My inadvertent 944 turbo project

[Kongsodoken]

I have used it on hard plastic, fibreglass, abs

but I would not use it on soft plastic like interior trim

Thanks Waylander.

Any suggestions as to what works well for the interior?

I use “Poorboys natural look” on the interior materials

 

[aporschefan]

Thanks. Will try that.

Update: boost is set up, they were happy with everything untill Jon took it out for a slightly longer test drive. They now think it's running (from memory) a little rich at times. The plan now is to fiit a wideband sensor to help identity the issue.

I'm expecting an update on Thursday. Fingers crossed.

Those of you with wideband sensors fitted already, which ones have you got and where exactly are they fitted on your car?

 

[Eldavo]

Get an Innovate Wideband and fit it here:

[link=https://www.lindseyracing.com/LR/Parts/WBO2LOCATION.html]https://www.lindseyracing.com/LR/Parts/WBO2LOCATION.html[/link]

 

[scam75]

I've got an AEM uego. The gauge lives next to my after market VDO boost gauge in a carbon fascia plate made up and located where the little cubby hole/oddment tray thing is under the stereo.

[link=https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/114624801901?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=7101533165274578&mkcid=2&itemid=114624801901&targetid=4584826055637462&device=c&mktype=&googleloc=&poi=&campaignid=412354546&mkgroupid=1299623041023876&rlsatarget=pla-4584826055637462&abcId=9300541&merchantid=87779&msclkid=d50d38c9beaa13815f915a421b2e4af5]AEM X-Series UEGO 30-0300 Wideband Gauge for R32 GTS-T Skyline RB20DET 840879024437 | eBay[/link]

I haven't used any other ones but I like the AEM as it has a digital display (numbers) and also a sweeping LED which is coloured green/amber/red accordingly. And yeah, where Eldavo says is where to put it!

Stuart

 

[Waylander]

AutoFinesse revive is good, but if it needs serious revival, then believe it or not, copious amounts of cherry dash shine left to soak will help, as it contains lots of the plasticisers originally in the plastic

 

[aporschefan]

Thanks everyone. JMG are still working on it and have been trying to work out exactly where to place the WB sensor. Will update further when I can.

On an another note and thinking slightly further ahead, I will need to have the sills and probably the wing bottoms repaired in the next 12 months. Has anyone used www.classiccarpartsandpanels.co.uk for sill repair or the wing bottom repair?

 

[dlknight]

I'm going to be getting one of these when my car is running again, I already have the matching boost gauge and it looks fantastic.

Has a memory function too so you don't have to watch it and can recall the highest / lowest figures later.

Prosport EVO Premium Wideband

[link=https://prosportgauges.com/collections/wideband-afr-gauge/products/2-1-16-premium-evo-wideband-digital-air-fuel-ratio-kit]2-1/16" Wideband AFR Premium EVO Digital Air Fuel Ratio Gauge – Prosport Gauges[/link]

 

[aporschefan]

Hi all,

I'm going to replace the odometer & milometer gears as well as replace the old bulbs with new (LED?) bulbs.

Can anyone help with part numbers for the gears for the milometer and odometer please? I'm thinking I might as well change all the gears and not worry about them for another 30 years.

Does it make sense to look for brass gears or does everyone just stick with plastic?

Regarding the lighting, what are the upgrade/improvement options available today? In the old days, there used to be a Flaming Eye (??) kit but that's not been around for at least a decade I think.

Thanks in advance.

 

[dlknight]

Regarding the lighting, what are the upgrade/improvement options available today? In the old days, there used to be a Flaming Eye (??) kit but that's not been around for at least a decade I think.

Thanks in advance.

Everything you need on dash lighting is here

[link=https://www.porscheclubgb.com/forum/FindPost/1122602]https://www.porscheclubgb.com/forum/FindPost/1122602[/link]

[link=https://rennlist.com/forums/924-931-944-951-968-forum/843713-late-944-dash-leds-a-reference-post.html]Late 944 Dash LEDs...a reference post - Rennlist - Porsche Discussion Forums[/link]

I used this to upgrade the dashboard lights in my turbo and it looks great now, even found some of the warning lights had broken long ago so have new lights when it runs the tests before starting engine

 

[aporschefan]

Brilliant. Thanks.

 

[aporschefan]

ARGH! I took the time to write a detailed update but when trying to submit the post, I lost it all as I needed to login again!! So this time it’ll be brief.

The work below was completed over the past few months, listed in no specific order:

Engine overhaul (including belts, tensioners, rollers, water pump, thermostat, seals, etc.)

New dizzy cap, rotor arm, coil, spark plugs, ignition coil.

Major service

New Cat 1 alarm and immobilizer fitted

MBC fitted (EBC failed)

4 x Conti Premium contact tires fitted

Crank sensors replaced

New glove box and tailgate lock, servicing both door handles and door lock assembly

Replacement of engine coolant hoses & new coolant reservoir and new cap

New (remanufactured) transmission cooler with new clamps and bolts.

Clutch hydraulics overhauled including new master and slave cylinder, hoses and clutch reservoir

New air con compressor (R134a version) and receiver drier, and some other related seals and valves. This didn't quite go to plan. The pressure test failed with a leak in the evaporator. I wasn't happy (for the time being) to pay for the additional cost of replacing the evaporator so we've tried to seal up the leak as best as possible for now.

There was an issue found during the tuning and it wasn’t possible to pinpoint the exact cause of the issue. The options were to replace the exhaust with Fabspeed or similar, replace the Vitesse kit for the new Vitesse kit, and possibly some other bits which I don't remember right now. All of these were big ticket items and there wasn’t a guarantee any one change would 100% fix the issue. Also, originally, I was trying to build a car suitable for the road and track days. My son is now a little older and insisting he be taken to school in the 944 so I figured I don’t need the extra power and don’t need it tuned to within an inch of its limits. Therefore, I decided to revert back to OEM parts. I've replaced the Vitesse MAF and piggy back, injectors, chips, with OEM parts and JMG chips and standard injectors.

There was some work completed on the passenger side window. From memory this was servicing the window regulator and fitting a new door membrane and tidying up loose wiring. I think there was also an issue with the window regulator wheels popping out of their tracks but these were refitted.

Some work has been postponed but I've decided to do that so I can focus on the bodywork repairs next year.

There is a crack on the windscreen to the on Monday, the windscreen is being replaced for a new one with a top tint and a built in ariel. Once that's had time to set, Jon's going to take the car out for a final shakedown. Hopefully that'll go well and not throw up any new issues.

I can't wait to get it back and start driving it again.

 

[scam75]

Wow! That sounds like a bucket load of headaches! Was the car laid up or was this all stuff just building up?

I've had much less drama with a full engine rebuild. Although I've had a few issues crop up as a result of 12 months off the road. These cars don't like being off the road.

My radiator and turbo aux water pump both decided to chuck it after a 12 month hiatus. Both fine pre-rebuild. Starter motor likewise. Replaced all 3 with new. Hazards wouldn't work after rebuild, relay in and out and they worked again. Indicators chucked it mid journey, though hazards didn't. Relay in and out and they worked again! NS front full beam and fog light also fine before rebuild, not working after. Needed to change the glass unit anyway as broken, did so and changed bulbs. Full beam worked, fogs didn't. Gave the wiring a wiggle and left it and had a coffee. 10 mins later all working fine!! All of these issues are a result of inactivity. Almost as if they are alive!

Stuart

 

[aporschefan]

Wow! That sounds like a bucket load of headaches! Was the car laid up or was this all stuff just building up?

Hi Stuart,

Yes, it was quite annoying (and expensive!!) to find so many issues needing immediate attention and so many other items that were in need of monitoring.

The car was out of action for 6-7 years so no doubt some of these issues were as a result of that. Some issues described earlier in the thread were age related and not just because the car was stood still for so long.

The coolant reservoir, associated pipes were changed as a precaution. Similarly, the clutch hydrolics, the transmission cooler, air con, rear linkage, transmission service, j&s safeguard and a few other bits were not mandatory and hadn't failed but changed as a preventative measure. Maybe nothing would have gone wrong for a few more years but changing all these gives me a little more confidence in the car and being able to take it out for long drives with my son without worrying about a breakdown.

 

[aporschefan]

AutoFinesse revive is good, but if it needs serious revival, then believe it or not, copious amounts of cherry dash shine left to soak will help, as it contains lots of the plasticisers originally in the plastic

Waylander, can you share a link to the specific product please? I've googled it but there are tons of results showing various brands etc. I want to be sure to get the right product.

 

[scam75]

Wow! That sounds like a bucket load of headaches! Was the car laid up or was this all stuff just building up?

Hi Stuart,

Yes, it was quite annoying (and expensive!!) to find so many issues needing immediate attention and so many other items that were in need of monitoring.

The car was out of action for 6-7 years so no doubt some of these issues were as a result of that. Some issues described earlier in the thread were age related and not just because the car was stood still for so long.

The coolant reservoir, associated pipes were changed as a precaution. Similarly, the clutch hydrolics, the transmission cooler, air con, rear linkage, transmission service, j&s safeguard and a few other bits were not mandatory and hadn't failed but changed as a preventative measure. Maybe nothing would have gone wrong for a few more years but changing all these gives me a little more confidence in the car and being able to take it out for long drives with my son without worrying about a breakdown.

Hi

Yes, I get where you are coming from in terms of "piece of mind" replacing of items. I ended up fixing or replacing many more things than originally planned during my engine build process but invariably you have to draw the line somewhere unless you have an unlimited pot of money and time to essentially wind back time and restore your vehicle to the day it rolled off the production line!

You have to come to terms with the fact the car is 30+ years old and a large amount parts and components are also that age and allocate any spend as you see best to provide a reliable, safe car, that you can trust.

Owning a 944 that sees frequent use, and more so in turbo form, is very much like being employed painting the Forth Road Bridge in my opinion. The job is never done! I suppose it's all part of the fun that you sign up for when you buy one.

Hopefully you aren't too far away from where you want to be with it for the time being.

Stuart

 

[aporschefan]

Hi,

I’ve got the car back. Will write about all the updates/changes since the last post when I have time. In the mean while, I need you thoughts and expertise in another matter.

I removed the boot carpet to clean it but am driving the car regardless.

I can hear a hissing sound. It’s definitely coming from the boot area. Should this be there? I don’t normally hear this. I figure it could be the fuel pump? Should it be making this noise? Does it make this noise in all 944s?

If not the fuel pump, what else could it be?

 

[Eldavo]

I‘d be inclined to jumper the DME terminals so that the fuel pump is permanently running ([link=http://www.clarks-garage.com/pdf-manual/fuel-05.pdf]http://www.clarks-garage.com/pdf-manual/fuel-05.pdf[/link]) and then start sticking my ear to things.