Bennys86944

Hello all!

I inherited a 1986 944 non-turbo unfortunately it needs a engine and it's a non turbo. Body and interior are clean no rust etc. My question is, can I only use a motor from models 1985.5 and up, or is every 944 engine fair game? I realize that these cars have a ecu so i wonder about compatibility parameters are. I've been a BMW guy all my life so this is my foray into Porsche life :-)

Benny

PetePorsche

As far as I know you can use any 944 engine, even S/S2 blocks with some work. But all the N/A's from 1982 and on should fit. The most important thing is your airflow meter, if you have a type 2 model, be sure to use a type 2 air flow meter or your car will stall. There are some minor differences between early and late blocks (later blocks have a 2 pole connection for the dashboard temperature gauge, whereas earlier blocks have a 1 pole connection, for example) But it's nothing that serious if I am correct.

My own euro spec 944 from 1985.5 has a USA spec block from '84 for example. Im statisfied with it except that I'm missing out on 15 bhp now.

Zirconocene

With the caveat that I haven't done it, and I don't really know what I'm talking about, hopefully the usual suspects will jump in here and give you advice to just move to a MAP or MAF. I'm not being sarcastic and everything I've read says they're right, I just haven't gotten to that point with my car. It sounds to me like you can avoid some of the incompatibility problems you allude to but, again, I don't really know what I'm talking about.

What I will say is that I'm not a purist and if I can live vicariously through you, I say you tie your passions together and find a way to put in a sweet BMW straight 6. Yum. (It's probably too tall but I don't let those things get in the way of my dreams)

951and944S

The later engines will have the better oil pan, oil pressure regulator and threads for self adjusting timing belt tensioner.

What's your general geographic locale...?

T

Bennys86944

The BMW straight 6 is an amazing engine i have a 1982 5 series great car fun to drive, I'm not a fan of to many modern cars even though they are a 100% more reliable but alot less fun but great daily drivers! I live in the Maryland Washington D.C. area.

Benny