Researching 944's

[kaw550]

I had been searching for a winter project and started looking at the 944

I have seen several come up for sale under $1000 but with mechanical issues
I know parts can be expensive so I would make sure it had no rust and descent interior.

I did some research on replacing clutches but found a couple with blown head gaskets or water pump issues.

How big of a job is it to replace a head gasket?
What about a water pump?
Is head damage common?
If there were head issues, are they complicated or can any automove machine shop work on them?


I have not driven one but from what I read, they do not have a ton of horsepower. Are they any inexpensive mods to get a little more HP out of them?

[mattdavis11]

I don't really know where to begin. Head issues are big deal if the timing belt snapped. It's an interference engine which means pistons smack valves. How many? No one knows until the head comes off. The turbos have head gasket issues when owners push the envelope on boost. H20 pump, belts, seals, etc... are easy. You could lap valves, replace the seats/guides, etc... it isn't rocket science, but you can find good used head here for around $200.

The mods are endless for the turbo, not so much for the naturally aspirated.

Edit: The clutch is going to be at least a day job and $350.

[Rasta Monsta]

You ought to spend some time with our pal Kevin Gross.

[kaw550]

Thanks for the link. It was helpfull.

Is there a lot of variation in options?
I think I want an 85 1/2 or newer. I would like a sunroof and AC.


I probably should by something that I can hear run (I say that every time I buy something that doesn run)

[ernie9944]

kaw550-----You want a good advice from an old man,first there is no such thing as cheap Porsche,by the time your finish with a 1000$ car your wallet is gone to be as dry as the desert sand.The market rigth now is just ripe for buying 944, since you can get a very decent one for peanuts. Look for the latest model 944 NA you can find with full maintenance & records (exp--timing belt/balance shaft belts/water pump /clutch/wheels bearings/ oil change / tranny oil change / brakes-rotors etc etc etc should had been done recently, not 5 years ago.Then very very important find yourself a good Porsche mechanic that know something about 944 & get him to do a PPI on the car doesn't matter what story the owner come up with. That the only way I know of buying a Porsche,instead of having a (MONEY PIT) park in in your yard or garage you'll have a machine you can drive ,enjoy & upgrade to your taste.Stay

[Grandad#3]

Hello, All the above is good advice. To give you an idea of how to work on the 944 is listed on clarks's garage.com. This site should be read over so you will know what to ask questions about and how to recognize answers given. Best of luck in your search.

Clark's Garage Shop Manual Index

Cheers,
Larry

[choinga]

HG job if you do it is a day's worth of work and a couple hundred in parts (mainly gaskets) - some other 'while you're in there stuff' you can do as well. If you have a reputable shop do it - it's going to run around $1600 bucks and you'll probably want to spend a couple hundred having a machine shop check the head for cracks and such while it's out.

Water Pump - well, might as well do belts and rollers. A rebuilt pump is in the ~$180 range. If you have a shop do your water pump, belts and rollers you're looking at around $1300.

I think for someone doing a clutch by themselves...from what I've read anyway, is more like a weekend job. You pretty much have to pull most of the transmission out to get to the clutch so it's like a 12-18 hour ordeal. You can spend anywhere from $300-1000 on a clutch and of course there's all kinds of "WYIT" jobs you can do with the torque tube and half the transmission out of the car. From what I've seen - you're looking at around $2k and up to have a shop do your clutch.

[ernie9944]

Kaw550 ---- Add up choinga figures & it will = to (Money Pit) unless you can do all the work yourself & just buy the parts ,even at that it will come to a lot of $$$$$.

[Cocacolakidd]

There is nothing more expensive than a cheap rebuild-able Porsche...

In any case it's always cheaper to get a good drivable one.

Ask me how I know.

[jsb944]

Lots of good answers so far....a lot depends upon what you want:

1) which 944?

Early NA's

Are the most light and 'raw sportscar feeling' but the lowest HP/Weight. They have the old style dash...which some prefer and others do not...and there's not a whole heck of a lot you can do (without spending silly money) to get more Hp out of one.

These cars sell for below $1k to upwards of $6k depending upon miles, cleanliness, etc...to get $6 you're probably talking about a car with less than 50k on the clock that's in spotless condition and has been maintained.


Turbo's (951)

I have never driven one...but I have been in the track in one as a passenger....this is what you want if you want to play around with gobs of HP....they are relatively easy to increase HP on and it's not uncommon to hear guys throwing around HP figures north of 300hp.

They have bigger brakes, better setup susspensions, etc They are all 2.5liter 8valve motors

Prices vary and many have been beaten on by kids....the most coveted are the Turbo S models...I want to say they are like 1989, 1990 cars....they can fetch in the low teens if perfect.


S's

The S was only made for a year or so...it's a 16valve 2.7liter motor and is loved by many although there has always been talk of reliability issues and parts are tough to source....break a head and you may be parting your car.


S2's

I am partial to these...it's what I have. This is a 3.0 liter, 16valve motor that has been said to be one of the most reliable of the 944 series. (mine has over 200,000 miles). It's just over 200hp, has the Turbo's brakes and susspension and is a blast to drive. Parts are expensive (a used head can go for $800+) but if maintained they are very, very reliable....and FUN.

As for moding to increase HP, there have been folks who've put superchargers in them....and I think I have read about a turbo-charged one or two.....there are also chips made for them which I am sure can help.

These sell for anywhere from $3k to $9k depending upon options, miles, cab or coupe, etc

968

In my opinion, this is the best looking of the bunch....more modern and sexy. It has the 3.0liter motor from the S2...with some enhancements like variable valve timing (variocam) and a few other things....HP is up by around 40hp.

These hold their value the best today.....high-mile, well used cars can fetch $8k....while nice looking, low mike cabs can go for $18k