Jon Dizon

I have a 96 944 turbo in need of a head job. Before going forward I noticed online that 951 heads have this ceramic lined or coating on the exhaust side. As inspecting I think mine is either chipped or rather gone (pictures are displayed) and am STUMPED on what options I should take. Thoughts? I do plan keeping everything stock.

1. Continue using the head port and polish on the exhaust side.
2. Spend the money and get it serviced by Lindsey or buy a head form them.
3. Use a NA donor head and use that on my 86 turbo.

Humboldtgrin

I think that’s just a little surface carbon build up. Use WD 40 and a tooth brush to get those exhaust ports clean. It takes a while but you don’t want to scratch the ceramic. I believe the entire exhaust port is ceramic not ceramic coated and if the ceramic cracks it leaks exhaust gasses into the coolant system and vise versa. Mine looked like your’s does before I cleaned them up for inspection. Around the valve stem is the most common spot for a crack to form. I do recommend you replace your springs with new one’s if anything.

blade7

I don't think so.

V2Rocket

The exhaust port is ceramic, with the aluminum head cast around it. Cracked ceramic wont cause a coolant leak.

But chips of the ceramic can fall off and end up in your turbo which is going to kill it.

The purpose of the ceramic, as stated in Porsche literature, is to keep heat in the exhaust gas to warm up the catalytic converter faster, to reduce cold start emissions.

You can use an NA head no problem, just use your turbo exhaust valves and turbo valve springs in the NA head.

Jon Dizon

Thank you all.

Breakaway944

I believe the oil valve in the head has to be changed as well.

87944turbo

Just in case someone hasn't seen this picture. Pretty cool stuff for an 80s street car.

mahoney944

I used the na oil valve in my build. Doesn't seem to be any different. Close to 5000 miles so far.