My Dad's 1988 Porsche 944 Turbo (951)

[ipodwinner31]

Well...its not really my ride..but its in my family, so i thought id share :p

Back in the year 1985, my dad drove his first Porsche, a 1983 Porsche 944 NA. He loved the car. It handled well, and for an NA 4 cylinder 80s car, had a decent amount of power. But didn't have the finances at the time to buy one.

15 years later in 2000, he found his perfect Porsche. A 1989 Porsche 944 Turbo (951) S 5spd manual. (This car was not badged an S model due to quantity distribution, but actually came with all the Turbo S features, technically making it a turbo S) He loved the car. Only a year later in 2001, he did his first track event with the car.
 
After tracking his street car only 3 times, he decided he didn't want to risk his beautiful car, and in 2003 bought his second Porsche, a 1988 944 Turbo 5spd manual. (Also the "disguised" S model)

After years of track events, both my dad and the car have moved up through the ranks. My dad is an instructor for the Porsche Club of America for UCR (Upper Canada Region) and Hudson Champlain region. The car has also gone from an 80s German sportscar, to an all out track monster.

Stock from the factory, these cars came with:
-2.5L turbocharged and intercooled engine
-247BHP 260ft-lbs torque
-0-60 in 4.8 seconds
-1/4 mile in 13.9s @101mph
-Top speed of 163mph
-Koni adjustable front and rear suspension
-ABS
-An MSRP (in 1988-9) of $48,000


3 years ago, he had this car dyno'd at 290Rwhp. Since then, he has built  and balanced the motor, added the slot for the intercooler, added the  custom ram air intake, and added a header. After these mods, we are guesstimating somewhere between 300-320Rwhp.

Today, the list of mods is as follows:
Engine:
-balanced and built motor (balance shaft delete)
-built factory turbo
-Lindsey manual boost controller
-Blaszak Motorsports custom ceramic clutch and lightweight flywheel
-Max HP performance chip at 19 psi
-custom ram air intake
-MAF sensor conversion
-Billy Boy header
-3" up and down pipes
-3" catless straight piped exhaust (Magnaflow straight thru high flow muffler)
-Lindsey duelport wastegate
-custom intercooler slot
-decked the block
-A/C delete
-alternator relocation (lower center of gravity)
-lightweight compact battery
-LSD rear transaxle with cooler

Interior:
-short throw shifter
-Kirkey racing seats
-half cage roll bar
- G-force 6 point harness
-stripped (except dash and doors)
-2700lbs
-Wideband afr gauge
-boost gauge
-heel-toe pedal setup

Suspension/brakes/tires:
-Leda racing coilovers, Hypercoil 550lbs springs (front)
-Sanders Engineering 34mm 450lbs torsion bar (rear)
-Weltmeister rear sway bar
-camber:3 degrees, caster:5 degrees, toe:0
-Blaszak Motorsports custom spirical bearing control arms
-Blaszak Motorsports custom front strut tower brace
-Big Red 4pot (front) 2pot (rear) calipers
-Frozen Rotors slotted rotors
-Hawk HT10 brake pads
-Brake-Guard brake equalizer
-Hankook Ventus racing slicks 275/40/17 (rear), 225/45/17 (fronts)

This winter he will be having his transmission rebuilt by his good friend (Blaszak motorsports) with a higher final drive gear.

Table of contents:
Post 2-pics

[ipodwinner31]

[Iant333]

Thats a super nice car. Almost went for a 944 Turbo instead of my Subaru actually.

[ipodwinner31]

his street car is nicer...(looks wise) lol but hmm...i honestly dont know which one id rather have. the 951 is crazy nice, but not awd, and you can get that kinda power with awd with subaru. both 2 of my favorites ever.

[hydrochloric]

The 944s handle miles better than most Subarus do, and with less work.  51/49 fr/re weight balance, RWD, Porsche tuning...  LSx swap parts aplenty...  Yeah, much better track car.  Crap in snow, though. 

I have an '83 944, so nothing fancy (non-S, -S2, Turbo), and I'd love to say it's super awesome fun, but right now, seeing as it doesn't run... 

That's probably my dream track car, right there.  Noice!  Where does it get used these days?

[ipodwinner31]

yea i tracked my moms 944 turbo (stock except chip) and its handling is phenominal. theyre so low and amazingly balanced right off the bat! lol but my dads is all aftermarket though....i dont get to drive it till i hit white run group :/ he runs it mostly at Watkins Glen, and Mosport (canada) but he has run it at caliboogie (spelling? and canada) shannonville (where i did my first event, also canada) and limerock, and i think 1 other but idr. he and my uncle (his brother lol) both drive it. the LSD in the tranny whiped and the head gasket is leaking (internal) so we get to do head gasket and drop the tranny for a custom rebuild from his buddy (blaszak motorsports) for this winter.

and for your NA, theres some good options...my dads friend phil is running a 3.0L (either 928 or 968 motor..i forget which) engine in his 944 body. built NA 3.0L its pretty badass. although 100+ hp over stock on my dads 944 turbo, pretty damn sweet.

geez...i like parentheses hahaha

[deadlydave]

his street car is nicer...(looks wise) lol but hmm...i honestly dont know which one id rather have. the 951 is crazy nice, but not awd, and you can get that kinda power with awd with subaru. both 2 of my favorites ever.

He's an instructor...he probably likes cars that don't handle, for lack of a better term, 'retarded'.     I've always had a soft spot for retards, that's why I'm on my 4th Subaru. Also, I'm a raging turbodyke.

I like the subtle brutality of that track car.

As far as N/A options:  LSx swap is 'viable'.   

[ipodwinner31]

He's an instructor...he probably likes cars that don't handle, for lack of a better term, 'retarded'.     I've always had a soft spot for retards, that's why I'm on my 4th Subaru. Also, I'm a raging turbodyke.

I like the subtle brutality of that track car.

As far as N/A options:  LSx swap is 'viable'.   

not quite sure if i understand the first part of your post? lol why wouldnt he like a car that handles good? i see what you mean that it gives a challenge and requires more skill but still...lol

[skyphix]

Let me translate: Subarus handle terribly compared to single purpose cars and your dad, being an instructor, probably likes cars that don't handle terribly. Which explains why you'd choose the porch-ah over a urabus.

[ipodwinner31]

ahh cus thats not really what he said so i was like huh? lol

[deadlydave]

ahh cus thats not really what he said so i was like huh? lol

Man, sorry about that, it was late, and I was feisty.  Back before I was a lazy slacker, I was autocrossing regularly.  Out of a 7 run day, I would spend maybe the first 5 runs trying to get one of my 'Rus on target, following the line I wanted to drive.  When I had my IS300, I was able to put that car on target on run 2/7, giving me 5 runs to improve my line or try other things.     The few times I've had Zilla out she's been awesome though.

[hydrochloric]

yea i tracked my moms 944 turbo (stock except chip) and its handling is phenominal. theyre so low and amazingly balanced right off the bat! lol but my dads is all aftermarket though....i dont get to drive it till i hit white run group :/ he runs it mostly at Watkins Glen, and Mosport (canada) but he has run it at caliboogie (spelling? and canada) shannonville (where i did my first event, also canada) and limerock, and i think 1 other but idr. he and my uncle (his brother lol) both drive it. the LSD in the tranny whiped and the head gasket is leaking (internal) so we get to do head gasket and drop the tranny for a custom rebuild from his buddy (blaszak motorsports) for this winter.

and for your NA, theres some good options...my dads friend phil is running a 3.0L (either 928 or 968 motor..i forget which) engine in his 944 body. built NA 3.0L its pretty badass. although 100+ hp over stock on my dads 944 turbo, pretty damn sweet.

geez...i like parentheses hahaha

It's cool, I like parentheses too. 

As of right now, my plan is to run with the stock 2.5, because I'd like to compete in Spec 944, and the only engine they allow is the 8v 2.5.  I figure it'd be better for me to actually get good at driving before dumping a LS6 into it. 

[ipodwinner31]

Man, sorry about that, it was late, and I was feisty.  Back before I was a lazy slacker, I was autocrossing regularly.  Out of a 7 run day, I would spend maybe the first 5 runs trying to get one of my 'Rus on target, following the line I wanted to drive.  When I had my IS300, I was able to put that car on target on run 2/7, giving me 5 runs to improve my line or try other things.     The few times I've had Zilla out she's been awesome though.

haha its all good. and really? i love the way subarus handle out of the box..well at least mine. (2002 RS) only thing i dont like is the understeer, which is pretty much eliminated by upgrading to a 20mm RSB..only like 90$. maybe 150 after endlinks...but still pretty damn good if you ask me. im getting one eventually haha

It's cool, I like parentheses too. 

As of right now, my plan is to run with the stock 2.5, because I'd like to compete in Spec 944, and the only engine they allow is the 8v 2.5.  I figure it'd be better for me to actually get good at driving before dumping a LS6 into it. 

screw the LS6......get a Porsche 928 engine. (finally figured out...928 is the V8 one and the 968 is the 3.0 NA (also turbo model) one) the regular 928 engines made like 288HP on a 5.0L V8, and the latest model GTS model made 345HP on a 5.4L V8. sure the LS6 may have more power....but boost the 928 motor and itll SCREAM. my dads friend up in canada is actually supercharging his 928 5.0 this winter...he said he should be hittin about 500 horse when hes done.

***DISCLAIMER all HP figures are at the crank haha

[hydrochloric]

Agreed with the 928 engine (which I confuse a lot, too), but there's this whole problem of money...  A used turn-key LS1 can be had for ~2k, LS6 for ~4 (realistically, I would go with a LS1).  If you can find me a 928 engine for that much that hasn't eaten the block due to piston ring failure, I'll....  Well, I'll be impressed, since I don't currently have the funds to buy one.  (All of this totally ignores the issue that a 928 engine is nearly twice as heavy as the stock 944 2.5, whereas LSx engines are BARELY more than the stock one.  Even if it is a Porsche engine, why ruin the handling?)

And yes, you can get some good numbers out of a boosted 928 engine, but the most powerful car in the world right now (IIRC, I don't keep up that much) is the Hennessey Venom GT, which uses a twin-turbo.....  LS7.  Plus?  $$$$$$$ to boost a Porsche engine, especially one that wasn't designed for it.  An LS?  Hell, use the stock bottom end until it fails, then get some actual pistons and a crank.  Still cheaper.

This isn't to say I wouldn't love a 928 GTS, but they're really GT cars, not track monsters.

[ipodwinner31]

true i hear ya. hmm...what about 2jz build? hahaha jk and i didnt know they were that much of a weight difference..my dad said ls6 swaps are pretty popular with the 944s which i actually didnt know lol whatever you do, itll be cool.

[Nismonic]

Agreed with the 928 engine (which I confuse a lot, too), but there's this whole problem of money...  A used turn-key LS1 can be had for ~2k, LS6 for ~4 (realistically, I would go with a LS1).  If you can find me a 928 engine for that much that hasn't eaten the block due to piston ring failure, I'll....  Well, I'll be impressed, since I don't currently have the funds to buy one.  (All of this totally ignores the issue that a 928 engine is nearly twice as heavy as the stock 944 2.5, whereas LSx engines are BARELY more than the stock one.  Even if it is a Porsche engine, why ruin the handling?)

LS1s and LS6s can't really be had at those prices these days... everyone is jumping on the LS1/2/3/6/7/9 swap band wagon these days and driving the prices way up. I've been searching for a deal on an LS1 all summer... $1800 might get you a block, intake, injectors, and a harness... but it's probably not going to be turn key (or its going to have a ton of miles). but, If you have the hook up on LS1 motors please let me know.. I'd like to pick up a spare block to build up for the green machine.   

[hydrochloric]

LS1s and LS6s can't really be had at those prices these days... everyone is jumping on the LS1/2/3/6/7/9 swap band wagon these days and driving the prices way up. I've been searching for a deal on an LS1 all summer... $1800 might get you a block, intake, injectors, and a harness... but it's probably not going to be turn key (or its going to have a ton of miles). but, If you have the hook up on LS1 motors please let me know.. I'd like to pick up a spare block to build up for the green machine.   

Holy crap, you're right.    I haven't actually searched for a year, at least, I was running off what I found on eBay at the time.  Anywhere from 1- to 2000 more than what I'd found previously...  Well, my plan for the 944 just got more complicated.  That said, though, I found this one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/01-04-GTO-Corvette-LS6-LS1-Engine-6-speed-Transmission-85k-Camaro-Complete-Swap-/320791584473?hash=item4ab0ab1ed9&item=320791584473&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr

If you sold the tranny, you could call it 1k...  Also this guy:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/97-04-Camaro-Corvette-LS1-engine-Automatic-transmission-Motor-Complete-Swap-LS6-/370557761241?hash=item5646f6b6d9&item=370557761241&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr

But generally, WOW.  Three times what I remembered them being.

true i hear ya. hmm...what about 2jz build? hahaha jk and i didnt know they were that much of a weight difference..my dad said ls6 swaps are pretty popular with the 944s which i actually didnt know lol whatever you do, itll be cool.

I don't think a 2JZ would fit in the engine bay, that's two extra cylinders tacked onto the front (and if LSes are expensive these days, I'd bet JZs are insane).  I did also find a 944 that had an Audi 5 cylinder turbo put in, but those engines are HEAVY.  Strong as hell, but heavy.

[Nismonic]

Holy crap, you're right.    I haven't actually searched for a year, at least, I was running off what I found on eBay at the time.  Anywhere from 1- to 2000 more than what I'd found previously...  Well, my plan for the 944 just got more complicated.  That said, though, I found this one:

If you sold the tranny, you could call it 1k...

Look at the buy it now price on that pull out. It will sell for close to that number. I've been watching them slowly climb up in price all year. I've also been watching copart auctions to see if it would be cheaper to buy the whole wrecked car... it isn't. LS1s are crazy right now.. even the iron-block truck motor 4.8/5.3 variants have been going up in price and they made millions of those.   

2jzs are around 2k for the motor with an auto tranny or no tranny... With the 6-speed the pull-out is closer to 4.5-5k. The motor you want is the 1jz... the block is shorter (so it has a chance of fitting under a stock hood), a lot of the 2jz and 1jz parts are interchangeable (so so speed parts aren't too hard to find), and the 1jz is like $1200 for the engine or $1900-2100 with an r154 5-speed.     

[deadlydave]

haha its all good. and really? i love the way subarus handle out of the box..well at least mine. (2002 RS) only thing i dont like is the understeer, which is pretty much eliminated by upgrading to a 20mm RSB..only like 90$. maybe 150 after endlinks...but still pretty damn good if you ask me. im getting one eventually haha

Understeer at autocross stinks though, eats time and absolutely destroys the front tires.  It is nice because it's predictable and you can drive the car around it (that's what i did with my baja).  Except for that one time I hit a tree...that was oversteer.  Most unexpected!

[hydrochloric]

Look at the buy it now price on that pull out. It will sell for close to that number. I've been watching them slowly climb up in price all year. I've also been watching copart auctions to see if it would be cheaper to buy the whole wrecked car... it isn't. LS1s are crazy right now.. even the iron-block truck motor 4.8/5.3 variants have been going up in price and they made millions of those.   

2jzs are around 2k for the motor with an auto tranny or no tranny... With the 6-speed the pull-out is closer to 4.5-5k. The motor you want is the 1jz... the block is shorter (so it has a chance of fitting under a stock hood), a lot of the 2jz and 1jz parts are interchangeable (so so speed parts aren't too hard to find), and the 1jz is like $1200 for the engine or $1900-2100 with an r154 5-speed.     

Yeah, I noticed later the prices were actually auctions, I was just skimming through.

A JZ would be different, but again, heavy, heavy engines.  Plus, I really doubt either the one or two could actually fit under a 944's hood, these things are pretty small.  The LS engines almost touch the frame-rails.  (Plus, I'm a HUGE sucker for a V8.  I mean, HUGE.)

The one nice thing about 944s is that since their transmission is in the back, you can put pretty much any engine you want in the bay, you just have to find a way to fit the clutch setup to it.  The downside is, the transmissions are really riding the failure line at 300-400HP, so a lot of the potential of an LS gets wasted until you put money into tranny work.

There's also LT1 swap parts, from before the LS existed, but all iron = way too heavy for me.  If it were a street car, maybe.  Throwing the weight balance that for out on a track car?  Stupid.  I'd rather find a Turbo engine and work it.

I could try looking for those old Buick aluminum V8s from the.. 60's?  70's?

[Nismonic]

I could try looking for those old Buick aluminum V8s from the.. 60's?  70's?

Look for these motors out of GM trucks- L33, LM4, LH6, LC9, L92. They are all aluminum blocks like the LS series and can be had for cheap when the seller doesn't realize what they have. Almost all the LS parts bolt up to these motors and they can make good power on the cheap. Since you won't need to locate a T-56 this might make more sense for you since all you will need is the right oil pan since the truck pan probably won't fit, a clutch, and the intake - injectors - harness - ecu from an LS1 (people sell them cheap to upgrade to an LS6 or FAST intake). I've seen complete L33s go for $500-700. I was looking for one of these for the RX7 but as soon as you got the t56, clutch, flywheel, f-body oil pan, f-body front end accessories, intake, headers, etc... it made more sense to just get the pull out from an f-body or buy a complete swapped rx7. You can see what route I took 

More info for your hunt:   

L33:  The L33 is an aluminum generation III Vortec truck engine.   The L33 is  also listed as a Vortec 5300 HO.   The L33 produced 310 horsepower and  was available in the 2006-2007 Silverado 1500 4WD and 2005-2007 GMC  Sierra 1500 4WD.

LM4:  The LM4 is an aluminum generation III Vortec truck engine.   The LM4  was a limited production engine, produced identical power to the LM7  (295 horsepower) and was available in the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer  EXT, 2004 GMC Envoy XL and 2004 Chevrolet SSR.

LH6: The LH6 is a generation IV  engine displacing 5.3L.   The specifications are essentially identical  to the LM4, but with generation IV additions (sensor locations) and  active fuel management.  The LH6 is available in the 2005-2007  Chevrolet Trailblazer, 2005 GMC Envoy XL and XUV, 2005-2007 Buick  Rainier, 2005+ Saab 9-7X, 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2007 GMC  Sierra 1500.

LC9:  The LC9 is the flex fuel variant of the LH6 and is available in the  2007+ Chevrolet Avalanche, 2007+ Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2007+  Chevrolet Suburban, 2007+ GMC Sierra 1500 and 2007+ GMC Yukon.

L92:  The L92 is a 6.2L variant of the generation IV small block engine.    The L92 features an aluminum block and variable valve timing.    Producing 380 horsepower, the L92 is available in the 2007+ Cadillac  Escalade, 2008+ Chevrolet Tahoe, 2007+ GMC Yukon Denali, 2007+ GMC  Sierra Denali, 2008+ Hummer H2 and 2009+ Silverado 1500.

[hydrochloric]

Oh, sweet!  I was under the impression that all the truck LS variants were iron block!  Thank you thank you thank you! 

Would you happen to know offhand why most of these are lower displacement?  Stroke/Bore/Heads?

[skyphix]

Look for these motors out of GM trucks- L33, LM4, LH6, LC9, L92. They are all aluminum blocks like the LS series and can be had for cheap when the seller doesn't realize what they have. Almost all the LS parts bolt up to these motors and they can make good power on the cheap. Since you won't need to locate a T-56 this might make more sense for you since all you will need is the right oil pan since the truck pan probably won't fit, a clutch, and the intake - injectors - harness - ecu from an LS1 (people sell them cheap to upgrade to an LS6 or FAST intake). I've seen complete L33s go for $500-700. I was looking for one of these for the RX7 but as soon as you got the t56, clutch, flywheel, f-body oil pan, f-body front end accessories, intake, headers, etc... it made more sense to just get the pull out from an f-body or buy a complete swapped rx7. You can see what route I took 

More info for your hunt:   

L33:  The L33 is an aluminum generation III Vortec truck engine.   The L33 is  also listed as a Vortec 5300 HO.   The L33 produced 310 horsepower and  was available in the 2006-2007 Silverado 1500 4WD and 2005-2007 GMC  Sierra 1500 4WD.

LM4:  The LM4 is an aluminum generation III Vortec truck engine.   The LM4  was a limited production engine, produced identical power to the LM7  (295 horsepower) and was available in the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer  EXT, 2004 GMC Envoy XL and 2004 Chevrolet SSR.

LH6: The LH6 is a generation IV  engine displacing 5.3L.   The specifications are essentially identical  to the LM4, but with generation IV additions (sensor locations) and  active fuel management.  The LH6 is available in the 2005-2007  Chevrolet Trailblazer, 2005 GMC Envoy XL and XUV, 2005-2007 Buick  Rainier, 2005+ Saab 9-7X, 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2007 GMC  Sierra 1500.

LC9:  The LC9 is the flex fuel variant of the LH6 and is available in the  2007+ Chevrolet Avalanche, 2007+ Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2007+  Chevrolet Suburban, 2007+ GMC Sierra 1500 and 2007+ GMC Yukon.

L92:  The L92 is a 6.2L variant of the generation IV small block engine.    The L92 features an aluminum block and variable valve timing.    Producing 380 horsepower, the L92 is available in the 2007+ Cadillac  Escalade, 2008+ Chevrolet Tahoe, 2007+ GMC Yukon Denali, 2007+ GMC  Sierra Denali, 2008+ Hummer H2 and 2009+ Silverado 1500.

THIS.

[Nismonic]

Oh, sweet!  I was under the impression that all the truck LS variants were iron block!  Thank you thank you thank you! 

Would you happen to know offhand why most of these are lower displacement?  Stroke/Bore/Heads?

Smaller Bore.

[hydrochloric]

Darn, was kinda hoping it was a shorter stroke, so you could rev the nuts off 'em.

Still.  I'll have to start searching for those...