911 guy wants a 944turbo

johncarlos2003 · 03-08-2006, 09:53 AM

I drive an 88 carrera coupe and love it but id be a liar if i didn't say i totally dig the 944- i would like to know if there is a good place to look- ive looked in the classifieds here but is there another place besided ebay that gets turbos/known to have good cars etc? im having trouble locating them- also, any general advice on the turbo cars, years etc would be much appreciated- im a knowledgable 911 guy but know little about the 944, specifically turbos- just know starting my looking but can't erase the memory of my friends dad's guards red turbo 944- thanks guys-

moazam · moazam's Garage

I'm sorta in the same boat. This past weekend I drove a friends NA 944 and was pretty impressed with how the car handled and how quick it felt. Then I looked up numbers on the 944 Turbo (HP/Torque) and got very intrigued. Gonna see how much change I have in the sofa cushions and slowly start to collect some funds for one of these cars.

nynor · 03-08-2006, 01:23 PM

i have an '88 i'd sell for about 8K. well sorted. everything works. recent muffler work, new clutch (5K miles or less), belts done (3K miles), its not perfect, but it moves. i've had it going 120MPH UP, thats right, UP parleys canyon, 8% grade, in fourth gear. had to hit the brakes because a 911 (non turbo) couldn't outrun me, and didn't want to pass at 120 MPH. keep in mind this is at 7500 ft altitude, so i definitely have an advantage. (flame me? i don't give a fig...)

swimmingly · 03-08-2006, 02:02 PM

John,
I bought my '86 944 turbo off of someone on autotrader some years ago. I've noticed that there's been some on craigslist that keep reappearing over and over again. I'd try catching someone from here or rennlist who is selling theirs because you could probably find the most information about theirs just based on their old posts. Anyways, I'm go to USC right now, so let me know if you ever need help checking one out.

-Matt

johncarlos2003 · 03-08-2006, 02:19 PM

cool bro- i appreciate it- if i find something maybe we can take a look at it- thanks again!

legion · 03-08-2006, 06:00 PM

There are some nice 951 for sale in the Cars for Sale Forums here.

There are a couple of key differences in the various versions/years of the 951. I wouldn't say any one is clearly better.

'86: First year. Most 951s produced this year. Early wheel offset. Forged pistons and connecting rods. 1-piece crossover pipe.

'87: Late wheel offset. Spring timing belt tensioner. 3-piece crossover pipe. Air bags optional. Cast pistons and connecting rods.

'88: Mostly same as '87, but a "Turbo S" was available that year with a bigger turbo. Slower spoolup but more HP. I also think there were some suspension differences.

'89: All 951s were of the 'S' spec.

nize · nize's Garage

check rennlist for good 951's.

johncarlos2003 · 03-09-2006, 09:27 AM

cool- ill check it out too- im really starting to crave a 951- lucky i just broke up with my girlfriend cause she thinks 1 911 is rediculous but she just didn't understand- i think 1 911 and 1 951 is a little more normal- haha!

nize · nize's Garage

john, email me. i have a friend down in l.a. who's heavily into 951's and might be able to find you a local car as he's always buying/modding/selling them.
nize2 at msn.com

and post pics of your girlfriend!

johncarlos2003 · 03-09-2006, 09:43 AM

951

EuroShark · 03-10-2006, 09:55 AM

Did the 86 have the strongest motor (able to take the most boost) since it was forged?

nize · nize's Garage

no.

Eric 951 · 03-10-2006, 10:23 AM

I'm selling my 86--all records, maintained stock--no mods(except CD player) no dash cracks, LSD, Fuchs, tranny cooler/oil cooler. Alpine white over burgandy--no ABS, no airbags, sunroof, cc, etc. etc. I am in Pittsburgh, may be too far, but PM me if interested.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

I'd consider trading my 951 for a nice early 911. . .

I love the 951, but I think I've got a case of the flat-six-sound-intoxication.

nize · nize's Garage

get 3" plumbing with no cat and no muffler. you can't beat the turbo sound.

AaronM · 03-13-2006, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by EuroShark
Did the 86 have the strongest motor (able to take the most boost) since it was forged?

Theoretically yes, but it doesn't work that way in practice. The cast rods and pistons in later engines are not the weak point. You'll blow the HG and cause detonation issues well before you reach the limit of the cast pistons and rods. There's no real reason to seek out an '86 unless you want to avoid the airbags and ABS. '86 also oversteers a little bit more due to slightly different suspension IIRC.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

No muffler? Geez, it's a wonder you can hear ANYTHING after being exposed to that!

The 911 flat-six sound is probably the best one out there short of a screaming v12 (a la older Ferraris). I dig it more than v8s, even than the 944 4-cylinder sounds with the larger exhausts. Actually the new 350Z has a great note to it (probably the best STOCK one out there), but I'd still take that rasp of an air-cooled six any day.

Some day. . .

johncarlos2003 · 03-14-2006, 09:40 PM

hey-
well ive got the cleanest 88 911 coupe- blk/blk that ive ever seen and im a sicko- the car has 69k but has had monthly full details (self performed) for it's entire life and it glows- like new- sounds awesome and drives awesome- chipped, lowered, bilsteins, fatty wheels and tires, etc etc--- but, you 951 guys otta be proud- i recently drove one and dang- really, these 951's kick ass- a lot of 911 guys are snobs but i love the marque and the 944 turbos are nasty- i want one and am not hot on the look and on this board now too- i want my 3.2 and a 951 and . . . .oh no, here i go again and im not rich- trust me! congrats to you guys over here for having a great f***** car! ill post my pics when i get one- still lookin'!

nize · nize's Garage

you JUST missed one of the fastest 951's for sale.

there are a lot of 951's down in cali though, so you should be able to find one closer to you.

legion · 03-15-2006, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by AaronM
Theoretically yes, but it doesn't work that way in practice. The cast rods and pistons in later engines are not the weak point. You'll blow the HG and cause detonation issues well before you reach the limit of the cast pistons and rods. There's no real reason to seek out an '86 unless you want to avoid the airbags and ABS. '86 also oversteers a little bit more due to slightly different suspension IIRC.

That is correct. There are some 951s out there that run over 500 hp at the rear wheels. From what I understand, that's about the point that cast vs. forged becomes important. To get to that point, some other very significant modifications would have to have been made (better head gasket is the first).