How to increase power on 2.5 8v

[jacksonmcmaster]

i cant drive lol.... well, not legally

[DannoXYZ]

I recall in CA, at 15-1/2 I qualified for learner-permit after passing driving class at school. This allowed me to drive during daytime with parents or adult over... 25 I think.

Then at 16, I could take regular driving-test and get regular license. I recall at time that it was all stupidly easily and thinking half these kids shouldn't be allowed on roads!

Then again, I had been riding dirt-bikes and driving off-road since I was 10.

[ideola]

Here's a potent combination that will transform a standard 2.5L 8v motor:

• 10.2:1 pistons from 1988 or later
• Shaved head to increase compression ratio
• 5-angle valve job
• Port and polish head and intake
• Rogue Tuning NA-Tune + MAF conversion (now sold by Lindsey Racing)
• 4 degree offset cam key or adjustable cam sprocket
• Lightweight balance shaft and drive gears
• Underdrive pulley kit
• AC delete
• Power steering delete
• MSDS Gen 2 Exhaust Header

While you're at it, replace the OEM liquid-to-oil oil cooler with the air-to-oil oil cooler from a 951. When the water seals go bad in the original 8v oil cooler, coolant leaks into the oil and is one of the leading contributors to failed bearings.

[azbanks]

Dan, I like your list but I'd suggest one of the VEMS systems that Peep builds in place of the Rogue Tuning system.















PS. Shawn Deal(refresh951) can KMA!!!!!!

[ideola]

1. You should drive my so-equipped 88 SE first
2. The VEMS kit is nice for sure but more than 3x the cost of the Rogue kit for marginal if any advantage.

[v2rocket_aka944]

Originally Posted by ideola

1. You should drive my so-equipped 88 SE first
2. The VEMS kit is nice for sure but more than 3x the cost of the Rogue kit for marginal if any advantage.

jumping in here...
VEMS is 2x the cost of the NA tune but a lot more capable, plus it is a brand new ECU, not a 30+ year old ecu with a chip.

I had NA tune for a while and liked it a lot, but running VEMS this year it's just so much more...

[Brozoar]

Well if it's old electronics you're worried about, doesn't Rogue make essentially-new ECUs using just a handful of the original components?

I can't really back this up with real-world experience, but it certainly seems as though a MAF conversion is going to be your best bang for your buck as far as modifications go - that is, modifications that don't necessitate opening up the motor or risking destruction with forced induction.

It sounds cheesy, but power really isn't everything; you're never going to blow the doors off of... well, anything, really, and your cheeks might get flushed any time you're asked how much power you're putting to the ground, but the 944 is exactly fast enough for street driving, and gives a great sensation of speed and immaculate handling.

Plus, you get brownie/cool points for keeping an underappreciated classic on the road. ;-)

[ditch68]

Originally Posted by jhowell371

Step one: remove radiator cap and suspend in air
Step two: place 944S2 or Turbo under cap
Step three: reinstall cap as normal
Step four: Enjoy
Seriously learn to drive it first. This car will reward you with more joy on a twisty road than you think 158 HP could. Just adding a throttle cam on it will make it feel more responsive. A chip will gain you a few ponies and doing the cam offset key trick is as cheap as you can get. Forget the racy looking cone air filters that do away with the factory cold air set up and suck up hot engine compartment air actually taking away horsepower.

Suspend cap and install 951 underneath. That's funny!

Gawd, you want a money pit? Buy a 951, be prepared to be fine with them at stock performance and the associated maintenance. You want to go faster in a turbo? I bet the HP adding parts get about close to the "fix crap you broke" parts within a year.

#1 Driving a Porsche = expensive.

#2 Driving a Porsche and maintaining it properly = More expensive (but the best dollar for dollar)

#3 Driving a Porsche and wanting to GET FASTER = REALLY expensive.

#4 Driving a Porsche TURBO and wanting to GET FASTER = REALLY REALLY expensive.

#5 Racing a Porsche (besides 944 SPEC or such) = all in, life consuming money if you let it.

Just my personal experience, and I am stuck at #4. Unless I retrograde to the 944 SPEC level for real racing (which I do want to do...)

Porsche 944 N/A is a "Gateway Drug".

LOL

Jeff

[ditch68]

Wait...that post makes it sound like I do not like 944 Turbos.

Would I sell mine? Never.

Jeff

[9FF]

Originally Posted by ideola

Here's a potent combination that will transform a standard 2.5L 8v motor:

• 10.2:1 pistons from 1988 or later
• Shaved head to increase compression ratio
• 5-angle valve job
• Port and polish head and intake
• Rogue Tuning NA-Tune + MAF conversion (now sold by Lindsey Racing)
• 4 degree offset cam key or adjustable cam sprocket
• Lightweight balance shaft and drive gears
• Underdrive pulley kit
• AC delete
• Power steering delete
• MSDS Gen 2 Exhaust Header

While you're at it, replace the OEM liquid-to-oil oil cooler with the air-to-oil oil cooler from a 951. When the water seals go bad in the original 8v oil cooler, coolant leaks into the oil and is one of the leading contributors to failed bearings.

You forget one important point. That list is fine if you are older but the op is 15 and, trust me, nothing on your list makes any sense to him.

1. Cut at least 3" off the front springs
2. Adjust the rear torsion bars to the same height
3. Find some cheap chrome 20in wheels on eBay
4. Max out negative camber on all 4 wheels and tuck
5. Replace the cat and mufler with a straight pipe
6. Fit a 2.5" to 6" slashed tailpipe
7. Spend any money you have left on a sound system

[A_P_B]

if any-1 knows? will a 1981 RX7, 4 point roll cage (bolt-on) will fit a 1985 944 porsche??
the car looks alot like the 944, same size, & shape drop a line if any-1 knows

[onZedge]

Originally Posted by 9FF

You forget one important point. That list is fine if you are older but the op is 15 and, trust me, nothing on your list makes any sense to him.

1. Cut at least 3" off the front springs
2. Adjust the rear torsion bars to the same height
3. Find some cheap chrome 20in wheels on eBay
4. Max out negative camber on all 4 wheels and tuck
5. Replace the cat and mufler with a straight pipe
6. Fit a 2.5" to 6" slashed tailpipe
7. Spend any money you have left on a sound system

HEY - Just what are you implying here ???

you forgot:
8. Black window tint all around
9. "sleepy" headlight doors
10. Blue 130 Watt headlight bulbs aimed high
10. Sell your mama and install six big ass subs and some big ass amps

[ideola]

Originally Posted by v2rocket_aka944

jumping in here...
VEMS is 2x the cost of the NA tune but a lot more capable, plus it is a brand new ECU, not a 30+ year old ecu with a chip.

I had NA tune for a while and liked it a lot, but running VEMS this year it's just so much more...

Full VEMS conversion $1800ish (unless the price has come down significantly since the last time I spoke with Peep). Rogue Tuning NA-Tune + MAF $650.

I don't disagree that full stand alone is better. Just saying, the NA-Tune + MAF conversion is the best $650 I spent on my 88 SE, and it was completely plug and play, no fiddling or tuning required, just bolt-in improvement across the board. Seems like a good solution for a 15 year old and his first car...

[Mr. Squid]

For a 4 cylinder normally aspirated car made in the 80's the 944 platform performs pretty well. At the time they were pretty high horse power for a 4cyl NA, and the torque curve is pretty fat making it great car to drive on the street.

Fast forward to today, and you can buy as much speed as you want, just depends on how much you want to spend! In reality most mini vans have more hp and faster 0-60 times than our cars.

That being said....look at some of the most commonly (road course) raced cars... Mazda Miata, Spec 944, Spec E30, Spec Boxster. None of these cars scream high horse power. They are all great handling cars that if "Maintained Properly" can be very reliable on the track. If they can be reliable and fun on the track, then they can be reliable and fun on the street.

I get it, we all want something more. After all, we are on this forum. We are not the type of people that are look for a point A to point B car....those people are on a Toyota or Honda forum. We want more power, more handling, more styling, more originality.

If you like your 944 and enjoy the style and handling of your car. Make sure it is up to date on the maintenance, and as time allows add some modifications. Nothing worse than dumping $650 of a MAF conversion and then snapping a timing belt because you ignored maintenance.

If you want to have fun with your car....like more fun than 30minute roller coaster ride. Sign up for the PCA, and put some money aside for a track day when you are old enough to participate (think you have to be 18?)

[ideola]

^+1. Good advice.

[v2rocket_aka944]

Originally Posted by ideola

Full VEMS conversion $1800ish (unless the price has come down significantly since the last time I spoke with Peep). Rogue Tuning NA-Tune + MAF $650.

I don't disagree that full stand alone is better. Just saying, the NA-Tune + MAF conversion is the best $650 I spent on my 88 SE, and it was completely plug and play, no fiddling or tuning required, just bolt-in improvement across the board. Seems like a good solution for a 15 year old and his first car...

Guess it's been a while for you lol...
I got mine beginning of this year for $1250 or so shipped from Estonia to CA.
Mine was the Plug and Play as well and needed no more fiddling than the Rogue kit.

[rick13]

A nice dry shot of Nitrous Oxide always peps things up.

Cheap and fun!

[curtisr]

Originally Posted by petrolhead611

Learn to drive safely first. 158BHP is plenty , more than enough to accelarate the car up very steep hills. These cars are about balance, and roadholding, and very high cruising speeds(don't try this-guaranteed you wont like jail).

You have more than enough power to launch yourself off a curve.

Originally Posted by v2rocket_aka944

1) make sure the engine is in good running shape and take care of basic maintenance. ($????)
2) get a Weltmeister or equivalent "throttle response cam", no more power but sure feels better ($20)
3) get the offset camshaft woodruff key, set the camshaft to 4 degrees advanced ($24)
4) get a Lindsey Racing NA-tune MAF kit ($650)

And if you're a good boy, Santa says you can have a Magnaflow muffler.