converting an N/A to a turbo

tosh · 11-07-2002, 03:05 PM

Hello to all.

I'm new to the board and am considering buying a 944 in the new year. first and formost to everyone....... I NEED TO GO FAST!! That bieng said, is it difficult to convert an N/A to a Turbo? is it worth it? is an S2 a good option?

PS. any 944 purchased will be modified to a RELIABLE 300+ HP at the wheels.
any other threads on this topic would be helpful

thankyou

Current Ride

Suzuki TL1000s(Its not the safest way to go fast, but its inexpensive)

ch944 · 11-07-2002, 03:17 PM

Anything is possible with $$$$$$$. You would probally be better off just buying a turbo or s2 and adding your upgrades as opposed to coverting a n/a. Do a search on your subject, it's been hashed out many times in the past.

ch944

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

Yeah, $$$$$$$$$!!!!!!!!!!

But not as a street dragster.

The 944's are a road car designed to go around corners like a steel rail coster with a highly flexible track! And cruise for hours at plus 100 mph.

There's hardly any room for big bass speakers and basic luggage.

There's critical maintenance issues that bite you in the $$$$ if not done on a timely schedule.

If you want instant HP look for a 944 that has been converted to a Corvette V8. Then you only have to worry about replacing axles and transmissions.

tosh · 11-07-2002, 05:12 PM

Thank you for your reply(s).

Did a search and found alot of useful info. Looks like a turbo for this cat. As for droping a V8 in a 944, it just doesn't sound right. If I wanted a drag racer i would not have sold my 79 mustang

.
I wanted one of these cars ever since my dad bought me a R/C version from Radioshack back in '83.

Current Ride

Suzuki TL1000s(Its not the safest way to go fast, but its inexpensive)

Z-man · Z-man's Garage

Where/why/when do you NEED TO GO FAST?

IE: what type of driving will you be doing?

-Z.

Nabeel · 11-08-2002, 06:47 AM

C'mon Z-man, give 'em the "Take it to the track" speech!

kenny · 11-08-2002, 08:13 AM

944
you should sell it and
buy 951

Z-man · Z-man's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Nabeel
C'mon Z-man, give 'em the "Take it to the track" speech!

LOL! Geez: am I that predictable?

-Z.

Frank B · 11-08-2002, 01:22 PM

umm.. yep.. I was waiting for the track speech also.. BUT, that would be a great experience for any drag racing enthusiast.. considering most drag guys, never utilize the full potential of their vehicles. a 79 mustang would be an interesting oval track car no?.. hmm.. so would a corvette.. My '64 soft-top corvette was beautiful, with the 427 that I threw at it.. hehee.. .. yes, a 944 even an n/a is an awesome car in any respect, take to the road and just drive it..

Frank B

tosh · 11-10-2002, 04:46 PM

Attn Z-MAN or anyone else with an opinion,

INEED TO GO FAST..............

WHERE?- Anywhere the law allows(or doesn't)

. Always wanted to auto-x but never had the car for it. I like the Track. Not a big fan of the dragstrip.

WHY?- I am 29 and still get a rush when you press the gas, or twist the throttle.

WHEN?- I am looking to buy one next year.

I am really looking for a project. I have considerd many cars like Mustang, Comero, Vett, Supra, 300zx, and even 4WD's like a Talon or an AudiS2. I decided on the 944 for 2 reasons: nostalgia(spell?), I've had a crush on the car since I was a kid. And all those cars, with the exception of the S2, are way to common.

The reason why i asked about the turbo converstion is because there are many N/A's around for pretty cheap. I am not afraid of the work and plan to do as much as possible myself.

Current Ride
Suzuki TL1000s

J1NX3D · J1NX3D's Garage

? Wots an audi S2?? I dont think we get them over here unless theres an australiasian equiv?

tosh · 11-10-2002, 07:57 PM

The S2 was a limited production 4WD coupe sold here in Canada. I beleive it was a 5cyl turbo. Not sure on the hp rating. Probably around 200-250 hp. I know their are a few rally examples out there. I think the car was sold here in the late 80's or early 90's.

gforces944 · 11-10-2002, 09:00 PM

We've talked about this subject many times on this board. The best thing for you to do is get a 951 (944 turbo). You'd have a better starting point, since you wouldn't have to worry about beefing up a 944 to handle a turbo. It'd kinda be like re-inventing the wheel.

You'd have to fit the 944 with the transmission from a 951, which is beefier and has a limited slip built in. The 951 also has better suspension, wheels, and brakes--among many other things that are too numerous to mention. You'll end up spending a lot less in the short-medium-long run if you go with a 951 to start with.

If you really insist on starting with a 944 and want to force-feed it, and if drag-racing it is on your agenda, then you should just supercharge it. Like I said, you'd be re-inventing the wheel if you try to slap a turbo on a 944 (the factory has already done it)--you'll find it a waste of time. Speedforce racing in San Diego, CA have already done a lot of the R & D for supercharging, and have kits in different stages for sale already (I plan to go this route some day, as I can't seem to let go of my 944).

www.speedforceracing.com

afx · 11-10-2002, 10:04 PM

I dont really see how supercharging and be better or cheaper then adding a turbo. At least $2000 of the supercharger kits are for the supercharger. I would think that you could get the parts for a turbo system for quite a bit less then that.

Z-man · Z-man's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by tosh
Attn Z-MAN or anyone else with an opinion,

INEED TO GO FAST..............

WHERE?- Anywhere the law allows(or doesn't) . Always wanted to auto-x but never had the car for it. I like the Track. Not a big fan of the dragstrip....snip

No need for a "take it to the track" speech here! :ccol:

A note about a 944 vs. a 951 on the track. A properly set up 944 can turn about the same lap times as a 951, depending on the track. This is also especially true in an autocross, where turbo-lag is magnified by the tightness of the course.

Have you considered a 944S2 or a 968? These two models offer similar performance as a 951, but with no turbo lag, less mechanicals to work on, and better low-end torque. An 944S2 can be had for about the same $$ as a 951, and a 968 is a bit more than a 951S.

Good luck on your hunt!
-Zoltan.

scottmandue · 11-11-2002, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tosh

WHY?- I am 29 and still get a rush when you press the gas, or twist the throttle.

Hmmm... I'm 45 and "still get a rush when I press the gas, or twist the throttle."

Current rides:
1984 944 - for fun.
2001 Korean disposable car - for commuting.

Not running: (never ending restoration projects)
1980 Honda XL500
1975 Triumph Trident 750

BTW you will never find a (street) car that can accelerate like your Suzuki, my friend gave me a ride on the back of his, He cracked the trottle and everything went to a blur! It was like being in a time machine. Faster than the quickest car I have ever been in - a 426 Hemi Plymouth.

Oh yeah... I am trying to sell my 944 to get a 951 or 944S2 but,
It's your thing... do what you wanna do... - James Brown

todwic · todwic's Garage

Ask Todd Holyoak, he did the Calaway conversion to an '83. He said it's awesome mostly because of the early 944's lighter weight.Here's his site on the stuff

Ratcals · 11-11-2002, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gforces944

You'd have to fit the 944 with the transmission from a 951, which is beefier and has a limited slip built in. The 951 also has better suspension, wheels, and brakes--among many other things that are too numerous to mention. You'll end up spending a lot less in the short-medium-long run if you go with a 951 to start with.

www.speedforceracing.com

Can I assume from this post the transmission from a 944 will not plug'n'play into a 951? If not is it possible to convert the 944 transmission to work?

Here's why I ask. I currently own both a 944 and a 951. The 944 is kaput. However, it still has some salvageable parts on it (like the transmission). The 951 is my daily driver but has some issues (see where I'm going with this?). What I'd like to do is take two okay cars and make one great car. I planned on rebuilding the 944 transmission so I could put it into the 951.

Any help would be appreciated.

Mark

fletch944t · 11-12-2002, 12:56 AM

I'm so disappointed that we didn't get the "take it to the track" speech. So, I'll throw in my two cents worth.

First, if you are an adrenaline junkie who has an unquenchable thirst for speed and push you back in the seat power, the 944 Turbo is definitely the way to go. Don't get me wrong, the 944, 944S2, and 968s are all wonderful cars. I'd love to have one of each (probably will someday). However, there are limits to what can reasonably be done with them performance wise. ANY of these cars can be made to be real beasts. It just depends on how deep your pockets are. I just think the 944 Turbo is a better starting point for us speed freaks.

Second (here it comes), if you want to truely fulfill your need for speed, take it to the track. There Z-man, I said it for you. I have limited track time in my own car to this point. I've really been so wrapped up in doing performance mods over the last several years, that I simply haven't had time to get out to the track much. However, for an adrenaline junkie like myself, it's like a kid going to Disney World for the first time. I visited VIR last weekend (as a spectator) during a PCA DE and I honestly had forgotten just how much I missed it. Rest assured, it won't be long before I'm back out there again.

Regards,
Clark

kenny · 11-12-2002, 04:58 AM

I understand your desire to take the best bit's off both cars and all, but there are real problems with this. First off, the 944 transmission is completely different and not as strong as the 951's -- you can tell just by the feel how different they are. Whether it is plug-and-play is errelivent -- it won't last in the 951. There is a whole host of other things but mainly the jist of it is sell all the salvagable parts off the 944 and use the money to fix up the 951.