Pc007

Hi guys,

What can distinguish a car from another? Are all 250hp cars Turbo S cars? And the 220hp turbo cars? Is that it?

Thanks

Voith

Yes however 89 on cars were no longer marketed as turbo S but otherwise remained mechanically identical to turbo S.

944crazy

Basically the S has a bigger turbo, bigger brakes, stronger gearbox and better suspension. After 89, those improvements (apart from the m030 suspension) were incorporated into the standard turbo. The other main difference is that the early non S has a lower offset. Just read the wiki article, there's tons of info about it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsch...28951.2F952.29

Humboldtgrin

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche_944
and wheel offset. And 89 has red security door lock buttons. Big front brakes on special $$$$ spindles. 88 started using split rear seats. 86,87,88 951's were 220 hp. 88 was the only year for the turbo "S" with 250 hp and all the goodies,89 dropped to 247hp,why?. 89 951's were almost identical to the turbo s from 88 but didn't get all the options avalible like the 88 turbo s models. Between the 88 951s and 89 951 the chassis are almost identical but the wiring changed in 89. 86 951 used what we call "early offset" rims which had a deeper center from the outside of the rims lip. In 87 porsche decided to add ABS as an option so the offset was changed and the front control arms were also lengthened to help with scrub radius. 86 951's had a 160 speedo but had a mark to 170 and the 87 and later have a 180speedo at least in the USA. Option codes are found next to the spare tire area.

Willard Bridgham 3

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN (turbo)= 215 hp up to 1988 (turbo S)=247 hp 1988, turbo 89-91

Engine:
TS has larger turbine blade and higher a/r ratio, same compressor blade and more boost (T= k26/6, TS= k26/8 )
TS has different computer In addition to changing the turbocharger a different DME (Digital Motor Electronics) control unit is used with different fuel and ignition curve families. A different knock and charge pressure control unit KLR is also used to increase the boost to 1.82 bar absolute (11.89 psi boost) an increase of 0.07 bar from the 1.75 bar absolute (10.88 psi boost) of the T
TS has 247 vs 217 hp for T and higher torque for TS
TS has baffled oil pan and extended oil pick-up (this was an upgrade on T and TS from late 87)

Suspension:
TS has koni adjustable shocks and sport suspension with larger sway bars and etc
TS has adjustable spring perches,
TS has body structure strengthening brackets,
TS has stiffer bushings in suspension parts,
TS has higher rate springs(190lb/in TS front vs 160lb/in T front)

Brakes and Wheels:
TS has larger stock tires and wheels
TS has huge brakes (big blacks)
TS has club sport wheels
TS has ABS standard,

Drive Train:
TS has transaxle cooler- this is not peculiar to TS as there were coolers in other years
TS has limited slip differential with thicker plates,
TS has hardened 1st and 2nd gears and hardened transaxle shafts

Other Stuff:
TS has 10 speaker stereo,
TS has split-back rear seats
TS rear track is 1" wider

In short, the turbo s cars are more full-out racing machines than turbo cars and were developed with data from the turbo cup road racing series in Europe.

Pc007

Wow!!! Thanks guys! Never had so much information on a request like this time!! Thanks!

I'm a 911 guy, 3.2, 964, 993, 996 turbo, 997 turbo, and now I'm fighting with myself if I should buy a 944 turbo 250cv 90 model....please convince me not to!!! Hehhehe

black944 turbo

Willard has everything listed.

They are all great cars and I think everyone should experience them.

gregeast

One thing to consider is whether you want a basically stock car or plan on modifying it. If stock, then yes, definitely a Turbo S if you can find a good one.

However, once you start modifying/hot rodding your car, much of the Turbo S differentiation starts to get lost when you do a modern turbo, Big Red brakes, coilover suspension, 18" wheels, etc. Still a few advantages to an 'S' even after all that but if you're paying the 'S' premium I think it makes sense to ask yourself what your longer term intentions for the car are.

Either way, go for it and enjoy!

grgallo

imho, you will not be disappointed with a 1989 944 Turbo, i recently purchased one to accompany my '87 911 Coupe. completely different cars and driving experiences... both exhilarating, over the top road riots. my mods are minimalist, to each their own. the 951 has an authority stage 2 chip said to bump HP to 286 and torque to 294, coming soon will be a cat bypass either FVD Brombacher or Fabspeed. the FS bypass is a great looking unit and is said to add 26 HP and 29 pounds of torque. enjoy your pursuit, took me 6 months to find a pristine '89 951.

EVOMMM

I agree there is only 1 944 turbo S that was in 1988 only everything else is just a turbo
Mike

Techno Duck

Like grgallo i have a 3.2L 911 also. Both cars achieve the same goal of having a great driving experience but i think you will be amazed that the late 80's 911 and 944 were both offered as the same model years. The later 944 is so far ahead in terms of refinement, the 3.2L 911's in my opinion is archaic in comparison. The 944 is more akin to the 964.

In terms of what car to buy, i wouldnt pass up a clean '86-88 951 over a '88S or '89. If you plan on modding the car at all i agree with Greg, its probably not worth paying any premium for an '88S or '89+.

bobt4945

currently own a 86 turbo that came with the m474 m220 m383 m387 options and now chipped and a 88 turbo S and a 89 turbo (88 is a garage queen I am 2nd owner with 55,000 miles) the 89 was my daily driver for over a year with over 185,000 miles on it now, I would look at an 86-88 for the best bang for your buck if your going the update/upgrade route. lots of decent cars around for fair prices. prices on 88 S and 89 turbo's are starting to go up . just bought a 93 968 and looking forward to enjoying her this summer.

Pc007

Thanks guys for all your wise opinions!! Still on the search!!

Pc007

I wish I was in the US...prices here in Europe are increasing!!!

1Redalert

sorry to jump in but I have a Q if you can help, I’m looking at purchasing a 944 turbo, it’s being marketed as a 1989 220hp model, but is in silver rose (linen interior) with turbo script on wing and club sport wheels, and looking at the option codes see below, I am not entirely sure what it actually is, help is greatly appreciated