944 S3 = FUN
10-27-2004, 12:55 PM
#18
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Melbourne, Florida
Posts: 942
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My nephew was running a 2.5" exhaust with only a rear (straight through) muffler (no cat) and his car was way too load and annoying....really raspy sounding.
What we did was first bought a cheap glass pack, held it up to the tip of the rear muffler by hand, used a rag to try and seal it up the connection while I held the glass pack in place. He then started up the car to test what kind of note change we might expect. With this simple preliminary test, the exhaust note was completly changed. The glass pak got rid of all the raspy sound and kept the deep tone. After the test, he welded the GP in where the cat would normally go. His exhaust was still louder than stock, but had a nice deep tone.
Anyway, the test worked pretty well and allowed him to get an idea what kind of change to expect without actually going through the complete install.
Are you in Melbourne? If so, I'd love to check out the S3.
What we did was first bought a cheap glass pack, held it up to the tip of the rear muffler by hand, used a rag to try and seal it up the connection while I held the glass pack in place. He then started up the car to test what kind of note change we might expect. With this simple preliminary test, the exhaust note was completly changed. The glass pak got rid of all the raspy sound and kept the deep tone. After the test, he welded the GP in where the cat would normally go. His exhaust was still louder than stock, but had a nice deep tone.
Anyway, the test worked pretty well and allowed him to get an idea what kind of change to expect without actually going through the complete install.
Are you in Melbourne? If so, I'd love to check out the S3.
10-27-2004, 03:20 PM
#19
Addict
Rennlist
Lifetime Member
Rennlist
Lifetime Member
Thread Starter
Regarding the 3" exhaust, I went with it with possible anticipation of forced air in the future. Also, I talked with several folks before I got it (and I think Tim was one of them on the phone) who said that a 968 with a 3" and nothing else was a bit much, but if I was to put a cat on there it would be fine. Lots of high end, not as much low end, but it ain't a drag racer anyway. I will hang on to the SFR exhaust but will probably for now bolt in a stock 968 muffler...
I'll post more later. At work now.
-Matt
PS
Yes, I am in Melbourne. Suntree to be exact. Email me anytime!
I'll post more later. At work now.
-Matt
PS
Yes, I am in Melbourne. Suntree to be exact. Email me anytime!
10-27-2004, 06:18 PM
#21
Addict
Rennlist
Lifetime Member
Rennlist
Lifetime Member
Thread Starter
Here it is!! All I had time to do before I go to work tonight. Gotta work in 15 mins (and got home from work 30 mins ago). Look at that dedication to Rennlist. 
http://gallery.rennlist.com/albums/matto/000_0216.mov
-Matt
PS: TURN YOUR VOLUME UP!!!
http://gallery.rennlist.com/albums/matto/000_0216.mov
-Matt
PS: TURN YOUR VOLUME UP!!!
10-28-2004, 12:57 AM
#25
I bet you're happy you kept it now!
In case you missed my other post, could you give an estimation of how much this whole swap cost? Just considering options for a few years down the road.
10-28-2004, 01:39 AM
#26
Addict
Rennlist
Lifetime Member
Rennlist
Lifetime Member
Thread Starter
Thanks Wes! Pete, if I'm around, I'm there.
Brandon, my apologies, didn't see your post.
I'm going to sit down one of these days coming up (I work ever day but Sunday, on which day I usually spend at least 2 hours on the golf course ) and do a more detailed write-up on 944S3.com, including all the parts you will need, and approximate costs of each. I am a "special" example though, since I nearly broke even on the engine, getting such a good deal on the 3 liter and selling the 2.7 for a fair price. I was only out about $500 between the two engines. The exhaust, which as you can see (hear) you don't really need, set me back about $1,000 (=SFR $450, custom pipe $450, jet hot coated headers $100).
I'd say all that, and then about $500 for incidentals (which I ended up having two of some -- ie, wires, distributor, etc). So all in all I'm into it maybe just over $2,000. However, I'd say set aside a good $4,000 for this project normally, as a 968 engine will normally run you $3,000. If you're 2.5 is in good working order, it should fetch $1,500 or so, and that will help you recoupe some costs.
And of course, when you go to do this, I'm just a phone call away.
W '04.
Sorry, had to throw that in there Brandon.
BTW, just got back from a 45 min drive around Melbourne, down 95, back up US 1... this car sounds ridiculous. I'd just never have guessed a 4 banger could sound or pull like it does. I mean, it ain't my buddy's 403rwhp Z28, but then again, what is? It's just quite an NA 4-banger.
That is all (for now).
-Matt
Brandon, my apologies, didn't see your post.
I'm going to sit down one of these days coming up (I work ever day but Sunday, on which day I usually spend at least 2 hours on the golf course
) and do a more detailed write-up on 944S3.com, including all the parts you will need, and approximate costs of each. I am a "special" example though, since I nearly broke even on the engine, getting such a good deal on the 3 liter and selling the 2.7 for a fair price. I was only out about $500 between the two engines. The exhaust, which as you can see (hear) you don't really need, set me back about $1,000 (=SFR $450, custom pipe $450, jet hot coated headers $100).I'd say all that, and then about $500 for incidentals (which I ended up having two of some -- ie, wires, distributor, etc). So all in all I'm into it maybe just over $2,000. However, I'd say set aside a good $4,000 for this project normally, as a 968 engine will normally run you $3,000. If you're 2.5 is in good working order, it should fetch $1,500 or so, and that will help you recoupe some costs.
And of course, when you go to do this, I'm just a phone call away.
W '04.
Sorry, had to throw that in there Brandon.
BTW, just got back from a 45 min drive around Melbourne, down 95, back up US 1... this car sounds ridiculous. I'd just never have guessed a 4 banger could sound or pull like it does. I mean, it ain't my buddy's 403rwhp Z28, but then again, what is? It's just quite an NA 4-banger.
That is all (for now).
-Matt
10-28-2004, 01:44 AM
#27
Addict
Rennlist
Lifetime Member
Rennlist
Lifetime Member
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Serge944
Your car is my dream 944 . This might sound like a noobie question, but just how fast is it?
Considerably faster than a stock 951, yes?
. This might sound like a noobie question, but just how fast is it?Considerably faster than a stock 951, yes?
Serge, I would not say that it is "considerably" faster then a stock 951. It's a totally different animal. It's really hard to say. The car pulls really strong, but it's a much smoother power band (save for the low-end flat spot probably associated with the 3" exhaust). A Turbo is a Turbo, and there will never be a 944 NA that is like a 944 Turbo, stock or not. You just don't get that rush out of anything other then forced induction.
With that said, this car is a great and I'm glad I did this conversion. There's something to be said for gaining power out of an NA (Honday S2000 anyone?) and while I've had wet dreams about the 951 since I was wee high, I'm really going to enjoy this 3.0 944 NA.
Considerably fast? Nah. Able to hang? I'd say so, although I do not own a 951 and it has been some time since I've driven in one (ECUDooberhead's) and that one was pretty friggin quick (and far from stock).
Take care,
Matt
10-28-2004, 11:13 AM
#29
Drifting
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 2,258
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Awesome Matt...I'm glad you finally got it going. Like you said when you called me the day you got it running, we need to do a CFL Return of Argento meet! Your NA is gonna run from my S2 now!
