New Guy to the Forum - 87 944 Coupe?

[Mike's Porsche]

Hey everyone,

I have been reading this board for about 1 month. I finally ordered the manual about 2 weeks ago. Hope to see it soon!

I have an L33 with Z06 cam for my conversion. There is a guy down the street from me who has an '87 944 coupe (not S or Turbo) which is for sale and in good shape. Are there any disadvantages in using an '87 model and not using an S or Turbo car?

I got into euro cars about 5 years ago, but before was very much into modifying my 1964 Chevy Impala SS (street rod, not lowrider......not that there's anything wrong with that), and later a 1999 V6 Convertible Mustang that I converted to V8 with turbo.

Anyway, its good to be here.

Thanks, Mike

[Porch]

Welcome, and looking forward to seeing progress!

[modenas]

welcome, i got an 88 S and love it, also got an 86 non turbo parts car and the 88 got better all around. i cant tell what better for you but as long as it straight and true, go for it

[Mike's Porsche]

Thanks Modenas. I agree...straight and true is the most important. I will definately take the time to find the right car and even pay a few $ extra cause in the long run it will save money. Afterall, I want to do a V8 conversion and not a restoration.

My engine was delivered today, but they shipped the wrong one! Instead of getting the L33, I got L59 with iron block. The yard has agreed to make it right by paying for the return. They promised to ship the correct engine out next week.

I paid $1200 for an L33 with 19,000 miles including shipping to my home. It includes the the front accessory bracket, intake, coils and exhaust manifolds (no computer). I believe only the coils will be usefull for the conversion (I haven't gotten my manual yet). Could I have done better on the engine?

Now I need to find an LS6 intake set-up. Anybody got one for sale?

[Mike's Porsche]

I am looking for my car right now. I am wanting to start with a really nice car, but don't want to get ripped off on the price.

I could really use your opinions here on the value of this car. Yeah, I know its difficult to tell from a few photos, but if the car is as advertised is it worth the $7000 the Porsche dealer is asking?

Here are some pics,

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Here is the description they provided,

"This is a very clean 1 owner 1987 Porsche 944 hatchback coupe w/125,000 miles. The original owner took very good care of it and traded it in to us for a pre-owned Porsche Cayman. He gave us the original dialer wheels and tires, original Blaubunkt stereo, hard panel roof plus removable glass roof. He modified the intake so the engine would breathe easier....(we have the original parts, too). Everything works, radio, A/C, power options....orginal paint and no rust !!!! We do have a limited number of service records....but trust me, this was his baby and treated like so. Has never seen rain or snow. Being sold as-is as-shown, only because of age and mileage. Clean CarFax and Experian history report....CLEAN !!"

[vundba]

since you our asking on this forum it's safe to assume that you plan on converting your car right?.so if that's the case I would hate to see someone pay top dollar for a car who's motor you're going to pull out anyway .the car looks nice from the pictures but there are alot of nice body cars out there who's motors might not be so great which is fine since the body is all you want.$7000 seems like alot of money before you even start converting.if I were you I would look in local papers or e-bay.good luck!

[Wild Bill]

From the pics.. I have seen similar asking prices with body's that were not as nice and more miles. Mine came with extensive service records, same mileage, Original stereo in trunk and no rust but a little more parking lot evidence and sand blasting of the usual places. 4000 miles on the tires on original phone dials.. Some plastic pieces need repair or replacement and the engine had a problem lowering the price to $1000. The windshield was brand new until I nailed that rock passing a semi at 140 and the installed deck/stereo system was worth half the purchase price of the car! Other than the conversion I have installed a new set of rear shocks, and need a new windshield now..

My car would look even nicer with an extensive detail and will after the summer as an acquaintance wants to detail it for me for the pleasure of bringing out the car's hidden beauty. However

Taking a car to the body shop is really expensive especially if you want factory or better finish in door jams etc. It would be worth a fair amount to be able to drop an engine in a pretty chassis and be done with it. I'ts just to bad the engine isn't making noise...

[fliermike45]

If it helps, I bought a 1988 Guards Red 944 with good paint, tidy interior but split leather seats.
Had 155000 miles on the speedo. Drove it from CA to FL, tires were worn out. Paid $2000
Torque tube bearings are noisy but I have a set of replacements to go in when I install the LS1.

[Mike's Porsche]

Just goes to show you that you should do your research before buying. I see that I could have gotten my L33 at about $300 cheaper.....damn...live and learn.

[Mike's Porsche]

fliermike45,

Your comments are worth a lot. Thanks. I told the Porsche dealer I was not longer interested in their car. The price was too high, plus I am in TX and the car in NH, so getting hit here would cost $500 to $1000 regardless of shipping, driving, or trailering.

I live in Austin and there are only a few cars here for sale. However, in Dallas and Houston there seem to be lots, so I should be able to find something. I am just hoping to avoid spending tons of cash on paint and body work.

Mike

[Porch]

I wouldn't spend more than a couple thousand on an N/A if you plan on converting it to v8 power. A turbo/s2 body i would spend more on.

[948]

Even if this was a Turbo, it would be too expensive for a V8 project car. I would stick to Turbo cars as they already have the right trans and the engine parts can be sold for some $$ to fund the V8....I would look for a runner in the sub $5K range or a non-runner in the sub $3K range.
A quick look online.....
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[Porch]

Check out: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

A non-runner with good paint will save you tons of time and money down the road.

[fliermike45]

I found mine on Ebay.

[cfgioja]

I found a 86 turbo on craiglist that all it needed to start up was a gas tank drain and fresh fuel. It ran but had a bad knock in the engine with a half way descent body for 2k.

[Luke714]

My 86 turbo burned a little oil, had 84k on it, spotless body. Got two years out of the engine as is, now I'm converting. Paid 4k. I'd say too expensive, get a turbo though, if you can.

[Mike's Porsche]

Thanks for all your input. I have decided to hold out for a Turbo.

The yard brought my L33 yesterday, so today I am going to disassemble down to the long block today. I'll send pics later.

I have a guy who will sell me all the accessory drive stuff from his 2002 Z28 including the water pump, PS, and AC. Since I haven't gotten my 944 conversion manual, I have a couple of questions,

1. Is the camaro drive what the conversion manual calls for?
2. Does the conversion use the GM power steering pump and AC compressor?

I don't have budget to buy sh*t that I can't use later.

[Porch]

1). Yes
2). Yes and no...the GM p/s pump will work, but it's not "right" (you can fix that later). If you keep a/c, you'll use the GM compressor.