944 S 16 valve performance boost
#1
944 S 16 valve performance boost
Newbie here: any ideas on off-the-shelf performance improvements to a 1988 944 S? Looking for something that helps the car off the mark a bit. UK company Promax (http://www.promaxmotorsport.com/) claims 20 BHP gain with their chip, but I don't know if that's going to help at low revs. I just drive it around the Cambridgeshire country lanes and would like a bit more ooomph. (I know - buy a Turbo - it might be easier...)
Thanks
Steve
Thanks
Steve
#4
yes
i've gone back and forth on it. it depends on how i feel that day. I probably will do it. I have been collecting parts for it. but until I get all the parts I will enjoy the car the way it is.
i've gone back and forth on it. it depends on how i feel that day. I probably will do it. I have been collecting parts for it. but until I get all the parts I will enjoy the car the way it is.
#5
The S can be a blast if you just keep the RPMs up. If you haven't already, sort out all the little things like vacuum, spark and injectors, etc. They might add up and you'll notice some gains (I sure did).
And since you're new and may not have searched all that much, don't take chances with the cam chain tensioner (and of course the T belt).
Cheers.
And since you're new and may not have searched all that much, don't take chances with the cam chain tensioner (and of course the T belt).
Cheers.
#6
Improve exhaust and intake. Then rev the **** out of it. Use second gear more, and downshift at higher rpm's than you are accustomed to. Just don't beat it.
Also realize that a nice exhaust will make the car sound better as well as giving you maybe 18 HP. The cars are really not slow, but they are so high geared and quiet that they are undramatic. The S doesn't really make power until about 4000 rpm, so uncorking the exhaust will really free up the engine's top end power while telling your ears that you have a real engine.
BTW, Try telling the trooper that your car is slow when you get pulled over at 90 plus. They really fly. Nobody I have taken for a ride has ever said ''Gee, what a slow car.''. I also have an 89 928. Very fast, but similarly undramatic. Driving my 72 Fiat Abarth replica with the competition cams and exhaust gets me dirty looks at normal speeds. Burns rubber etc. and feels really fast at 70. The 944 will blow the doors off of it and I can fly by the locals without a second glance. Feels very smooth at 120, no drama. Go figure. Sometimes I have to open the windows to get a feeling of just how fast I am going. LOL
Also realize that a nice exhaust will make the car sound better as well as giving you maybe 18 HP. The cars are really not slow, but they are so high geared and quiet that they are undramatic. The S doesn't really make power until about 4000 rpm, so uncorking the exhaust will really free up the engine's top end power while telling your ears that you have a real engine.
BTW, Try telling the trooper that your car is slow when you get pulled over at 90 plus. They really fly. Nobody I have taken for a ride has ever said ''Gee, what a slow car.''. I also have an 89 928. Very fast, but similarly undramatic. Driving my 72 Fiat Abarth replica with the competition cams and exhaust gets me dirty looks at normal speeds. Burns rubber etc. and feels really fast at 70. The 944 will blow the doors off of it and I can fly by the locals without a second glance. Feels very smooth at 120, no drama. Go figure. Sometimes I have to open the windows to get a feeling of just how fast I am going. LOL
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#8
no exhaust on a 944 is going to get you 18hp. and if it did it would be within a 500 rpm powerband at 5,500 rpm. and you would have to chip it to change spark/fuel.
now. two adjustable cams with tuned exhaust and short runner intake will prolly net you over 20 i would think. THAT would be fun. and sound badass.
now. two adjustable cams with tuned exhaust and short runner intake will prolly net you over 20 i would think. THAT would be fun. and sound badass.
#9
Originally Posted by Campeck
now. two adjustable cams with tuned exhaust and short runner intake will prolly net you over 20 i would think. THAT would be fun. and sound badass.
If you were to install the larger 951 valves on the 16v head, that thing could flow HUGE numbers.
But why stop there? Why not 4 into 1 headers?
#10
Originally Posted by smallinson
UK company Promax (http://www.promaxmotorsport.com/) claims 20 BHP gain with their chip, but I don't know if that's going to help at low revs. I just drive it around the Cambridgeshire country lanes and would like a bit more ooomph. (I know - buy a Turbo - it might be easier...)
Thanks
Steve
Thanks
Steve
Check your ignition, vacuum lines, injectors and all the basic stuff. You can install for example a Promax chip and that's about it then. Remove some weight from the car maybe. Then just floor it. If it's not enough, get some other car.
I think the S-model is somewhat fast car but it doesn't feel like it. It's somehow too sophisticated and humble. I like it A LOT but I guess this is our last summer together.
#11
Thanks for all the inputs folks. Looks like the answer is: rev a bit harder, look at the vacuum, spark, injectors, consider the Promax chip for low rev gains. And then after that you're into metal bashing. Agree the car is swift, but the frustrating bit is at low revs. BTW, I went hunting for 944 performance chips on the internet, and found a bunch, but couldn't find too many specs; which is suspicious. Any thoughts on them?
Thanks again
Thanks again
#12
According to a car magazine, the 1988 944S does 0-100km/h (0-60mph) in 8.0 seconds, and 400m (1/4 mile) in 16.2 seconds. I believe the stock power is 180 hp or so. I'm sure you know the engine is 2.5L.
People can tell you to buy a turbo, but sometimes you just want to keep your car. But while you're in it you wish you had some more grunt... I think weight reduction and bringing things back up to snuff are the best things to do. Weight reduction is often simple and cheap, and highly effective at improving both handling (as long as you keep the distribution 50/50) and acceleration. Fixing up all that stuff mentioned above will make the car run smoother, deliver power better, and make the car more reliable. Don't forget, a fast car is still a useless car if it doesn't work.
Past that, I hear the most promising upgrades to an NA 944 are cams, exhaust, fuel, intake. Before you spend money on upgrades, or even fixing up your engine, decide whether or not you'll be happy with a 180hp engine. If not, before you invest into it, swap it for a turbo engine or something. HTH.
People can tell you to buy a turbo, but sometimes you just want to keep your car. But while you're in it you wish you had some more grunt... I think weight reduction and bringing things back up to snuff are the best things to do. Weight reduction is often simple and cheap, and highly effective at improving both handling (as long as you keep the distribution 50/50) and acceleration. Fixing up all that stuff mentioned above will make the car run smoother, deliver power better, and make the car more reliable. Don't forget, a fast car is still a useless car if it doesn't work.
Past that, I hear the most promising upgrades to an NA 944 are cams, exhaust, fuel, intake. Before you spend money on upgrades, or even fixing up your engine, decide whether or not you'll be happy with a 180hp engine. If not, before you invest into it, swap it for a turbo engine or something. HTH.
#15
Originally Posted by FRporscheman
According to a car magazine, the 1988 944S does 0-100km/h (0-60mph) in 8.0 seconds, and 400m (1/4 mile) in 16.2 seconds. I believe the stock power is 180 hp or so. I'm sure you know the engine is 2.5L.