944s vs 944 questions?

[85.5classic]

So what are the major differences besides the 16valve and using the turbo's tranny??

[Dantilla]

The S does not use the turbo tranny. It uses an NA tranny with slightly taller gear ratios in 2nd-4th.

The major difference is the 16-valve engine.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

The "S" has a bit more power and will breathe a lot better at the higher RPMs because of the 16v setup.

On the flipside of that, there is also a heck of a lot more to break/go wrong on an "S" head and parts are a lot more expensive than their more common 8v brethren. The good news is that as long as you properly check the belts and tensioners/chains they're very robust.

[85.5classic]

hmm.. then nigel edwards book "924 & 944 classics in color" is completely wrong. They list the S and S2 as having the turbo tranny

[Techno Duck]

The gear ratios between the S and 951 is the same, its the final drive that is different.

The S2 is the same 1-4, with a shorter 5th and different final drive also.

[thill944]

I have owned the S and the NA. The 944S has about 30 or 40 more horsepower. I prefer the S to the NA.

[Dantilla]

Maybe my imagination, but my '87 S seems to be a smoother running engine than the 8-valve cars. Yup, I've got both.....

[racer]

the 16V says "Ventilier" all over the damn place! Plus the "S" on the back

The other major difference is the cost to rebuild the 16V.

My other guess is that since Porsche never leaves their product alone, that there are dozens of little differences to drive you nutty too