944 16v conversion?

[timfield]

is there any reason why a 16v head wouldn't fit on an older 8v block?
Obviously manifold etc would need changing as well and ecu but just thinking?
Also is it worth it? is the extra 30bhp good enough for the effort?
cheers
tim

 

[Lowtimer]

If you look at the original road test figures from Autocar and Motor, the 944S was no quicker than a Lux.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

That's a hell of a lot of work, and remember that the early 16V cars are notorious for not making the full BHP figure anyway. Have you driven one? They are a bit of a marmite car, I prefered the power delivery in my Lux to the "S" I drove in all honesty.

I'd bet a bit of sensible weight reduction, and ensuring that all the areas like suspension and braking are in good order, would turn a Lux in to a faster car than a 16V conversion for less hassle. [&:]

 

[Neil Haughey]

Seriously its quicker easier and cheaper to just replace the whole engine. Loads of these cars are being broken every year you should be able to pick up a complete S2 motor with its loom and ecu for several hundred.

 

[Lowtimer]

Indeed: putting an S2 engine in would really cheer it up.

 

[Catamax944]

+1 not only that but the head will not fit on the 8v block without extensive modification , the water channels are different in the 16v blocks and heads.
A complete S2 engine conversion would be much much cheaper.

 

[tref]

Of course, the follow on from that is "what is involved in putting a 944 S2 engine into a 944?" to which, of course, the logical answer is, "Sell the 944 and buy an S2"...

 

[Chrishazle]

Like Mr McN above, I swopped a 2.5 lux for a 16v S - marmite is a very polite description, I hated the engine as you have to keep it above about 4k revs for it to be interesting, below that it's more Rover 25 than Porsche 944! I've never driven an S2, but have owned a 968 for nigh on 13 years and love it, so I'd agree with the conclusion "sell the lux and buy an S2" - or even better an S3 (aka 968!).

 

[Neil Haughey]

ORIGINAL: tref

Of course, the follow on from that is "what is involved in putting a 944 S2 engine into a 944?" to which, of course, the logical answer is, "Sell the 944 and buy an S2"...

True but at this time with so many dogs around if one has already spent several thousand and then some getting a car sorted it may make more sense to swap motors and stick with a car that is largely a known quantity.

 

[zcacogp]

Fair argument Neil, but there are still some good S2's about and you'd do better waiting for one of those than building a special. 'Never build a car you can buy' is a good maxim for such modifications.


Oli.

 

[timfield]

thanks very much for this info it answers my questions as to weather the head would fit.
I might be a little odd but like the look of the early bumpers of my B reg lux and not so much the look of the S2. That said I don't dislike the look of the S2.
I've got quite a solid car and I like the simplicity of the early machines, no air con or cats etc...
I'll have to keep thinking!
cheers
tim

 

[JamesO]

And it will be faster as an early car is lighter, as you say no power anything or side impact bars.

 

[944 man]

924s got door reinforcing bars...

Im looking for a sensibly priced M44/41 or M44/43 (yeah, right) engine for my 924S. What I really want is a turnkey 951 engine, but Im struggling..... A special is sometimes the best option. []

 

[JamesO]

Pretty sure my 82 944 had no bars (I may be wrong), but then it did have the loom and solenoids for central locking, which was odd.


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Porsche-944-turbo-engine-/290583183071?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item43a81b7edf

 

[Peter Empson]

I think Paul is probably referring to driving my 944S [], I should add it has been dyno'd at about 150bhp, so way down on power (at 100k miles this is quite common apparently). I haven't driven a fit one, but I too prefer the std 8v engine for a lot of driving, but in the zone (4K and up) it can be quite an addictive thing to drive and encourages a flowing driving style. With the shorter 8v geabox I suspect it would reduce the jekyll and hyde nature and is something I'd like to try one day.

I definitely wouldn't spend the money to upgrade to the 944S engine, the S2/968 is a different matter, but do carefully research the cost to change - it'd invariably be cheaper to buy a whole S2/968 with better brakes/suspension/gearbox all included []

I too prefer the look of the early cars (there's not many of us!) so know where you're coming from. The 8v can be made to go much faster than standard, but the engine is often the last place to look (weight loss, suspension, brakes etc)

 

[944 man]

ORIGINAL: JamesO

Pretty sure my 82 944 had no bars (I may be wrong), but then it did have the loom and solenoids for central locking, which was odd.


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Porsche-944-turbo-engine-/290583183071?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item43a81b7edf

Ive seen that thanks James - Im hoping for a running one though. I know that it could be nice and tight, but I have no way of knowing.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

I think Paul is probably referring to driving my 944S ,

Indeed. And it got me out of a hole as my car was off the road., as well as giving me a go in a car that's much maligned. []

I actually quite like the "S", it's a lot like our Legacy in that the power doesn't arrive until at least 4000 RPM. The trouble is, I've got so used to the S2 and my Hiace van, and I expect peak power nearer idle speed now. I suppose I'm too old and lazy now, but having to change down more than one gear in order to get any power at all is too much trouble, hence me being happier with the torquier cars.