jeeper31

What is the difference between my 1984 944 and a 1987 944s I might be looking at? Just want to have some knowledge before I look.,

thanks,

7thStranger

8 extra valves and a DOHC.

Robert D

The 84 has the old-style interior, the S has an updated interior. The 84 will have a 8v head versus the 16v head in the 944S. The 944S will also have front and rear sways. Both are nice cars, the S will be slightly more costly to maintain due to replacing the chain tensioner. Both are nice cars.

elvisizer

in addition to what 7thstranger said, the ratios in the gearbox are taller. i'm not sure off the top of my head if it's all the ratios or just some.
timing belt is slightly different.
less push from the engine at low revs, but a bit more top end grunt.

Robert D

The 84 will also be lighter.

tifosiman

Manual transmission
Gear ratio 944
Gear ratio 944 S
Gear ratio 944 Turbo

Gear ratio 1st gear
3.600:1
3.500:1
3.500:1

2nd gear
2.125:1
2.059:1
2.059:1

3rd gear
1.458:1
1.400:1
1.400:1

4th gear
1.071:1
1.034:1
1.034:1

5th gear
0.730:1
0.829:1
0.829:1

As you can see, the S and the 951 have the same final drive ratio.

0-60 (manual gearbox):

944: 8.3 seconds
944S: 7.7 seconds

Curb weight"

944: 2778lbs
944S: 2866lbs

The "S" will have late offset wheels compared to your early car. There will also be more legroom than your early car.

NeedPorscheSpeed

Good stats there, tifosimon.

I want to add that the horsepower will be up from 143 to 188.

jeeper31

As far as the horsepower and the added weight, and the different gear ratios, how much difference would one feel?

tifosiman

Provided that both cars are in tip-top shape, the S will feel more powerful and accellerate faster. The power will be a little higher in the rev band than your early car, so you will want to rev it more. The early car will feel a little more "nimble" possibly, but that may be hard for some people to feel.

jeeper31

Do you think it is a feasible upgrade?

tifosiman

Opinions on this are going to be all over the board. There are many here who prefer the early cars, and many who love the S cars. There are also numerous bad stories out there about 944S heads imploding and becoming paperweights.

My honest opinion is that the S is indeed an upgrade to your car. It's going to be a lot of fun to drive once you are used to the power curve. Plus it's just a more modern version of your car. Provided that it is in good shape, and you invest a little $$ up front to ensure the problem areas are looked at (chain tensioner and timing belt, H20pump, etc), it would be a fun car.

jeeper31

Thanks for the input. Am thinking of looking at one near me. Owner has it about 5 years. Said the timing belt was done before he got it but he only putg on about 25,000 miles. Also said he has only driven it about 4 times in the last 2 years. All it needs is a fronnt windshield and a wiper motor according to him.

7thStranger

I own an S and an 84.
The S is a lot more fun to drive.

It depends what you are looking for in an upgrade. Depending on the cost of the S you may want to look for a 951, or 968.

Maintance on the S really is not that bad. So don't let that scare you off.

FormulaOne10

I went from an 84 to a 87S and have tracked both cars. The S was 3 consistently 3 seconds a lap faster with very similar suspension equipment and the same tires. This was on a 2 mile course. Don't listen to people who say that there isn't any difference in power, that's BS. You may have to rev the car to get the power but there is much more pull on the upper end. My laptimes are pretty good proof.

As for the car itself, it won't feel quite as nimble. My 84 felt lighter. This could also be due to the longer control arms in the later models. I'm not sure why it feels like this, but it does.

As others have said, the interior was updated and later offset wheels can be fit, meaning you can run many of the new porsche model wheels. I run 02' 996 wheels on the street and they are terrific.

Things I don't like about the S:

-Possibility of expensive repairs
-A few harder to find parts (haven't had a problem yet but I've seen a few potential issues)
-Same size brakes as the regular 944 but with more weight and power in the car. Becomes an issue on the track as I have to find some way to cool them properly.
-Not quite as much much tech support from others since there aren't as many S owners out there.
-Available documentation is sometimes less than I would like

This all said, I would definetely buy another S at the right price.

jeeper31

the guy wants 35 for it.