Finally got my 944 Turbo
15 August 2003, 08:58 AM
#1
Well, thanks to those who contributed to my post a few weeks back looking for info on 944s, I am now the very proud owner of a 1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S. The car was delivered to me yesterday after a very frustrating wait. But it was certainly worth the wait. I have only done about 40 miles in it so far but it is very obvious that I need to relearn how to drive a RWD car, particularly after a very sideways moment this morning while pulling out of a junction a little enthusiastically 
.
Main observations so far - the brakes
. My god they work! Although the car has ABS I have not managed to trigger it, in spite of a couple of tests last night to check that it pulls up straight. The tyres just grip and it stops. Seriously impressive.
As for the performance, I am constantly in the wrong gear as I am used to the power coming in from 2500 rpm in the Subaru, but the car does get going at 4000rpm. The gearbox needs a firm hand, which is not good at the moment as I have stitches in my left hand due to a nasty accident with a broccoli quiche earlier in the week. Again, I will get used to that.
Overall I am delighted. For a 15 year old car it is superb. It looks beautiful and is very comfortable to drive, great performance which I will start to exploit once my hand recovers enough to go on a track day.
It took me over an hour to scan through all the service records and manuals I have with the car. In spite of that I have not so far found where those devious Germans have hidden the bonnet release - I know it is there as I was shown it yesterday. Unfortunately at that time I was too busy grinning to take any notice. A job for lunchtime there then!
Thanks again for all the words of wisdom.
Steve
.Main observations so far - the brakes
. My god they work! Although the car has ABS I have not managed to trigger it, in spite of a couple of tests last night to check that it pulls up straight. The tyres just grip and it stops. Seriously impressive.As for the performance, I am constantly in the wrong gear as I am used to the power coming in from 2500 rpm in the Subaru, but the car does get going at 4000rpm. The gearbox needs a firm hand, which is not good at the moment as I have stitches in my left hand due to a nasty accident with a broccoli quiche earlier in the week. Again, I will get used to that.
Overall I am delighted. For a 15 year old car it is superb. It looks beautiful and is very comfortable to drive, great performance which I will start to exploit once my hand recovers enough to go on a track day.
It took me over an hour to scan through all the service records and manuals I have with the car. In spite of that I have not so far found where those devious Germans have hidden the bonnet release - I know it is there as I was shown it yesterday. Unfortunately at that time I was too busy grinning to take any notice
. A job for lunchtime there then!Thanks again for all the words of wisdom.
Steve
15 August 2003, 09:08 AM
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You were eating quiche? Dude, you should've got an MX5! 
Enjoy it, one of my favourite cars is still the 1984 944LUX my dad owned, beautiful chassis. Bro-in-law still running it today.
Ageless style (well the exterior anyways! )
Chucky
Enjoy it, one of my favourite cars is still the 1984 944LUX my dad owned, beautiful chassis. Bro-in-law still running it today.
Ageless style (well the exterior anyways!
)Chucky
15 August 2003, 09:09 AM
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Live the dream.....congratulations on getting your new toy. I really like 944's and one day I WILL own a 964CS a close relative of your car, assuming I can find one that isn't knackered!
15 August 2003, 02:22 PM
#5
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If you've read the manuals you'll know where the trip reset is then....the most devious thing I've ever seen on a car...Ohh and don't press it while your moving....knackers the speedo.
The bonnet release is in the passenger footwell.
The bonnet release is in the passenger footwell.
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15 August 2003, 02:27 PM
#7
cheers Jeff - Davyboy helped me out with the bonnet release this morning. Saved me an embarassing call to the dealer . Yes I found the reset button for the trip. Must have been designed by a German with a sense of humour. Fancy that!
Oh and Chuck - the broccoli quiche was strictly a one off so no MX-5 for me thanks
Steve
. Yes I found the reset button for the trip. Must have been designed by a German with a sense of humour. Fancy that!Oh and Chuck - the broccoli quiche was strictly a one off so no MX-5 for me thanks
Steve
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15 August 2003, 08:51 PM
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Nice one!
If the gearchange is that bad then it needs lubrication through the bushes above the 'box - it shouldn't be stiff at all (my cab is stiff into second so I'm one to talk...)
It's very difficult to get a 944's ABS to trigger but if you have no warning light and you hear a funny whirry groany noise at about 6mph the first time you pull away then all is well.
When are you going to start modding it then? Guru Racing do 300bhp for $290 - ask Davyboy or better yet Diver944 about it.
Fen
If the gearchange is that bad then it needs lubrication through the bushes above the 'box - it shouldn't be stiff at all (my cab is stiff into second so I'm one to talk...)
It's very difficult to get a 944's ABS to trigger but if you have no warning light and you hear a funny whirry groany noise at about 6mph the first time you pull away then all is well.
When are you going to start modding it then? Guru Racing do 300bhp for $290 - ask Davyboy or better yet Diver944 about it.
Fen
16 August 2003, 11:07 AM
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Congrats on the car RB5320, welcome to the fold.
The gearshift on these is far from smooth and slick compared to modern cars but there are a couple of things to check if it's still intolerable when your hand is better. The shift linkage is above the gearbox underneath the boot and can get a bit rusty. Try spraying some aerosol lube on the linkage (not WD40). A new linkage is around the £100 mark and there are also aftermarket 'quickshifter' linkages available from most Porsche specialists. Also underneath the leather gearstick itself there are some rubber bushes that perish with age. These are pennies from the dealer, well probably pounds
Turbo lag is also fairly pronounced because the wastegate was always designed to be opening way before full boost, so valuable boost disappears down the exhaust. Over the years the spring gets weaker and it gets worse. Most 944ers say Porsche did this on purpose so that the car is only slightly faster than the 911 or am I just front engined biased
The lag is easily remedied for £99 and the boost kicks in at approx 2800rpm. Get a Lindsey Racing Boost Enhancer from the UK importer http://www.autoporsche.co.uk This will not increase the peak power of the car but brings it in a heck of a lot earlier and the car feels like a different beastie. Most insurance companies are ok with this mod as it does not increase power.
I just sold my Boost Enhancer for a Chip upgrade kit from http://www.Gururacing.net in the States, that comes complete with their own version of the Boost Enhancer plus remapped chips and an upgraded Fuel Pressure Regulator that ensures you don't run lean and blow head gaskets galore. This whole kit cost me £180 inc delivery, import customs etc and has transformed my car again.
I haven't been dynoed yet but many US owners have this kit and post their charts on www.rennlist.com seeing around 270 RWHP which is around the 300 mark at the engine. For safety you should use Super U/L or Optimax with these chips.
Broccoli Quiche ?????
The gearshift on these is far from smooth and slick compared to modern cars but there are a couple of things to check if it's still intolerable when your hand is better. The shift linkage is above the gearbox underneath the boot and can get a bit rusty. Try spraying some aerosol lube on the linkage (not WD40). A new linkage is around the £100 mark and there are also aftermarket 'quickshifter' linkages available from most Porsche specialists. Also underneath the leather gearstick itself there are some rubber bushes that perish with age. These are pennies from the dealer, well probably pounds
Turbo lag is also fairly pronounced because the wastegate was always designed to be opening way before full boost, so valuable boost disappears down the exhaust. Over the years the spring gets weaker and it gets worse. Most 944ers say Porsche did this on purpose so that the car is only slightly faster than the 911
or am I just front engined biased The lag is easily remedied for £99 and the boost kicks in at approx 2800rpm. Get a Lindsey Racing Boost Enhancer from the UK importer http://www.autoporsche.co.uk This will not increase the peak power of the car but brings it in a heck of a lot earlier and the car feels like a different beastie. Most insurance companies are ok with this mod as it does not increase power.
I just sold my Boost Enhancer for a Chip upgrade kit from http://www.Gururacing.net in the States, that comes complete with their own version of the Boost Enhancer plus remapped chips and an upgraded Fuel Pressure Regulator that ensures you don't run lean and blow head gaskets galore. This whole kit cost me £180 inc delivery, import customs etc and has transformed my car again.
I haven't been dynoed yet but many US owners have this kit and post their charts on www.rennlist.com seeing around 270 RWHP which is around the 300 mark at the engine. For safety you should use Super U/L or Optimax with these chips.
Broccoli Quiche ?????
17 August 2003, 07:07 PM
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Steve,
Where in Bucks are you? You have to pop round one weekend (I'm in MK) and compare your 944 turbo with my 944 S2 cabriolet.
I'm surprised at your gearbox comments, 'cause the box on mine is excelent - very smooth and 'snicky'.
David H.
Where in Bucks are you? You have to pop round one weekend (I'm in MK) and compare your 944 turbo with my 944 S2 cabriolet.
I'm surprised at your gearbox comments, 'cause the box on mine is excelent - very smooth and 'snicky'.
David H.
18 August 2003, 08:42 AM
#15
Thanks for all the info. Diver - my car already has the boost enhancer fitted (I had been wondering what that was!) I have had a look on the autoporsche site and see that the enhancer is adjustable and preset to 10PSI at the factory. I will have a look later to see what mine is set to. It would be nice if I could get rid of some of the lag easily. Failing that I will have to check out Gururacing, but I am determined to get to grips with the standard car before I start upping the power!
The gearchange seems to have loosened up abit now, or I have got more used to it. I am still being very careful with the car as it has only done about 5000 miles in the last 3 years. All the lubricants have been changed so there shouldnt be any problems.
David H - I'm near Slough. Would like to pop over and see your S2 cab some time. I've always liked them.
Overall I am one very happy Porsche owner. I must get round to taking some pics.
Steve
There is no substitute
The gearchange seems to have loosened up abit now, or I have got more used to it. I am still being very careful with the car as it has only done about 5000 miles in the last 3 years. All the lubricants have been changed so there shouldnt be any problems.
David H - I'm near Slough. Would like to pop over and see your S2 cab some time. I've always liked them.
Overall I am one very happy Porsche owner. I must get round to taking some pics.
Steve
There is no substitute
18 August 2003, 10:38 PM
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Sold my S2 last week 
oh well she had to go as the funds were needed. I get withdrawal symptoms when I'm Porcheless for too long! so just trying to work on putting things in place to get a 968CS for early next year...
oh well she had to go as the funds were needed. I get withdrawal symptoms when I'm Porcheless for too long! so just trying to work on putting things in place to get a 968CS for early next year...
19 August 2003, 09:00 PM
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21 August 2003, 01:50 AM
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Davyboy, Eynsham Hall sounds good. The Diver family will be camping the Fri and Sat night and the 944 beer and BBQ hospitality is legendary 
I even bought an electric frideg to drain my battery this year
Eynsham Hall is the Porsche Club GB national event in Oxfordshire. It is on Sat 30-Sun 31st August. Cost is £10 per day for non-members or £15 the weekend
I even bought an electric frideg to drain my battery this yearEynsham Hall is the Porsche Club GB national event in Oxfordshire. It is on Sat 30-Sun 31st August. Cost is £10 per day for non-members or £15 the weekend
22 August 2003, 08:32 PM
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Congrats on the new toy. I changed from Impreza to 944 too, but mine is an S2. I'd love a Turbo one day but am enjoying the smooth power from this classy motor first. A world away from my Impreza, but I still miss it occasionally.
22 August 2003, 10:03 PM
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I've had 2 944 Turbos, then an S2, then another Turbo and now an S2 Cab (as wel as the last Turbo).
There's very little in it between an S2 and a standard Turbo but the Turbo feels faster because of the accelerate - pause - go power delivery. For modifying the Turbo is the only choice, otherwise the S2 is actually a nicer car to drive.
Fen
There's very little in it between an S2 and a standard Turbo but the Turbo feels faster because of the accelerate - pause - go power delivery. For modifying the Turbo is the only choice, otherwise the S2 is actually a nicer car to drive.
Fen
22 August 2003, 10:05 PM
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