drift a 944

I know some of you have probably done this type of swap and run into problems.

Basically, a good friend of mine is in the process of removing a blown motor from an 83 944, and installing a good running motor from an 86 944. I know there are going to be some issues with which electronics to use, but I basically want to know if there are any other main things to look out for.

As of right now, both motors are out of both cars. I haven't compared them yet, but I'd like to know if there are any differences between the two that might cause a problem installing and running the motor. For instance, bell housing / clutch differences? Maybe motor mounts? Any vacuum lines, water hoses, fuel lines, electrical wires, etc. that need to be swapped over?

Just thought I'd ask before we have to find out the hard way. Thanks in advance!!

-Elliott

thoen

check the past posts and also on pelicanparts.com 944 forums, they had several posts on this issue.

MM951

IRRC you need to swap the temp sensor (83/84 has round vs 85+ 2 spade) and use the early DME/AFM.

thoen

i believe (and am almost certain) that you should keep the dme and air sensor that comes with the 1986 944. i am using a 1986 dme and air sensor on my 1983 so that it could be chipped and it works great!!! keep the 1986 stuff. check with others on this.

MM951

Your right, for some reason I assumed he just had the engine and not the 86 DME etc.


All in all, it is as straight forward a swap you can get

thoen

mike,
thanks for confirming. i knew that you knew but probably it came out wrong.

Eliott,
go to it and let us know?
best,
ernest

drift a 944

Thanks guys, I appreciate it. We are going to change the timing belts and clutch this week while the motor is out, and then install the motor probably next weekend.

And Ernest, hopefully today I'll dig those rear seats out of the garage and take some pictures for you!

Mike C.

The fuel line connections are different. The 83 has them coming up the firewall on the driver's side while the 86 has them coming in through a hole on the passenger side inner fender and so connections to the fuel rail are different. I'm sure a search on 'fuel lines' will turn up what they look like installed on the later cars.

V2Rocket

i dont imagine that would be a problem but if it is the rails could just be swapped.

Legoland951

Bolt the long block in as a straight swap. The block temp sensor and instrument temp sensor in the block are different but simple unscrew and reinstall. Use all accessories including the alternator bracket, intake manifold, hoses, fuel rail, harness, etc from the 83 onto the 86 block. Nothing else needs to be changed unless you are **** and want the 83 cam on the 86 block as the early cam is the same as a turbo.

VaSteve

This isn't quite correct. The block, etc is an easy swap. The fuel rails from the old car will bolt right on no worries. The temp sensor is DIFFERENT in operation. The early car measures the temperature by measuring a pocket of air in the block. The later car measures the temperature of the coolant.

I had a late car and dropped in an 84 block/head. I had to tap the filler vent screw to fit the later temperature gauge so it'd work with my gauges (late gauge, late car). I left the old air temp gauge in the block and left it disconnected.

Legoland951

Both the 83 and 86 has the block sensor in the block below the head ON the block as there are NO sensors on the head. The "filler" I assume is the coolant resevoir and there are no sensors in any 944/951 I have ever seen. The thermostatic fan switch is in the radiator and the late model has 3 wire while the early has 2 but thats irrevenent here. As I mentioned, the sensor for the coolant gauge is on the block and the early car has 1 wire while the late has 2 with a different connector. The block temp sensor (separate but next to the coolant gauge sensor) maybe the same. I have an 83 block in my 88 track car and have done more motor swaps than I care to. Believe me unbolt and use the early accessories to use only the long block with the exception of the 2 sensors.

Trying to use the late accessories is a waste of time in my opinion. The alternator bracket is different so the late alternator will not bolt up. Also, the wiring is different between the 2 alternators. The intake manifold has hoses that are located and shaped differently. The 87 even has low oil sensor in the pan. Also, the early car uses a 5 ribbed belt while the late uses 6 so the a/c compressor pulley is different not to mention they are physically different with lines going in different locations. I am trying to save you time and didn't really want to go into all the differences as it will only confuse you if you are trying to mix and match things. As someone mentioned, the only thing I would keep in the early car is the late DME and AFM but that plugs directly into the early harness with no modifications required.

VaSteve

I clarified my post...I sold the car and didn't check under the S2's hood before posting. I had an 86 and dropped in a 84 block. I used my old wiring harness but needed to measure the water temp. I tapped the "bleed screw" on the neck to fit the sender/sensor. Everytime I needed to bleed the system, I had to loosen the sensor since that was now the bleed screw as well.

Legoland951

The late and the early block both have a water temp sensor in the block and they are interchangeable but are different. They are in exactly the same location in both blocks behind the block temp sensor when looking from the front to back. Anyways, just replace both sensors from one block to the other and you are done without having to do modifications to any bleeder screws.

drift a 944

Thanks for all the help guys. So far things are going smooth, the intake manifold, fuel rail, alternator bracket have all been swapped over... but I have a quick question.
The clutch slave cylinder doesn't want to go into the bell housing for some reason. We tried using the 83 bell housing, but it still won't fit. Are there any differences between the 83 and 86 slaves?

Also, where exactly is the water temp sensor? Can you guys briefly describe it?


THANK YOU!!