Although some lame-os would see rear-wheel drive as a drawback for a first automobile, I very much see it as an advantage. When I opted to drive my 944 through Manhattan to work on some of the worst snow days of the recent winters, I quickly discovered that RWD cars are clearly the most difficult to operate in bad weather. Obviously without snow tires.
Not only did navigating the snow-covered streets of New York City help me satisfy my obligatory teenage adrenaline high, but it also gave me a chance to develop some muscle memory about how to correct oversteer and understeer under the most adverse circumstances and with the least practical equipment. These abilities came in handy when I decided to rallycross my second 944 (note: poor decision).
Remember that just because a car has rear-wheel drive (RWD), it doesn’t necessarily make you into Vaughn Gittin Jr. When you’re behind the wheel, the 944 barely has enough power to get out of its own way, and if you try to power out of a slide, you’ll probably end up having a very awful time. It’s just my experience, though.
In This Article...
Beginning Classic
Although it might seem too good to be true, a Porsche 944 makes an excellent first vintage vehicle. strong construction and a good number of replacement component suppliers. Restoring an unloved vehicle to operation won’t present many difficulties.
Later 3.0-liter vehicles require more mechanical know-how, but earlier 2.5-liter automobiles are quite simple to repair on at home. Additionally, there are a ton of good used replacement parts on the internet. While thousands of forums provide a wealth of helpful information.
a fight for power.
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.
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.
Porsche 944s are they automatic?
Porsche 944 from 1985. This Porsche is fascinating and unusual. It only has 95,569 miles on its original automatic transmission, which was factory installed. Zermatt Silver Metallic is the finish, and the leather is Gray-Beige. The following options were included in the construction of this automobile and are all still present, according to the original option code sticker that was applied by the factory in 1986. These include 158 Reno radio, 418 Protective side moldings, 456 Sport shock absorbers and stabilizers, and 946 Leather seats. They also have 018 Sport steering wheel with higher hub. Sunroof, AC, power windows, central locking, power steering, power brakes, phone dial alloy wheels, and much more are all included as standard equipment. The replacement of the water pump, timing belt tensioner, idler pulley, and timing belt was just finished at 95,110. And now that it has completed our servicing and safety check, it is ready for use.
What kind of engine powers a Porsche 944?
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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 model year 1988, the catalytic converter-equipped engine was modified for unleaded fuel with 95 RON, increasing 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 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 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, virtually matching the performance of the Turbo model in the successor of the S model. From the beginning, a Cabriolet variant of the 944 S2 was also offered.
A Porsche 944 costs how much?
Cost of the Porsche 944 Original MSRP for the Porsche 944 is $36,990 or $43,350 for the Turbo S. corresponding to $92,457 and $108,354 in 2021, respectively.
How far can 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 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.