performance mods

RJ Santangelo · 10-17-2002, 08:38 AM

Since I'm finally getting the head in my 87 S reassembled i have some questions on mods:
1) MSD does anybody use one and which do you recommend.
2) chips- are they really worth it? I've talked to people with NA's in my area and some say they "FEEL" a difference???

Any suggestions?? without going insane with money.

phantom309 · 10-17-2002, 10:27 AM

I have a Blaszak performance chip in my 87 944S. I'd say it adds 6-7hp at the most. The engine sounds different, deeper. Throttle response is better, the motor doesn't seem to bog as readily It also bumps up the rev limiter, which is not a very good thing to do on an S IMHO. Cost $160USD. Well worth it on the whole, but it won't turn your car into a 951.

Between that and the K&N I tell people I'm right at 200 HP, mostly because I really, really want it to be true.

RJ Santangelo · 10-17-2002, 12:08 PM

There are alot of different chips out there, but which gives you the best bang for the buck??? Has anybody researched this or is it a waste, basically all the same.

RJ Santangelo · 10-18-2002, 05:39 AM

I remember maybe a month ago someone posted a chip that enhanced the low end of their 944S. DId it work or what??

phantom309 · 10-18-2002, 07:09 AM

That was the Blaszak. It WILL give you slightly more torque - and also make the powerband somewhat fatter - it's noticable but nothing too dramatic. You also have to use premium when you run the chip. Again, for $160 it's well worth it - especially if you're considering exhaust mods as the chip might make them more effective - but it's not gonna blow you away.

944S Boyeee · 10-18-2002, 07:22 AM

That was me!!!

I have the Blazak chip also....

....but I paid $150 Canadian for it.

I like what it did to my car.....well worth the money!

944S Boyeee

RJ Santangelo · 10-18-2002, 07:41 AM

I have done all types of work to my car but, is changing the chip just removing the DME opening it up and installing it??? And away we go??

daveimme · daveimme's Garage

Anybody put a chip in the 83 944? What does it do differently? I had a 528 with a chip (Conforti) and it made a big difference. of course, the 528 was a dog, but it did wake it up a tad.

I wonder what cheap mods I can do for mine...I do love the torque it puts out and the throaty sound (all stock) when it goes into the upper revs)...can that be magnified?

RJ Santangelo · 10-19-2002, 09:42 AM

How about that K&N filter worth it, or just gives the car a more throaty sound. I figure the air in the engine compartment is alot warmer than the outside air which the factory filter gets its air from.

Makis · 10-20-2002, 01:20 AM

You can get a K&N filter that replaces the standard one and therfore it will draw ait from the outside as well.

COLDBASS · 07:41 AM

RJ,

I own a '86 944 N/A. I purchased it from my tuner (needed a valve job, I talked him into selling it to me). Well since the head was off, I went down the road and purchased a camshaft from Web Cam Inc. Some minor "enhancements" were done to the head and now the motor is complete. I have tried to research what chip would work best or take advantage of a more aggresive cam, however I have not found a "good" answer or solid advice.
Gonna try posting on Rennlist.

It seems that the general consensus is (one size fits all or) "its a standard application use an off the shelf performance chip". Perhaps I should be looking at a custom application that would work with the cam, head work, and the proper cone filter.

As far as the exhaust, mine seems fairly new or in good shape, in fact I don't believe that it is a factory exhaust (still researching) appears to be a SS unit, so I am not sure if there would be a significant gain in that area if I were to change to something else.

Like Phantom309, I too am shooting for the 200 hp target...

Please post any results on your chip quest.

Good Luck

turbohead7 · 10-20-2002, 09:30 PM

It's hard to say which performance chips are the most effective without certified dyno tests. Most claim from 6-10hp increase. Weltmeister does offer some bar graphs with their advertisement in Performance Products magazine. Most chips are relatively easy to install with little electrical skill. However the most important thing that you need to whatch out for is static electricity. You must be "grounded" when you touch the DME especially when it is open, one zap will fry it. Just disconnect the battery and make sure you're not standing on the carpet in your socks when you install it. I don't think that the MSD will do much for a NA car. Primarily all the MSD boxes do is increase spark through a Multiple Spark Discharge. This inreases the percentage of complete combustion, thereby using the air/fuel charge more efficiently which increases horsepower. Therefore more spark won't do you much good unless you have something extra to burn. I would start first by adding more air/fuel to the mix. This can be accomplished by installing a chip, adjustable fuel pressure regulator, bigger throttle body, and of course head porting. Don't forget the other side too, modifying the exhaust with headers, downpipe and larger piping will get that extra exhaust out of the cylinder promoting better cylinder filling for the incoming intake charge. Factory replacement K&N's are better than cones because they allow you to use the cooler air which is more dense. To make some long advice short, changing one system on an engine will affect the other systems as well, so make sure you have a game plan set. Happy horsepower.

RJ Santangelo · 10-22-2002, 09:56 AM

So you think the MSD ignition is a waste of time?

turbohead7 · 10-22-2002, 04:55 PM

That depends. What other mods. have you done so far?