"New" guy intro

Feels kinda like a 12 step meeting....
*stands up* Hey I'm Rich...and I'm a gearhead.

I've been a 944 fan for as long as I can remember and I finally got around to owning one about 3 years ago. '87 944S, red/blk leather, 78K miles, nearly perfect interior, slightly dinged up but otherwise OK exterior, sketchy service history and a prior-salvage title. I thought I new what I was getting myself into. A "cheap" Porsche...sure. NOW I know what that really means.

Been lurking around and learning lots since the RH and PHB board days. (porh btw)
I've determined I'm at the tipping point of 944 ownership. I love this car and it would be foolish to sell it in it's current condition. (P/S pump and rack leaking, motor mounts shot, original rubber clutch on it's way out, should do the 16V tensioner and guides but haven't yet, A/C marginal, cruise not working, etc. You get the idea.)

One way or another I need to fix it. I'm seeing this car as a decent swap candidate.
A couple questions:

What do you think I can get for a complete 80K mile "S" motor?
Is the "S" transaxle the same/similar to the S2 from a strength standpoint? Gearing?

Any other suggestions or thoughts are welcome.

I just bought the manual. Can't wait to get it.

Welcome Rich.

Regarding the "S" questions:
I parted an 88' 16V S ~1 year ago, with ~130K, and got $850 for the engine + ECU and harness. That was a very quick sale, I have seen the heads alone go for $600+.
The S trans has the same input shaft as a non-S Turbo 944 box. The R+P ratio, 3.89 Vs the Turbo 3.30, is not suitable for a torquey street driven V8. I would get a turbo box, keep the S for a spare input shaft and transfer the 5th gear into the Turbo box.

Paul

Thanks Paul.

I'm assuming swapping out R+P is either impossible or more trouble than it's worth?
(If I'm in there changing out 5th anyway kind of thing...?)

So my 5th in the S trans is the same (or close enough) as the one in the N/A?

Yeah, changing out the R&P will be more trouble that it's worth...
Swapping 5th gear is a 30 minute job if you have the transmission out. I believe the S trans has the exact same 5th as the NA trans. You could probably put the turbo 5th gear in the S trans and sell the S trans for almost what you paid for the Turbo trans... The S trans is a good transmission for the 4 bangers, it just doesn't have good gearing for a v8.

Welcome Rich, and thanks!

The Tilton Dual MC setup (or hydroboost) should keep you from missing the power brakes. The manual steering conversion is documented here and in the manual.

These are just suggestions, but on a + note, they work well.

You'll be reading in a few days, and if you get a chance to ride in (or drive) a converted car, do it. You'll wonder why you waited so long...

so greg ur saying my S has better brakes than the non S? correct? what about tranny wise. i know the S has a better gearing than the n/a and i dont no the strength wise.

modenas wrote:so greg ur saying my S has better brakes than the non S? correct? what about tranny wise. i know the S has a better gearing than the n/a and i dont no the strength wise.

The S is a stronger transmission than the NA, but it has worse gearing for the v8.

...and the brakes are the same as an NA.
No difference.

948 wrote:
Regarding the "S" questions:
I parted an 88' 16V S ~1 year ago, with ~130K, and got $850 for the engine + ECU and harness. That was a very quick sale, I have seen the heads alone go for $600+.
Paul

So is it safe to say this is a wee bit on the high side? (not me/mine)
S motor on the Bay<----link

Thanks for the welcome guys.

It might be a while until I can pull the trigger on this whole swap thing.
I'm currently unemployed and I have another project in the works.

MN944S wrote:...and the brakes are the same as an NA.
No difference.

Post corrected...
Sorry.

The manual info is correct, I must have had a brainurizm...

hi rich welcome to the forum

MN944S wrote:[
So is it safe to say this is a wee bit on the high side? (not me/mine)
S motor on the Bay<----link

I think that that shows market price. As I mentioned mine was a quick sale; I sold it to an acquaintance.

Wow. Ordered manual Wednesday, shows up today. (Friday)
Thanks for the speedy service Greg.

For anyone on the fence about the manual, don't be. Very comprehensive, well laid out, professionally done. Nice work.
Worth every penny to have all that info in one place.

Now if I can just convince my wife (and to a lesser extent, myself) to start a project that entails pulling a perfectly? good drivetrain, selling it and creating a dead shell for an unknown duration.
I think I can sell it as a father/son bonding project.

You're welcome.
(2 days even impresses me. A new order is being placed, so the next round will be ready in approximately a week.)

Good luck with the wife...
You, on the other hand, are committed to at least reading about it.

Milk it or build it...
We do it all here.