I truly wish I had known this before purchasing the 944, though. This vehicle might not be for you if you’re searching for ridiculous power increases. The one problem I’ve encountered with the 944 is that getting the engine to produce more power is an extremely expensive endeavor that, in most situations, yields little in the way of benefits. Can the 944 engines be turbocharged and supercharged? Yes. Will the price be higher than the value? 100%.
The LS V8 swap is the most popular choice because it is the simplest way to generate a significant amount of power and because it weighs about the same as the stock engine, maintaining balance and weight distribution is not disrupted. Having said that, this car serves other purposes in addition to power. The 944 was created with the experience of the driver in mind and offers just the appropriate amount of power to allow you to have a great time without getting into any difficulty. Because the car is so predictable, you may enjoy testing both your own limits and those of the other drivers without much concern for risk.
That’s all, then! I realize that’s a lot of information, but the point of my article was to share what I wish someone had told me before I made the decision. However, despite my own 944 being a project for the past two years, I have never looked back, and whenever I drive it, it gives me a feeling that I haven’t been able to replicate. As long as you perform routine maintenance and don’t cut corners, these cars can and will be highly dependable. There has never been a better moment to purchase and enjoy yourself an affordable route into vintage Porsche ownership because the 944 has also increased in value extremely swiftly in recent years. Who doesn’t appreciate pop-up headlights, after all? Gratitude for reading! For more, follow us on Facebook and Twitter. If you have any recommendations that you believe we have overlooked, please post them in the comments box below, and we will review them.
In This Article...
The Need For A Porsche 944
Consider that you want to buy a retro, affordable rear-wheel-drive sports vehicle to cruise about the countryside on the weekends or perhaps to use for the occasional track day. You could purchase a vintage British roadster, but by this point the hassles associated with those vehicles have very much turned you off. Additionally, you are a regular person with a typical life, possibly a few children, and a mortgage to pay. You are not a goddamn mechanic. You simply want a cheap way to release some tension while operating a vehicle. There must be a Porsche 944.
Returning to the tried-and-true Mazda Miata formula is an option. However, that is the obvious option, the simple solution, and the Japanese reliability safety net, where all of your drives will end up being exact replicas of one another due to a lack of stress or drama. Something slightly spicier is what you’re seeking. Something that presents a task but doesn’t pose a significant risk. You want to at least boast about “tinkering” with your vehicle to your friends.
A Miata can’t boast of having an unusual flare, something with lineage, or a car that will draw attention the instant you pull the key out of your pocket at the neighborhood bar.
The only problem is that you only have roughly $6000 to spare. What’s this? Still good, you.
So purchase a Porsche 944 right away. Additionally, pop-up headlights are included as a bonus. As usual, I went for a drive with one. And I’m here to explain why the 944 is the venerable German sports vehicle you must own in the middle of the 1980s.
Are Porsches trustworthy?
In J.D. Power’s annual automotive survey, Porsche and Toyota tied for second place overall in terms of reliability, while the Porsche 911 sports car took home the first-ever prize for the most dependable car in the sector.
Is the Porsche 944 making a comeback?
Porsche has declared that the 944 model will return in 2023 as its entry-level option into the niche sports car market. The automobiles will be produced in Germany at a facility outside of Stuttgart that is now undergoing refurbishment and retooling.
Are 944 Turbos trustworthy?
Due to the turbo, the 944 turbo has a rather respectable 60-100 time, but its 0-60 time is not particularly impressive. Having said that, it performs amazingly for the purchase price. The problem with them is that they are frequently unreliable, and even if you pay a premium for a well-kept automobile (which you should, it’s probably worth it), you might see from the repair costs that a significant sum of money was invested in the vehicle to keep it in good shape. If you haven’t already, you should seek up as much information as you can online and get a PPI before making a purchase.
What are some Porsche 944 common issues?
- Bearings in the driveshaft could get noisy.
- Erratic Interior Temperature Caused by a Servo Motor Link Break.
- oil leaks have caused timing belt damage.
- Failed resistor pack is the only source of high speed on the interior fan.
- Check cooling system often to avoid reservoir leaks of any size.
Porsche 944 is it quick?
In conjunction with Porsche, the US-Spec 944 turbocharged package was first made available in 1983 by American tuning business Callaway Cars. The basic 2.5 L inline-four engine’s 9.5:1 compression ratio and complicated Bosch Motronic engine management system made it susceptible to failure when subjected to forced induction, hence the engine was not appropriate for forced induction. By removing metal from the piston heads and chamber walls and increasing the volume of the engine’s combustion chambers, Callaway engineers were able to solve this issue. They also installed their own Microfueler unit and modified the Motronic system to ensure optimal fuel injection to the turbocharged engine. The complete engine had to be disassembled for this phase to work, which added significantly to the package’s cost. Although the compression ratio of the resulting engine was lower than that of the normal engine (8.0:1), linear power delivery was still guaranteed. Callaway installed a common internal waste gate and advised the use of 91-octane fuel to boost engine reliability in order to prevent any catastrophic engine failures. In addition, a new free flow exhaust system with a larger exhaust pipe was fitted, coupled with an IHI RHB6 turbocharger, on the right side of the engine for maximum performance. Because there was no turbo-lag, linear levels of boost were guaranteed. A boost control knob on the dashboard was optional, although the turbocharger produced 10 psi of boost. In comparison to the normal car’s 143 horsepower (107 kW) at 5,500 rpm, the modified engine produced 284 hp (212 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 312 Nm (230 lbft) at 4,000 rpm. With a 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h) acceleration time of 5.9 seconds and a top speed of 165 mph (266 km/h), performance surpassed that of the normal vehicle as well. According to Callaway, removing the rev limiter would result in even faster acceleration times. One of the rarest Porsche 944s ever made, only 20 vehicles were made.
How uncommon is the Porsche 944?
At the very end of the 944’s production run, only 528 specimens of the one-year-only 1991 Porsche 944 Turbo Cabriolet were ever produced, most of them by hand. The Porsche Museum in Germany sent this Maritime Blue 944 halfway around the world to be here in Hawaii, just like he had.
Are Porsche 944 components expensive?
Is the 944 a cheap, exhilarating Porsche or just an expensive, difficult-to-fix four-cylinder? Depending on who you ask, yes.
It is, on the one hand, a well balanced transaxle sports vehicle with a genuine Porsche engine (unlike the buzzy Audi-sourced mill in the 924). It’s one of the most attractive automobiles to come out of the 1980s thanks to its sloping nose and bulging fender flares. On the other hand, the Porsche 944 is not the best vehicle for the money at the moment due to its low power in most configurations, pricey parts, and current prices.
Even while the 944 isn’t the best value for your money, it’s still a sporty and elegant sports vehicle with a premium badge that typically costs entry-level pricing thanks to the fact that prices have stabilized after several years of rise. Large changes appear unlikely in the near future given the lack of any significant developments in the Porsche market overall (at least in comparison to previous years).
How far will a Porsche 944 travel?
In case you are unsure, have a compression test performed; it will also reveal any gasket and valve leaks as the Nikasil-coated aluminum blocks cannot be rebored.
To prevent a blown engine, it is critical to replace the cam drive and balancer-shaft drive belts at 48,000 miles or four years. If in doubt, the water pump should also be checked and changed. Replace the hydraulic tensioner and the (mid-head) chain that transfers power from the exhaust to the inlet cam on the twin-cam S/S2 at least every 96k miles.
Look for smoke on turbos and listen for rumbling. The unit has a lifespan of well over 100k miles when kept in good condition; the typical maximum boost is 1.7–1.75bar. Examine the engine and power steering for oil leaks; the oil pressure should be 5 bar at speed and 2-2.5 bar at hot idle.
A worn-out engine mounting is a common cause of vibrations; if the bottom hose reaches the offside chassis leg, the mount has collapsed. It is typical to have a stiff or worn gear linkage; upgrades employing 968 bushes, which are significantly more durable, are available. The lower arm must be replaced entirely since the front suspension needs to be replaced. Wider wheels and reduced suspension can cause fractured arms, which can be dangerous. It is possible to upgrade with 968CS suspension components.
Brake calipers frequently seize and can be expensive to repair. Over tougher terrain, cabriolets may rattle and squeak, while coupes may crash and thud. Unsightly tailgates make more noise. Verify the proper operation of the electric seats, mirrors, sunroof, tailgate release, and air conditioning, if equipped.
Wheel offset altered in ’87, making it difficult to switch out alloy wheels for a later or earlier model. For a spare Spacesaver, a compressor, and a toolbox, check the boot.
Is a 944 a capable racer?
We’re talking about a Porsche here, so virtually every motorsport possibility is available. Weekend motocross enthusiast? Sure. Racing crapcans? Definitely. Earlier racing? a club race? every every thing
The 944 is a forgiving race vehicle, which is significant. It’s a great opportunity to learn what works and what doesn’t when learning how to drive fast. Whatever motorsport you choose to compete in, safety and performance parts are easily accessible.
Additionally, they are typically inexpensive to repair or replace if you damage your 944, which can occasionally happen in motorsport.
One more note on motorsport: Porsche created the 944 at endurance events like Le Mans, thus these vehicles are essentially impervious to damage both on and off the racetrack.
Porsche was highly focused on bringing racing technology to the street with the 944. It’s highly likely that your motorsport 944 will last through several events without experiencing a significant failure if everything is in order.
What is the Porsche 944’s horsepower?
The 944’s base engine produced approximately 143 horsepower (later base models would produce up to 163 horsepower), and the top-of-the-line Turbo S produced 247 horsepower from its 2.5-liter inline-four turbocharger.