Theoretical Long Term Project Idea(s)

[CJFusco]

Don't flame me too badly for any of this, mates, it all exists in the realm of theory for the time being...


Now, over the course of owning my car, I've had two dream projects in mind:
1) Making profit out of selling parts from parted-out 944 rollers,
2) Making my 944 faster.

It recently occurred to me that those two projects could exist simultaneously and symbiotically.

Project number 1 occurred to me after I had my minor accident a few years back; instead of buying parts new, I managed to find a 1984 944 roller that had a strong engine and great body panels, but no interior or exhaust. Bought the car for $900. Used the body panels I needed. Sold some of the parts (about $500 worth without even trying), and then sold the rest (notably the engine, transmission, brakes, suspension, and cookie cutters) to my mechanic for $500. This gave me $100 to put toward repair and repaint that I didn't have before - I had made a profit out of buying parts!

If I had a suitable place to put the parts car, I would have kept it and parted it out. Alas, this was not an option at the time because I was living with my parents and barely even had storage for MY 944.

Now, however, I am about to move to a location where I will have my own garage and work area. Which brings me to project #2.... and the flaming from other Pelicans, probably

We all want our NAs to be faster. This is just part of owning a 944NA. We all know the options: lightening, increasing displacement, turbocharging, supercharging, nitrous, engine swaps, etc. Most of this is cost-prohibative, and it would cost substantially less to just buy a faster car (ie 951, 911 3.2, 968, etc). Well, I don't want a different car - I have put a lot of work into mine already (see my suspension mods).

So here's my hairbrained idea.

If I can find a suitable storage space, and if I can find a suitable donor car, say a 951 or 944S2, I buy the car, take off what I want (engine, transmission, rear valance, nice 16" Fuchs, etc), and begin work on my own car. Yes, I am talking engine transplant.

Since the donor car would theoretically need engine work (why else would it be sold for cheap?), I could get an engine stand and rebuild the engine right in my own garage, all the while keeping my stock engine in my car (hence, still driveable). While I still enjoy my 944, I could order all sorts of goodies from Lindsay and Broadfoot in order to build theoretical donor engine to my spec. Of course, I have never rebuilt an engine before... but as MikeCT will tell you, I am a fast learner. When I bought my 944 back in 2000, I knew ABSOLUTELY nothing about how cars work. I was afraid to change my spark plug. Well, as you all know, I've come a long way. The only thing keeping me from seriously big projects (a la clutch replacement) is the lack of my own working area. Now, it appears, I will have that.

So, here's where project 1 and project 2 coincide: while I begin work on the long-term donor engine rebuilding, I part out the donor car as best I can. eBay has been a good friend so far; I bought very good upgraded sway bars through the site, and sold my stock items for a bit more than the amount for which I bought the upgraded ones!

Anyhow, this money from parting out the donor car would go directly to the engine rebuilding process of the 2nd engine. Then, after the project is finished, my stock engine, tranny, ECU, etc. could be sold to offset any other costs.

Of course, I would need help with some of the mechanical stuff *coughMikeCTcoughmike944coughfast924S*, but I think this could be a fun and viable project as long as I take my time and don't expect too much too soon.

So, what do you guys think?

Flame away

[dsalillas]

Umm... you may want to ask the mods to move this into the Tech. forum. You may get more replies to this.

[seaboltman]

Sounds good. I dont see why not. Its exactly what im in the process of doing. I've got a 944 w/o and engine, and a 944 engine. Ill do a slight rebuild for reliability and put it in, and then get a 951 engine and a few grand later, I have a nice ass motor, and 0 downtime for the other car.

[livewirevoodoo]

If you have the space, I say go for it.

Thats the only thing keeping me from buying one sub $1000 944 every other month, raping it for parts and selling the rest.

[ae1969]

Sounds perfectly sane to me...

Thats what I am doing....

Although I have the luxury of having an 86 Turbo to 86 NA swap...... complete bolt on swap. There are a few differences that you will come accross if you try swapping into an early 944.

As of today.....Finally completely stripped the tub......and that is on its way to the Farm for storage tomorrow morning...... The garage is full of 951 parts that will be sold or transplanted.

[CJFusco]

haha i actually meant to put this in the tech forum.... i'm retarded