[Moneyguy1]

Boxer Porsche engine is a throwback to the original Volkswagen concept, pre WWII. The 924 was originally built to have an other than Porsche nametag, but VW backed out and Porsche grabbed it as an entry type vehicle....yeh...with all 115 HP. The engine was a basic Audi block used in trucks. The 944 simply widened the fenders, upgraded the 924 suspension and designed a bigger in line 4 that is a compilation of just about every engineering error imaginable. I have worked on enough of them. When everything works, it works well, but so many things are there to go wrong. At least the flat six uses chains for the timing and not a cloth belt. Being a rather large four, there are harmonic problems so a balance belt/shaft system was required, which other designs (in line 5, V6) could have lived with. Both the 924 and the 944 engine left little room for improvement except turbocharging which worked, but introduced its own unique set of problems. The 944 begs to have a "better" (read one with more potential) powerplant. There is little in the way of aftermarket improvements available for the original. I would guess that a 3.8 liter V6 would fill the bill as a good all-round replacement, especially one that is popular with tons of after market stuff available. The boxer design engine is too wide to go in a 924/944 because of the steering system.