Everything you ever wanted to know about a 951

MotoSook · 04-21-2004, 02:21 PM

Especially a 1986!

OK Guys, I've been living on the 911 board, but have always wanted a 951. Give me the scope. What are the differences between the different years (HP, Torque, suspension, brakes, reliability, problems, positives, negatives, etc,..)

List them all please?

I apologize if this might have been posted before, but I may have the go ahead from the "Financial Advisor" (aka significant other) to buy a 951. So quick! Give me the run down.

Thanks in advance!

Lawrence Coppari · 04-22-2004, 04:52 AM

An '86 came stock with 215 hp. Later years have a larger turbo so the engines put out 247 hp. This kind of power is peanuts compared what a few bucks can add.

Cars have perfect balance. If taken care of, they last a long time. S models have heavier springs and sway bars as well as larger brakes up front.

A weakness is the #2 rod bearing spinning at high rpm. Cam belt is another critical issue. I've never had a problem with either.

I really like mine. It is somewhere between a full track car and street car.

MotoSook · 04-22-2004, 05:09 AM

Thanks for the post Lawrance.

emwporsche · 04-22-2004, 10:42 PM

my only recommendation is to not get an 86, get an 's' if you can.

tab tanner · 04-23-2004, 04:13 AM

Why not an 86? I have had two and both were great cars, please advise me if you would Thanks

ronin · 04-23-2004, 09:35 PM

Souk, best car Porsche ever made. (but then again, I am biased) near perfect balance, excellent acceleration, great looks, etc. etc. these cars have very little that Porsche didn't think about in advance

here's an interesting way to look at it

UnderCoverBro · 04-24-2004, 06:01 PM

anyone got a pic? i'm a noob

ronin · 04-24-2004, 06:13 PM

pic of a 951? check the link in my sig

UnderCoverBro · 04-24-2004, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ronin
pic of a 951? check the link in my sig

THAT IS THE PORSCHE I've been looking for! I thought the 951 was an engine option for the 944.. So why is it I can't find a listing for 951 in most used car search engines.. always see 928 and 944. What year do the 951 start? Will you do me a favoe and do a free car fax and tell me what it says for "engine type"?

ronin · 04-24-2004, 08:32 PM

the 951 is commercially referred to as the 944 turbo. the 951 first became available in late 1985 as a 1986 model and was equipped with the 2.5l motor delivering 217 hp stock. in 1989, the turbo became available with a 2.7l engine delivering 247 hp stock. mine is the '87 217 hp version. to me, the car is one of the most beautiful shapes ever and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. I have owned mine for 10 years and it still is a great car

don't worry about the car fax. most of the guys here know their cars really well and can answer just about anything. just ask and someone will surely be able to help. but be polite. some of us can get a bit ornery at times

(as some other hapless victims have already found out in the past) again, welcome to the board and enjoy your new hobby. I'm sure you'll find exactly what you're looking for

ae1969 · 04-25-2004, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ronin
the 951 is commercially referred to as the 944 turbo. the 951 first became available in late 1985 as a 1986 model and was equipped with the 2.5l motor delivering 217 hp stock. in 1989, the turbo became available with a 2.7l engine delivering 247 hp stock. mine is the '87 217 hp version.............

951 is the factory designation of the retail name = 944 Turbo

In 88 The turbo S (247hp) became available as a special model with the regular Turbo rated at 217 hp and the turbo S options continued on as standard for turbos of subsequent years. The turbo versions never had a 2.7. They all used a 2.5L bottom end although with $$$$ you can make 2.8-3.1 combinations...

The bottom ends on 86 and up are basicly the same...... what gives you the extra oooomph on the later cars is that they used a K26/8 instead of the K26/6 that started it all in 86......

If you are looking for a car you will not modify and are happy with the power the 88 Turbo S and up would be an ideal choice.

If you are looking for a car that you wish to modify an 86 is the ideal choice....

A friend of mine just dynoed his 88 turbo S using the stock turbo and some modifications at 260rwhp and 300lbft (~300hp/330lbft at the flywheel)..... to give you an idea of what you can squeeze out of these cars.

ronin · 04-25-2004, 10:33 AM

yep, no 2.7. my bad. I didn't get into the S though

naparsei · 05-05-2004, 09:43 AM

Souk,
951s are pretty sweet. I just bought one last month. Compared with the two 911s I've owned (70 RS replica with 200hp, 77S w/ 3L), it's a dog down low, but it feels like the hand of God is pushing the car when the boost kicks in. My wife wasn't fond of autoxing the 911s, but we both agree the 951 is an extremely easy car to drive very fast. Handling wise it is almost on par with the Boxster (01 S), but my suspension is not stock, and very tight. It's the perfect track car, IMO. Also, I live at high altitude, so the boost really helps. If I didn't, I would seriously check out S2s, b/c they are much torquier when you really need it, and have the benefit of the 951 upgrades (less the turbo). S2 may be perfect autox car.

MotoSook · 05-05-2004, 06:47 PM

Thanks guys...keep the posts coming..

The family CFO has stated that if I get another sports car, it "should" be a Boxster.

I'll have to sneak a 951 in...so keep the info coming.

steven g · 11:44 AM

Souk

LTNS I was in the same situation about 3 years ago when I was selling my 924S and looking at 944 cars, resulting in the purchase of an '89 944 Turbo that I bought from a guy in WI. The '89 car is the same as the 1988 S version.

I am getting the timing belt/water pump replaced on my 944 Turbo sometime in the next 2 weeks by Midwest Eurosport.

Shoot me an email at stevenerwiz@aol.com.

Of course I will let you drive it...after we take care of some electrical radio replacement issues, install my SFR catback exhaust, and mow the lawn.

ronin · 05-08-2004, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Souk
The family CFO has stated that if I get another sports car, it "should" be a Boxster.

oh really? well, at least she's amenable to porsches

wjk_glynn · 05-09-2004, 04:02 PM

Here's a good overview of the 951:

http://www.clarks-garage.com/951faq.htm

For more general information, see: http://www.weissach.net/924-944-968_WhereToFindInformation.html

Karl.

MotoSook · 05-09-2004, 04:27 PM

Steve, I sent you an e-mail...thanks!

Ronin, you betcha! for years...she was stuck on the Z-cars (300ZX and 350Z). Now she really likes the Boxster. Now if I can only get her to start thinking 993 Cab....

_glynn, goos links. Thanks!

ronin · 05-09-2004, 09:22 PM

don't worry. I honestly don't think she would complain if you showed up with one. she's pretty much already there

MichelleJD · 05-10-2004, 06:37 PM

Souk:

If you aren't sure you want one, don't test drive one. If you do, your pocketbook will be much lighter!

The boost is addictive.

Some more of the differences are that the MY86 was the largest production so there are more parts available. There is no airbag on the earlier models. The 86 has a different wheel offset (23mm) than the 87+(52mm), so newer Porsche wheels need to have spacers. I bought aftermarket 993 wheels for mine. The 86 and early 87's have forged piston rods vs cast on the later models. I have, however, heard some dispute over this matter.

Overall, these cars are a blast. I've always wanted a 993, but I think I'm just going to build my 951 from the ground up, I love it that much. Take your wife with you to drive one and you'll both be hooked. I've never driven a Boxster, but I've heard that for sheer exhilaration it doesn't hold a candle to the 951. As the old commercial used to say: "Try it, you'll like it!"

Michelle