IPSC

Now I know this is a subject that has been run over soooo many times it isn't funny. However the search function isn't bringing up any thing relavant.
I have been driving an 87 944S for three years and now I want a turbo. I am thinking an 87 or 88 to mod to no end (I love Projects) and keep the S for a daily driver and work on / drive the turbo for weekends and trips. My question is should I look at the 86 as a possible choice here? They are the most plentiful and the cheapest but the funky wheel offset I am not crazy about. Also the brakes are they differant in their stock form form the 87 /88? So could ya all point me to some of these threads or let me know your opinions? once again sorry for asking a question that has been answered many times before.

IPSC

streckfu's

If you plan to modify it, buy an 87 or 88 (non S) for the reasons you stated above. If you find a good 86, I don't think it would be that big of adeal because spacers can easily be used for aftermarket wheels. There are even kits to fit Big Reds to the 86. You may be more limited in the suspension game though.

So, I recommend and 87/8, but if a nice, clean, well maintained 86 comes along.....

Danno

" I am thinking an 87 or 88 to mod to no end (I love Projects) and keep the S for a daily driver and work on / drive the turbo for weekends and trips."

The Turbo might be lower maintenance than the 944S...

"should I look at the 86 as a possible choice here? They are the most plentiful and the cheapest but the funky wheel offset I am not crazy about."

Wheel-offset is not that big a deal. Longer studs and spacers will let you use both early- and late-offset wheels, making the '86 more versatile with wheel options than the later cars (see the 944-WheelsFAQ section of 951 RacerX website

Porsche made more '86 models than all the later years combined. So the plentiful supply keeps the market more liquid and pricing lower. If you're gonna be modding the car anyway, might as well pick up a cheaper, older car with more mileage since you're gonna be replacing the parts anyway. The brakes are the same as the later cars, but the front-calipers had 38/36mm pistons instead of the later car's 40/36mm. The '86 cars also came standard with an oil-cooler for the tranny, something that was made an option in later cars. Only came back as standard on the TurboS.

Don't buy a TurboS in pristine condition and start modifying it because you'll be swapping out the parts that make the TurboS unique.

CBRE

The 86's are lighter due to not having air bags and anti lock brakes. I love my 86 but have to admit the wheel offset thing bugs me, are spacers and studs safe for hard street driving?

streckfu's

Safe for the track too.

Mike Murcia

What about the forged internals of the '86 engine? If you plan to modify, this could be the bigest pro for getting an '86.

turbo944

I found the 86 myself and it was in fantastic shape and a PPI confirmed it (a few niggles including a ball joint that needed fixing), but nothing major, so I got it.

In the course of finding out that my car had late offset wheels and needed the ball joint, I swapped in 87 suspension parts (hubs, steering arms, rotors, and something else, but I'm too tired to remember at the moment) and sold my 86 parts, so I didn't end up paying a great deal for them (probably about as much as the rebuilt A-arm would have costed had I gone that route) and labor plus new wheel bearings all the way around (good maintenance idea anyway). Now my wheels fit proper and I have a good ball joint and don't have to worry about buying spacers and longer studs to make my wheels work.

The airbag isn't a concern to me and ABS, although nice, is something I've lived without since I started driving and doesn't bother me that much.

The first owner of my car at some point swapped in an 89 interior 10-speaker setup, 89 M030 suspension, and being a fairly late 86 car, either the updates have been made or it came with the header with the flex joint and 2 piece crossover.

The car was in great shape so I'd say the same thing to you. Find the best one you can for the money you are looking to spend and enjoy it! 930s didn't have ABS either!

Danno

I was thinking about retrofitting the later suspension as well to get ABS. But I suspected the system isn't as responsive and accurate as the later 4-channel systems. On all the cars I've tested with ABS, I wasn't able to get significantly shorter stopping distances. The pedal feel also wasn't as nice and direct. But throw in the unforseen circumstances like evasive maneuvers in rain & snow... it'd be nice to have ABS. Anyone remember that Brake-Gard contraption that was pushed as the passive alternative to ABS back in the mid-'80s?

Alan C.

If you use good studs and spacers along with keeping things tight I don't think the spacers are an issue. I use both long studs and spacers on my car. Wheels are 11x18 on all 4 corners.

Matt H

Mike, I think it has been discovered that ALL 951s have forged internals, it was on another post the other day.
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IPSC

How much lighter are we talking here? 50 lbs or 200lbs? That could make a big differance in the decision

seb928s

The curb weight in the manual says 2899lbs for the 1986 Turbo. I haven't seen what it is on the 1987.