VirginiaF1

Weighing the Cost/Benefit Ratio of a near complete 944 running gear update vs. buying an '06 Cayman..

As we all know, the 944's versatility as a spritied daily driver/track car/keg hauler is rather unmatched.
The running costs including maintenance, taxes, car payments, etc.. make our cars unequaled in fun vs. expense.

So here is my price & hours labor estimate for all things non-cosmetic:

- Item / Best Cost / DIY Hours

- LASO WP, gasket & studs / $370 / 2.5 hours
- Behr Thermostat / $30 / 0.5
- Timing, Multi & BS belts / $85 / 2.0
(Current rollers have 30k on them)
- 4 coolant hoses / $70 / 1.5
- L&R radiator / $300 / 1.0
- Bosch Remac Alternator / $160 / 1.0
- PS Belt / $10 / .05
=====================================
Engine Sub-Total $1025 / 9 Hours


- AC expansion valve / $95 / 2.0
- Remac AC Comp Denso / $355 / 1.0
- Receiver/Drier / $15 / 0.5
- R134 & Lube / $75 / 0.5
=====================================
HVAC Sub-Total $540 / 4 Hours




- AOS Seals / $ 15 / 2.0
- Vacuum Lines / $60 / 2.0
- Intake, Exhaust, Cam Tower,
Rear Cork & Throttle Gaskets / $110 / 4.0
- Lindsey Braided Fuel lines / $135 / 1.0
=======================================
Fuel & Air $320 / 9 Hours



- Front Pads & Rotors / $240 / 2.0
- ATE Fluid / $12 / 1.0
- Sachs SuperTouring
Struts & Rear Shocks / $648 / 4.0
( Daily Driver Duty over Richmond's horrible tarmac)
=========================================
Brakes & Suspension / $900 / 7 Hours


Grand Total / $2,785 / 26 Hours

I've already replaced many items ( oil cooler seals, tires, caster & sway bushings, rear pads/rotors/ wheel bearings, etc..)
The above list ( unless I've missed something other than my 50% worn clutch) is meant to be a complete mechanical overhaul.

Please let me know if any above are incorrectly estimated.. or if I've forgotten a crucial update.
Thanks!

gmsracing

Well, the maintenance costs on the 944 are for sure a lot less than an '06 CS (didn't make the base model until '07) but the CS is really in a different league performance wise. If you can, I'd keep the 944 for playing around and the Cayman for daily use.

V2Rocket

Save yourself $270 and go with a Zims rebuilt WP. Best in the business.

Also, for the AC compressor for the same cost you can get a Sanden 508 unit and an adaptor kit for the 944 that couldn't be easier to install and works great. OEM or Sanden compressor will work even better with R134a with one of my condensers

F40LM

I am considering the same combo, but the other way around. Put the miles on the 944, save the Cayman for trips and weekend use.

m73m95

Explain.... please

TexasRider

This is exactly what I have been toying with as I said in the other thread. My super 951 and a Cayman S. If I had more garage space, or the cost of building another garage / pool house was not more than the combined cost(s) of both cars, I would already be there.

V2Rocket

http://www.paragon-products.com/A_C_...44.126.009.htm

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/VTA-04808-VMA/

These exact parts are the ones I used in combination with the first of my parallel-flow condensers for a customer of mine. Works amazingly well...had to turn the AC down in a Riverside summer. I will be using these parts too if my OEM unit is bad (which I suspect it is).

m73m95

But what are you "converting"...I mean, I see the compressor is different, but whats wrong with a stock, rebuilt unit?

V2Rocket

Options for rebuilt go from $300 at O'reilly to $500 on Pelican. But even with a reman unit there are parts in it that are 30 years old. The link above is a completely new, newer-design unit that is the #1 retrofit across the automotive aftermarket. It is a Sanden piece, not a Sanden copy. And it's shiny. In case you didn't realize, I am all for other options that do the same or a better job for a cheaper price...Porsche or not

m73m95

Oh no...I'm not going for the "porsche or not" argument. I love parts that graft perfectly onto the car.

I guess I didn't realize rebuilt compressors were so much....

The link you posted for the compressor says its a 7 groove pulley....we only use 6?

V2Rocket

or 5

it went on the customers car no problem, stock turnbuckle works. i think the extra rib is forward of the belt but i dont recall for sure. 7 seems to be a more common rib count nowadays.

m73m95

Ok, cool....I look into it as summer gets closer.

Thanks Spence!