Duh!!! When should I shift???

[944S Boyeee]

This may B the most daft question ever asked on this forum..... but I just started driving my 944S and found it wayyyyy different than any other standard car I've driven, mind U, I have only owned a TR7 (that was an adventure) and a BMW 528E.

I find most of the power in my car starts around 4000 RPM. When upshifting, I'm shifting around 2500/3000 RPM because it feel like the normal time 2 shift, but the car jumps and jackrabbits like I'm shifting 2 early. I tried shifting around 4000 RPM and found it a better place, but is this 2 high?? I know these cars should B "driven hard", but I want 2 baby it, yet still get some performance. I have the owners manual and the "shift graph" only really gives me the max RPM and min RPM I should B shifting at. I guess I'm looking 4 some input from experienced drivers as 2 when I should B shifting 2 get the best performance out of the car without wearing her down 2 much.

Told U it was a stupid question, but a question none the less.

[Rollins]

Is it really THAT much more effort to actually type words like be out? Anyway, your car shouldn't be giving you any trouble when you shift it in the 2000-3000 range, assuming you're not going from like first to fourth. I'd say a good shift point of light driving is around 3500 and a good shift point when your driving hard, is redline.

[944S Boyeee]

I think the reason I am bucking the car is just plain lack of driving experience - I have been driving a Suzuki Sidekick (automatic) 4 the last few years and that is like driving a go-cart....it's very effortless and takes about 1 brain cell. I'll get better with the clutch and such over time I guess, just new 2 me.

So, around 2000-3000 is a good spot? What about 4000 RPM? Is this 2 high??

Also, as 4 my "shorthand" (i.e. - my using "U's" and "2's") - well, I've been typing and writing like this 4 about 10-12 years now and just can't break the habit. I have 2 use spellcheck constantly when doing reports at my work. If I type "you", instead of "U", it throws me all off - I get in a typing groove and that groove involves my "shorthand". Sorry if this is annoying, but my spelling and grammer will B very exceptable - hopefully, this will make up 4 my annoying shorthand. I find it hard 2 read stuff people type when they don't use capitals at the start of sentences - but I don't complain about it. 2 each his/her own I say.

Thanks 4 the input though.

[Rollins]

There really isn't a point in the RPM (that you can hit without the rev limiter) which is too high, feel free to redline it. Common sense would dictate that if you drive it at redline all the time you will wear things down quicker, but don't be afraid to do it often.

[944S Boyeee]

Really??? Redline??? R U just saying that so my engine will blow-up and U won't have 2 put up with my "U's" and "2's" anymore (lol)?

I've never had the RPM's over 5500! I just can't bring myself 2 run the engine that hard. As soon as it hits like 5000, I feel like it's gonna snap or something. Must just B my "Suzuki Sidekick" driving mentality still taking over.

So, seriously.....I can push this car well above 5000 RPM without any fear? Remember, I just got it and have never driven one of these B4, so please pardon my inexperience.

[Z-man]

The 944S was Porsche's first venture into the 16V 4 cyl. world. Great engine, good power, but the only downside is that it comes on high in the RPM band, as you have noticed.

It will not hurt the engine if you change your shift-points to 4-5k rpm, when you're driving the car hard. If you drive the car hard 'properly,' you'll be ok. These cars are interesting: it seems the 'harder' you push them, the smoother they perform.

I've had my S2 on the track, for a driver's ed event with PCA. There, you're usually pushing your engine at 6000 rpm for about 20 minutes STEADY. My car didn't flinch a bit at that abuse. (I baby my car on the street, and spank it on the track: the way it should be!!!)

So, bottom line: move your shift points up to around 4000 rpm: your shifts will be a lot smoother.

-Z.
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PCA NNJR
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[DennisR_944]

Do the 16Vs not have the CASIS? (Computer Assisted Shift Indicator System.) When the light comes on, shift. I've found that it seems to really baby the car shifting that soon, but....that's what the system says. I go by feel/sound but that's just me.

[thamlin000]

Sorry to sound chessey but.....driving stick shift is something like a artistic performance; everyone has their own and unique style. Some shift early, some shift late, some start off in second gear (very bad), some pop the clutch and chirp their tires (very, very bad). Find the middle ground and shift at 3-3.5k rpm when city driving to save gas and engine life. Pushing the car to 4-4.5k won't hurt it but I try to do that only in more spirited driving. I drive the speed limit in town so I see no need to rev the 944 hard. But be sure to push the car to redline occationally, I think it sort of cleans out carbon build up on the valves or something (right? anyone......?). These engines are strong and can hold up to a beating but I still baby mine for the most part. But I'm not afraid to push it to the limits now and then. **Important** Make sure your t-belt is fresh, when they snap, engine and or valves can be mortally wounded. T-belts must be changed no later than every 50k miles, but some folks do it at 30k to be safe.

[944S Boyeee]

The belts were done about 15,000 KMS ago (that's about 8/9000 miles ago), so I should B safe right???

My 944S is one of only a few that were "Canadianized". It was imported into Canada and has all gauges in Metric (i.e. my milage is in Kilometres and my speed is all in Kilometres). I don't even have miles/per/hours, just Kilometres. Makes the gauge less "cluttery" only have one number 2 look at. It doesn't have that shift assist thang, does anyone know if the S should have that - perhaps the Canadian version doesn't???

Apparently, there R only 16 true "Canadian" S's out there. I was very lucky 2 find this one - has 122,000 Kms (about 75,000 miles) on her and is an 88' - I have really enjoyed having it so far (only a week now). I live in a one-porsche-town and I'm "that guy" now - lovely!!!!

[dk944s2]

Glad to hear that your 944S puts a grin on your face...the way it should be. Yours is a pretty low-mile (low-klick?) car, but as you approach 90,000-100,000 miles you should replace the cam chain tensioner (for the roller chain than links the intake and exhaust cams in the middle of the head). If its plastic rubbing block fails, it can take out the entire valvetrain ($$$$$$$$, U.S. or Canadian!). The tensioner costs about $250 U.S., takes the DIYer 2 hours max to replace, and is money well spent for real peace of mind. (Did mine at 108,000).

Good luck!!

--Doug

[944S Boyeee]

I have heard of this tensioner thing a couple of times B4. I'm about 25,000 miles away from the scary 100,000 mile mark.

I have heard that it's a HUGE job, but U say only like a couple of hours labour?? I'll take U'R answer, seeing as U have had this done.

I've also heard that U can just replace the lil' plastic rails and the hoses that pump the oil 2 the tensioner and not actually the tensioner itself - does that sound right at all???

Any other things I should look 4 on the S?? I chose the S over the N/A due 2 the fact that I got a good deal (at least I think so - I paid $12,000 Canadian - about $7500 American - it's an 88 and I found the milage pretty low 4 the year - it has absolutely no rips, cracks or anything inside - everything looks brand new - there isn't a paint chip or a drop of dirt on the engine), also, it was close - I found some pretty good deals on some 944 N/A's, but they were all in the USA and the cost of shipping would mean my budget 4 a 944 would have 2 have been around $4-5000 American - instead, I found one locally (still don't know how) and put that transportation/border fee's money into this car.

So far, I'm very, very, very, very happy with it. My girlfriend is not though. She is very, very, very upset because other girls R now smiling at me and saying "Hi". I don't want an insecure girlfriend or some floosy who would only go out with me cause of my car - I'll have 2 dump the girlfriend if she keeps up with this "I hate that car" attitude. I can always find another, more secure, girlfriend - I don't think I'll B able 2 find another Porsche like this one!!!!

[1.2gees]

Wow, shifting at 3000rpm huh? I don't think I've never shifted a car that early... I usually shift at over 5500 rpm in the city, quite often at redline. Sometimes I will shift at around 4500 if I'm in traffic or behind another car, in a low speed zone etc. Basically I like to cruize with the rpms around 3k. And as for engine life, well mine's got 150k miles, did the timing belt once in the last 4 years/60k+ miles, it's still got factory spec compression, doesn't use any oil, idles very smooth, and pulls harder than any other 8v NA I have yet to drive.

CASIS is only an indicator, signifying the next gear will provide the same amount of power, keeping the engine rpm at above 1200 (or was it 1500). It means nothing more nothing less. The harder you're accelerating, the longer the light will stay off. Mine's disconnected...
Ahmet

[1.2gees]

If I have to put up with anymore B4s, or u2s, I will not respond to any of your posts. Can't speak for everybody, but it's about the most annoying thing I can imagine at a message board. Stop if you value the information I just gave, or would ever give.
Ahmet

[stray15]

Originally posted by 1.2gees
If I have to put up with anymore B4s, or u2s, I will not respond to any of your posts. Can't speak for everybody, but it's about the most annoying thing I can imagine at a message board. Stop if you value the information I just gave, or would ever give.
Ahmet

Thats a snotty thing to say...way to welcome the new guy.

[thamlin000]

Originally posted by 1.2gees
Wow, shifting at 3000rpm huh? I don't think I've never shifted a car that early... I usually shift at over 5500 rpm in the city, quite often at redline. Ahmet

Do you shift at 5500 or redline when the car is cold?

Hey, welcome to the board, I think that the fact you dont have CASIS, is because you have a canadian guage cluster, they probably neglected to put it in there, my US spec 87 944S has a the little light, but i find it anoying, speaking of annoying, i have to say the "U2s" are a bit vexing, they remind me of girls when i was in the 5th grade, dont worry about shifting higher, i "baby" my car, but if the road is a nice empty curvy one, you can keep the needle over 5K and every shift is going to be sweet, the S is much easier to shift right if you rev higher, i have never missed a shift in the high rpms, if you try and baby it too much you will shift to quick and bog down the engine performance, which i dont think is good for the car either. Anyways, enjoy it, its a great car!
Maciek

[brett25]

Hi guys. i am new to the 944 as well (having driven a Toyota Celica before this). it seems to me that this Casis is so lame, it feels like im lugging the engine when i follow its guidance. it wants the car to get into 4th so soon! i wish i could disable it so i dont have to see its mean, economical, orange blip. now, on the other hand its put in there by porsche...... what do you think about it?

[rscupper]

I think CASIS was put in the 944 during the 'gas crisis'. Yeah, yeah, most of you guys have no clue what I'm talking about.
OK - early '70s, post-Vietnam, recession, Carter. Jeesh, I'm getting old.

The darn gauge thing is meaningless. If you drive as 'suggested' at 1,500 RPM you'll get better fuel efficiency than at 4,500 RPM. That's it. You decide if it's worth being a slave to a gauge needle. I prefer performance and can't wait to someday rid my dash of the worthless, infernal thing (it's right up there with the oil light that, when functioning 'properly', informs you that it's now time to buy new engine).

[mlue]

[i]
Apparently, there R only 16 true "Canadian" S's out there[/B]

Boyeee , welcome a board!!!

There are quite a few "S's" around the Toronto area and I believe they are all Canadian spec from what I have seen at the PCA meetings. In 1988 the "S's" did not sell very well in Canada or the world for that matter so that might account for the small number in Canada.


Mark
'86 944NA

[1.2gees]

You're right, I was harsh, and for that I'm sorry. But, what I said about your post stands. Ofcourse you're welcome to post here, and I'm only one of the 1000s of people here, I don't have the power to change the way you post. It's your call, I'd like to NOT see the type of U2, b4, me2, etc.

Anyway, I shift at around 4500 when engine is cold. Today after my first post I actually watched when I really shift, it's more like 5500 to redline until up to speed, then cruize at 2200 to 3100rpm or so, depending on how much power I may need (hills, curves, cars to be passed, etc.) Same goes for when the engine is cold, except I accelerate briskly (don't usually go over 3/4ths throttle when cold), shift at around 4500 to 4700 rpm, then cruize as usual.
Ahmet