S2 vs later year Turbo

[Rainking]

All,

I am currently an 87 Carrera owner but was thinking about selling it and buying a 944. I am fairly new to the 944 model. I am leaning towards an S2 cabriolet but like the extra horsepower of the later years turbo. I really need the car to have four seats and also hear that the turbo maintenance costs are more expensive.

What are the current thoughts on S2 vs turbo. I think the S2 could be upgraded fairly easily for more horsepower. Any advice would help.

Thanks!

[p-talk]

I'd lean more towards the S2 myself. However, is the back seat in a Cabriolet really usable? (the standard 944 seat is hardly usable! )

[cockerpunk]

turbo is a much easier to make a modern day fast car with. if thats what you want to do.

i'd skip the cabrios in general though. less stiff, less backseat room, less trunk ....

[Rainking]

Thanks JR! I did not realize that the S2 rear seats did not have a three point harness. I will need that. Space in the rear is necessary but not for an adult. For my son and the car seat. Three point harness will be necessary. Bummer. Really wanted the cabriolet and it looks like it is impossible to find a turbo cabriolet.

Am I missing any other options I am not thinking of?

[Jrboulder]

No problem

(I accidentally deleted my post while editing spelling LOL)

There really isn't any options on a cab that you can't get on a turbo but there are a ton of options (and standard features) on the turbo that you can't get on a cab like sport suspension.

[Gawernator]

The turbo is definitely the easiest to modify for big power gains. I'd argue the S2 has more daily driver power because of the lower end torque.

[Rainking]

It looks like the sunroof on the turbo tilts but does it slide all the way open? Looks like some people remove it. Do you have to take it out?

[Gawernator]

The sunroof tilts open but doesn't slide back, you have to remove it

[kdjones2000]

There are a few Turbo Cabs that people have built, if you really want the cab experience.

Check with Brian944Turbo as I think he has 1 or 2 he is willing to sell.

No 3 point belts, and lousier sound system with the cab, but I really like the lines on that model.

[Rainking]

Thanks KD. Sent a PM to Brian. Is it a lot of work to remove the sunroof?

[VirginiaF1]

No 3 point belts in the rear of the 944 Turbo.. or any other 944.
Right?

[mhr]

S2 Cab does not have 3 point harness in the back seat which is a bummer so house rules are I am not allowed to take the kids on the highway. Space however is the same in both cab and coupe and in fact with the roof down there is allot more headroom

I think many of the late coupe's had 3 point harness in the back. Even if you find a nice one that doesn't I think it is quite easy to retrofit.

Stock S2 engine is nicer to drive in the city in my opinion but there is not many bolt on mods you can do to an S2 short of SC to significantly bump the power.

[Rainking]

Thanks MHR. How much is a supercharger and how much HP does it add? Any downsides? I think I might have the same house rules.

[Gawernator]

Forced induction would be alot, I know the speed force racing kit for the 8v NA 944 is in the ballpark of $5,000 (the price of another nice 944). You also lose the A/C.

[ernie9944]

Originally Posted by Rainking

Thanks MHR. How much is a supercharger and how much HP does it add? Any downsides? I think I might have the same house rules.

I would not worry to much about power in an S2,a good chip- different exhaust & a good tune up will probably gain you another 15 hp.A well sort out suspension will do miracle on those cars even though the OEM one is nothing to sneeze at being the same as the turbo.Personally for a few dollars more I'll go for a 968, the reason I,m saying this is before a bougth mine I've driven turbo/ S2 & 968s & my final choice was the 968,why (torque) is the reason & what make a car a pleasure to drive is the available torque at very low RPM. The 968 as a torque plot that is very nearly flat from 1k RPM to 6.5k RPM,this abundance of torque at all engine speed ranges make driving a 968 very rewarding either just cruising around or spirit driving it.Also the 968 is lot easier to tweak & will give you more HP gain than an S2 for the same amount of money.Apparently the biggest factor is look S2 versus 968.It come down to a question of taste, Lol did I open a cane of worm here?

[mhr]

Not getting into this one with you ernie Lots of other threads cover this debate.

I am happy with the power my S2 and wouldn't do SC was just saying that it is the only way to get a significant HP increase on the S2 engine.

[ernie9944]

Originally Posted by mhr

Not getting into this one with you ernie Lots of other threads cover this debate.____Chicken !!!Is your car still on the road,here it did clear up today was miserable for about a week rain & cold with near 10*f temp.

I am happy with the power my S2 and wouldn't do SC was just saying that it is the only way to get a significant HP increase on the S2 engine.

--- Same here & agree with you on that one.

[Dantilla]

Daily drivers, left stock?

S2, hands down. No wiggle room.

Performance is similar, but the S2 has grunt right off idle, while the low-compression turbo engine is pretty gutless until some boost builds. Besides that, the turbo is geared much taller, further hurting performance and pleasure around town.

Modified?

Turbo, hands down. No wiggle room.

Lotsa knowledge out there to squeeze massive performance out of the forced-induction 2.5.
Similar money spent on an S2 engine will be barely noticable by the butt dyno.

In my experience, a stock 944 Turbo and stock 944 S2 turn similar lap times at Portland Int'l Raceway.

[mhr]

Originally Posted by ernie9944

Is your car still on the road,here it did clear up today was miserable for about a week rain & cold with near 10*f temp.

Yep drove it to work the last 2 days. But judging by the forecast will not be out this weekend. Am hoping for a nice day for the Fall run that Eric is planning on the 28th.

Montreal Late Fall Meeting - Rennlist Discussion Forums

[kdjones2000]

Regarding the 3 point belts in the rear:

They were introduced in the '88 model year, but were an option, mostly done with the split rear seats, but not always.

The rear cargo side carpeting is different for the '88+ cars, with bumps for the retractors and the cargo light at an angle versus horizontal to the cargo carpet.

You would have to do some welding and change the carpets to put 3 point belts into earlier cars.

All of that being said, I have an extra set of 3 point belts if you need them.

Keith