revving engine. The most i think i could hope for with all said and done would be in the 200bhp range if i was lucky. And with that i would be a lot of money in the hole.

Swap in 968 engine. Relatively direct swap with some ancillary things that 'should' be addressed but don't NEED to be... IE; suspension, transmission, brakes. 240bhp out of the box, fantastic low end grunt from the 3L (drive a 3L S2 or 968..the low end punch is great). The big thing to consider is how the power is going to be delivered. The 3L is going to offer a far less picky powerband than any built up n/a 2.5L is going to give you.

Total cost of both options would in my opinion be pretty close. A used 968 engine nowdays can be had for in the sub $4k range. Tack on cost of the usual maitenance items also. Machine work (big $$$), tuning and the parts necessary to really build up a 8v 2.5L will be alot.. and probably not worth while for what you will probably end up with. I many times almost pulled the trigger on a JME camshaft (to start the build off) and there were two seperate 968 engines i came very close to buying..i guess in my fortune both sellers were not very helpful with the logistics of shipping them to me.

This is just my opinion. Read my signature if you want to see what choice i ended up going with .

[phil823]

the turbo i see. i really enjoy my car and this would be done at the point where i NEED a rebuild. i really like the 968 engine over the rebuilt one. even if i have to rebuild the engine to be sure what im getting. the grunt i hear is great and seems more price efficient for the power.

i know the stock NA 944 transmition can handle the power. i came to this conclusion after reasearching the V8 conversion and realized i want to keep it porsche. if the NA transmission went out the turbo trans would be the next jump.

the brakes on my car will be upgraded to 944turbo calipers to give more breaking power.

new bilstiens all the way around, and 250 pound springs should cut it to help with it. accompanyied by a strut brace to help prevent body flex from extra wieght.

how to the logistics of the size of the engine to the compartment fit up. im guessing AC would be out of the question. which is fine. would Power steering have to go also? i know i have would have to use the DME/wiring harness for the 968 to make it work. what about adapting the engine to the torque tube, i know the V8 conversion uses special adapters for basically everything. but the 968 and 944 are close in design.

im trying to get an idea of what exactly i would need to make this conversion so i can start collecting pieces throughout time to help cut down on big price when i do it.

968 engine
DME/wiring harness
motor mounts from the 968
what size exhaust is needed for the engine? 2.5 free flowing exhaust would seem small i think.
be able to hook up speedo/tach adapter

EDIT: after looking a little i have noticed that the 944S or S2 flywheel and clutch.

[Techno Duck]

The 968 engine is a direct fit into the 944 engine bay. Its essentially the same chassis after all (for the most part). No need to remove the A/C or power steering.

The original torque tube can still be used. You need to use a S2 flywheel and the original bell housing from your engine. The disadvantage of this is you loose the 2pc bell housing found on the 968 which makes clutch jobs a ~4hr ordeal. If you wanted to use that 2pc bell housing, you need to find the shorter 968 torque tube and you may consider it a disadvantage also because you need to use the 968 dual mass flywheel (huge $$$). The mating flange of the 968 torque tube and surface on the n/a transmission does not line up exactly, i think 2 of the 4 bolt holes lined up (i looked at this stuff about two years ago now).

Remember you also need to find the external oil cooler which may or may not come with the engine.

Also check out 944S3.Com .. this site is all about putting the 968 engine into a n/a. Its a little vague on some details, but gives you a rough idea of what needs to be done.

[phil823]

ok will do. thats where i shall start the endless search for knowledge.