Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Hello i'm in the market for a 944, but, which one (definitely not a Turbo or a Cab)?
I will only use it for general touring, certainly no racing.
I’ve read a few books and road tests etc, but I don’t know what they’re really like to live with.

So, should I go for a post 85&half car: the tests say that interior ergonomics, handling and grip are much improved: there must have been some more serious changes as it put on about 200lbs in the process, I think. Is there anything that can be done to pre-85½ cars to improve handling, e.g. fitting later stronger wishbones? And, didn’t the early cars have narrower, weaker cam belts: is there a work-around for this?

Or, should I go for post-87 cars with the spring-loaded tensioner and wider track (for ABS), but I hear that those tensioners should not be relied on, although they surely go a long way in preventing belts snapping/jumping at idle.

Or, should I go for an S2: best looks and performance, but does the level of complexity mean far higher maintenance/repair costs compared to 8 valvers (I do all my own servicing and have restored many cars/motorbikes over the years). Does it have a cam belt tensioner better than the spring-loaded one? And, can S2's fitted with cats have the cat removed and still pass the MOT?

Is the 944S worth considering? Or, does it have all the complexity of the S2 but with not much advantage over the 8 valvers? It seems there are some bargains in this model.

And, does the 2.7 have the same cam chain/slipper pad problems as the S2, as it’s the same block, I think. Can problems with the cam chain be heard easily?

All the tests say that, with every change/development, the 944 got much better over the years, but, would I really notice it, when just touring?
Looking forward to some inside information, thanks, Adrian

Hi Adrian ..

I couldn't say which one to go for, but I picked up an 89 S2 Cab and found it to be a reasonably straightforward car to work on. With no previous Porsche experience I've done the front belts and seals, replaced balance shaft bearings, done the slipper pads, all the brakes and pipework, plus possibly a ton of other stuff that you just do as part of the ongoing maintenance programme these 'older' cars have. If you've a modicum of mechanical ability and understanding, then you won't have any problem tackling most of the stuff you'll need to do, so really your choice of car will be down to your budget and if you've got enough time on your hands to take on a dooer-upperer.

Whichever one you go for, if you improve it and keep it nice it will look after you and continue to appreciate...

G

Hi Adrian,

Some answers to your queries here:

I don't think the earlier 944 had a narrower cam belt, but they did have a narrower (15mm) balance belt. The latest one is 18mm and I think fits all cars.

The spring tensioner is locked down after it has applied a preload to the belt. It doesn't do anything further after that, so once a non-spring tensioner has been adjusted right, they both operate in basically the same way. Neither will stop a belt snapping or jumping at idle.

The S2 has the same cam tensioner as the S and 8-valve from 87 onwards. Only the 968 had a different oil pressure operated one.

The 944S is worth looking at, I have had a few of these and like them. It's all down to what you expect from it and how you drive! Under 4000 RPM it's basically the same as the 8-valve (some would say not as torquey), but once past 4000 it comes 'on song' and feels great, so just drive it hard with plenty of revs - I do sometimes...it's fun!

The 2.7 was an increase in the 8-valve engine, I do not think it applied to the 16V S, as the 3.0 S2 had been released by then and the S discontinued.

With all cam chain driven heads, yes you can hear the chain, but generally the hydraulic tappets (lifters) drown it out! Always just get the chain and tensioner pads changed, along with the cam belt, etc. if you don't have an up-to-date service history that states this has been done.

Model preference is always down to personal choice, so go out and drive a few...

Look forward to seeing you on the forum once you make that purchase!

mine does, every year without any problems. i sold cat to travellers for £40 and welded straight pipe in. later changed to silencer from earlier model, just had to make lambda fitting

They all have their little nuances and pros/cons.

In some ways the 16v models are easier to work on than the 8v as they have a conventional rocker cover rather than the cam tower that needs the belts removing if it ever needs to come off.

Early models have what is essentially the mk1 vw golf suspension. parts are plentiful and cheap. A few bits for these cars are now discontinued though.

Its swings and roundabouts really

thanks for the comments, much appreciated