mesa87

I'm heavily considering getting into a 944 or a 968 and would like some help deciding on the correct model. I'm replacing my daily driver with this car and also to track, I like the idea of being able to fit 4 track tires into it.

I was told by my mechanic to get a 89+ car because of the ABS, but I'm open to other suggestions per RL members experience.

So far I'm leaning towards the 89-91 S2 but I figured this would be the real place to ask.

I like the idea of the 968 but was told that it was heavier and not quite as 'fun' to drive on the track

Any help, opinions and advice is greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Chaos

The S2 is a little more common but I would trade up to a 968. I am on my third S2.

Antonio

We were contemplating the same question last year as we were looking to build an SCCA ITR car. In the end we went with the S2. It is a bit lighter, parts are more abundant and a lot cheaper to acquire a good base car. Having driven both, for a daily driver and for occasional track duty, the 968 is far superior in my opinion.

APKhaos

I've raced against both, and its a close call. The lighter weight of the S2 is an advantage, but at the end of the day the torque and six speed trans of the 968 wins out IMHO. The 3 liter would pull me on corner exit every time, at least until I got the turbo spun up. The 2005 season was close for the entire season. Over 14 races, Matt Marks [968 engined Frankencar] and I [89 944TurboS] battled it out over 14 races with some races being nose to tail the whole way through. At the end of the season I won it by six points in 300.

The twin cam 3.0 is a more complex engine. A head R&R involves retiming the cams, which is a long & tricky business even when you have the skill and the tools to do it.

JR944

Have owned both and race an S2.

The 968 is a substantially better street car. If you were looking strictly for track use, arguments could be made either way. For a car that's primarily for use as DD, I think you'd be glad to have the 968.

Joe

RedlineMan

Well...

They have the same strengths (great chassis, good power, etc.) and weaknesses (weight, complexity of systems, 4-valve head maintenance/failures).

Tough call. I guess the answer would be, Yes.

richard glickel.

I agree with the advice already offered above. For daily street use and occasional D.E., 968. For mostly track and eventual race car, 944S2.

rsrdan

...$$$$

M758

Well there are 3 options.
944 Turbo - My 88 Turbo S has ABS. Turbo's are nice cars, but the turbo is blessing and a curse. Blessing because you can make hp with ease. Curse because if you don't do it right it can be a pain on the track with things breaking. There also some turbo lag at lower RPM's


944 S2. Less hp than the turbo cars, but still reasonably powerfull. Not easy to get any more hp from them however.

968 Same motor as the S2, but vario cam gives you a bit more hp. 6 spd gear box is nice too. Even so other than the front and rear end changes the car is the same. Some like the build quality on the 968 over the S2, but remember they are the same car. 968's typically cost more than the S2 or Turbo. For racing purposes the S2, Turbo , Turbo S and 968 are treated differently so their may be built in advantages to one over the other. In a driver/ DE world I would look at and drive some of each. Find the right CAR that feels good to you and worry less about which model it is.

bgiere

Body panels for the 944 are readily available...968's may be more of a cha$$enge to find....

richard glickel.

Hi Brant,

Very practical point that merits serious consideration.

Because of its relatively short run ('92 - '95) the 968 is one of the rarest "production" model Porsches. Figure, roughly 1/2 of that limited production came to U.S. So far, I've had pretty good luck finding what I need for the car. But, there's very little hunting involved regarding 944 pieces.

RajDatta

Not exactly true. You can lock the exhaust cam on a 968 head so you don't lose any timing when you do a R&R.
There is nothing complex about the engine. The tensioner has the ability to alter timing and that is really the only trick part that is different from an S2 as far as heads are concerned. There are minor differences like valve size, but all in all, both heads are pretty identical.
968 have taken a nose dive in value, so it wouldn't be that far off reach compared to an S2. You get a lot more car for the extra $$ you spend.
I might miss a few items, but just to start, here are a few items
Variocam
MAF instead of barn door
6 speed tranaxle
Quick change clutch (4-5 hrs only, does not require removal of trans/torque tube)
Bigger swaybars (similar to 951S) as stock equip
Piston oil squirters
Exclusivity and more modern design (subjective)
Raj

Matt Marks

I think most of the posts have it right. 968 as daily driver/occasional DE. S2 as race car. Note that the really good 968's are going to $$$ S2's are going to be much cheaper to acquire.

Jim Child

I race my 968 against 944 S2's all the time, and I find the on-track performance to be about equal. The 944 S2's lighter weight is offset by the 968's extra power and the 6 speed gearbox. My recommendation would just be to buy the best example of either car that you can find. Keep in mind that some cars may have options and/or mods that make it a better candidate for a part time track car like bigger brakes, adjustable shocks, etc.

Chaos

Jim,
You run nitrious and a chip ! At least that is what Brad and Scott said !