Between 1982 and 1991, the 944 family produced a total of 163,192 vehicles. Up to the launch of the Boxster/Cayman and 997 Carrera, this made it Porsche’s most lucrative sports car in the company’s history.
The 968, which was debuted in 1992 and was based on a development of the same front-engine, transaxle architecture as the 944, was the 944’s replacement.
In This Article...
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.
What was 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.
Porsche 944s are 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.
Are Porsche 944 values rising?
The Porsche 944 is unquestionably a worthwhile purchase in 2021, with average costs between $9,000 and $24,000.
Almost usually, the 904, 906, 908, and 917 are the first models mentioned when discussing vintage Porsches. The 914 is one of the Porsches that receives the least attention, though. a partnership between Porsche and Volkswagen. While many people disregard the 914 because it is rather unusual, among Porsche enthusiasts it is regarded as the company’s first genuine entry-level model.
Volkswagen-Porsche decided to create a prototype to replace the 914, and after a string of unfortunate events, the Porsche 924 was born. The 944, a front-engined, rear-wheel-drive Porsche, is the result of further development of their mid-level model. The 944 Turbo, 944 Turbo S, 944 S, and 944 S2 were among the several variations of the 944 that followed the 968.
Prior to the Boxster and 911 Carrera, the 944 was Porsche’s most popular model, yet it didn’t earn a place in automotive history as a classic. Whatever your opinion, the 944 is every bit a Porsche, and having one would be something a petrolhead would look forward to, especially given how affordable they are.
The Porsche 944 is unquestionably a worthwhile purchase in 2021, with average costs between $9,000 and $24,000. Prices are beginning to increase quite quickly as demand for the mid-level Porsche grows.
Do Porsche 944s perform well?
The 944’s age has consistently been evident despite having only 70,000 miles on it. That is the Porsche 944’s true dirty little secret. It’s a fantastic sports vehicle with excellent handling and respectable horsepower from the 2.5-liter four-cylinder. Many owners claim these vehicles are bulletproof, therefore it can be quite dependable.
Is a Porsche 944 from 1984 quick?
This Porsche can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds, 0 to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds, 0 to 160 km/h (100 mph) in 20.5 seconds, 0 to 200 km/h (124 mph) in 48.8 seconds, and the quarter mile drag time is 15.7 seconds, according to ProfessCarsTM estimates.
What is a 1987 Porsche 944 now worth?
Prices for the Porsche 944 1987 range from $6,600 for the base model Coupe 944 to $28,600 for the most expensive Coupe 944 Turbo. Both regular unleaded gasoline and leaded gasoline are available for the Porsche 944 1987.
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.
What kind of engine did the 944 have?
A fourth Porsche model line entered the market for the 1982 model year. The 944 filled the performance and pricing gap between the 911 SC and the 924.
Although the 944’s body was based on the 924, it had far more eye-catching curves. Porsche also designed a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine for the 944. Customers therefore considered the 944 to be a “genuine” Porsche. Audi also made this transaxle type at Neckarsulm.
The 944 could be easily separated from the 924 thanks to a front spoiler painted in the outside color with square rubber buffers and broader, slightly angular wings. Initially producing 163 horsepower, the 2.5-liter engine was later upgraded to 150 horsepower with a catalytic converter starting with MY 86. In MY 1988, the catalytic converter-equipped engine was modified for unleaded fuel with 95 RON, increasing the power to 160 hp. The displacement was increased to 2.7 liters and the power to 165 horsepower for the final model year (1989).
944 S (MY 1987-88) In terms of equipment and body design, the 944 S and 944 were similar. The four-valve engine of this particular model, nevertheless, was a first and produced up to 190 horsepower. So, behind the flasher repeaters, there was an optional badge stamped with “16 Ventiler.”
944 S2 (1989-1991) The S2 variant took the place of the 944 S for model year 1989. It possessed the 944 Turbo’s rear wing, stronger body, and rear diffusor (as of MY 91). The 944 S2’s 3.0 liter, four-valve engine produced 211 horsepower, nearly matching the Turbo variant’s level of performance in the successor to the S model. From the beginning, a Cabriolet variant of the 944 S2 was also offered.
Was there a V8 in the 944?
Porsche opted to make the new 944, which would eventually replace the 924, its racing premiere at the 1981 24 Hours of Le Mans. The new 2.5 liter, four-cylinder engine for this vehicle was evolved from the alloy V8. The switch from a half-V8 to a new inline 4 cylinder, however, involved numerous adjustments.
The four-cylinder engine was equipped with dual counter-rotating balancing shafts, an improvement on the British engineer Frederick Lanchester’s original 1904 design that was made by Japanese automaker Mitsubishi. To counteract the inherently imbalanced secondary forces present in an inline four cylinder, counter-rotating balance shafts were used.
The new four cylinder, which was made by cutting a V8 in half, was inclined over 45 degrees to the right and equipped with a KKK supercharger that produced a huge 15.5 psi of boost.
The purpose-built Porsche 936 that won the race outperformed the Le Mans race vehicle to finish in eighth place overall. The fuel efficiency of the racing 944, which allowed it to only require 21 fuel pit stops over the 24-hour race, and its dependability were two factors that contributed to its success.
Is the 944 a vintage vehicle?
The Porsche 944 is a vehicle that, in terms of classic Porsches, was formerly regarded as a bit of a “underdog.” Over the past several years, it has had a significant recovery in popularity and is now one of the most sought-after vintage Porsches that is still available at an affordable price. Having said that, there are many things I’ve discovered about owning a 944 over the past few years that I wish I had known before making the purchase. In light of that, here are five things I wish I had known before purchasing a Porsche 944.
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.
How durable are Porsche engines?
Yes, they are constructed to function, but they are built to function for a very long time. The lifespan of a Porsche 911 engine is rated at 100,000 kilometers and 10 years. Porsche 911s, like any other vehicle, live longer with good, regular maintenance and care. The majority of Porsche vehicles have a lifespan of at least 150,000 miles.