WortWortMoH

Hello, I'm Andrew, new to the forums. I'm about to inherit a 89 944 automatic from a friend. Its a car have been looking at getting for about a year now. I was just wondering if it is possible to upgrade it to the turbo model specs, and convert the car to a V8 manual. ive heard of auto to manual convesions, and 4cyl to 8v conversions but not a 4cyl auto to a v8 manual.

can anyone help me out or point me in the right direction?

Thanks!
~Andrew

IMB951

Welcome.

It's possible. Not plausible. Do a search and you'll realize that to do what you're asking is counter-intuitive because of the insane costs you'll be faced with. Enjoy your N/A as it is, don't waste your money on a manual swap, and save up for a 951 to start a V8 conversion with.

Darwantae951

If you're looking for a 951 to do a conversion on, they can be had with blown engines for fairly cheap. I would guess no more than 6-7k for a decent 87 with a bad engine. Then you already have everything good with the 951. Renegade Hybrids sells V8 conversion kits and from what I hear they are pretty nice. Good luck.

-Darwin

xsboost90

shoot i could find a running 951 for a couple grand. Just keep an eye out. Enjoy your n/a for what it is and save up for a project.

WortWortMoH

Thanks for the input. I'll take the advice. I think ill just work on restoring this one and maybe sell it and get a 951 project.

pjburges

The swap to manual transmission is very time-consuming. It can be done really cheaply though if you use the parts off the n/a 5-speed. However, for the length of time it will take you -you might as well be swapping in a new motor while you're at it. If you have a sentimental attachment to the car- you could consider keeping the n/a motor, swapping to manual and tweaking the suspension - then take it out to the autoX!!

PorscheDude1

WOW!
You guys handled that very politely.
KUDOS to you all.

FRporscheman

Good decision. The '89 is actually worth a lot more than 83-88 because it has the same block as the 3.0 944S2, and also has the only 8v head that will work with a 3.0L block, very coveted. So you wouldn't need to add too much extra cash once you sell this in order to buy a turbo.

Converting to manual is possible but frankly not worth the effort. It's all good though because the value of an '89 NA is in the parts, so let someone buy it and part it out, and your next one can be a manual.

Welcome to Rennlist and cheers.

Kyle Donley

Yeah, I was waiting for the onslaught.

Very sound advice.

jacksonrw

I did it and it was a ton ./...READ key word TON of work

I had done all my body work on an NA body and decided to go Turbo....I should have just taken my fender flares off the NA and worked with the turbo body...but I never do things easy