Need help deciding the best course of action
 

So i have 2 944's, one an 83 one an 84, the 83 i got almost 2 years ago (the story is great if anyone is interested), i got it in pretty rough condition, it was a drifter before i got it, and had some serious rear suspension issues, tweaked trailing arms etc, it also had no interior (except a badly cracked dash and a driver seat). I spent about 3K on restoration parts and upgrades, and got it close to acceptable again, doing much of the work myself. I've upgraded the flywheel to a fidanza aluminum, added the MSD ignition, magnacore plugs and wires, swapped the entire rear suspension system for the late model suspension etc. Then earlier this year i found the 84 and picked it up for $300, the 84 had a MUCH better body, the option 220 trans, and a functional sunroof, the downside is it only had engine from the block down, no heads fuel rails, manifolds etc, so i bought replacements for them from EASY (a porsche only salvage yard in emeryville, ca). Around the same time my 83 started getting fuel in the oil, so i stopped buying replacements and started the process of moving parts from the 83 to the 84. Then, things came up and the project got put on hold for a while. I'm about ready to jump in again, but i'm on limited time and limited help so i thought before i do i'd get some opinions. Right now neither car runs, i have only 1 alternator, only 1 DME, only 1 Dash, and only 1 complete exhaust system. I have enough of the other parts to finish both cars and still have some left overs, but here's my question: Do i take the time to rebuild the motor in the 84 (it's still only a block with the head seperate), and swap out the pieces i need (see parts i only have one of above), or swap my 83 motor over and replace only the fuel rails, fpr and dampers into the 84? I'm at a crossroad and i don't know which is going to be a better option given my limited time frame, limited help (meaning i have to do it myself, since i am lacking any friends with any interest in cars or mechanic-ing), and limited funding. Any input or suggestion is welcomed, and if you live in the SF bayarea i'm offering the second car and my help to finish it to anyone who will help me finish the first.

Swap motors. While you run one, build one at your leisure. Get an engine stand and have fun! Heck, get some cool mods...cam, injectors, intake, maybe even bore it out.

This is just my opinion. I wouldn't take a head off of a running engine to put on a block of a car that I don't even know is any good...

Rick

+1

I have 2 complete motors, one is just in pieces.... How big a deal is it to swap the whole motor? Is it feasible to do alone in a standard garage without a lift?

Also, what are your opinions of supercharging? I've got 2 an eaton m-90 and an eaton m-62, i know there was a thread a while back about how to do this, but now that some time has passed anybody run into any real issues doing it?

You don't need a lift to drop the engine; an engine crane and floorjack will suffice. Give yourself a full day, maybe a full weekend if you're new. Not hard to do, only 8 bolts hold the damn thing in place :p

I think I'd take the best parts from either car and put them together...84 body with the shiny 83 parts, rebuild one of them...you say fuel is getting in the oil, have you done a compression/leakdown test? Rings maybe worn, or you might have scratched cylinder walls.

How soon do you want to get it done? I may be in the Bay next month.

I'm looking to do it sooner rather than later, but don't have time limit on it, just not much time to dedicate to it. I haven't done a leakdown test, but i did do a fuel pressure test and it's definitely an issue with the FPR. The bonus is that the 84 has a fuel rail with working FPR and damper. If you're in the bay definitely PM me and let's see what's up, i am offering the other car and any spare parts along with my help to get it running again to the first person who shows up to help.