F1Fan426

Good afternoon fellow Porsche enthusiasts. I apologize if this isn't the right place to post this, if it is I'll remove it for you. Anyways, I'm fairly new to the Porsche game. Back in May I bought my first one. It's an 86 944 NA. I have quite a few questions about my car. This article is long, so thank you for all who take the time to read/answer my questions. So, I guess I'll start listing my questions now.

First things first, I have a blown headgasket in the car. Is this something I should take to a shop to get fixed, or is this something that anyone can do? I'll let you know I don't have barely any mechanical experience at all.

My next question involves suspension. I'm wanting a new suspension setup in my vehicle. My goal is for it to be a daily driver to and from work, with the occasional track day. I have seen a lot of posts about using konis? Also, if I wanted to go with a coilover setup, what do fellow enthusiasts recommend? Also keep in mind that this is getting an LS1 swap within a year, don't know how that would affect suspension choices.

Front end, yeah the front end. I'm currently wanting to do a NA to 951 front end conversion, what is required? Is it just
- Bumper Cover
- AL Bumper
- Bumper Shocks
- Fog Lights
- Turn Signals (front and sides)
- Driver's and Passenger's Side Fenders
- Headlight Covers
- Center Header Panel
Do I need anything else?

Rear end question. Can I put a 951 rear valance on an 86 na? Or will it not work?

Next questions involve interior. I'm currently in the process of redoing my entire interior, because it's shot. I'm curious to know how much carpet I need to get to upholster the interior, or if there is a place online that sells new carpet kits for the 944 (pelicanparts?). Also I'm doing a rear seat delete, so I'll need to carpet that area as well.
I'm going to be sound deadening the interior while I'm removing carpet as well. I'll be using dry ice to remove the old stuff, I heard that helps a ton, especially around the tunnel area. Also would Polyken tape work? Just use multiple layers? Or do you all recommend something else for sound deadening? I would like to stay away from asphalt based sound deadeners because it gets really hot where I'm at in the summer. Also I want this car to be completely prepped for when I do my LS1 swap, so it needs to be quieter.

Lastly, I want your opinions on racing seats in the 944. Now, I know I won't really know which one I want till I sit in it, etc. But, I want to know what you guys think of some seats. What seats are comfy, etc? I'm looking at some Recaro Profis right now, but I'm wanting something maybe a bit cheaper. It needs to have the shoulder straps going through the seat, as I will be using a 4-5 point harness in my car. Also I plan on taking 3-5 hour road trips every other month in this, and I'd like my butt not to go numb. Also my waist size is 32 if that helps any.

Thank you all for reading this post, it means a lot if you comment. Again I'm new to this whole thing, and I'm wanting to learn as much as I can along the way. Thank you all for your time today.

Dimi 944

Welcome to the forums and congrats on your purchase!

I can answer some of your questions based on my experience.

You will have to take the car to a shop for the head gasket based on the description of your mechanical abilities.

Regarding the suspension, you can start with Konis and upgrade as your driving skills with the car improve. I have a nice set of almost new front and rear Koni Sport adjustable shocks.

If you are upgrading the car with LS1 engine you will definitely need better/bigger brakes which might require the change of your front spindles/steering knuckles if you want to stay with OEM brake option. You might want to take that into consideration when you are upgrading your front shocks as they differ from one 944 model to another.

The list of items for the front end conversion to a 951 Front end is correct. You can skip the side turn signal as they are the same as the ones on your car. The rear valance will be easy to add to your car as well. You will need to drill 4 holes low on your rear quarter panels and the rest is already in place. I can provide most if not all of the required parts for that conversion as well.

Most race shells are not comfortable for 3-5 hour drives. You can go with Sparco or Recaro but the padding is pretty much the same. You can look into sports seats such as the Recaro SRD which accepts 5 point belt and provides good support for the track and decent comfort for the road.

Feel free to send me a PM or email if you need some parts and/or if you have any other questions.

curtisr

Welcome to the forums. You're in good hands (such as Dimi's et al). If you're planning an LS1 swap, why bother fixing what the head gasket?

F1Fan426

The reason why I'm fixing the gasket now, is because I'm waiting until next May/June to do the swap. That's why I'm going to fix the head gasket now, that way I can use it some.

F1Fan426

Thank you for responding! Like I said, I don't know too much about these cars, I'm just starting to figure them out. I will for sure pm you. Thank you for taking the time to respond.

curtisr

If you're up to it you can use the guide from Clarks Garage:

Tools

Jack Stands or Ramps
6 mm Allen Head Socket
Metric Socket Set
Metric Wrench Set
Torque Wrench

Other Procedures Needed

CYL-03, Cylinder Head Tightening Sequence and Torque Specifications
FUEL-09, Intake Manifold Removal and Installation
CAM-02, Camshaft Assembly Installation
FUEL-02, Fuel Injector and Fuel Rail Removal and Installation
ENG-06, Camshaft and Balance Shaft Belt Installation
ENG-10, Camshaft and Balance Shaft Belt Tension - Checking and Adjusting
AF-01, Air Filter Housing and Air Flow Sensor - Removal and Installation
IGN-01, Distributor Cap and Rotor Replacement
COOL-02, Coolant System Draining, Filling, and Venting

Parts

Head Gaskets Part Numbers
924 (77-82) 931 104 337 06
924S (87-88), 944 (83-88), 944S (87-88) 944 104 374 14
924T (80-82) 944 104 337 03
944T (86-88) 951 104 374 02
Cam Housing Gaskets -
924 (77-82) 060 198 025
924S (87-88), 944 (83-88), 944T (86-88) 944 105 199 03
924T (80-82) 060 198 025 A
944S (87-88) 928 104 447 09
Intake Manifold Gaskets -
924 (77-82) (1) 047 133 227
924S (87-88), 944 (83-88), 944T (86-88) (4) 944 110 163 05
924T (80-82) (4) 931 110 147 00
944S (87-88) (1) 944 110 305 02
Exhaust Manifold Gaskets -
924 (77-82) (4) 048 129 589 A
924S (87-88), 944 (85.5-88), 944T (86-88) (4) 944 111 196 00
944 (83-85.5) (4) 928 111 193 12
924T (80-82) (4) 931 111 191 00
944S (87-88) (4) 944 111 205 00

Procedure

If not specified apply the following fastener torque specs.

Size Torque
6 mm 8 Nm (6 ft-lbs)
8 mm 20 Nm (15 ft-lbs)
10 mm 40 Nm (29 ft-lbs)

Ensure that the mating surface on the cylinder head and block are clean. Remove all old gasket material and deposits. Be careful if using a scraper as it can easily gouge the aluminum surfaces of the head and block. Minor scratches can be remove with emery cloth or steel wool. Deep gouges will require machining to keep the mating surfaces level. In the case of the block this could require removing the engine from the car and removing the head studs.
Place the new head gasket on the block..

NOTE (from Tim Richards)

I've never tried it personally but, Tim Richards suggests removing the cylinder head with the exhaust manifolds still attached. According to Tim, it saves a couple hours of work. The cylinder head can also be installed with the exhaust manifolds attached. Thanks for the suggestion Tim.

Install the cylinder head onto the block.
Install the two M8 Allen head bolts (6 mm head) at the front of the cylinder head. Tighten the bolts to 20 Nm (15 ft-lbs).
Coat the head stud threads with a light film of engine oil. Do not use anything other than engine oil.
Install all head stud nuts finger tight and then torque in three steps to the appropriate torque for your engine. Refer to CYL-03 for appropriate torque specs for your vehicle and tightening pattern.
Connect the coolant hose at the back of the cylinder head going to the heater control valve.
Connect the coolant outlet hose at the front of the cylinder head.
Place the exhaust manifold in position in the car.
Install the exhaust manifold studs and retaining nuts to secure the exhaust manifolds to the head. Torque the exhaust manifold nuts to 20 Nm (15 ft-lbs).
Using FUEL-09, install the intake manifold.
Using CAM-02, install the camshaft assembly.
Using FUEL-02, install the fuel rail and injectors.
Using the appropriate sections of ENG-06 and ENG-10, install and tension the camshaft belt.
Install the front timing covers.
Using AF-01, install the air filter housing and air flow sensor.
Using IGN-01, install the rotor and distributor cap.
Route coil wire to the distributor and plug wires from the distributor to the spark plugs.
Using COOL-02, fill and vent the coolant system.
Reconnect battery leads.

NOTE

After the engine has been run at normal operating temperature, the exhaust manifold retaining nuts should be checked and re-torqued as necessary.

Clark's Garage © 1998

If not, someone may have a suggestion as to where to take your car based on your location. Which is...?

NM'87 951

Welcome to the front engine Porsche world.