So I'm thinking of putting an 8v head on my S just to get it running while I source out either another 16v head or get mine fixed.

So I take it besides the head (which I already have), I'll need an intake, exhaust headers, fuel rail, and an n/a DME right? What else will I need to do this?

 

Actually I was just thinking of it, the S transmission would make this car a dog if I switched to an 8v.

 

I don't think the gearing is that different. You might get slightly better fuel mileage.

 

+1
I think the gearing is very much the same as the earlier NA cars. There is a good chart that shows ratios for all the transaxles over at Clark's - look under Transaxles - Information.

 

The S has the same final drive ratio of 9:35 as the NA.

 

the S gears are marginally taller than the NA gears but the S 5th is shorter than an NA 5th. same drive ratio means youd lose a little economy 5th gear cruising but not much

 

Valve cutouts are different, you'd have to check for interference, maybe use a thick head gasket.

Intake and exhaust are different, airbox, AFM relocation, knock sensors... IMO a pain to do and not worth the effort.

-Joel.

 

S pistons were also much higher compression, you might have to check the deck height on those things

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think you can do this without some pretty extensive modifications, you can't just bolt the head on and go.

As V2rocket said, the S pistons are totally different, you will need 8v pistons, the S exhaust manifold will not bolt up to an 8v head, the S intake will not bolt up to an 8v head, I believe the S fuel rail is different, as are the injectors. I'm pretty sure you will not be able to use the S cap and rotor and spark plug wires. And I believe some coolant passages/hoses are setup differently for the S head. You're looking at a lot of work.

I would would wait until you find an S head...I know they're rare and expensive but if you try and fit an 8v head on it will be more expensive then waiting and buying a 16v head. Plus then when you get the 16v head you'll have to switch everything back again.

Whichever you choose, good luck! and post some pictures!

 

oh yea all that stuff too. S heads have 3-bolt manifolds whereas NAs are 2 bolts.

 

All the parts your buying doesnt sound like a sound plan to me. Just get your car fixed and move on.

 

Plus the oil passages are different on the 8v head and the 16V head, so You may have some leaks

 

Hey Guys,

I was asking about this as I have the entire top end off of an n/a lying around my garage ie. head, headers, intake, fuel rail, injectors, etc. I was wondering if it was possible, now thinking about it, I do see the point with the pistons being higher compression and may not clear the 8v head. figure it'll be cheaper just to get the 16v fixed than to even think about messing with anything 8v.

 

DUDE! Did you get a 944S? I love those! We gotta hang out and show me the car!

Take it from me, a person who is putting a 8v head on a 16v 968 motor. It is not simple. You will also need to change the computer and the entire wiring harness. Doable but lots of work.

The S pistons are not "higher compression". The entire combustion chamber on the S is smaller, thus higher compression, but that's because the cc in the head is smaller. If you put an 8v head over an S short block with S pistons, you will actually have lower compression than an regular 8v NA. Well, that's how it is with a 968 anyway.

PM on it's way about fixing your old head.

 

I would kill for an "S" head.