automatic 944 is slow
06-09-2009 | 02:39 AM
#1
Thread Starter
AutoX
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
automatic 944 is slow
Hey everyone,
My brother just bought a 1986 Porsche 944 Automatic. It only has 100k miles on it and it is so cherry. The exterior looks brand new. The interior is perfect and every little thing works but... it is soooo slow. I read the manual and it says it's a 3 speed. Is there any other transmission that can be swapped into this beauty. I have read about doing ls1 swaps and that would be cool but is there any way of fitting a auto transmission? Is a manual swap fairly straight forward? What are my options? Thanks for reading any advice is welcome.
My brother just bought a 1986 Porsche 944 Automatic. It only has 100k miles on it and it is so cherry. The exterior looks brand new. The interior is perfect and every little thing works but... it is soooo slow. I read the manual and it says it's a 3 speed. Is there any other transmission that can be swapped into this beauty. I have read about doing ls1 swaps and that would be cool but is there any way of fitting a auto transmission? Is a manual swap fairly straight forward? What are my options? Thanks for reading any advice is welcome.
06-09-2009 | 03:48 AM
#4
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,352
Likes: 0
From: Land of 10,000 potholes
When I first saw this post the first thing that shot into my head was "Duh".
Then I got to thinking, "Hey, welcome to the list!"
Anyway, if you absolutely must keep the car and don't want to sell it and buy a new one, go with a manual swap. If its an n/a manual trannys are plentiful and cheap as in <$400. Given, you'll need to swap a few dozen other things (bell housing, clutch, add another pedal, etc) but it's certainly do-able. If you use the search function on here, I know there's a write up on it somewhere.
Then I got to thinking, "Hey, welcome to the list!"
Anyway, if you absolutely must keep the car and don't want to sell it and buy a new one, go with a manual swap. If its an n/a manual trannys are plentiful and cheap as in <$400. Given, you'll need to swap a few dozen other things (bell housing, clutch, add another pedal, etc) but it's certainly do-able. If you use the search function on here, I know there's a write up on it somewhere.
06-09-2009 | 04:31 AM
#5
Lazer Beam Shooter
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,854
Likes: 3
From: Taco island
944 N/as arent very quick cars to begin with, and when they become an automatic then I hope you brought your running shoes because you could probably run faster.
FYI- Porsche manual says the 944 N/a in a 5 speed does 0-60 in 8.3 seconds, with the automatic doing 8.9 seconds. Ive done burnouts in my grandmas wheelchair faster than that.
Depending on if you want to keep it then you have 2 options.
A. Don't change anything. Drive the car how it is, enjoy it for what it is, and have fun using it as a cruising car. Still enjoyable, and the good thing is there is no cost involved in this.
or
B. Do a manual swap. The best way to go about doing this is to find a donor car. A totaled car with a good drive train would be best. From there the route I would go is to drop the bellhousing, transmission, torque tube, all as one unit out of each car. Slide the manual transmission stuff in there and maybe replace the rear main seal or clutch disc while you're at it. Swap the radiator, of it you have to try and find a way of plugging the hole from the ATF. Then the third parts issue you're going to be looking at, the clutch pedal. You will need a slave and master cylinder as well as the lines for them that run off of the brake reservoir master cylinder. Once youre done with it all, you're going to need to jumper the switch that stops the car from starting when its not in park or neutral. After you're all done, to finish it off you can (but is not necessary) swap the tachometer to get rid of the gear select.
If you do the work yourself you can save a ton in labor, and if you buy a parts car you can sell off the rest and your automatic setup to offset the cost of the job.
You might be better off selling the car however, and buying a turbo (faster, you can mod) or a nice example of an N/a.
FYI- Porsche manual says the 944 N/a in a 5 speed does 0-60 in 8.3 seconds, with the automatic doing 8.9 seconds. Ive done burnouts in my grandmas wheelchair faster than that.
Depending on if you want to keep it then you have 2 options.
A. Don't change anything. Drive the car how it is, enjoy it for what it is, and have fun using it as a cruising car. Still enjoyable, and the good thing is there is no cost involved in this.
or
B. Do a manual swap. The best way to go about doing this is to find a donor car. A totaled car with a good drive train would be best. From there the route I would go is to drop the bellhousing, transmission, torque tube, all as one unit out of each car. Slide the manual transmission stuff in there and maybe replace the rear main seal or clutch disc while you're at it. Swap the radiator, of it you have to try and find a way of plugging the hole from the ATF. Then the third parts issue you're going to be looking at, the clutch pedal. You will need a slave and master cylinder as well as the lines for them that run off of the brake reservoir master cylinder. Once youre done with it all, you're going to need to jumper the switch that stops the car from starting when its not in park or neutral. After you're all done, to finish it off you can (but is not necessary) swap the tachometer to get rid of the gear select.
If you do the work yourself you can save a ton in labor, and if you buy a parts car you can sell off the rest and your automatic setup to offset the cost of the job.
You might be better off selling the car however, and buying a turbo (faster, you can mod) or a nice example of an N/a.
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06-09-2009 | 10:06 AM
#9
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,244
Likes: 1
From: in my 944,NJ
im probably the one of the few handful on here that has an automatic. yes, it is slow, but the 5 speed isnt exactly lightning. (get it?? cause here in NJ, we have massive thunderstorms at this time lol)
ill agree with what rock said, and go with option A, and enjoy it. i would love a manual transmission so i can be better acquainted with the car, but im good the way it is.
i know i have the link to the swap somewhere, ill try to find it for you
ill agree with what rock said, and go with option A, and enjoy it. i would love a manual transmission so i can be better acquainted with the car, but im good the way it is.
i know i have the link to the swap somewhere, ill try to find it for you
06-09-2009 | 11:28 AM
#11
Pro
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 719
Likes: 2
From: Augusta GA
06-09-2009 | 03:28 PM
#15
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,854
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, Az
my 1st 84/944 had an auto and i loved it when stopping on hills 7 yrs ago.
i'm 62 and don't have a desire to go real fast anymore, just knowing the 951 can outrun most stuff on the road is plenty for me nowdays.
87951
95sl320 dd
i'm 62 and don't have a desire to go real fast anymore, just knowing the 951 can outrun most stuff on the road is plenty for me nowdays.
87951
95sl320 dd