How do you turbo a 944??

BallGoFar · 12-07-2001, 09:36 AM

Hey,
Just got this sweet 944 and wanted to know how hard is it to drop a turbo in the motor
to make it fast enough to beat a Mustang....

Just Kidding!!

Seriously though, I have been lurking for a while and learning as much as I can.
My name is Dustin and I'm from Dallas, TX. Yesterday (my birthday) I bought myself
1986 944 N/A and was thrilled beyond belief. I can't imagine a much better birthday!

I'm sure I paid too much and I know that this car will quickly become an
obsession but I’m still enjoying the post purchase glow and I keep catching myself
going out to look at the parking lot! Until yesterday I had two passions: golf and
Van Halen and yes I’m aware that the band broke up (no jokes about Gary, please).
Now I have a third that’s going to overpower everything else.

Please be patient with me as I’m learning and I would like to ask if there’s anyone from
the D/FW area that would be willing to adopt me while I learn and anybody else on the
board that will mentor me for a while. My plan is to get the car as close to perfect as I
can. I plan on owning this car for at least a couple of years and enjoying every minute of it!

As you can imagine I have tons of questions and want to know everything and I’m trying
to hold back from asking and search the boards, so bear with me.

Ok, first question…I have the BBS wheels with the gold in the middle and yes I will be
replacing them but in the meantime, I am missing one of the crest center caps, where
can I get another one…quickly.

Well time to go to the parking lot to look again!!

Dustin

944jeff · 12-07-2001, 09:55 AM

Dustin,

Congrats on the purchase. I live in FL but the DFW area is my workplace by phone! I've had my 86NA for about 7 years and its been a great car. Depending on the mileage and records on your car you will have some things you will want to check out. Most importantly would be the timing belt, to be changed every 45K and the waterpump should be changed about every other time you do the belt. Good luck and welcome to the board. You will find some very helpful people here and some good laughs too.

Jeff

Z-man · Z-man's Garage

Dustin,
Welcome to the board!
Suggestions for the center wheel cap: try here at Pelican, or if they do not have it, tweeks does. (Get a catalog from www.tweeks.com).

What are you planning on doing with your car, from a driving standpoint: weekend cruiser, daily driver, autocross, track, ...etc.

If you can, post some pics of your new baby!

Congrats!
-Zoltan.
------------------
1989 944S2
PCA NNJR
Click for more:

<><

BallGoFar · 12-07-2001, 12:33 PM

Thanks for the welcome. Like I said I've been lurking for a while and this board is definately addicting.

Jeff-
The timing belt and water pump are the first things on my list as soon as I find a good mechanic. Can you give me a decent idea of what I should pay? I've gotten a couple of estimates and both were $1500.00+. I should mention that it was a dealer and one of the best shops in town that gave me those quotes. I went by while I was looking for the right car to know what I was getting into.

Z-man-
Thanks for the leads. My car will be my daily driver and I'm very interested in autocross as well. Once I get it the motor up to spec, my next project will be the suspension. What would be the best route to go? I've learned about the Koni yellows and sway bars and Weimasters (sp) here on the board, what am I missing?
Oh and as soon as I can clean and I mean clean my new baby, I'll take some pictures and post them.

944jeff · 12-07-2001, 12:58 PM

Dustin,

$1500 seems really high compared to what I and others paid. I had my TB &WP done at the dealer for $800, but that was several years ago, and the dealer was reallly trying to give me a good deal. I would say that about $1000 or so should be the area. Being in Dallas you should be able to find several different shops and various prices. BTW, as a failsafe you will also need to get the belt retensioned after like 2K miles, -1 hour labor. Anyway, shop around and find someone qualified and trustworthy. I have had the dealer do the big things on my car and they have been very competitively priced, maybe yours is too. If you get them to relaize your a young guy trying to keep an old Pcar going they could be easier on you.

Jeff

lordgrommit · 12-07-2001, 05:34 PM

Dustin-
Couple of things first Welcome to the board. Second your bbs rims are they just round center caps that are dust covers for the hubs or are they part of the wheels.. I have some Enkie's that I just took off all the dust covers and painted them black from gold they looked pretty damm good. ( of course they are sitting on the garage floor at this moment )
ok I have to be an advocate of if your going to own one of these cars you might as well start to get greasy now. Almost all of us here twist our own wrenches. I would tell you the waterpump and timing belt is not beyond your average garage mechanic. do the work then take it to have the belt tightened you'll feel great you did it. it won't hold any mystery for the future and you'll save about a grand from what your talking about...

Matt

mattdavis11 · 12-07-2001, 06:19 PM

Contact Dan at DC Racing (972-579-7440), he's in Irving near Loop 12 and Shady Grove. Excellent Mech. Timing belt and water pump arond $700. Zims Auto techinc off of 183 or 121, can't remember, has good prices on some parts. Dan has my '83 and, for lack of better insurance, it wouldn't be there as long as I'd like.

BallGoFar · 12-07-2001, 06:33 PM

Matt (Davis)
Thank you very much, I will call him on Monday. That was the biggest help I could have hoped for.

Matt (LordGrommit)
Thanks to you as well for the advice and I totally understand what you're saying. I've turned a wrench or two in my time but I'm kind of intimidated by the whole super duper timing belt tool thing and don't have any idea how to get my hands on one but I know that I'm going to have to do a lot of the work myself and I'm kind of looking forward to it...at least I am for now. My only problem is that I live in an apartment and don't have anywhere to work on a car.

Here is the wheel I'm talking about.

mattdavis11 · 12-07-2001, 06:45 PM

Your quite welcome. I live in Austin(grew up in Irving) and there's no place here that can come close. I'll have to get pic's when I get it back & I'm on the road again!

josh912 · 12-07-2001, 08:55 PM

Your going to replace the BBS wheels!

I personally love them. The 944 that I'm driving has them and they look wounderful. Just a thought. Anyway, welcome the the board!

BallGoFar · 12-08-2001, 09:39 AM

Josh,

Thanks for the welcome. I kinda like the wheels too and they're definately growing on me. BUT, the wife doesn't like them, so they will probably be replaced. I did show her how much wheels cost so I think I'll have them for a while, lol.