IceShark

I don't know when they dropped that hood insulation. I have a June 88 build TS which was in the runs they did with different exterior colors, seats, etc. No hood insulation, ever.

Evan70

I was about to say, my 88 Turbo S from the different color run didn't have it.

JustinL

My silver rose doesn't appear to have ever had hood insulation either.

Crazy Eddie

The 88TS dont have that hood insul ...

lleroyb

In the never ending quest for 944 trivia, I wonder when the hood insulation was dropped?? My '87 na had it, I don't think any '89s had it. Anyone know? Anyone know why it was dropped?

Lou

Crazy Eddie

It was said to me on speculation that maybe ?? since they introduced clear coats on all paints not just the metallic this may be the reason ??
Just grasping at straws
Regards
Ed

IceShark

I think it was heat sink qualities as that engine bay gets so hot when you are not moving 30mph.

It wasn't clear coat as the solid colors like my black TS doesn't have a clear coat.

littlejt1

Believe it was dropped in 88 sometime, not real sure, but I have a "late" 88 turbo(not S) and my buddy has an 89, and we were comparing some things, and my 88 has some features of the 89, just minor things. One thing he remakred about was the absence of the hood insulation, but an earlier one he had did.

Crazy Eddie

I stand corrected ( as I had said it was a grope ) :-)

Waterguy

The only performance equipment difference that I know of was the change from the 18 mm rear sway bar to 16 mm early in the 1989 model year. Not an issue if you have upgraded sway bars. I have also seen a window sticker that suggests the standard tire size was changed from 225F/245R to 205F/245R (while keeping the same 7"F/9"R Club Sport wheels) sometime in 1989. Both of these changes were likely made to reduce the power oversteer that was commented on earlier. The smaller rear way bar definitely increased slow speed understeer, though.

M758

my 88 TS has the hood pads.

Re difference between NA and 951S.

The NA feels lighter and more tossable. The 951 feels bigger and heavier. It also does not want to turn in as agressivly. However once you turn it in moves nicely. I think the biggest reasons for this are the extra sound dedaning, weight and spring rates. The NA is bit more raw and thus you feel things and little faster. The 951S is bit more comfortable and therefore you feel a it bit less. On turn in I can get the 951S to move just like the my NA, but I happens at higher speeds since it takes more speed to get the same feeling from it as in the NA.

Bottom line is the 951 S is all together faster and more confortable than the NA. I still love the NA for what it is however.
As for my 951S... well that is definite Keeper.

lleroyb

Glad to hear you say that Joe. I felt my 87 na was more tossable too. But then I thought maybe I was just more careful with the (more expensive) but better suspended '89 Turbo. The '89 has the 968 CS sway bars and new Konis. No doubt the 951 has better ultimate adhesion, I just don't find myself using it. Probably because I am more careful with it.

I guess there is no clear cut off on the insulated hood issue. Any greater mystery of life.

Lou

Evan70

It's all a matter of perspective. You should try driving my Firehawk, then driving the 951S. The Firehawk has gobs of torque and power, and really does handle well in a brute force way, but it is also a big car and weighs around 3500lbs. The 951S feels like a go cart by comparison.

sl951

Did the 944 Turbo S have chassis re-inforcements over the 944 turbo?

Crazy Eddie

Yes It has extra reinforcements in the front of the car in the engine bay behind the headlights I believe it is right next to the headlight bar plates