Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Hi,

I recently became the owner of a well sorted 1991 944 turbo in panther metallic (black) and I am rather delighted. Coming from a creaky 928 (which I loved), it’s a fantastic drive.

Part of the reason I wanted to switch to a 944 was that they feel a bit more amenable to custom work than the 928s. Having spent a bit of time get some mechanic bits sorted (bushes, cambelts, brakes, fresh fluids) over the last few months I’d like to do a bit of aesthetic work over the winter, so I’m starting to collect parts, recommendations and get quotes.

I’m thinking of it as a light backdating project, so if anyone has the time and inclination to point me in the right direction on these ideas, I’d be very grateful...

My current plans are :

Wheels
I hope to find some compomotive cx600 centres 17’’ or similar, figure the offset and get the wheel made with polished rims to stock turbo widths. Anybody here have any experience of getting wheels made up and able recommend a specialist? I know of Rimcarnated but they’re the other end of the country to me.

A Subtle Ride Height adjustment
Having read through this forum, sounds as though bilsteins are the way to go to allow the adjustability to get the poise spot on. I’m hoping the newer product will balance the loss of ride quality from the larger wheel diameter? A subtle aftermarket front splitter may happen at this point too.

Exhaust
I saw a good piece about a n/a 944 purge welded system done by Demand Engineering. I’d love to hear a video if any forum members have had the same work or similar done?

Octane article link here if you haven’t seen it :
https://demandengineering.co.uk/wp-cont ... 0001-1.jpg

Interior
A classic look radio with usb

If by this point I haven’t run of money, I’d like to get all the seats and insert panels recovered in one of the more ridiculous studio cloths or even the corded options from the really early 944s.


Paint
I’m not fussed about the odd stone chip, but would love to see it properly shiny to bring out the ‘metallic’ colours within the black. Also some of the trim is a little faded so I’m thinking a trip to detail by dale and ceramic coating at this point. A few Neu! and Kraftwerk window stickers a ‘turbo’ fender decal and we’re ready for spring 2020.

(Also...)

Does Anyone have any experience of fitting a higher performance battery - mine really doesn’t like the aircon being in used for any length of time. What’s the right spec to go for?

Hi, not keen on those wheels myself, 17" Cup 1, 2's or Fuchs reps would be my choice. I used to be a fabricator welder, and I wouldn't bother purge welding anything after the turbo discharge pipe. I would TIG rather than MIG weld though. As for lowering, you can't do that just with shocks. And don't go lower than around an inch on the front, and get the geometry set up by someone that really knows what they're doing. The rear is tricky if they've never done it before.

Thanks Pauly.

I thought about Fuchs reps too, but the cups are not really my thing. I like the 3pc split style wheel. Here’s a few pictures ... I think both are bbs and neither are 17 but gives a rough idea.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Blxy-MnAo8i ... xf3vvhmita

https://www.instagram.com/p/BynnvEgI7-B ... d8oglnpjin

(Sorry for the links, tried uploading screenshots but it’s not having it)

Regarding geometry- a trip to centre gravity seems to be a popular recommendation.

I've always liked those BBS wheels, but they just look a bit 'busy' on a 944 for me. CG set up my geo 8 or 9 years ago, 2 sets of 18" tyres have worn evenly, and the car has tracked straight ever since.

the car in pic 2 is a bit too low, bet that shakes your fillings out...., wont be long before the ball joints pop

I've recently purchased a 944 Turbo and it has a bit of a list of things that need doing. I am starting with some easy interior cosmetics, it has some body work tidying up needed and I know someone who can do that, but he's claiming to be quite busy.

I will be following the thread carefully

My car is not much higher than that, its probably a little bit too low in all honesty. However, it's been that low for at least 20 years and 100k miles, and it still has the original NS ball joint which is in good order. Changed the gaiter and re-greased it for this years MOT and the joint is A1.

I recently had to change the OS one due to the inner plastic cup having broken, but it had lasted 30 years and most of its life lowered before it needed doing.

I don't disagree about the ball joint being under more stress with the car at that height, but it has not caused me any issues at all.

Stuart

All I have to go by is what's been posted on Rennlist etc. There's pictures of broken and bent ball joint pins, admittedly mostly on track cars. But the potential consequences of a failure are enough for me to run the front arms level. In the past I've run cars low, but now I think old men in slammed road cars is a bit wrong.

Same story as rear ally trailing arms snapping. Then when you deep dive its a handful of low run track cars with no torsion bars and fully coil overed smashing kerbs corner after corner at high speed on track. Not saying its 'internet myth'. Just a few track car failures is then escalated online to 'all lowered 944's break ally suspension parts'. Reality is the real failures are a very low percentage of 944's in the US, usually tracked

I wouldn't support the weight of the car on the bottom shock mount in the trailing arm either. As for smashing kerbs corner after corner, I think you need to step away from the Playstation for a while .

that made me chuckle.

Well I dont track my car and I look very young Pauly so I should be good!

In all honesty I would lift the car back up an inch if it didn't involve dropping the whole rear end. When I got the geo done recently I asked them to see if they could lift it a tad on the rear eccentrics, sods law it wasn't possible due to where they sat. Also lifting it up involves having to remove the full Gaz set up and replace it, would end up a rather large bill and I've just had the Gaz units rebuilt, so it ain't happening!

Stuart