1) What's the difference between a 924 and a 944?? I don't care about engine differences, 'cause I'm asking with the intent of possibly using one as the basis for a motor swap.
2) Where can I go to see some comparisons of 924/944 handling with other "tossable" cars (i.e., 3rd gen RX7's, etc...)??
3) Where are some places to go check out performance parts, like brake kits, suspension goodies, etc...??
4) Again, aside from the motors, what would be the weak points of the 924/944??
If you are capable of building all the swap parts yourself the cost difference might not be so bad.
In the end, I think a 944 would definatly be a cooler car. But I'm not sure it would be worth the extra $5,000+ or so over doing an rx-7. If the same amount was invested in an rx-7 you'd probibly have a better car overall.
Posted by: Mr. P
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Posted by: Mr. P
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Posted by: Mr. P
The 8 v Porsche built 944 motor is a good one. Even when they went to the 16 v design, the 8 v was retained for the turbo motor. The 8 v design is also the same design used on my '83 928 except the car has two heads in V8 form. If you can maintain a 944, you can also maintain the big daddy too.
P... thanks for the input. I'll keep all of that in mind, but after doing some investigation, it seems that the front engine Porsche transmission/transaxle ratios are all WAAAYYYYY too short for me... I'd like to be able to run 80 mph on the freeway w/ out spinning 3000 RPM, since any motor that I'd swap in would DRINK fuel at that speed. Even the 6 speed overdrive ratios are too fucking short... something like .79:1...
Posted by: MikeT
93-95 rx-7 + LS1 + t-56 = badass
Posted by: LS1JAY
Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeT
93-95 rx-7 + LS1 + t-56 = badass
Heck yeah! I saw one with a LS1 in it and it went 11's at around 120! They even make kits for those they have become so popular.
Posted by: BurnOut
Mike... that is actually what I have been trying to iron out for awhile now.... but after having such a hard time finding a decent deal on a 3rd gen RX7, I was considering the Porsche option.
However, due to the gear ratio issues, the Porsche thing is out and the hunt for an RX7 has been re-started.
Posted by: Mr. P
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Posted by: BurnOut
P- Maintaining 80 mph on the highways/freeways around here really isn't all that unusual. Our highways are wide, flat, and straight. While I don't do a LOT of highway driving, I do enough of it that spinning a relatively hot V8 to 3000 RPM would SEVERELY limit my cruising range (not to mention put unnecessary strain on the motor). Besides, I want something that I can take on a road trip... and why go a couple hundred miles at 3000 when I can go a couple hundred miles at 2000 (even w/ 4.10 rear gears in the Camaro 75 mph is only 2000 RPM in 6th {w/ a ~25.5" tall tire}).
Mebbe you've been driving the Porsches too much to remember that most domestic V8's aren't as peaky and tend to deliver power over a much broader RPM range... so it's entirely possible to have a motor that pulls along happilly at 2000 RPM yet still makes plenty of power all the way up to 6500-7000. For instance, I can cruise my Camaro all day w/out ever turning it tighter than ~2200 (I hardly ever have to downshift to pass someone), yet it still pulls all the way up to a 6800 RPM limiter fast enough that the factory tach can't keep up with it. I just want that kind of motor/gearing in a smaller, lighter package.
Oh, also, the total first gear drive ratio of the 944 Turbo transaxle (3.50:1 first, 3.375 final) is almost a full point steeper than what I have in the Camaro now (11.83 for the Porsche vs. 10.906 for the F-body); as it is, I can't use WOT in first without just lighting up the 285-width tires... a steeper ratio wouldn't help that at all. I know that we're not talking about making a drag car here, but that is the sort of thing that results in the car being like a bull in a china shop... difficult to control (at low speeds), disastrous if it gets out of hand.
Posted by: Mr. P
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Posted by: ragtop
Hey, BurnOut, you probably won't be too surprised to learn that I had a 924 for a while. It was a huge POS driveline wise (early model, no power, auto trans) but the interior was HUGE. Xbox huge. Car was light and tossable too. If you are thinking of stabbing a new motor into it, you probably want to replace the entire driveline to avoid all the issues above. Ford 9" rear could be stuffed underneath with judicious use of a plasma cutter.
Posted by: MikeT
Burnout, have you considered a 2nd gen rx-7? They aren't quite as good looking but are a bit lighter and can be had for little as $500.
Posted by: BurnOut
P- the problem w/ the 928 is total vehicle weight... they weigh ~700 pounds more than a 944 (~2800 vs. ~3500). That's where I am at now (weight-wise), and though the 928 chassis is certainly superior to the F-body chassis, I wouldn't come out ahead on power:weight at all, which is one of my goals with the whole project.
ragtop- I have put quite a bit of thought into doing a 924/944, but the idea of completely having to rebuild the rear axle/suspension setup is a LOT more than I'm willing to bite off right now... I'm sure I could get the vehicle on the road, but it'd be more likely to "crab" down the highway than go straight!! D'OH!!
Posted by: Mr. P
Well touche' and good fuckin luck
Mr. P
Posted by: Mr. P
Quote:
Originally Posted by ragtop
Hey, BurnOut, you probably won't be too surprised to learn that I had a 924 for a while. It was a huge POS driveline wise (early model, no power, auto trans) but the interior was HUGE. Xbox huge. Car was light and tossable too. If you are thinking of stabbing a new motor into it, you probably want to replace the entire driveline to avoid all the issues above. Ford 9" rear could be stuffed underneath with judicious use of a plasma cutter.
True, and it would be a hell of a lot cheaper than that $14,000 rolling chassis of the Cobra Daytona Coupe clone. I'd go inboard brakes and IRS if I were going to the trouble.
They even make kits for those they have become so popular.
