RedShadow

Hello again

This may interest those of you considering or currently owning a 944 turbo and a 3.2.

I've been absent for a long time as I hung the 944T(220hp model) up on blocks in NZ and moved to England. Since coming to the UK I've picked up a 1984 911 Carrera 3.2 Sport. Lovely car very different animal to the 944T.

First impressions? The 911 is a bastard to clean compared to the 944. The 944 didn't have bumper bellows, whale tail and the tricky areas of the 911 to get to. In particular, the area just inside the doors between the pillar and the front wing of the 911 is a real pain to get to. The fact you can lift the rear Hatch in the 944 makes things very easy too. I've managed to pick up an identical spec for the 911 as the 944. Both cars guards red with pinstripe half-leather in black for both cars. Easy victory to the 944 on the keep clean front.

Everything about the 944 seems easier and better designed. Driving position, switch gear - but it's the driving that counts right? Well, I'm not sure what to make of it to tell the truth. I'm not driving the 911 like I stole it yet, in fact, I'm a little nervous of the twitchy character of the car. But I couldn't help giggling to myself last weekend... compared to the 944, the 911 seems so much more brutal in it's delivery. But then the 944 could just explode if you caught the turbo on boil. The 944 feels faster in third/fourth gear up to about 200kph/120mph but then the gearing in the 911 feels longer and more urgent. The 911 is definitely louder and has the better engine note.

I can't really tell which car is the quicker. The 944 is very planted and stable the 3.2 raw and light at the front end. To be honest the 944 feels faster but maybe it's just the turbo delivery at the top end.

Which do I enjoy more...? Not sure yet!!!

Anyone else care to throw in their 2 cents on the differences experience between the cars?

Max

Raceboy

Carrera 3.2 is actually faster than 944, at least 0-100kph (5.7s vs 6.3 of the 220hp model) and is actually one of the best 911 NA's what concerns hp/weight ratio.

cotton

I have both and my 944t is definitely faster, but it also has chips and exhaust. The 911 is stock other than a GHL exhaust.
I completely agree with the driving impressions. I'm not sure which I like driving better. For daily driving definitely the 944t, but for sport driving it's close, but I think I'd have to give the nod to the 911. I just love the sound of that aircooled 6 and the raw feel of the car.

daniel951

first off u need to decide what you are going to do with the car. Mod it? Keep it stock? For very little money you can have that 944T leaving the 911 way behind

PorscheDoc

The 944 is a much more pleasant daily driver than the older 911's. For a weekend toy though, the 911 is hard to beat for a nice cruise.

hosrom_951

Now, what about maintenance costs, parts and duration of work for the 3.2 compared with the 944? i heard the 911's take 12 liters of oil??

chris951

oil changes are definitely easier in the 944

Porschefile

I have both cars. I've come to the conclusion that they are both lots of fun in different ways, and I don't really like one better than the other as they are just too different. The 944 is a very fun, well-balanced, and easy to drive sports car. Personally, I'd say the 944 is a little more enjoyable to daily drive because of the seating position and natural balance of the car. Though, driving a 911 is always an experience, and the sound of that F6 always raises the hairs on the back of my neck. Older 911's are finicky and very different from the average sports car, so whether you like them or not is a love it or hate it type of thing. I look at driving older 911's as a challenge because they are so different, but that is part of the fun of it to me. Now that I've experienced both, I don't think I could ever choose one over the other.

As far as mods go, IMO the 944T is initially much more satisfying as you can easily extract alot more horsepower from simple mods. 3.2's don't seem to have very large gains from the typical "bolt-on" mods. 944T's are also generally going to be cheaper to mod. For $3-4k there are various ~320-350rwhp turbo kits from several retailers. For the equivalent power on a 3.2, the cheapest turbo kit I've seen is the Protomotive Stage 1 for ~$7.5k and ~360hp.

georgeleroy

Also have both, but the 3.2 is in my '76 930. Now, there's a different ride. 22/28mm torsion bars, 915 transmission, Quaife, 255/275 RA1's on 17"CCW's, Autothority chip, Powerhaus K&N intake, B&B exhaust for a loud, deep roar that always turns lots of heads. Young kids absolutely love this car. Old guys will stop, turn around and give a thumbs-up. I love it, too. It's aggressive, fast enough, and seat-of-the-pants fun on the track. I'll be out there with it in two days; can't wait. The 951 is more refined, very strong, much more comfortable, and also a blast on the track. Two very different worlds. That's why I own them both, and don't plan on selling either, just continuing to modify/update and enjoy it all.
Nice thread.

georgeleroy

Some pics...

lart951

Awesome, that's a great set of cars you have got there and at the end which is the best one? ....well let me guess, the Porsche of course.

special tool

George - Autothority chip? so this is a 3.2 with motronic? They made you a chip for this setup? Interesting.
I know someone who might improve your software for you.

Ken D

So is that a 930 with a normally aspirated 3.2? Or a 3.2 converted to turbo? 3.2s utilized Motronic injection.
I love the original TurboCarreras with the smaller 'tea tray' wing, even if that meant no intercooler...

PorscheDoc

Lol, why because there 2 drain plugs on a 3.2 instead of 1 on the 944?

Jason Judd

930 is the designation for the turbo version.

Best,

Jason