Porsche-noob-91

Having never had a turbo car, let alone a P951, I'm wondering what the 'correct' sound of a 944 Turbo is.
I have tried looking at YouTube videos but can't find a good one, they all just show the exhaust sound, which is not of interest right now.

Having test driven a few 944 turbos, some had a very distinctive turbo "woosh" (what I call it) when the turbo kicked in. They also accelerated distinctly. At the same time, all these cars that I've driven were different. One had the 340 HP Lindsey Racing kit, the other was a NA version with apparently higher than stock boost (per the owner), and the last one was a EU version which I suspect had a broken turbo (didn't hear any turbo sound, didn't feel boost, boost dial did indicate boost building).

But I'm not sure, so that's why I hope someone here can give me audio recordings of a 100% functional 944 Turbo or at least a description of the sound.

I'm sure you all are getting tired of my many threads, but I'm hoping to get continued help from this community which has already greatly improved my understanding of the 944, 924 and even 928 :-). Thank you in advance!

MM951

It will sound very different depending on mods. As far as how a stock turbo sounds, the commercial on youtube "what if you were a sports car... you'd be low... turbocharged...etc" is pretty spot on.

with a MAF, big turbo, and 2.5" test pipe its gonna sound just like spooling all the time, big old vacuum cleaner. It's pretty awesome. It still has the 944 sound under 2,200 rpm (little bit of whine, pretty good for a 4 cyl) - I think it sounds just as good as my Boxster S just in a different want

MAF 3" catless exhaust sounds like any other turbo 4 cyl (not great) - hate it would go back to the 2.5" test pipe any day

edit:

Spdygon

I’m stock form it’s hard to hear it

mytrplseven

When I restored my 951 I opted to install a Borla Race muffler and test pipe. The muffler is about `1/3 the size of the stock muffler and still isn't loud enough to be annoying. It just added a little "heft" to the exhaust note.

Porsche-noob-91

If sound is not the most clear way to judge a turbo, is there another method that can be used to determine its health?

MM951

The turbo itself is good unless its not (generally) and you'll know it. Exhaust and intake leaks will make a dramatic difference in performance/spool/ etc. Those are to be expected on a 35 year old car until you get it sorted.

944M3

I have a 27/6 Raptor from Evergreen. Stock AFM and exhaust except for Magnaflow muffler. You can hear the spool up while accelerating through the gears. But don’t expect a supercharger whine, which to my ear is much louder higher pitched and really annoying. Again, to my ear.

As folks have mentioned, you will feel the health of the turbo through the seat of your pants. So many variables though, it would be tough to compare one car to another. For example, I replaced my muffler with a Magnaflow and it improved spool up dramatically. I went from an Autothority chip to an A-tune chip and MAP sensor, that totally changed the character of the turbo. Autothority chip made the turbo kick like a mule compared to the more mild mannered or linear Atune.

also have to account for exhaust leaks and just general health of engine.

So again, many variables. But a good turbo with the proper tune will feel obvious, if that makes sense. It will make you smile or will even burst you out in laughter.

Porsche-noob-91

Thanks, all your comments have made it even more clear to me that there was something amiss with this car. :-) I'm still looking for adoption candidates after a brief break for a holiday.

mwc951

Here ya go!

Sound of turbo