i_ellis

Hi everyone,

I have started posting about a 1979 928 5 speed that I bought in the 928 forum, but I also have a 1987 924S 5 speed that needs some attention too, so I'll be posting the progression of that car here.

Here is the car.

i_ellis

Now some backstory on the car.

It was traded to me and at first I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with it. It ran so to keep it running I drove it short distances to the grocery store and such for about a year. It wasn't taking up space and cost next to nothing for registration and insurance so I just kept it around.

The car was then stolen and recovered quickly as it was abandoned by the thieves when it ran out of gas, most likely some joyriders. The car being stolen was only reported to the police not the insurance company or DMV, so when it was recovered the title was still clean. Though the thieves may have been joyriders they did some serious damage to both doors and handles and the left front fender.

Even after that ordeal I've decided to keep the car and try and save it.

I sourced two new doors from a wrecked 951 for way cheaper than I would have been able to repair the badly damaged doors and handles. The driver door has the alarm keyhole but both doors have the Porsche script handles which was nice. They're gold but the car will need repainting at some point anyway.

The car seems to have most of its 150 horses left but the steering rack is leaking, the rear crank seal is leaking, the A/C compressor will not turn on, the hatch needs resealing, and the suspension is completely shot all the way around.

I plan on either pulling the engine and replacing all the seals, gaskets, belts, etc..., or sourcing another motor in the same shape as the one in it and doing the build outside the car and just swapping the motors out.

That was long, sorry.

Here are some pictures.

i_ellis

And a few more pictures.

Thanks, Ian

curtisr

What a bummer! I suppose one could think that the thieves have, at least, good taste in cars... Anyways, a 924s is worth fixing and having. They are great cars and this is the right place to be for guidance and more.

Glad you're keeping it.

mel_t_vin

Happy to hear she is back in your possession. Best of luck with the restoration.

Jason @ Paragon Products

Still one of my favorite body styles. Really enjoyed the 924S I had.

Voith

After new paintjob, polish the doorhandles, these really look awesome when polished.

i_ellis

Thanks!

I have a source to buy a 1989 base model 944 engine, not the "S" but the 2.7L with the bigger valves that is supposed to produce 163HP. I would like to get an engine I can rebuild out of the car and then just swap them out but I'll have to do some research because I'm not sure if this engine would require the DME and engine harness from the 2.7L car too, or if the upgrades to this motor were only mechanical.

Arominus

Grab that 2.7 quick, its head is very very popular (and generally sells for $900+ on its own). The keyhole for the alarm is in the wrong place, in the factory system, thats behind the front door in the rear quarter. Pull that and fill the hole before you repaint the door.

i_ellis

When I went to look at the 2.7L the car it was in was an 85 944 and the guy said it produced 170hp. It looked like a normal 2.5L and everything sounded too sketchy to me so I passed.

Interesting....so someone who owned the car these doors came off of actually installed the alarm and placed the keyhole on the door....

mel_t_vin

A little optimistic...but what's 8 hp among friends. The 2.7L M44/11 with a 10.9 CR produced a factory-specified 162hp at the flywheel.

i_ellis

Since the 924S runs I've been working on the 928 lately, but a friend of mine sent me the pics of this 944 wondering if I had any interest in it. He says it runs. It could be worth the parts if cheap enough. I may go have a look at it.

grenadiers

I'm parting out my '88 924S track car, not much stock stuff left. But, have a decent rear hatch, no delamination. Located in Prescott, $150.

i_ellis

It's been awhile, holidays and other stuff got in the way of the Porsches.

Anyway as I said earlier this car is leaking oil from the rear crank seal and has a bad leak from the power steering rack. It also needs new balance shaft and timing belts and probably could benefit from new rod bearings. The motor mounts are bad too and it has developed an exhaust gasket leak.

So my plan was to find another motor and build it outside the car and just swap them out or pull the motor in the car (as it's going to need to come out anyway) refresh it and put it back in.

Well I've found another motor....

An 87 944S M44/40 motor.

A few thoughts about this:

1. I figure this should be a straight forward swap. An S harness and DME for sure, a few other bits from the S like the ignitor, flywheel, clutch, exhaust/intake manifolds...and anything else I'm forgetting at the moment or don't know about yet

2. The gearbox and torque tube from the 924S should be able to handle the added 37hp from the S motor I'm assuming.

3. I'm not looking for a 918 killer but just a great running stock 944S rebuilt motor in a 924S body that can be a daily driver. That being said if, while the motor is out and being rebuilt, anyone knows of any mild improvements to the M44/40 motor I'm all ears, otherwise stock it is.

4. I've done searches and have intensely read what I've found, and I know this swap has been done before, but if anyone would like to share their thoughts or opinions on putting a 944S motor in a 924S I'd love to hear them.

5. I decided to do this swap to keep me busy.

6. If anyone has 944S (or possible S2/968?) engine parts for sale I may be interested.

And now some pics.

i_ellis

The block with pistons...needs some cleaning. The 944S it came out of had 105000 miles. No signs of abnormal wear, it had a small engine fire and was scrapped. Short block looked unscathed.