What Every 944 Owner Should Have

[GravityGuy]

First, let me say that I've been reading the posts on here for the past three months, and the community on these boards is really incredible. This board was a great reference for me while debating the purchase of a mid 90s RX-7, 300z or 944. The decision was made for me when I found a black on black 85 with 28k that was an honest to god 1 owner car, garage kept--absolutely beautiful.

Now that I own the car, it has become apparent that I'll need to upgrade the contents of the rest of my garage. The first purchase was a Haynes manual, which arrived in the post today. (Yeah!) As a kid, i used to help my dad in working on his GTO, the family truck and my '85 RX-7. Since moving out, I haven't done any wrench work worth mentioning.

So, it is with that background that I turn to you guys and ask "What are the absolute essential, must-haves for any 944 owner?" I don't want to do maintenance, per-se, but if the need arises, it would be good to have the essentials for trouble shooting. Is there a general tool-kit, other manuals, parts that frequently break (and I should keep on hand), that you would recommend I get my hands on? Or another way of asking the same thing, what would you freak out about if you could no longer find it in your garage (besides the obvious--your car!).

[Dave L]

You have a Visa or Mastercard right?

I dont do much work on my 944. I dont have the time or expertise for major stuff by I am planning on doing some suspension work this winter. I do the basic maintenance stuff.

tools I have;

floor jack
jack stands
1/2 socket set, breaker bar, torque wrench
1/4 & 3/8 socket set and torque wrench
funnels
haynes manual
porsche factory manuals
screwdrivers hand tools etc.
every car cleaning product available

Parts;
extra DME relay, a must have
fluids

[Dantilla]

Beautiful car!

What do I have? How about a couple spare 944s? Since my 944 is a race car, I have a few cars sitting in a warehouse so my 944 racing buddies and I have an easy source for spare parts.

I do have the factory manuals. They were written for factory trained mechanics, so the home DIYer should also have the Haynes. Between the two of them, you can figure most anything out.

I do have a fairly nice selection of hand tools, mostly Craftsman. A good floor jack and jackstands are important. Florescent trouble lights help a lot! I've got a couple of them.

A basic set of metric wrenches ( 10mm, 13mm, 16mm, and 19mm will take care of 90% of a 944), screwdrivers, pliers, yada yada...

I did find out one track day that brake pads can be changed trackside with nothing more than a Leatherman.

Just keep a spare DME relay and a Leatherman in your glove box.

And change your timing belt!

[legion]

In addition to what is listed above:

A multimeter
A jack insert for the 944 jack points
(Make sure your jack can fit under the car...some are too tall)
An oil filter socket that works with a standard ratchet
Spare lights and fuses

[GravityGuy]

Dave L, Dantilla, legion--

Thank you. Believe it or not, I'm making the shopping manifest as we speak.

Just to confirm one thing, the DME Relay that seems to be such a problem; is it the "Fuel Pump/DME Relay" that I find on the PP website for $25? <http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/ksearch/PEL_search.cgi?command=show_part_page&please_wait=N&make=POR&model=944M&section=FULinj&page=3&bookmark=0&part_number=993-615-227-00-M76>

[Razorback1980]

That's the relay. Here are a couple more web sites if you don't know about them already. I'm guessing you do, but just in case.

www.clarks-garage.com
http://www.connactivity.com/~kgross/FAQ/944faq05.html

Also PM a guy called Britwrench here. He works at a shop in your area and knows these cars well. Good resource for you.

Nice find on the car and welcome to the forum.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Excellent find!
men
In addition to lots of money (which I believe has been covered), I'd highly recommend:

9201 tool (or I suppose you can get the Kriket tool - search the archives for hours of debate about this)

Belts, water pump, etc. if they haven't been changed recently.

New fluids (oil, filter, trans. oil, fuel filter), basically all the consumables if they haven't been done recently. Ditto on brake fluid.

The Haynes manual is so-so. Most really useful information it glosses over or says "take to a mechanic" (like that's good DIY advice). For basic stuff it ain't too bad though. I'd try to score a set of the factory service manuals - they're infinitely better and more complete.

Ditto a copy of the PET (parts catalogue that the dealer uses)

A cover for that thing! It's a beauty!

Cleaners, detailing supplies & wax (for fun)

I'd STRONGLY recommend a set of swivel-head ratchet wrenches (metric). Best $80 I ever spent for working on the 944.

Ditto on a good set of metric sockets. Get a 13mm one with a built-in wobble, 3/8" drive. Trust me on this. You'll thank me later.

And take care of that thing! Looks great!

[Eldorado]

[legion]

Originally posted by Porsche-O-Phile
Ditto on a good set of metric sockets. Get a 13mm one with a built-in wobble, 3/8" drive.

I also recommend the Craftsman metric ratcheting wrenches...but be warned most sets are missing the all-important 17mm.

[GravityGuy]

Holy crap! Outstanding list gentlemen. And I'm happy to see that someone remembered the fridge full of beer.

As the tool list grows, I'm trying to buy a cover as we speak. Does anybody know which ones suck like Greg Louganis, and which ones rock like Chuck Norris? The car lives in a nicely heated garage, and its only real threat is an overactive cat that likes to use cars as launch/landing pads between trips to the rafters, and as a warm place to grab a nap.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Don't forget the phone # for a traffic attorney for when you get your first big phat ticket. Yes, it happens. . .

Socks. Don't EVER be caught without socks.

[GravityGuy]

Originally posted by Porsche-O-Phile
Don't forget the phone # for a traffic attorney for when you get your first big phat ticket. Yes, it happens. . .

Socks. Don't EVER be caught without socks.

yeah, i'm learning both are true. First day, half mile from my house on the first drive ever--coasting down a very steep 4 lane road with NO other cars--I get nailed doing 59 in a 40. Later on that same day, 4 hours later I get picked off out of a group of about 20 cars all driving the same speed doing 83 in a 70. I wasn't even speeding for FUN either time! In fact, I doubt the cop would've even noticed if it had been my ugly ass jeep.

Both times, I was driving BAREFOOT with my flip flops neatly folded in front of the driver's seat.

A quick call to Lizanne Padula of Wetherall, Wonder & Padula (Bellevue WA)(425) 453-9200), and all is a little bit better. I really hope she knows about the socks as well. I should've known. .

[Dantilla]

I find Craftsman to be good tools for a guy like me. High enough quality that they will last, but not silly expensive like Snap-on.

A mechanic once told me that when having wrenches in your hands for 40 hours a week it's worth it to get Matco or Snap-on as they feel better over the long haul.

On the other hand, a friend told me that the cheap hand tools at Harbor Freight have a lifetime guarentee, and you can bring it back when it breaks. Sorry, but if a socket breaks on Saturday night, I don't want to wait until Monday morning to put my car back together!

I really like the combination wrenches with the built in ratchet. Very slick in so many tight places the 944 is full of. They're pricey, so I just bought the 10, 13 and 19mm.

I have the service manuals, a good friend has the factory belt tensioning tool. It's nice to be able to share the expensive stuff.

After my car got it's new suspension, my floor jack would no longer fit. Once again, Craftsman to the rescue. An aluminum jack that both fits under the low race car, and goes up to 19" or so, for less tham $200. Well worth it.

Harbor Freight is fine for creepers, jackstands and such, and I got an engine hoist from them. Same quality as everything else I looked at, for a lot less when they are on sale.

One more thing that makes a far bigger difference than you would imagine: My garage has brightly painted white walls and ceiling with bright flourecsent lighting, and I painted the floor with a light grey epoxy. Any bolt or nut or tool laying around is found instantly compared to a plain concrete floor.

[CJFusco]

Gorgeous car, Jay.

The Haynes manual is important, but I honestly think that access to Pelican Parts is the most valuable resource any Porsche owner can have *group hug*).

An air compressor and impact wrench doesn't hurt, either...

[Dantilla]

Originally posted by GravityGuy
In fact, I doubt the cop would've even noticed if it had been my ugly ass jeep.

When driving my Chevy pick-up, I'm in the left lane, pushing it. When I'm driving the Porsche, I'm in the far right lane behaving myself.

My 944 is rarely on public roads any more. It's still legal, but between the roll cage, big numbers on the doors and loud exhaust, it gets too much attention. I also have an early 911. It looks like a stock 911 (it's not!), but it's still too much of a cop magnet to drive it like the Chevy.

[Don 944 LA]

In addition to all that ( pretty much complete list )
Already Mentioned once --- Socks. Either Tube, or Black dress socks, but be aware that they require different tension levels.

Lamp cords are totally optional, however one Porsche owner swore by them.

Don



Beauty of a car !!!! If you don't go with a full cover for inside the garage, at least a soft cloth lined rug to put o the spot that the cat launches and lands at, even without claws they will scratch.

[Razorback1980]

Hey Jay....is that an early or late 85? If it's early change your signature to 85/1 and if late put 85/2.

[924Sman]

You will benefit if you have a "red hotline" to SoCal Driver and AF Juvat. Oh and of course others here as well!

DE to enhance your driving skills.

All else has been covered.....

Dal

[pozican]

Originally posted by GravityGuy
yeah, i'm learning both are true. First day, half mile from my house on the first drive ever--coasting down a very steep 4 lane road with NO other cars--I get nailed doing 59 in a 40. Later on that same day, 4 hours later I get picked off out of a group of about 20 cars all driving the same speed doing 83 in a 70. I wasn't even speeding for FUN either time! In fact, I doubt the cop would've even noticed if it had been my ugly ass jeep.

Both times, I was driving BAREFOOT with my flip flops neatly folded in front of the driver's seat.

A quick call to Lizanne Padula of Wetherall, Wonder & Padula (Bellevue WA)(425) 453-9200), and all is a little bit better. I really hope she knows about the socks as well. I should've known. .

We have a couple of posts on speeding tickets in the Seattle (pacific northwest) forums you can check out.


Amen to the multimeter and an oil filter socket that works with a standard ratchet!!!

[Eric 951]

A set of rhino ramps can come in handy for oil changes.