1983 944 engine upgrade

[snake1996]

Hello fellas, just finished my 944 engine upgrade to a 968 engine. WOW what a difference. I have pictures on my garage page in profile. Willing to take any questions you might have about this. I did find out upgrading an early 944 a bit more of a challenge. ha ha Anyway just thought I would share this, only because have not personally seen this done on a early one.

[old 924]

very nice..

[snake1996]

Thanks very much, after looking at my post title, I just realized everyone is probly thinking just another guy trying to get cheap horsepower. haha

[Marajit]

OK, I'll go first.

I did find out upgrading an early 944 a bit more of a challenge.

What exactly were the challenges?

[alan6272]

Looks nice and clean great job

[snake1996]

After reading up on this conversion, it sounded pretty straight foward to do the swap, just needed to change two wires on new computer harness. But the conversion I was studying was performed on a 89 944NA. Did not realize the main engine harness was changed in 85. Also after 85 the fuel lines entered the engine compartment on pass side, mine the drivers. After puttting up engine then realized my master and booster interfered with the 968 intake. Took about 5 hrs of studying 968 wiring diagram compared to early 944 to figure out the wiring that had to be changed under the hood. Was sure had it all figured out. Started first try but no tach signal, a couple more hrs of schematics and figured that out. Took a couple of days to resolve the brake issue, which was get a booster and master from a later model. My engine harness connector was 8 pins later 944's were 14 pins, none of wire colors match up. That was a pita. Was a little nervous about the wiring as I did not want to fry the 968 computer. There were a few other issues but was aware of them.
The end result was even better than I expected. Thanks

[ernie9944]

Welcome,one of the best natural upgrade there is either for an early/late 944.Congrats yours look well done.Maybe you never seen one personally but it's a very popular upgrade even on early 944s/924S.Your car look real sharp with the shave bumper,will like to know mods done to the suspension-brakes-tranny ect & can you send more pic of her specially close up of the engine bay.TIA

[_ERIC]

Will you keep the engine stock?
Maybe in a couple years Ill do the same swap...

[John_AZ]

Originally Posted by snake1996

Hello fellas, just finished my 944 engine upgrade to a 968 engine. WOW what a difference. I have pictures on my garage page in profile. Willing to take any questions you might have about this. I did find out upgrading an early 944 a bit more of a challenge. ha ha Anyway just thought I would share this, only because have not personally seen this done on a early one.

Very nice work.

I am sure you are modest about the amount of work involved but from the picture of your shop and experience it took, you have the experience and skills necessary.

JivenJim has done the same swap into a '87 924S a few years ago.
He has always been helpful in his explanations. An example:

968 Advise Please


Again great work and welcome to Pelican.

John

[snake1996]

Thanks for the kind words and the quick link, You can never have enough information. Some people might think this is alot of "work" but I consider stuff like this alot of "fun"

[snake1996]

My plans on the engine is first to chip the computer. Still looking for the right performance chip to install. I am open to suggestions. In the longer range I am planning to supercharge it. There is a very nice supercharger kit from 928 motorsports but it was designed for the 968 body. I will somehow overcome that obstable, just have not figured it out yet. haha

[ernie9944]

Originally Posted by snake1996

My plans on the engine is first to chip the computer. Still looking for the right performance chip to install. I am open to suggestions. In the longer range I am planning to supercharge it. There is a very nice supercharger kit from 928 motorsports but it was designed for the 968 body. I will somehow overcome that obstable, just have not figured it out yet. haha

I'm running a Promax chip (which was in the car when I bougth it) with a K&N & modify air boxe.The super charger is already available from Carl Fausett at 928 Motorsports - From Road to Race, 928 Performance is 928 Motorsports® "enter SEARCH for 968 supercharger kit".Chip you can also get from those guys here RS BARN: Performance Parts & Engineering enter 968 products then "custom software" Btw the air boxe mod isn't just a matter of hogging a bunch of holes in the boxe,the holes has to be the rigth diameter so is the spacing between them.Your set up won't permit such a mod since your running a cone filter---Without the trims---with the trims

[Mr. Squid]

Wow! Very nice looking swap....you probably should have titled the thread "Porsche Porn" so more people would have checked it out. I was thinking about doing this swap to my 924s (at the same time I would upgrade the body to a Carerra GT look alike). Just a few questions....

What were the biggest problems you ran into? (Master Cylinder?)

What transmission are you using? Turbo? S2? If it is your stock trans what did you have to do to make it work?

Lastly, do you have a brake upgrade planned?

Thanks in advance for any info...if I move forward with my swap I'm sure I'll have more questions

[snake1996]

I used the original trans, but I had to use a 944S2 flywheel. I found a later model booster and master that solved the clearance issue.(from a 89 944) The spacer plate and reservoir are angled differently. I installed a centerforce clutch that works perfectly. No issuses with torque tube. I had to use original bellhousing with 968 crank sensor that fit right in. The speed and ref sensors from original engine were not needed. Right now I am currently trying to figure out a suspension upgrade but have not decided which way I am going with it. I will upgrade the brakes after I finish suspension. I will be happy to assist you with your uprade any way I can.

[Rasta Monsta]

Did you keep manual steering?

[snake1996]

Yes I kept the manual steering, I really did not see the need to go to power steering,as it steers really well with manual. One less headache I guess

[Smoker324]

Very impressive. How does it drive?

[snake1996]

Well i guess to give you a good example of how it drives would be something like..driving a cavalier and then a ss camaro..that is about the difference in driving it from the 2.5 to the 3.0..it handles the same..for now..but as everyone knows..it can always be FASTER! definitely worth the money and the time spent..10 fold! next stop suspension and brakes..then a chip and supercharger!

[intrepidagent]

Congratulations! I vow to do this to my NA in the next few years.

[Mr. Squid]

Thank you for the response.

Do you have any more pics of the install?

Where in Indiana are you from? (My wife is from Indiana, and we still have family out there)