Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Hi all,
I have had an early 944 sitting in the garage waiting for restoration/ fixing
For a couple of years- just started digging into it- it looks like a much
Bigger restoration than I thought- would appreciate any thoughts you guys
Have on whether it's feasible / worth it...rundown on what I've found below
Can't seem to add any photos- file size too big, any help with that appreciated...
I can do most things mechanical, bodywork and spraying I'll have to pay to get done

Stripped the car down a fair way..
Bodywork- front wings thrown away rusted to bits- but looks like fibreglass
Ones are available...
Rear bodywork is a mess- nothing structural but very badly welded behind the rear
Wheels- would need a body shop I'm guessing....

Chassis looks sound, no major rust. What rust there was on the chassis, sills,
Has been treated with a rust proof, forming a black type substance, I have heard
Of that and it looks ok.

Mechanicals:
Engine won't turn over- oil and water drained out- still locked solid.

Clutch I think will be dubious at best...
Rear brakes seized- I can fix these if I can get them apart!
Front brakes- these have been overhauled, not pretty but look ok.
No front anti roll bar- it was a track car so I understand some of those guys remove
The antiroll bar...
Fuse box really crumbling- must have had a water leak around there, this will need
Rebuilding / replacing.
Rear fuel system has been sorted- new pump and lines.
Gearchange- really very soggy! Will need to be sorted to get rid of the comical
Amount of play!

Oil cooler / exchanger leaking.

Although the engine won't turn over- with ignition on and fuel pump running, there
Is a hissing sound from somewhere around the intake manifold / fuel system....

Interior- doesn't really have one! I have the instrument binacle and all the dials,
Which are in good shape- dashboard in a bad way, everything else was stripped
Out and thrown away at some point when I was converted to a track car.

Ideas- I'm guessing to sort the engine, it will have to come out, with the transaxle
Arrangement that looks like a huge job, so replace clutch at the same time, probably
Have to remove front suspension, so restore all that.

Is it worth buying a second hand running engine rather than rebuild, or if a rebuild
Can be done without removing that might be the way to go?

Take out the old engine and wiring and replace with something newer- golf v5?
I have heard it's been done?

Replace oil cooler/ exchanger with a conventional oil cooler radiator...

I have built track cars- but this looks like an even bigger project!! Track car picture

Any thoughts appreciated- particularly an honest appraisal of whether this is
A worthwhile project ..I don't want it to be concourse but as a weekend car.,
Also worth noting I bought it for £700 a few years ago so it owes me nothing

Sounds like you are going to need a donor car, and if your not aware a decent sills job is around £2000, the engine to rebuild about 4-5k

Cars value 700 quid currently once fixed about 5k

You will need about 10k in your budget, your call really

Hi,
Yeah paying for the engine work
Is defo not an option, I'll have to do
That myself, think you are right on the
Bodywork, could be a lot for the welding
And other work.....more to think on...

Even with you doing the engine work yourself, the parts court easily come to 3-4 grand

There is no such thing as a cheap Porsche

Hi Les

That sounds an awful lot of work/sourcing/expense to put right. If you fancy a labour of love and to create a weekend car you know well and is reliable, then fair play.

Personally, and I'm involved in a turbo engine rebuild currently, I would cut my losses and find a much tidier example to begin with. You should be able to source something running, with an MOT, and not overly bad bodywork for £3k - £4k I would think. That's the route I would take.

Cheers

Stuart

Break it/scrap it, and buy a better one. Or something newer.

Thanks guys....think you could be right
I'll let you know which way it goes

Yes bin it and get one of these:- like I did a lot simpler to work on. Not cheaper though.

Or buy this as a donor:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/154793473636?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649
It's had an engine rebuild and a replacement clutch and the front wings look decent.