How do you tell the difference between a 944 and a 944s
 

What up guys, im new to this site obviously and I am gonig to buy a Porsche 944. I found one for $5995 its got 86k miles on it and i dont know if its a 944s or not which is what i was looking for so i wanted to know if there are any certain features that allows you to tell them apart just by looking at it?

Well, the 16-valves weren't available every model year (1987-1991), so telling us that would help. The 944S has the same front end as the turbo, without the rubber bumperettes. They also have "16 ventiler" in script on the body molding ahead of the doors and on the airbox you see when you open the hood, right at the front of the engine. There's also the model badge on the hatch lid, which will say 944S rather than 944.

Emanuel

ah yes thank you very much. Its not an a 944s unfortunatly which kinda sucks but i think i may still buy it i think its a fairly good deal. If it is a legit deal and is in working and proper running condition.

the "16 Ventiler" badge on the fenders and the "944S" on the right rear

:D

(p.s. the S didn't have the turbo front bumper. that was the S2)

"The 944S has the same front end as the turbo, without the rubber bumperettes."

No, the 944S has the same body as the normal 944 non-turbo cars. Just take a look at the engine,that's a sure giveaway.

see my p.s.

944, widebody, rectangle markers, just a better looking car.

944-S looks identical in every way to the base model 944.

Only visual cues were the small 'S' after the 944 badge, and the "16 Ventiler" badges on the fenders.

944 S looks identical in every way to the base model 944.

Only visual cues were the small 'S' after the 944 badge, and the "16 Ventiler" badges on the fenders.

yep. that's it

And the real identifier: parked in the corner of the shop, hood up and cylinder head off.

Note to 944S owners..I AM JOKING. We have a really nice one we are working on at the shop this week.

now you just proved yourself right:

944S... in the shop... hood up...

:D

The "S" stands for 'spensive:D

The only real issue with the 944S is the mounting bracket for the cam-chain tensioner. The later models had a double-shear mount while the S had a single-shear mount that can be vulnerable to cracking. Many shops can just weld in a reinforcement for the cam-chain tensioner mount.

Due to the 4-valve head, I think there's more power-upgrade potential in the S than the earlier 2V cars. I'm working on some prototype upgrades for a 944S customer. Nothing dramatic really, just typical hot-rodding stuff.