New(b) to Forum new to 944

[bortch]

Hey Everyone,

I bought a 944 a few weks ago and I figure I'd introduce myself. I'll keep the backstory short. I've been looking for a 944 on and off for about 10 years and the stars finally aligned to allow it.

I found a black 1988 with a great history (as in interesting, not well documented). Craigslist, from a reseller, and it came with only two bits of paperwork and zero background; the original owner's manual with option sticker and a form showing that it failed VA safety inspection in 2011...

The paint has a lot of oxidation and the interior is in fantastic shape with the exception of a sun dried rear carpet. It also sports Konis up front and Bilsteins in the rear as well as some other curious changes. I've had to take care of a few things and there are some decent dings and bumperette rejection, but it looks like someone addressed most of the failed safety issues and the fluids are all fresh and clean (even blue ATE) so someone was caring for the poor guy at some point.
It turned over with help of a jump and I drove it the extremely nervous 20 miles to my friend's garage. I've been sorting out and inspecting all the vital bits, but it should be back on the road in a few weeks.

The next issues are finding a decent muffler (hopefully stock, who am I to argue with Porsche enginnering) and diagnosing the lifeless speedo. The rest of the guages are operational so hopefully it's a loose wire/sensor.
Here are a couple of poorly taken phone photos as a teaser.

Mark

[mazdaverx7]

Looks like a really nice car overall! Do you know any history on the car? Probably an M456 car with it having Koni's up front. Should have them in the rear as well if it were an original M456 car. What are the option codes? There is a white sticker affixed to the body behind the rear most carpet and next to the driver's side tail light. Should look like this:

[M. Murphy]

Hi Mark, welcome. Looks like a decent car, lots of potential. As a first thing with these cars, do you know the history of the timing/balance shaft belts. Being an all aluminum interference engine if you don't know when they were changed or if the the timing belt is beyond it's intended change, you're on borrowed time. If they are well maintained these are great cars.

[bortch]

Here are some more pics, if anyone wants to check out anything on an '88 let me know.

Found this in the shifting linkage. Looks like it was replaced at some point. I couldn't find a part number, but it looks a bit like some short shift kits, though the shifting doesn't feel like it's been modified.

[bortch]

Thanks for the welcome. The lack of knowledge as to the condition of the timing belt accounted for 75% of the nervous drive home. The remainder was the lack of muffler, headlights, and expired fuel... But what's life without adventure? I had a solid wingman with a healthy 944 background. I won't be putting on any more miles until after I finish sorting it out.

The buy was great. It was being sold by a re-seller who didn't have any background. We had the car up on stands in a few minutes and went through it pretty well. The option sticker was missing from the back, but I found the other one in the warranty book. The car checked out and seemed to be well maintained with some decent upgrades, including the aftermarket suspension and steel brake lines. The interior is really nice and the exterior has a few dings, small dents, and a fair amount of oxidation.

I spent this weekend going over the rest of the car (had new rear axles in 2005), removing an aftermarket HID system (decent hella and bosch relays with a thick harnesses, but they were interfering with the lamp mech), and checking for anything that's worn. The next in line is the timing belt and diagnosing a lifeless speedo. All the other gauges work. Then I want to find a stock muffler. With all the aftermarket cans everyone is going on about I can't believe how hard it is to find a stock muffler.

Here's the option codes. Nothing too exciting.