dave1192

I'm new to Porsche. Just got a clean late '86 944 NA (do I understand that NA means NOT an S or turbo?) with 150K miles. Went around a corner, heard a POP, and the transmission grinds and no longer drives the wheels.

I think its a 016k trans (code 5S stamped on the top)

Do I need to get exactly the same year and code replacement?

After reading some threads here, I think I understand that a later model ('88 or '89) trans will fit and be a better overall solution.

Are there a wide range of years and codes that all bolt up the same?

Can I get some general replacement guidance from you guys?

Thanks

JayP

You're gonna need an 85.5+ 944 unit. The older '44 and '24s all lack the speedo sender unit you need.

The '88 and '89 units are supposed to be more robust and the 5th gear isn't as tall. Turbo units are too tall for the NA cars.

I've been looking for a unit to replace mine in the S without much luck. One on Ebay went fast though.

tinman944

I have a few later ones kicking around ...not sure if they are all turbo. I will check when I get home

alordofchaos

Welcome to Rennlist!

You may want to post your general vicinity; lets people know if you're nearby. A good idea is to post some info on your car, as well... in the signature area is a good place.

Replace your timing belt if it hasn't been done very recently... preventative maintenance is soooo much cheaper than repairing...

Search here for "parting" threads... someone may have a car they're parting out near you.

Unless you turbo it! Just kidding.

NA means "normally aspirated" - not a turbo. Technically, the S and S2 are NAs, though their engines are different enough that NA generally refers to non-S/S2.

JayP

Adding a turbo may be easier than locating a non-turbo transmission!

dave1192

I've read some about changing timing belts. I have changed belts on other cars, but I get the feeling from my reading here that getting the tension right on the 944 belts is pretty tricky. The dealer wants a 2 visit process: first visit to install and set tension, then a re-tension visit after 150 miles or so.

How tricky is this process? Is the 2 step process really necessary?

TheRealLefty

Dave, you're no fun. You ask all hard questions.

As to the tranny, yes, you'll need an 85/2 - 89 NA model, but might want to hang in there for an 87-88 944S or an 89 and up 944S2 unit. S tranny has better ratios in gears 1-4 with the needed 3.89 rear gear. The S2 unit is highly desirable, Turbo spec but still with the 3.89 gear. NA trannies seem to be pretty plentiful in the salvage yards...Oklahoma Foreign is a reputable one, from my experience as is 944 Ecology.

But as to the belts, yes they are tricky and yes their tension is incredibly slack at the OE spec. Eyeball will never do it because your eye will never let them as loose as the factory planned them to be. The job is detailed but not all that vexing. It is a good idea to take care of business while you're in there and replace the seal set and the water pump, especially if you are new to the car. The seals are prone to leaking and the leaks can rot the belts. The water pump drives off the belts and if it fails it takes the valves and the head with it, so that comes under the category of preventive maintenance, albeit a bit pricey.

Long story short, 944's offer a very low entry cost into the world of fast (and the world of German engineering) but they are not that much cheaper than many more expensive Porsches to maintain.

alordofchaos

You'll hear many different opinions on the timing belt issue... some guys swear by the "twist" method (twist til it feels right) and only change at 45k mile intervals; either they've been lucky so far or they haven't come back to say, "whoops, that was a bad idea"

Others (such as bader$) had worse luck with the belt (his gave out at 25k miles). He lost "only" six valves... guys that have lost belts generally tend to become very conservative about belt changes/tensioning.

Edit: He lost it at 28k miles, will now do it at 25k miles. Link to thread

You probably know about Clark's Garage , which is an extremely helpful source. On the top of my list of things to buy is an alternative belt-tensioning tool from Bruce Arnn (arnnworx)

Most 944 owners learn to do their own belts... both to save money and to make sure it's done right. I'll be doing my first this winter

Mike C.

The early trannies have a removable plug where (I think) the newer style speedo sensor goes. So you might be able to use an early one if available.

Legoland951

The removable plug need a sensor and the gear inside, which will require the removal of the transmission case.

JimV8

Dave, whats your location?

Dave in Chicago

When I spit the R&P on my '88 NA, I got a rebuilt one from Ian at www.944online.com. It shipped to my UPS! Very happy with that service, reasonable and fast.

It is still in the car with the new owner. I think that it has been around 60k miles since the swap.

My best advice on the 944 timing belt is to have someone do it that has done them MANY times before. Yes, there's good written instructions, yes, there's a tool to measure tension... with a golden hammer I still make big holes in things. I leave this one critical item to a pro at a local race shop that has done about 100+ 944 timing belts.

Oh, and I drive every P-car I've had within and inch of it's life. Just my 2 cents.

dave1192

I'm in the Albany, NY area

DDP

That's what I like to hear!

Scootin159

FWIW, I have the Turbo transmission in my N/A...it's not THAT bad, so much so that in the 4 months my car was out of commission while I changed the transmission (winter), by the time I drove it again, it just seemed 'normal' to me. Anyways, my point is that if you find a turbo transmission for cheap enough, don't push it aside simply because of popular opinion.