944 turbo block same as 944 NA block
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
944 turbo block same as 944 NA block
My question : Is the 944 turbo block the same as the naturally aspirated 944 block with the exception of the balance shaft cover with turbo oil feed? Thanks, Barry
#2
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Phoenix, AZ - NJ Runaway
Posts: 3,649
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That depends on who you believe. There have been rumors and even articles posted in excellence about casting differences between the blocks indicating that the Turbo blocks have more material but based on my personal measurements of the mains, cylinder walls, water jacket depth, and block thickness and they're identical. I also doubt Porsche would have spec'd different metallurgy for the blocks to increase strengths.
The early blocks NA are different from the later 44 and 51 blocks so you do not want to use that because the oil feed journals are smaller which is why the early cranks were x-drilled. Somewhere around late 84 and early 85 they opened them up. To be on the safe side (id you don't know what your looking at) stick with an 86+ block for turbo use.
Do you need a block?
The early blocks NA are different from the later 44 and 51 blocks so you do not want to use that because the oil feed journals are smaller which is why the early cranks were x-drilled. Somewhere around late 84 and early 85 they opened them up. To be on the safe side (id you don't know what your looking at) stick with an 86+ block for turbo use.
Do you need a block?
#3
Basic Sponsor
Rennlist
Site Sponsor
Rennlist
Site Sponsor
You want to use a 87 or 88 944NA block if your substituting. Earlier have thinner cylinder walls or no auto tensioneer.
__________________
Mike or Dave Lindsey
www.lindseyracing.com
U.S. 1-877-943-3565
Other 1-405-947-0137
Mike or Dave Lindsey
www.lindseyracing.com
U.S. 1-877-943-3565
Other 1-405-947-0137
#4
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
hmm what about aluminum crossmember that front arms and engine are mounted on, are na and turbo crossmembers the same or is turbo strenghtened in some way?
#5
Basic Sponsor
Rennlist
Site Sponsor
Rennlist
Site Sponsor
Since we have modified a couple hundred at least, we can speak with confidence here. They are interchangeable. However, you will see some NA parts with the holes not tapped for the engine mount heat shields and rarely not even a place to tap. On the webbing or gussets to the steering rack mounts on the top of the cross member, the gussets can vary in size, but probably not enough to make a difference in a decision. Turbo being the larger gussets as seen on this picture. Other are 75% the size.
Trending Topics
#8
Rennlist Member
#9
Racer
Thread Starter
I don't have any good reason other then I am a old school VW manual tension type of guy. Give me reasons to like it other then its automatic? I don't know anything about them on 944's
#11
Basic Sponsor
Rennlist
Site Sponsor
Rennlist
Site Sponsor
We believe the '83-'85/1 944s are the thinner cylinder wall blocks, and the '85/2 onward 944 is the same as the 951 on wall thickness. Not 100% sure about '85/2, but the '86 is.
#12
Drifting
How about the old school VW manual tension type the stud snaps off the block and trashes the motor. I personally have never seen the late model tensioner fail. I have seen the spring get weak and people modify them and hose them up.
#13
'87 and onwards blocks should be the same. I have '87 n/a and '89 S2 block and both of them have also oil feed for a tlocated in the balancesaft cover; there's just a plug there.
#15
Rennlist Member