Need More Power

[Nan00k]

Hi Guys; I am looking for the best most afordable way of increasing HP in my 87 924s I have installed a chip but that is it, does anyone have experience with getting more power out of these NA engines?

[944 Ecology]

Stock answer: Sell it and buy a turbo.

Considered answer: Several engine builders can make up to 190 bhp from your engine, but it costs upwards of $14K.

[porsche4life]

LINDSEY RACING. They sell whole long blocks for around 5k. That will get your HP up.

[fast924S]

I did and its expensive LOL

[jcommin]

+1 for George's answer.

[rickharrison]

lighten the car, tighten the suspension, improve the brakes ...no straight line, but you will lose them in the twisties.

[alantica]

Can you tell any difference with the new chip?

[Nan00k]

I noticed a little difference with the new chip but it was an inexpensive one (guess you get what you pay for) it sounds like there is no easy button! Thanks for the replies

[mb924S]

The 944 NA engine pretty much is what it is; an excellent engine but it's 25+ year old technology. You can get marginally more hp out of it, but not a lot and the cost per hp is high. If you're really obsessing about hp, the only answer is to sell it and get a 944T.

What is really extraordinary about these cars is how they handle, particularly how they handle after some fairly simple and well understood suspension mods. A well set up 924S or 944 NA will carry amazing speed through turns and when well driven will surprise a lot of high-bucks cars. They can be extremely satisfying to drive on the track.

They also have very good brakes; no need to change calipers, etc. Just good pads and rotors and - here's the key for great track brakes - a good air ducting setup.

[John_AZ]

Nan00k,

Besides the common answer of "buy a turbo" you could swap a 968 engine to transaxle into your car. Some have tried the Eaton supercharger. There are bolt on turbo kits. All of these projects cost a lot of money and time.

Here is a link for the "normal" owner on getting the best out of our cars. Keep moving down:
http://www.germanautoforums.com/m_24953/tm.htm

GL & Welcome
John_AZ
1988 924S + 1987 924S
1979 924 + 1977.5 924 + 1970 914 1.7 + MG Midget +++====gone, past tutors

[fast924S]

It can be done and if you love your NA and dont wanna sell like I do then I say go for it, There is a bunch of stuff you can do, and if you can build your engine yourself you will save alot of money. But parts do cost a lot. The mods I have done have def mad it a different car and I like it, But its not like its gonna take out any well built 968 or 951

[Timmay!]

Nanook,
Tough to get more power out of a 944 engine without major bucks.
BTW, the single biggest limiting factor in our engines is the AFM. It's basically a restrictor plate! Our engines don't need more fuel to make more power. They need more air.

Try a dyno pull.
Loosen the AFM.
Do another dyno pull while:
Pushing the barn door all the way open so the DME gets the right signal. Then remove the AFM from the system (still plugged in though) with the barn door being held open. The TPS should be sending the WOT signal to the DME. Let the engine suck in air through the 3" rubber J boot instead of the AFM. Watch the HP jump.

Be wary of chip claims. They're mostly exaggerated in my experience.
If you want to make your 924S quicker (not faster) drop some weight. We take about 300-400lbs out of a full 944 spec race car. Livens them right up!
If that's not enough, I also agree that you should just trade up for a 951.

[Tam Lin]

[QUOTE=Timmay!
If that's not enough, I also agree that you should just trade up for a 951.[/QUOTE]

..or drop in a teeny little 3 Liter http://sqirl.midsun.co.uk/f1gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=641&g2_navId=x470e7538

[Timmay!]

Yes, a guy here locally in San Diego put a 968 engine/tranny in his 87 924S, but it's cost a ton of money and been a real pain in the a$$......
For him, Jiven Jim, that's ok because it's been a fun exercise for him. But I might have just bought a 968 instead......maybe......but then, you know us Porsche people kind of get attached to our own chassis'.

[Nan00k]

Originally Posted by Timmay!

Nanook,
Tough to get more power out of a 944 engine without major bucks.
BTW, the single biggest limiting factor in our engines is the AFM. It's basically a restrictor plate! Our engines don't need more fuel to make more power. They need more air.

Try a dyno pull.
Loosen the AFM.
Do another dyno pull while:
Pushing the barn door all the way open so the DME gets the right signal. Then remove the AFM from the system (still plugged in though) with the barn door being held open. The TPS should be sending the WOT signal to the DME. Let the engine suck in air through the 3" rubber J boot instead of the AFM. Watch the HP jump.

Be wary of chip claims. They're mostly exaggerated in my experience.
If you want to make your 924S quicker (not faster) drop some weight. We take about 300-400lbs out of a full 944 spec race car. Livens them right up!
If that's not enough, I also agree that you should just trade up for a 951.

Is there a way to bypass the AFM (fool the DME) and remove the AFM ?

[Nan00k]

Originally Posted by John_AZ

Nan00k,

Besides the common answer of "buy a turbo" you could swap a 968 engine to transaxle into your car. Some have tried the Eaton supercharger. There are bolt on turbo kits. All of these projects cost a lot of money and time.

Here is a link for the "normal" owner on getting the best out of our cars. Keep moving down:
http://www.germanautoforums.com/m_24953/tm.htm

GL & Welcome
John_AZ
1988 924S + 1987 924S
1979 924 + 1977.5 924 + 1970 914 1.7 + MG Midget +++====gone, past tutors

Thanks John that is an awsome link!

[JHinOH]

Originally Posted by fast924S

It can be done and if you love your NA and dont wanna sell like I do then I say go for it, There is a bunch of stuff you can do, and if you can build your engine yourself you will save alot of money. But parts do cost a lot. The mods I have done have def mad it a different car and I like it, But its not like its gonna take out any well built 968 or 951

That pretty much sums it up. And I definitely agree with the losing weight theory as well.

Curious fast924S if you have done any dyno pulls on your 924S with the mods you've listed?

[commdiver]

Bolt on a 50 HP wet shot of nitrous with 2 injectors tapped into throttle plate right after throttle body! Tap the end of the fuel rail for the line going to the solenoid that controls the 5th fuel injector, then use the throttle positioning sensor to get your wide open throttle signal and install your ARM switch to activate the relay you wire it all up to? Its easy and would only take a couple hours to do right, those kits sell for around $450 in Summit! Oh yah get a 3bar fuel pressure regulator and I would install a good used 951 fuel pump in place of yours? You will easily be safe and not have to worry to much about your engine just dont break your transaxle or half shafts?

[porsche4life]

Subjecting the motor to those extra levels of heat bothers me more than what might happen to the driveline

[Timmay!]

Nanook,
I've heeerd tell of MAF kits that replace the AFM for NA cars but I don't know about them in detail.