kevin12973

Hi guys, found a low milage 88 motor and would like to see what would it take to adapt to my early 944. I think most of the sensors would have to stay from the 85 motor to work with my dme? Or would I need to carry over the 88 dme, AFM and harness? I would like to just swap the long block or would I not see the full potential of that particular(higher compression) engine with the early DME program.
If it matters, this is a dedicated track car and emissions are of no consequence.
Thank you, Kevin

V2Rocket

You can run the 88 motor with the 85 harness. Better to run the 88 DME/AFM though. And run 91+ of course.

kevin12973

Would I need the engine harness too or just the DME plug to adapt to the 27 pin(or what ever the newer DME is) Thanks

f1rocks

The early harness will work but you won't be able to use the oil level sensor in the oil pan definitely use the 88 dme and afm to get the slight cam advantage and higher compression pistons.

kevin12973

Thanks Brent. Thats exactly the advice I was looking for. 10 hp gain doesn't sound like much but in the spec race world, it's pretty big!

kevin12973

Is the early throttle body the same as the 88 unit or do I need to transfer that over as well?

V2Rocket

Throttle/TPS is the same.

Van

You should keep the '88 injectors with the '88 DME - they are a different impedance than the early injectors.

But definitely use the early harness - the '88 harness goes through the firewall at a different spot and will have the wrong plug for the instrument/power harness (connection by the brake booster).

V2Rocket

The injector impedance difference *shouldn't* be enough to really matter but if you've got the set for the engine then use it.

kevin12973

Great feed back guys!!! I really appreciate it.

FRporscheman

The exhaust manifolds on your 85 might be cast iron. On the '88 they would be tubular steel. The tubies weigh like 20 pounds less, but they often crack and leak. If it's a race car, then use the tubies!

kevin12973

Cool! Thanks for the tip. 20 lbs would be a nice weight reduction since my car is 100 lbs over the class minimum (2600).

Van

The stainless tube headers are only 5 lbs less than the cast ones. Still worth it on a race car, though.

f1rocks

I think someone did a dyno comparison and the tubes flowed better as well. I think it was on the spec 44 site.

V2Rocket

I'd be interested in that flow data if you've got it available.
I have the tubes but cast might be quieter