Well I Plunged Into The Water...Water Cooled Porsche That Is! Pics

[slow&rusty]

So today..was the day.
After flirting with buying a 951 for almost 10 years and a little frustrated that '88 / '89 944 "Turbo S" cars are climbing so rapidly (I was recently out bid on the last one on BaT), I pulled the trigger on a really nice '87.

It was located in McAllen TX for sale at the local Mercedes dealership (awesome people BTW) and was a trade that they had since August.

Over the months the price dropped as they wanted to move it, so I flew in on a one (1) ticket and trailered it 400 miles back to Houston.

The car has 72k miles and I think three (3) prior owners. It runs very well and builds power nicely, just has a few cosmetic needs to be addressed and I'll pull the cover and check the Timing Belt (this weekend). I'll have to check the factory options, but do like the Sport Seats.

The car has a few engine mods (running a MAP sensor). Some other pluses are the spot on suspension height, red powder coated calipers and handsome powder coated ATS 18" wheels, it even came with a genuine Porsche car cover (!).

Pics:








My best.

[sand_man]

Looks nice, 'rusty! Always wanted one of those! Congrats!

[Brando]

You caught a good one there. Hold on to it and enjoy it!

[masraum]

Wow, looks great!

[Nickshu]

Nice, congrats!

[2.7RS]

Congrats. Love it.

So now seriously......

How much you pay for it?

[tevake]

Nice looking car, especially the interior.
Why pre tell did you trailer it home?
400 miles seems a good first drive.

Enjoy your new ride!

Cheers Richard

[slow&rusty]

Thanks guys! I appreciate the love and comments

I trailered it back as I was unsure when the timing belt was last changed and did not want to take a chance (cheap insurance, so to speak).

[onewhippedpuppy]

Congrats, looks are spot on. Enjoy!

[billybek]

Very nice!

[Evans, Marv]

That's a seriously good looking car. Enjoy it to the fullest.

[porsche4life]

Nice! Congrats!

[McLovin]

fast&rustfree

[slow&rusty]

I'm certainly looking forward to putting some miles on it. I has a few needs that requires addressing but will roll up my sleeves and get after it soon.

[livi]

Lovely!

[Sunroof]

Congrats! I owned a 1985.5 944 for 12 years and sold it with 365,000 miles on it. NO engine or tranny work! Sure, I went through 6 motor mounts, two head gaskets, two coolant expansion tanks, injectors, half a dozen belts, pulley and bearing replacements, new set of A-arms, oil cooler gaskets, radiator, fans, etc, etc, so, I cannot help but be honest about the 944 in that it does have several weak links. Heres a few pointers: Swepco appeared to be best for the G50 from my experience, do not spend your money on a K&N filter, be careful with that computer sliding temperature control unit in the dash as it will eventually fail and is a ton to replace, as too the bunch of relays that open and close the electric sunroof (rear left trunk fender well). The shifter is held to a post by a weak "C" clamp and has literally come off in my hand! Pull up the leather cover and you will see it. Smoooth. Its a long list of stuff that has made the 944 a challenge, but no different then any other car out there that wears out over time. The great news is that 2.5 engine with its counter rotating shaft system (Lancaster) to make it smooth and powerful as well as the G50 tranny in the rear giving the 944 amazing balance is the heart of the system and very dependable. Add the turbo, and your all set. Oh, when you close the rear lid do not put much force on the black rubber spoiler lip in the center as it will loosen and separate. Use the sides. Beautiful car! Enjoy many safe miles ahead.

Bob
1973.5T

[onewhippedpuppy]

Is that Slate Gray? It looks very similar to my last 951, great color.

Adding to the theme of Bob's post, go through and replace every vacuum line and tee first and foremost. Vacuum leaks are the reason for a multitude of weird and frustrating 951 problems. Other stuff that is easy to miss would be having the injectors cleaned and balanced, replacing the engine coolant temp sensor (temp compensation for the ECU), and shifter bushings. If you don't have a record for the timing belt just do it, you really cannot determine age from a visual inspection and it's simply too expensive to risk. MAP sensor is a really nice upgrade over the AFM, you'll get better power and MPG. Add a boost gauge as boost spikes can easily toast your head gasket, I used a 968 pocket under the radio and installed the boost gauge in place of the clock. Assuming the exhaust is factory, adding a downpipe will give you quicker spool and more power, but if you keep the factory rear section the sound won't be obnoxious.

[UconnTim97]

Beautiful car. Congrats!

[slow&rusty]

Originally Posted by Sunroof

Congrats! I owned a 1985.5 944 for 12 years and sold it with 365,000 miles on it. NO engine or tranny work! Sure, I went through 6 motor mounts, two head gaskets, two coolant expansion tanks, injectors, half a dozen belts, pulley and bearing replacements, new set of A-arms, oil cooler gaskets, radiator, fans, etc, etc, so, I cannot help but be honest about the 944 in that it does have several weak links. Heres a few pointers: Swepco appeared to be best for the G50 from my experience, do not spend your money on a K&N filter, be careful with that computer sliding temperature control unit in the dash as it will eventually fail and is a ton to replace, as too the bunch of relays that open and close the electric sunroof (rear left trunk fender well). The shifter is held to a post by a weak "C" clamp and has literally come off in my hand! Pull up the leather cover and you will see it. Smoooth. Its a long list of stuff that has made the 944 a challenge, but no different then any other car out there that wears out over time. The great news is that 2.5 engine with its counter rotating shaft system (Lancaster) to make it smooth and powerful as well as the G50 tranny in the rear giving the 944 amazing balance is the heart of the system and very dependable. Add the turbo, and your all set. Oh, when you close the rear lid do not put much force on the black rubber spoiler lip in the center as it will loosen and separate. Use the sides. Beautiful car! Enjoy many safe miles ahead.

Bob
1973.5T

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Is that Slate Gray? It looks very similar to my last 951, great color.

Adding to the theme of Bob's post, go through and replace every vacuum line and tee first and foremost. Vacuum leaks are the reason for a multitude of weird and frustrating 951 problems. Other stuff that is easy to miss would be having the injectors cleaned and balanced, replacing the engine coolant temp sensor (temp compensation for the ECU), and shifter bushings. If you don't have a record for the timing belt just do it, you really cannot determine age from a visual inspection and it's simply too expensive to risk. MAP sensor is a really nice upgrade over the AFM, you'll get better power and MPG. Add a boost gauge as boost spikes can easily toast your head gasket, I used a 968 pocket under the radio and installed the boost gauge in place of the clock. Assuming the exhaust is factory, adding a downpipe will give you quicker spool and more power, but if you keep the factory rear section the sound won't be obnoxious.

Awesome advice!
Thanks guys.
Yes the car is slate grey.

[scottmandue]

Beautiful car, love the wheels... really, really miss my 944