Hey,
I just bought a 1988 944S which is in decent condition. It has a rebuilt engine in it with only about 69K on it and the chassis has about 74K on it. Its going to need some front end work but its not too obvious with a bra on so I've got some time before I have to get it completely fixed up. The engine still pulls pretty strong and it handles quite nicely. There were a few gauge issues with the fuel light being on all the time and temp gauge stuck in the red but they should be fixed by next week. I've got a new set of Kingsborne plugwires and a Weltmeister strut tower bar to go in as well. I'm not quite sure how much more I'll put into it. If anyone has ideas for how to get a bit more lowend power out of the engine, I'd love to hear them. It runs fast when I get the rpms over 3500 but from start it feels like it kind of just lugs until that point. Anyway before this turns into a novel, I just wanted to introduce myself to the board. Hopefully I'll be seeing some of you out at the PIR track on Porsche track days.
Jasper

 

Hi, sounds like a good project. <img src="graemlins/wave.gif" border="0" alt="[byebye]" />

 

Words of Advice. If you want help here, you may want to get the terminology right. Mercedes makes an S-Class, Porsche does not.

Welcome anyway. I had gauge problems, and found the ribbon connectors on my car were bent and not making good contact with the cluster.

 

Tom, what do you mean Porsche does not make an "S" class? 911 S, 944 S, 944 S2, Boxster S, 944 Turbo S, 911 Turbo S, 911 Carrera 4 S. Those are just a few examples. I'm just wondering what you meant. Sorry if I misunderstood.
Matt

 

[quote]Originally posted by S-Class 44:
<strong>If anyone has ideas for how to get a bit more lowend power out of the engine, I'd love to hear them. It runs fast when I get the rpms over 3500 but from start it feels like it kind of just lugs until that point.</strong><hr></blockquote>

You just described a 944S! The 16-valve head added top-end power at the cost of low-end grunt. Oh well. Multi-spark ignition systems are rumored to add low end. I have no personal expierience with them.

I too am in Portland. Maybe I will see you around.

 

Welcome aboard!

I didn't see anything wrong with the S-Class myself - kinda had to think up an original name anymore! But, what the heck do I know, I don't even own a cat!

 

I added an aftermarket ignition to my car. It made a difference in the low end, however I notice it mostly when driving at low RPM’s in traffic more so than when I have it floored.

I have a Crane Cams setup, which was a mother to install. I think that the MSD system is a bit easier to install. However, my system gives me the ability to set the rev limit – which I used to reset the rev limit to the stock cut-off after I had installed a chip.

Here is a forum thread that has links to some other discussions on the subject:
<a href="http://forums.rennlist.com/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=24&t=000124" target="_blank">Aftermarket Ignitions</a>

And a summary of my performance mods:
<a href="http://forums.rennlist.com/cgi-bin/rennforums/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=15&t=001521&p=" target="_blank">S2 Modifications</a>

Best of luck.

 

Welcome, Jasper!!!

If you're not already in "Po Town", you can't get there faster than in a 944S!!!
Seriously... I love mine. It's old and quirky, yet with appropriate care it serves faithfully as my daily driver. Having turned 53 today, myself, I am especially attuned to acknowledging its' foibles and giving it the preventative care that it needs. Keeping these things in mind, both you and I, and all the other "S" drivers on this board, will enjoy many years of enjoying (if not the fastest) one of the finest handing sportscars made.
Welcome again, and Enjoy!!!

Jim (who can't find his "Duck U" T shirt!) <img src="graemlins/wave.gif" border="0" alt="[byebye]" />

 

Thanks to everyone for your warm welcomes. As you can see I changed my name from the original S-Class 44 name, which was really more of a Taco Bell reference than a Benz reference, but oh well.
So I've found a possible solution to my front end repairs which I think might be substantially easier that trying to pick up all the pieces to make my 944 looks like it should. I found a Turbo bumper conversion on PerformanceProducts.com which would replace the bumper and front valence with one piece. Has anyone had any experience with these? Were they a good product or is it pretty flimsy. These run for 450, which is about how much a new 944 NA front valence runs for and I have to say I like the look of the Turbo front a bit more than that NA. I've already at this point kind of committed to it since I bought a set of Bosch Euro Fog/Driving lights for the Turbo bumper. Now I'll just need to get the front turn lights and the side lights which I'm wondering if they're the same ones as on the NA valence.
I'm also looking into the aftermarket ignition upgrades as well. what do you guys recommend as the best bang for your buck? Is it worth it to go with the more expensive systems like the MSD?
Thanks for all your replies so far.
Hopefully I'll see some of you Portland folks around town. Are you guys going to any of the track days at PIR?

 

Congratulations on your S! Make sure you read up on cam tensioner maintenance - crucial on 16 valve cars.
You might try a search on aftermarket front ends/bumper conversions on the main 924/944/951/968 board. There was one on front spoiler/bumper options that discussed the PerformanceProducts part you mention. My experience with PerformanceProducts is that while they have good selection their prices are often far higher than other vendors. I only buy from them when I have the 20% off coupon that they send out several times a year.