How much HP possible from a 944s?
#16
Herr Unmöglich
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
In it's former days as an 8v... here is the car I mentioned above when it ran ITB's.
I'll be working crew when the new 16v version runs at 25 hours of Thunderhill next month.
I'll be working crew when the new 16v version runs at 25 hours of Thunderhill next month.
#18
Race Director
Welcome.
"Can I turbo my NA?" is a standard first question. According to conventional wisdom, it can be done, but it's much easier and cheaper to buy a 951.
As for what kind of numbers the NAs can put out, up to 200 is not unknown (mine did about that until I lost the timing belt, only time will tell if she can be returned to being all that she was), but take such claims with a grain of salt.
If you really want your NA to have significantly more muscle, I think most would agree that the ls1 swap is the best explored route to this goal. A realistic estimate for the cost of this would probably be about 12-15k.
Opinions vary as to whether this is A: Blasphemy, B: Worth it, C:Better than a turbo, D: More reliable than stock.
"Can I turbo my NA?" is a standard first question. According to conventional wisdom, it can be done, but it's much easier and cheaper to buy a 951.
As for what kind of numbers the NAs can put out, up to 200 is not unknown (mine did about that until I lost the timing belt, only time will tell if she can be returned to being all that she was), but take such claims with a grain of salt.
If you really want your NA to have significantly more muscle, I think most would agree that the ls1 swap is the best explored route to this goal. A realistic estimate for the cost of this would probably be about 12-15k.
Opinions vary as to whether this is A: Blasphemy, B: Worth it, C:Better than a turbo, D: More reliable than stock.
The LS1 swap into an NA is not the way to go. The tranny will implode in no time and the suspension is no better. If the LS1 swap is your preferred method start with a 951 roller and build upon that. However, unless you are planning on doing all the work/install yourself, it cannot be done correctly for $4500.00.
Cosmetically improve/clean-up what you have. Resell for $4k, add in your $4500 and buy a good decent 951 from a lister. There are some for sale here that have been well documented and taken care...irregardless of the miles.
You can put lipstick on a snail...but it is still a snail.
#19
Rainman
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
what kind of rear spring rate would you think would be good to handle an SBC around 400HP? obviously stock NA wouldnt be good enough but id imagine youd want some squat in the suspension to help preserve the gearbox etc.
#20
Well OP you could always be a man and give it a try.
Most people don't speak from experience when they say you'll never make any power. Who knows, maybe you'll do something great.
Most people don't speak from experience when they say you'll never make any power. Who knows, maybe you'll do something great.
#21
Thanks.
The 2.8 stroker is a bit pricey for me but looks interesting.
I have mixed feelings about doing an ls1 swap. I have owned an lt1 car and driven a ls1 many times and love the motors but I've always wanted a Porsche and putting an ls1 in kind of robs me of the full experience. On the other hand it sounds like a very fun combination. If I were to do it I would do most of the work myself but would need help with the computer/electronics. I can pick up a good running used ls1 for around $1,500. I had guesstimated about $5,000 for the install kit and extras but that was just a rough guess based on quickly looking through a hybrid site. I wasn't considering the added cost of a stronger trans.
Decisions, decisions.
I may do as suggested and just do some minor work and sell it to save for a turbo or I may do an engine rebuild and drive it for awhile then sell it if I'm not happy with the performance. Either way I think I will order some new plug wires, cap, rotor, and coil this week to see if it peps it up a bit. It runs pretty smooth but I can tell it has a slight miss.
Thanks again for the info guys.
The 2.8 stroker is a bit pricey for me but looks interesting.
I have mixed feelings about doing an ls1 swap. I have owned an lt1 car and driven a ls1 many times and love the motors but I've always wanted a Porsche and putting an ls1 in kind of robs me of the full experience. On the other hand it sounds like a very fun combination. If I were to do it I would do most of the work myself but would need help with the computer/electronics. I can pick up a good running used ls1 for around $1,500. I had guesstimated about $5,000 for the install kit and extras but that was just a rough guess based on quickly looking through a hybrid site. I wasn't considering the added cost of a stronger trans.
Decisions, decisions.
I may do as suggested and just do some minor work and sell it to save for a turbo or I may do an engine rebuild and drive it for awhile then sell it if I'm not happy with the performance. Either way I think I will order some new plug wires, cap, rotor, and coil this week to see if it peps it up a bit. It runs pretty smooth but I can tell it has a slight miss.
Thanks again for the info guys.
#23
Three Wheelin'
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Tulsa Oklahoma
Posts: 1,965
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You bought a decent condition S for 2500? You bastard. I see two feasible paths here.
First, you fix the car up and tinker around on it. Save some money and do some bolt-on's along with your cams and chip. It'd be a unique car that would make some decent power and I think even a cammed 2.5 16v motor with proper ITB's would make some great power. Not to mention it'd sound great.
Dumb down the idea here to keep it more realistic, and nix the ITB's or cams. A chip, and nice exhaust/intake would wake the car up.
Second route: Clean the car up. Do some paint patching over rough chips on the bumper etc. and do some fixer-uper work. Then sell the car for well more than you picked it up for. Congratulations, you just flipped a car, and at that rate, you flipped a car that can get a good return.
In both cases, you will want to refresh everything. Get new wires, belts, hoses and general maint. stuff. Just doing this will wake the car up. Its funny, that people buy older 80's sports cars and hammer an exhaust on, first thing. Then they complain about the lack of power gained. A fixed up stock motor will do better than a tired motor with a muffler and intake.
I vote, you fix it up and sell it. Consider the car an investment of your time and in the spring, you can have a fine automobile that will get you on your way to owning a 951. If that's your thing.
First, you fix the car up and tinker around on it. Save some money and do some bolt-on's along with your cams and chip. It'd be a unique car that would make some decent power and I think even a cammed 2.5 16v motor with proper ITB's would make some great power. Not to mention it'd sound great.
Dumb down the idea here to keep it more realistic, and nix the ITB's or cams. A chip, and nice exhaust/intake would wake the car up.
Second route: Clean the car up. Do some paint patching over rough chips on the bumper etc. and do some fixer-uper work. Then sell the car for well more than you picked it up for. Congratulations, you just flipped a car, and at that rate, you flipped a car that can get a good return.
In both cases, you will want to refresh everything. Get new wires, belts, hoses and general maint. stuff. Just doing this will wake the car up. Its funny, that people buy older 80's sports cars and hammer an exhaust on, first thing. Then they complain about the lack of power gained. A fixed up stock motor will do better than a tired motor with a muffler and intake.
I vote, you fix it up and sell it. Consider the car an investment of your time and in the spring, you can have a fine automobile that will get you on your way to owning a 951. If that's your thing.
#25
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Why not install a 968 intake manifold? Ya, I know, the 968 intake manifold is designed to work in conjunction with variocam, but it will still have an effect. The 968's torque comes from the intake anyway, not the variocam. I wonder how it would be on a 944S. The valves are smaller on this car too but still...?
#27
Racer
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Tallinn, Estonia
Posts: 498
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you want it as daily driver you do not want performance cams because you have to rev the hell out of them. If you want it as daily driver keep it stock! If you want more power S2 or 951 as said above.
I just realized that my 944S with yellow Konis, derlin bushings, street legal slicks and solid drop links feels nice on smooth highway but on city streets it is horrible for daily driver.
I just realized that my 944S with yellow Konis, derlin bushings, street legal slicks and solid drop links feels nice on smooth highway but on city streets it is horrible for daily driver.
#28
Rennlist Member
Find a guy named Michael Mount, and have him build your motor. You'll get north of 200 HP at the wheels. Though, an LS1 swap might be cheaper... or, as mentioned before, a 951 would be cheaper.
#29
Hey, anything can have more power, it's a simple equation. $$$ = HP