ILOVEMY944

hey i was just wondering how hard it would be to put a later dash into a early car?? im pretty good at customizing stuff but just a question. i can easily get a later dash so i was just wondering. i dont car about like the air vents and stuff lining up and how about the instrument cluster can u change that over??
thanks
Bryan

Porsche-O-Phile

This has been discussed ad nauseum in a hundred other threads, but to summarize and not be the "use the search feature" *******, I'll say this:

It's probably not worth it, you'll pay 10X what the car is worth for minimal gain and instruments you can't see at night. . . You'd need to change all the harnesses, the ducting, probably the entire evaporator assembly, etc. Not even remotely worth it. If you REALLY hate the early interior so much, why'd you buy an early car? 85.5 n/a specimens can be had for around $3k-$4k.

If you really like the late interior that much, get a late car. It'll be cheaper than swapping it out.

What's so wrong with the early interior anyway? It's simple and works fine. I actually like it better, but I'm kinda' weird like that.

RMills944

You may as well just swap then engine and wiring harness while you're at it - hey, why not a turbo too!

Chris_924s

Geez Jeff. Lets try this-

DAMMIT- BUY A 85.5 OR LATER 944.

It'a a PITA, there are a lot of non-same connections, you'll have to swap the tranny... DME, Etc.
as I said. It's a PITA.

Go for it if you have buckets of cash to burn.

porcho heat

Quick question, why do you have to swap the tranny? Does this mean I'll have to swap the dash if I want to put a 968 6spd or 951 tranny in my car?

ibkevin

Jeff always sounds soo cranky because he needs a vacation....and LA traffic

Bryan, did you ever get the car running?

sharky47

I believe the reason for swapping the tranny is because the early cars use a mechanical speedometer while the late ones have a sensor on the side of the tranny for the electronic instruments.

Porsche-O-Phile

Yea, but the nice thing is they're paying me for all my unused vacation time this year - whoo whoo!!! Found out yesterday. 120 hours of unexpected bonus money bay-bee!!! Woot!

I'm for sure taking off the end of December I don't care if this place burns down.

ibkevin

yeah right...

led

I have a neighbor that tried doing this on his car and I have to agree with everyone, it's not worth it. Besides the wiring being different, you'd probably have to change the door panels as well since they'll get crushed right where they meet the dash. Also, the dash itself will look out of place when viewed from the outside with the doors open. YMMV, but this is how it ended up for my neighbor.

ILOVEMY944

wow i asked a simple question becuz in my personal opinion i like the newer dash better. i was young when i got my car i was 15 when i got it and i got it pretty cheap and ive worked alot on it and put alot of my blood sweat and tears into and i love it. if there is ne way i can make it better for me im gunna try it no matter wut happens or how much $$ i put in it becuz all in all its still a porsche. i can easily get my hands on 944 parts so i have no worries i was just wondering on sum peoples inputs on it maybe sum 1 found an easy way to do it. i have read many people have done it. and actually my friend put a turbo on a n/a which was pretty simple just time consuming and ran great afterwards. there are many porsche shops around here that im affiliated with and they love when people try new stuff. this is my first porsche and i love to learn with it. im looking at finding a 88' turbo that is my all time dream car in the world! thanks every 1 who actually gave me sum nice input.
and nah i still never got it running just ordered the FPR and sensors so i will update soon enough thanks
Bryan

SD Porsche Fan

Maybe you should have titled the thread, "Early car around a late dash?"

Anything can be done with time, effort and money. Can it be done? Yes. I don't think it can be done easily though. Is it worth the time, effort and money? How much of each do you have? Then it is up to you.

ILOVEMY944

well im sorry for titleing it wrong i am still a newbie yet but i have as much of each i can give cuz when my car is happy i am happy. i have alot of other questions yet and every 1 will prolly be hearing from me lol i love my car...even tho she wont start at the moment!!!! check out my other thread " early porsche will not start..HELP" if u have any helpful information!!! thanks
Bryan

SoCal Driver

If you can't figure out how to get your car started I don't think you will ever figure out that it's not practical to put a later dash in an early car. If you want a later dash buy a later 944.

ILOVEMY944

its not that i cant figure it out its just takes alil time to go threw trial and error. sum of us dont have the luxury of just buying a new car. and sum of us love our cars and dont want to get rid of them just want to make them better thats all