gaijin

Looking to buy a 944 Turbo. I had an '86 944 Turbo years ago (1986). Really enjoyed ownership for the fours years I had it. Thinking of getting another one. I know Porsche has improved the 944 Turbo from model year 1986 to it final offering in 1989.
Any advise from current owners? Which model is the way to go?
Plan to use it as a "driver" to compliment my 930.
Thanks!

Mike S.

gaijin,

An '88 Turbo S or a '89 or '90 Turbo (only around 150 or so this year in NA I seem to recall...I rarely have seen this year) are considered the pinnacle of the 944 line. I think the latest issue of Excellence covered the recent pricing in the 924/944/968 line. The pricing is a bit low in my opinion for cars in excellent condition. Figure $15-20K for an excellent condition, very well maintained (w/records) version with 30 - 70K miles.

The following helped me when I was shopping:
<a href="http://www.connactivity.com/~kgross/944faq.html" target="_blank">www.connactivity.com/~kgross/944faq.html</a>

What year is your 930?

Mike

gaijin

Mike,
Thanks for directing me to that website. Very informative. I can relate to some of the points given as I had experienced those while ownership of my 944 Turbo. Good refreshment.

I have a 1979 930. Light Blue Metallic/Blue leather. It is completely stock with all the "upgrades" done (did it for drivability). But even in stock configuration, it is a very wicked Porsche. It'll keep up with anything on the road. 32K original, documented miles. Late 1979 build date (November) and actually has hints of the 1980 930s (RoW only of course). It was one of the last five US 930 to be exported. Delivered to its original owner (not me) by the late, great Al Holbert (Holbert Porsche, PA).

My '86 944 Turbo was Guards Red with Black Leather. It was brought to the US by Alan Johnson for his own use but later offered at his dealership. I bought it. Great car and plenty of memories, and pleasurable drives. I drove it to around 70k and sold, in favor of the 911 Carrera.

Now I'm ready to get back into a nice "driver" Porsche and I could not think of none better than the old reliable 951s.

Keeping the revs up, <img src="graemlins/bigok.gif" border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" />

gaijin

BTW, I'm looking and serious about a purchase. Referrals are appreciated. Documents and maintainance records are highly desired.

Mike S.

Gaijin-dehs,

Thanks for the info on the 930. Very nice indeed.

I'll keep my eye out for you re the 944 Turbo.

Mike

Steve K

Gaijin,
I'm the second owner of an 89 turbo with 6k miles on it which I'm thinking of selling. Light gold/black, ape chips, new floor mats, blaupunkt cd head unit, new battery, replica cup2 wheels and bridgestone tires. Have original mats, wheels, tires, stereo. Fluids/belts changed 2 yrs/3k miles ago. I need to figure out a price. Hi end but I will take a big loss. Let me know if you are interested.

Luke

<img src="graemlins/wave.gif" border="0" alt="[byebye]" /> '
canton!

Jerry

It's amazing how often you can run across different production numbers for Porsches. As far as I know regarding the 944TS cars made in 88, 89, and 90 there were 707 sold in the US and 350 were the (pink) silver-rose metalic color. All 1000 cars made were originally going to be silver-rose metalic but the paint supplier could not make enough or on time. Oddly, this color was to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the 911 and I think some 911 were also painted this color. In 89 there were 808 sold in the US and in 90 none sold in the US but 15 sold in Canada. They had the 968 rear wing and the new for 89 or 90 aero mirrors, a must up-date for any ugly mirror equiped car. I know, too opinionated.

SoloRacer

Actually in Canada there were more like 45 or 46 1990's sold. I personally know of two of them that are for sale - one in Baltic Blue and the other in Black. I believe the black one is listed for approx. $16000 US. A friend who owns a red 1990 is putting together a 1990 registry.

booster

If your going to do any modding your best bet is the 86 or 87-88 non S as they can be had for cheaper than a 88S or 89 and can be made just as fast as a modded S or a stock S for less money, true the S's had a few extra goodies such as bigger brakes and larger turbo and thicker spindles and hardened 1st and 2nd gears but for the price difference these items are easily upgraded on the 86-87-88, I looked into the S route and couldn't justify the money difference. One of us may have your old 86T. <img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" />

Jerry

For me the two main differences the S had were LSD and ABS. With my first 944t, a 86, I was , during my DE"s, accidently locking up my brakes occasionaly, damaging my tires, and now with the ABS it cannot be a problem. The third advantage are the bigger front brakes but they can be made bigger on the non S cars.

aka 951

Having owned both an 86 and a 89 (current) I can assure you that there are large differences between the two.

The 89 has an incredible amount of stock equipment - LSD, ABS, Airbags, 10 speaker stereo, dual power seats, higher capacity turbo, stiffened chassis, stronger tranny, dual power seats, integrated alarm, Dual adjustable (+height) Konis front, Koni yellow rear, etc.

In short the extra equipment on an 89 (or 88 turbo s) works together and complements the car extremely well.

My previous 86 was pretty heavily modified and though it was faster on the top end, it was nowhere near as driveable or refined as the 89. I aslo had more money in it than the turbo s and it was worth less! So go figure...my reccomendation is the turbo s if you can find onw for under 15k.

Luke

aka,

what sort of modifications did you make to the 86'?

booster

I would like to know also what mod you made, as for ABS that is a user preference as most racers detest ABS that I know of, stereo's are upgardeable in any car and I will put mine up against any stereo in any 944 .....stronger tranny...yes but I don't know many that have blown a tranny..except 1.2 who has wasted a many of them,, and LSD came in all years not just the S, the 86 had forged rods that are better....and I have the intergrated alarm (disconnected POS)..and Koni's (previous owner installed)and as I said before a modded..hence...larger turbo...chips...can make just as much power as any S and can handle just as well. I ain't cutting the S but for the difference in price, I (and others) think you can have just as good car as on a cheaper budget than the S......once you have modded both cars to the max you will have the same car in both but not the same money. Correct me if i am wrong.

aka 951

Here's the specs on my former ride...it was nice yes...but a little too much for the street. Loud exhausts, stiff suspension, rough idle, turbo lag, intake growling, and generally poor driveability (worse than stock at least) can get on one's nerves after a while...bottom line is I learned a lot of lessons about hp, driveability, and reliability. I'm much happier with the "S" as a street car that can still go kick butt when needed. In about a month I'll have a dyno test done with just the chips in the "S". According to Steve I should expect about 280hp at the wheels at about 17 psi. Even if it is only 260hp that will be fine for the street.

The following combo yielded 285hp, 293tq to the wheels at about 16? psi (not sure because of bad wategate) before I did the wastegate and with stock bottom and top end at 211k.

Color
Exterior - Crystal Green Metallic (LM6Y)
Interior - Black

Wheels

Forgeline RS 8” and 9.5” by 17”

Tires

Bridgestone RE-730 225/45/17 and 255/40/17

Suspension

Koni yellows f+r
275 lb springs with ground control coilover front
28mm sway-away rear torsion bars
Weltmeister 28 mm front and 22 mm rear sway bars (+35 lbs)
Weltmeister Cambermeister

Turbo

TEC T04E 46 trim .48 A/R turbo with thrust kit (+2lbs)
Part number - 103-153548

Boost Control

Greddy Profec A
Lindsey Racing dual port wastegate
Authority banjo bolt
Silicone lines

Engine Management

Authority K27 chips

Fuel

Powerhaus injectors
Huntley fuel pressure regulator (@50 psi idle w/vac. disconnected)
944 S2 fuel pump
Speedforce stainless lines
Bosch 4-wire O2 sensor

Spark plugs/wires

Magnecore wires
NGK BPR8ES

Cooling

160 Thermostat

Intake

Technodyne mass air flow

Exhaust

Bursch Test pipe (-17 lbs)
GTL Muffler with 3” Speedforce pipe (-11lbs)

Battery

Hawker Odyssey (-20 lbs)
Part No. PC 680

Shifter

Speedforce short shift

Steering Wheel

Momo Corse wheel

Seats

Sparco Evo front seats (-36 lbs w/heavy sliders)

Instruments

"S" instrument panel (7k redline tach, eliminate electronic boost gauge)

Gauges/Meters

VDO boost gauge
VDO fuel pressure gauge
HKS exhaust gas temperature gauge
EFI air/fuel and injector duty cycle meter

Stereo

Kenwood in dash CD
Kenwood 10 disc changer
Infinity 5 ¼ and 4x6
JL 12” sub w/enclosure
Clarion amp