JasonO

Here's the deal:

I have this 1987 944S that is not being used at all right now. Why? Well it looks like a pile of crap, due to a family member running into it three times. Coupled with a few other body blemishes, ****ty paint etc., about the only thing worth saving are maybe some interior bits and the engine that was rebuilt 3 years ago after a t-belt failure.

What I would like to do is make a car that I can start autocrossing, and I was wondering how feasible it would be to pick up an 85.5 or newer 944 with a non-working engine and put my S engine into it.

If feasible, I figure the standard 944's shorter gearing and the S's power bonus would make for a fun play car, something that is far from perfect, but still enjoyable.

All work done on the project would be DIY, as it seems like a fun summer project.

Soooooooooo..... is this even realistic? Am I just being silly? Would picking up a standard 944 even be worth it over looking for a broken, but rarer S?

All thoughts appreciated, and I'm in no rush as I have the 928 to cruise around in...

Thanks!
Jason

Devia

I see them around here for $400 - $600; there are also the auctions you can go to.

- Julie

Dave

The gearing difference is to little to be noticable, besides the S trans has a stronger R&P so you'd want to swap that along with the motor.

Luis de Prat

Don't forget the DME electronics are specific to S models and you're probably going to need to transplant the related wiring to make it work.

$500 sounds about right for a decent roller.

tifosiman

If the only real issues with the car are the cosmetic ones that you mentioned, I would stick with what you have. That would make an excellent autcross car as is. You won't have any issues with cone-marks on the bodywork, etc because the car is far from perfect already.

The S is in a different class than a standard 83-88 N/A, at least at PCA events. Putting all of the S drivetrain into a standard N/A will still put you in the same class as the S, or worse......

I say keep it!

Best of luck,

Tifo

JasonO

You're probably right... it's just so hideous right now! And I do have most of the panels to fix the car.

Transplanting engines just seems so much more fun and exotic though!

Thanks for the replies...