New Owner of a 1983 944N/A with some questions.

[Chris944-1]

Hey guys, names Chris.

I just came into the possession of a 1983 Porsche 944N/A for 1800$. Car has a bit of a small story.

First of all, I live in in Northeastern British Columbia, Canada. 944's up here are few and far between, including mine, I know of only two here.

This one in particular has been imported from Germany. The guy I bought it from had no idea what it was and mostly just wanted it off of his land.

He had purchased his land and his home, and there was this Porsche sitting there. So he found the registration papers and found the guy that it was registered to on Facebook. He messages this guy, and he responds saying it was his buddy's car and said buddy is now in jail. The owner of the land asks if this guy wants to come get the car, and the guy says "I don't want it. I'll sign it over to you though."

So he sold the car to me for dirt cheap. It's in pretty good shape, with a small amount of paint missing behind each tire and a small dent in the driver side front fender.

The motor runs, I found out. I wired in a starter button as the ignition switch is fried.

Whoever had the car last definitely did a number to it, but at one point someone loved it very much. There's dealership tags in the original German owners manual written in German all the way up to 112,000KMs. The guy who owned it last had punched a hole in the oil pan and fixed it with JB weld or gasket maker of some kind, but had a new oilpan sitting in the back of the car. So I currently have the oil pan off and am waiting on rod bearings for the car at the moment before I button everything back together. Oh, also, the transmission was torn out of the car and the ring and pinion were CHEWED.

The new oilpan has a VERY large threaded hole on one side that the original pan didn't have. I'm guessing this hole is for the later turbo models oil return line?

I have a 944 7V LSD non-turbo transmission on order to get the car around for now as well as other little parts, including the previously mentioned rod bearings, some brake pads, a new coolant line for above the exhaust manifold as the old one was brittle and rotting away and other little here and there things.

I crashed a quad two years ago resulting in a broken femur as well as some other nasty injuries, but it was technically on a public road (literally in the middle of nowhere) so I actually got enough points on my license to have lost it for quite some time after disputing the tickets. But the waiting game is almost over and I will be able to drive again soon, so I have plan to little things to the car up until that point. (Other than change the transmission and other things, obviously.)

I plan to order a short-shifter kit (figured it would be easier to install with the transmission still out of the car) from Only944.com as well as a throttle response cam from whoever has the best shipping to Canada.

The car currently has no radio, but being the audiophile that I am, eventually plan to shove to 10" subs in the back and a nice deck with some 6.5" components in the doors and nice 4x6's or something in the rear.

Onto the questions.

First: What is everyone running in these cars for oil? Was thinking a 5w-40 Full Synthetic of some kind, but would like to hear opinions.

Second: I broke one of the exhaust manifold studs off when trying to remove the manifolds. Its now into the head with a broken easy out (I know, I know...) and I can't seem to drill through the darned thing. Any tips would be appreciated, but I'm genuinely starting to consider just leaving it the way it is and hoping it doesn't leak too badly with new gaskets and a nice thick layer of copper gasket paste.

Third: This car needs shocks and struts very badly. What is every ones recommendations for replacements?

Fourth: Brakes. I seem to notice in a lot of underhood shots of 944's a lack of a brake booster. I'm wondering what the common mods are for these cars brakes. I haven't driven the car as of yet, but appreciate a nice set of brakes very much.

I'm sure I could think of a hundred more questions, but I've got a nice novel for you guys to get started on already. I look forward to getting to know the community here as I have for many of my other projects and vehicles!

Thanks in advance guys,
Chris

I have some pictures for you guys, but due to my iPhone 6 just taking its last breath last week, I lost roughly 1200 pictures from the last 3 or 4 months. So these are what I have with my current phone.


The car as it sits:


Got the exhaust that was already on it nice and cleaned up with steel wool and polish.


Crank and Conrods


Front suspension and steering rack (Which doesnt seem to have any power, any ideas?)


And the giant 40$ fitting/plug I had to buy to plug off this giant hole. God I hope it clears everything.

[John_AZ]

Hi Chris,

Interesting read, photos and your future plans.

It does sound like a lot of work especially since you have the LSD transmission on order. It sounds like you have the resources and ability. Be aware that the future investment is worth about 20% on resale.

Pull the engine! (now where have I heard that before?) It is going to be the easiest way to get the engine work done and fix the exhaust manifold bolt. With a transaxle replacement pending-go all the way.

In BC you need a quality synthetic if you plan to drive year round. There may only be a couple of 944s close to you but many in Canada proper. Use the Pelican search feature.

GL
J_AZ

[dgcantrell]

Yeah, I'd go ahead and pull the engine. You're over halfway there anyway. Drilling out the broken stud will be 10 times easier and you'll be less likely to have the bit wander off course.. Plus you can clean it up much better and locate any oi leaks and fix them. After 33 years, I'd say the seals aren't what they used to be.

I don't think I've ever seen one without a brake booster though. The N/A brakes work fine. I have no complaints. Unless you're tracking/racing it on the weekends, any special brake mods would be something you could do later.

Factory Boge/Sach's struts and shocks would be fine also. These cars are some of the best handling cars in the world with stock equipment. You can try to locate the Koni or Bilstein struts (M030 Sport Suspension package) and shocks on the used market though. But as with the brakes, unless you're tracking it, you won't really see THAT much of a gain on the street because you won't even be pushing it hard enough to really feel the difference.. Not saying it's not worth doing if you can score some nice Koni's or Bilsteins for a good price. New stock Sachs stuff will run you about $100 per corner since I think the fronts are inserts and you don't have to get the entire assembly. Also I'm not exactly sure if the M030 package will fit the earlier pre-85.5 cars.

Welcome to the 944 fold, man. If you can wrench on them, you've got your costs down significantly already.

[Chris944-1]

Hey guys,

First, definitely not pulling the motor out of this beast until I absolutely have to haha.

As far as I can tell, the oil pan was the only major leak on the car and it wasn't even from the gasket, just the giant hole the guy punched through it.

If the exhaust leaks, or theres a small oil leak, I'm not too stressed about it. Long-term I'd really like to LS-swap this car anyway. (Please don't hate me for this, the last 944 Forum I tried to mention an LS swap on got quite upset)

Being dead honest, this thing is simpler to work on than my pickup truck. I can't believe it. I looked up the internals of the motor and the only part I didn't recognize was the balance shaft assembly, the rest of it is just like any other engine.

This car came from the factory with Koni shocks (or atleast, I'm assuming so, as it had a Koni Improved! sticker on the back of it that I removed).

Trust me, resale value is far from my concern with a car like this. I dump money into cars to drive them and ENJOY them, not to sell them. I have a 1994 Chevy half ton that I'm in the midst of LS swapping. I'll never get the money back, but the look on the guys faces around here with their jacked up brand new diesels when I destroy them in my '90's Chevy will be priceless...

For now I'm just going to do the brake pads and go from there as far as brakes go. I have confidence Porsche didn't make these cars total turds, regardless of their low HP numbers (I was raised in a very American muscle type town), and their low price tag.
I'm definitely an American car kinda guy, favourites being Camaro's and 'Vettes, typically. My Mom has a 2012 Hyundai Genesis 2.0T and it really changed my outlook on cars. Its light and you can throw that thing around EASY, because of the lack of weight under the hood and now I live for cars that can handle like a dream.

Hence the 944. Further into the research, I found out they make prime LS swap candidates. And I LOVE the LS platform. Just love it. Felt almost like fate, prior to buying the car haha.

I noticed for a set of Koni struts and shocks, I'll be looking at HIGH$$$. So I'll probably look for some bilsteins for just do some boge/sachs replacements like you were saying.

I do plan on AutoXing this car.

[Chris944-1]

So came to the realization today that the speedometer cable that I cut is not simply a wire... *doh* Haven't done something that dumb in some time.

So new speedo cable is ordered and I guess I'll be tearing the cluster out of this thing... Something I really hoped I wouldn't have to do. Might order some LED lights while I'm at it. Does anyone know what bulbs I'll need?

I figure if I get it all done at once, I'll never have to pull the cluster out again...

[OPRN]

Hi Chris, interesting project you have going there! We have been up in your neck of the woods a couple of times with our '83 944 and no I haven't seem any others while we were there. The body on yours looks really nice!
Don't worry about the lack of power brakes as these cars have amazing braking power without it. The lack of power steering though is going to be a huge problem if you go with the V8 swap. Ours it pretty stiff in the parking lots with the light aluminum 4 banger that's in it. I can't imagine what it would be like with a great hulking American V8 in there! I expect it would pretty much destroy the way the car handles in a corner too turning it into pretty much a straight line racer.
Enjoy the project and most of all enjoy the car when you get it on the road, they aren't really as gutless as some claim you just have to work the power band a bit.

[John_AZ]

Originally Posted by Chris944-1

I figure if I get it all done at once, I'll never have to pull the cluster out again...

On early cars, the gears inside the odometer/speedometer get brittle and fail.

If you muscle the speedometer cable to the wheel and bend the cable the speedometer speed needle will "bounce" often-just very annoying.

J_AZ

[Chris944-1]

Originally Posted by John_AZ

On early cars, the gears inside the odometer/speedometer get brittle and fail.

If you muscle the speedometer cable to the wheel and bend the cable the speedometer speed needle will "bounce" often-just very annoying.

J_AZ

How do I avoid such an issue? Just be very careful?

Also, if you think an LS will ruin the handling of this car, I think you'd better start doing some reading haha. An aluminum blocked LS is barely any heavier than the 4banger that comes in this car. Technology has come a looooong way. A guy on the other 944 forum I'm on claims his Beetle can eat any LS I throw at it... hahahaha.

And they do handle. Extremely well, even after being LS swapped.
Once again though, I do not plan on doing this swap for a very long time.

My car does have power brakes in particular, I was just curious about the pictures I've seen lacking the brake booster.

I do not plan on ever diving too far from this car's roots, and that is handling. For the first while, my main focus will be getting a decent stereo in the car and getting all the quirks worked out, as well as working on the suspension and braking.

Power isn't my main concern at all.

The body on this car is definitely not "rough" per se, but it needs a bit of TLC. Each of the fenders have spots that need small amounts of paint here and there, the drivers side front fender has a pretty mean wrinkle in the top of it and the back bumper is cracked. The side skirts need paint as well as the entire back of the car, from the bumper up to the glass.

But there is VERY little rust anywhere on the car. Just small amounts of surface rust underneath the battery and on each fender behind each tire. So a bit of sandpaper and paint and she'll be back to new

I just wish I knew more bodywork guys.

I appreciate everyone's interest so far and it's cool to see someone thats been up to this neck of the woods before!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LMr3OBe2fc

[OPRN]

Porsche already did the V8 thing, it's called a 928 and came out before the 944. Basically the same chassis with slightly different body lines. The engine was all aluminum, just short of 5 liters and just shy of 300 hp in naturally aspired form if I recall correctly. And no it did not handle as well as the 944. A lot of fun to drive though I understand!
If you look around a bit there are a few for sale still probably cheaper than your conversion. This one was for sale here in Provost 2 years ago.



The reason your car is rust free is that the bodies are zinc dipped at the factory, most that I have seen are rust free too except under the battery or where an improper repair was done.
I used to have family in Ft. St. John so have been up there many times.

[Chris944-1]

Just placed the order for a short-throw shifter linkage as well as a manifold to replace my 2-3 manifold as the original was badly cracked.

Ordered a throttle response cam as well, but plan to drive the car before installing it as I want to know the difference.

[Luccia at Pelican Parts]

Congratulations and welcome. While you begin to work on it, maybe our 944 articles may be of some use to you: Porsche 924/944/968 (1975-1995) Technical Articles - Pelican Parts. Good luck!

[Chris944-1]

Placed an order for a couple of rebuilt CV axles for the rear end, as the old ones were notchy and stiff from sitting with no transmission in the car and ripped boots.

The car is close. I have new brake pads sitting here and plan to order stainless steel lines and nice fluid soon here. I want to run the old brake pads until the rotors clean themselves up, as they have a nice layer of surface rust on them currently. At which point I'll install the new Raybestos Professional Grade Ceramic pads, SS lines and all new brake fluid. (Recommendations?)

[Arizona_928]

Originally Posted by OPRN

Porsche already did the V8 thing, it's called a 928 and came out before the 944. Basically the same chassis with slightly different body lines. The engine was all aluminum, just short of 5 liters and just shy of 300 hp in naturally aspired form if I recall correctly. And no it did not handle as well as the 944. A lot of fun to drive though I understand!
If you look around a bit there are a few for sale still probably cheaper than your conversion. This one was for sale here in Provost 2 years ago.



The reason your car is rust free is that the bodies are zinc dipped at the factory, most that I have seen are rust free too except under the battery or where an improper repair was done.
I used to have family in Ft. St. John so have been up there many times.

Good info. 928's are the cats meow.



Do not drill out the easy out. Drilling is the last resort. Weld a nut to the easy out, and with the heat will get it out. A cheap 80$ harbor freight will work great on broken exhaust studs.

[Chris944-1]

Originally Posted by AZ_porschekid

Good info. 928's are the cats meow.



Do not drill out the easy out. Drilling is the last resort. Weld a nut to the easy out, and with the heat will get it out. A cheap 80$ harbor freight will work great on broken exhaust studs.

Now, is this going to hurt anything else? IE: Head gasket, valve cover gasket, etc?

Also, to the average guy, how difficult is doing the timing belt on one of these? I would really hate to have dumped all of this money into this thing and have it blow up the first time I drive it due to a rotten timing belt, for the relatively cheap cost it is to replace it.

Thanks in advance.

[v2rocket_aka944]

Timing belt is easy.
Make sure to change the balance belt, as well as all the rollers.

First timer? Use Clark's garage instructions. Should take you maybe 4 hours.

Once you do a few, it goes down to ~2 hours

[Chris944-1]

Originally Posted by v2rocket_aka944

Timing belt is easy.
Make sure to change the balance belt, as well as all the rollers.

First timer? Use Clark's garage instructions. Should take you maybe 4 hours.

Once you do a few, it goes down to ~2 hours

Yeah, first timer. Never done a timing belt on anything, just timing chains on old SBC's and a timing chain on my Raptor 700R.

Where would be the best place to source the timing belt, balance shaft belt and the rollers? Seems pricey from some of the places I've checked.

Thanks again guys,

Chris

[v2rocket_aka944]

Here on Pelican is a decent price.

[Chris944-1]

Which one do I get? Theres a set for a 32mm water pump roller and one for a 46mm water pump roller.

[Arizona_928]

Originally Posted by Chris944-1

Now, is this going to hurt anything else? IE: Head gasket, valve cover gasket, etc?

No. lol
just weld the nut over the exposed easy out. I have more success wiggling the nut by feel. You will notice if you're going to snap off the nut. Not problem if you do though. weld another nut. I have gone through 4 on one exhaust stud before.

[Arizona_928]

Water Pump Roller Size? that thread is a bit rough. I posted a lot of stuff when I was back in high school. But it has good info.

Originally Posted by AZ_porschekid

look at your idler pulley, and compare it to the picture.