I was going to buy a 996 or 997 and sell my 944 and keep the 928. Then when sanity struck, I cancelled the 911 car and decided to keep what I have, but make one go faster. The 944 was my choice. So here it goes.

I contract with Exotic Motor Werks in Plainview NY. Jason is a master mechanic with Lambo, Bentley, Porsche and so on. He knows this car perfectly. So I tell him my ideas and here is what I believe is to happen.

Wait I need to tell you this. The 944 I currently have is an NA in a very rare color, Nile Green. Car is great inside and out.

OK, need a donor car. Find one at DC auto in NC. Robert is sending to me. The donor car is a 951 lower milage and has the LSD and 494 suspension. I will be taking the works out of the 951 and put into my car. First, we will do the TB & WP, Head gasket, and other stock stuff. I intend to use the Lindsey racing kits for the 300 hp upgrade and a short shifter. This is as far as I have gotten. I know more is to come. Do I smell sleeper. Cruise in the 928 and kill em in the 944.

Please give me your comments or ideas.

 

yes! turbo-ing a n/a

i want to see this nile green!

 

I'll be watching, sounds interesting, might give SFR a call and see what they can contribute... FMIC, blow thru MAF...things along those lines...

Throw in a stand alone engine management while in there...

Lots of work ahead, but end product could be a LOT of fun...

 

I'm going to be doing pretty much this same thing.

I don't understand why everyone thinks this is such a bad idea? Why its the "joke" that it is.

IF you want to go fast in an NA, there are really only 2 options (not counting the blower that a couple people have done or are doing). Either the LSx swap, or the turbo swap.

With either one, you'll have to do the brakes and suspension, so the "it would be easier to just buy a turbo car" doesn't make sense. IF you want serious power out of a turbo car, then you're going to upgrade the suspension and go to big blacks/reds anyway... so whats the big deal about adding them to an NA car? Turbo transaxles are easy to come by, and not that expensive either.

I'll be looking forward to the build

Mine is put on hold due to financial issues (unemployed)

 

Do it and have fun!

 

A good 951 will have brakes and a drivetrain that can survive 300 HP, especially for street use, so it is going to be a better starting point. You also have to ask how much your time is worth. Building a 944 suspension,brakes and transaxle to 951 standards takes time.

All things being equal, I'd start with a 951. But if you have time and talent, you can upgrade the 944 n/a.

 

I say step it up, and go with a V8 in there

 

I like the idea. Good luck.

 

what happened at that get together that made you want to do this??!! kinda glad i didnt go or i might have sold everything i have and bought a 951 too lol

 

Agree. Maybe I'm biased, but my impression of 951 motors is that they have a high failure rate (turbos, head gaskets) and are very difficult (or expensive) to fix. And time is taking its toll as the universe of turbo motors gets older.

Of course, it's much closer to a bolt-in upgrade for a 944 than an LSx swap.

 

NAH, the 951 motor is a stout and reliable as ever, but like everything else, you hear the horror stories, and don't hear the joy..

I have found my 951 even modified and running higher boost, is every bit as reliable with 210K on her as my 70K N/A is... it is all about maintenance and love...

ANY car you beat up on will reward you with murpheys law... but a car you take care of will shine when you want it too!

I plan on a rebuild in teh near future, and after that rebuild expect MANY years of dutifull service from my 951 and it's drivetrain... My N/A is currently waiting for new BS bearings, and then it will be back in the fight again!

 

You guys take your LS stuff to the camero forums. I know all about the swap/performance etc. Your completely missing the point of owning a Porsche.

 

Have fun!! That is the important part.

 

That's right! The point of owning a Porsche is to experience the tactile sensation and power of a rear engined car, preferrably air-cooled, lovingly assembled by Porsche technicians in Stuttgart, Germany!

Although a 944 is none of those things.

 

I think the 996 would have been a lot cheaper. A nice boxster s would have been cheaper still.

Just don't get in over your head! I've had the 996 and 944 for a few months now and while I love the 944, I simply cannot work on it enough to run it as much as I want to when the 996 is always ready to go.