Timing Question
 

I was told by another 944 owner that the 944 was detuned to be sold in the US. He said that you can put it back to European specs. In doing so it will gain 40 extra horsepower or so. So the tings you have to do is; advance the crank 5 teeth, turn the distributor slightly clockwise, and turn the knob on the ECU all the way to the left and then 3 clicks to the right. I know this sounds odd, believe me I have had a hard time typing this out. I am new to the 944 and I met this guy when I was picking up some parts. I want to know if there is any truth in this or if it's an old wives tale.

sounds like bs to me... why hasn't everyone done this if that's possible... and 40 hp is a LOT!

The compression ratio was reduced for US cars (see http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-924-944-968-technical-forum/257175-euro-spec-pistons.html). No way to change that other than to swap the pistons. Very expensive change, from what I hear, and not much to be made in the way of gains (there's a 10HP delta between the European and American models).

edit:
Not to disparage tuning. If you're trying to max out what these engines can provide, by all means go for the euro-spec pistons.

edit2:
I'm pretty sure the distributor shouldn't turn. The general way to adjust <del>timing</del> (it has been correctly pointed out below that this adjusts the power band, not the timing) on this level is to swap out the woodruff key on the cam pulley (this is a sub 1 cam tooth adjustment). Rogue Tuning recommends these levels of adjustment with his MAF kits. I've never seen anyone recommend more than 1 tooth adjustment, and my gut feeling is that 2.5 will leave you wanting new valves.

Yep, Euro's had 10.6cr pistons, different cams, no cat (at least my uk car didn't), most likely a different tune on the DME. They were also lighter using fiberglass bumpers and not metal or bumper shocks or large rubber pieces. The battery was also in a better place on my uk car, lower in LH rear wheel well other side from the fuel tank and diagonal from the driver, probably added to better balance.

Thanks for the replies!!! I thought it sounded far fetched. Like I said I am new to the 944. It is a lot different than the cars I am used to tinkering with. He also said not a whole lot of people know this and some old Porsche tech taught him. I didn't really stick around to ask much more so this is all the info I had on it.

Did he claim to have successfully made this change to his car? I trust nothing without a dyno sheet, but even claiming that this was done (without damage) will get an eyebrow raise.

The knob he told you to turn in the DME is the fuel quality selector. It was included by the factory to "compensate for the quality of locally available fuel." It mainly adjusts the fuel air mixture, but can adjust the timing by ~-3 degrees at ticks 4 through 7. 3 ticks (as specified) leaves you with stock timing.

By the by, welcome to the community. You've gotten yourself an obsession-inducing car, and I wish you the best of luck.

The ignition timing is computer-controlled on these cars. Nothing you do with the crank pulley, cam-pulley or distributor will change the timing.

The FQS switch positions 4-7 only retard ignition, giving you a safety margin in case you run into sub-standard gas.

The most I've gotten out of advancing ignition is +5bhp for 944spec racers. And that requires using +96-octane gas all the time. If you put 87-octane pump gas into car, it'll destroy the engine. Removing balance-shafts will get you about 2bhp, but against the rules. Retarding the cam may gain you another 2bhp, but will make your car slower under 4000rpms due to the loss of low-end torque.

Wow never heard that,no it is WAY more involved,you can change the ecu FQ switch but that is only dependant on fuel quality ,its set where it is by the factory for the market its sold in,if you have a good sourse of higher octane fuel you can reset it...don't think you will find that ?,very small gains besides.
A change in cam timing (key) will shift the powerband and offer a small gain up or down but not worth doing with a stock car,if it has a well proven chip fitted you may get more,if you have a MAF conversion the gains are more again...google Roque Tuning for an interesting read but for that you need the right ecu or you pay a little more for the conversion.
Euro/ROW vs US spec isn't a lot for the changes that they made @ the factory.
Sorry but was the old Porsche tech in an old folks home by any chance :D:D:D