reece146

I'm thinking about getting into a 944 Turbo or 968. How many times is this asked? Maybe this is a slightly different take on the same question?

I sold my S2000 that I used for autocross. I found I wasn't a convertible person and I got tired of the car screaming at 4000 RPM at highway cruise.

I liked the car otherwise but found it lacking for autocross if it was a short track where I couldn't wind the engine out effectively and keep it in the 6000-9000 RPM power band. When I was running every weekend event I was consistently at the top of the leader-board behind the super modified cars so I feel I can say it was more of a car issue than a driver issue at that point.

I tried a bunch of bolt ons... I figure I got the engine from 240 hp up to say 255-260 hp with header, intake, etc. Still found the lack of low end annoying. I'll guess it was pushing ~175 lb-ft if memory serves.

Anyway...

I'm considering a 944 Turbo or a 968. My gut says go with the turbo because it has more potential for power if I get bored with stock. But I kind of like the cheesy 968 headlights and it being a newer car it'll, well, be newer.

Realistically, can I expect to get much more than say 20 hp or so out of the 968 engine with bolt ons? I don't care to do a hard core engine build (why bother when the LS fits?). I have other "involved" automotive projects so I'm not interested in that level of work anyway.

I don't care about SCCA or PCA classes or whatever. The clubs I run with don't use them anyway. I build my cars for enjoyment my way (tuned, full interior GT car). Whatever class I end up in is fine as long as I am enjoying the car.

Any suggestions for my situation?

Thanks.

V2Rocket

the turbo would be an easier car to DD in my experience.
yes there is some turbo lag but with its gearbox it is easy to get around at low speeds, and once you get over 2500rpm or so there is a mountain of torque. adding power is pretty cheap from a stock 951.

968 is a nice car, perhaps a faster car than your s2000 because it has more low-end but that's not saying much. 968 feels...gutless IMO when just tooling around town.

S2 is a good compromise, but not much room for performance without big bucks.

Paul Waterloo

I test drove one 89 Turbo when I was looking for cars...it was chipped, but the car was gutless, I suspect there was something wrong with the boost.

So I have never driven a quick turbo, only 944 S2's on test drives and I bought a 93 968....OMG, do I LOVE this car. Not the fastest 0-60 car I have ever driven, but I can wrench the power out pretty good. It would be even better with LSD....which I am considering.

thirdgenbird

Upgrading from an s2000 to a 951 or 968 is a new one for me.

My experience is with the standard 944 so I can't give you much advice other than take your time and buy a good one. It will likely save you a lot on the back end,

Great attitude

bumflick

I went through exactly the same decision making process. Drove a 968 cloth top and loved the tranny and the engine. (Previous rides were 89 golf gti and 87 E30) Hated the soft top. Did prefer the 968 lights.

Ended up up with an 86 951, and I love it. No airbags, no anti lock brakes, no traction control. It is down on boost, but that gives me an excuse to swap in a replacement turbo. Also searching for a 968 tranny with LSD.

MAGK944

If this is a car you will want to keep for a while and add performance improvements as you go and that have any real effect, an S2 or 968 will bore you quickly. 951's have soooo much more potential and tons of info and help here to easily add hp.

theporscheguy

I think my '86 951 is a great car. Yes its been personalized which to me is the fun part. Good luck in whichever direction you decide to go.

odurandina

968 gutless?

all the gdamned 4 cylinders are gutless.

except the 968T.

reece146

That is my primary fear.

I've got a list of past cars as long as my arm and want to settle on "the one" car to be OCD with for the next decade or more.

thirdgenbird

The 951 is a perfect platform for a never ending project. Bigger turbos, more displacement, more cylinders, bigger brakes, multiple suspension options, fender flares...

fejjj

951 with Rogue tuning M tune which greatly improves the mid range power.

Best car I have ever driven and I have driven a few.

lart951

unless you are looking for a 968 turbo, with some mild mods the 951 will out perform the 968 any day.

lart951

but if you like the Santa Monica t Blvd looking go 968 like odu

sdstimson

I've done a few autocrosses in my heavily modded 951 as well as my current s2 with a 968 powerplant. Both cars are a blast and of course the turbo is more fun and has more potential, but the 968 motor will definitely surprise you especially if you lightened the car and added LSD. That being said if you do go the 951 route it will be well worth it to source an LSD transmission, better yet an s2 LSD unit. Without it is very hard to get the full benefit out of the extra hp of the 951 on an autoX course. There is also the whole reliability issue and ease to work on that you may want to factor in, this ultimately led me to part out the 951 and keep the 968 powered s2. For the price you probably got for your S2K you could probably get a 968 as well a supercharger kit and break even. Best of both worlds.

PorscheG96

Bull****, not in autocross! If he has problems getting an S2k into the powerband for local events then how do you think a 944 Turbo will perform? It won't.