Um, Yes.
But I will just say I disagree. 500.00 in upgrades assumes that the 951 in question is well maintained and reliable to begin with.
Comparing cost for cost - selling a 944 NA and buying a 951 vs. modifications executed properly on a 944 NA to add boost.
The 951 arguement only wins out if you have to pay for all the conversion work to a 944 NA.
If you can do it yourself and you do it right. You could stroke the 2.5, run forged pistons and sleeves for a 2.7, set it up with boost and a turbo transaxle, clutch and rear suspension for less than a well maintained and reliable 951 that didnt need work.
Of course their are exceptions to be found - I would rather convert and customize than restore. I hate the newer dash, but thats a different discussion and just opinion and tastes.
As for value - please - a properly converted car would have value - a POS half finished project would not.
It all depends on what the buyer wants. Case in point - Callaway conversions, SFR, BAE, etc... cant judge that market as their are not a lot of example to set the market by.
Of course a SFR conversion would put you over the top.
As for upgrades - So 275 and 300 for 500 in mods.
Not very impressive to me at all as power levels go. Nice improvement, but in my opinion, with the turbo trans installed in a NA with proper clutch and a 2.7 Stroker, well guess it comes down to how much you spend on labor, etc...
Lets look at something like lindsey package:
951 340 RWHP PACKAGE
Code: LR-340-RWHP-PD
Price: $3,749.00
So lets say a proper 951 example comes in at 8 or more, then add 500 to get to 275, then add 3700 to get to 340. Hemm so thats 12200 - not counting anything else that is required like labor to make upgrades....
I think I can get that power level for less from a 944 NA, with brake upgrades, suspension, engine rebuild and some form of boost.
I think others can too...
But I also dont think you need to go that far - to get more fun and reasonable power out of a 944 NA. The devil is in the details and how much you can do for yourself. Besides their are more 944 cars and for that matter, 924S cars collectively than 944 Turbos.
I just keep thinking 1k for a 944 with bad timing belt - rebuild, boost, upgrades -- and you get to keep the early styling oh yea!
Ah anyway - pointless arguement - numbers are skewed - labor and skill are the real factors that have to be weighed, not just $ for $.
Quote:
Originally posted by AaronM
Um, no.
275 RWHP and 300 RWTQ are obtainable with about $500 in modifications (3.0 bar FPR, Guru chips, mechanical boost controller @ 15 PSI). Any half-educated buyer with half a brain should have no trouble finding a well-maintained and reliable 951 that does not need work. As for costing more to maintain; not really. The clutch is more expensive to replace and if the turbine dies you have problems, but offsetting that is the much more durable transaxle (the regular 944 transaxle has a disturbing tendency to grenade if not treated delicately and this becomes a huge reliability concern if you increase the power output of an N/A 944 engine).
A home-built turbo setup for a 944 N/A will be less reliable than a 951 and while it may not cost as much to fix when it breaks, it will break often enough to make up the difference through nickel and diming. It will also negatively impact the car's resale value and make it essentially un-serviceable by most professional shops.
The issue isn't that it can't be done. The issue is that the cost of a well-sorted-out 951 will ultimately be lower, the 951 will be faster and will handle better as well as being more reliable.
More power to those who want to do it, but there are huge potential pitfalls for someone who doesn't research thoroughly.
Aaron
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