944 mods

[Guest]

Hi, I have an '86 944 2,5 which I love to bits but now find myself wondering if i can squeeze a teeny bit more poke out of the engine. I'm considering the following mods:

1) Carbon dynamics airfilter - I have read good things about them on the net, the general concesus being that they do make a noticeable differance. - Do 944 owners generally go for a certain make/type ? or leave it as it is ?

2) Tuning chip - I've been considering one that seems to keep coming up on ebay by a company called Accell racing, they seem to get good feedback for their chips fitted to porsches. or is it better to get it manually remapped (if possible with this age of car ) ? - or just leave it as it is ?

3) Supersprint stainless exhuast system - my current exhuast is starting to blow so needs doing soon. - is there a different system out there that 944 owners favour ? I don't want it to sound chavvy and know that supersprint generally produce a sporty but tastefull exhuast note.

I've recently defected form owning Alfas for years and don't have much experience with porsches. if anyone can offer any advice that would be great.

 

[Peter Empson]

Welcome Chris.

It might be worth doing a search of the forum as this has cropped up a few times before, although it can be a bit tricky finding the right posts.

I can't comment on the carbon box, they look intersting but I'm not convinced they'd be superior to a cone given the cost (and if you're worried about air temp its pretty easy to do a bit of diy and solve this anyway).
On mine I found a Green cone filter seemed to make it rev more freely and sounded much nicer. I would do it again, but not if I was only interested in hp numbers.

I can't comment on the chip on eBay, hopefully someone here has tried one. Personally I'd only go for a tried and tested solution with something like this that could ruin your engine if it's not right...
For off the shelf chips I'd recommend Promax, they definately work, although a rolling road remap is the best if it's done after all the other mods to make full use of them. The downside is it will be several times more expensive.

I dont think that many people are running different exhausts on Lux's as they last very well. I've posted previously about the mods we did to mine by experimenting removing (and then replacing some of) the silencers. Again there was a perceived improvement of more eager revving, but no real power difference. It could be a really good place to loose weight however, as the standard system is very well built and not particluarly light.

For no extra power gain I'd also recommend the throttle response cam which makes the car feel faster. I'd also recommend making sure everything is 100% before doing too many mods, I suspect most injectors are pretty clogged by now.

Best regards,
Peter

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Hi, I have an '86 944 2,5 which I love to bits but now find myself wondering if i can squeeze a teeny bit more poke out of the engine.

Hi Chris,

Firstly I'll set out my stall. I could probably tweak my Lux from "whatever it is now" to "a tiny bit more" but I don't see that as the point.

If you have spare cash to throw at the car, the first thing to do is to put some aside for that inevitable bill that is coming. These are very cheap cars to run compared to the equivalents, but that doesn't mean that you won't be needing a new clutch, or your fuel lines haven't corroded, or your head gasket is fine. I'm certainly not being a doom-merchant, but keeping a bit in hand for the possible failures on a 20-ish-year-old car is sensible.

Secondly, think about where the car has aged. Will a chip increase the performance enough to make you forget the soggy suspension and brakes? I'd seriously consider replacing parts here as a way to make the car more enjoyable before increasing the BHP.

Thirdly, do you really want to turn your car into an insurance-unfriendly modified car for no real impovement? This way lies the path of the chav with the silly body kit on his 206. If power is really your goal, then a Lux with a dodgy chip is not the starting point...[8|]

 

[millview]

Hi Chris,
With a 'Lux', you're lucky enough to own one of the best value for money, driving experiences on the roads today. And Peter and Paul have offered very sound advice. I can only echo the fact that our cars are ageing, and attention and money is best directed towards maintenance and 'ride', rather than trying to join the 'scooby' brigade! But then of course, I am very old!

 

[Guest]

Cheers for the comments fellas............. I know where you're coming from and agree its probably best leaving it alone and enjoy it for what it is, and you're spot on re. putting the money into a contigency fund........ I 've always had alfas and they tended to turn round and bite me in the wallet at just the wrong time !

First thing I need to do anyway is get the belts done as I'm not sure exactly when they were last done, so I'd like the piece of mind that they are ok.

 

[John Sims]

As Peter said , it has been said before but:-

The Lux is a super car, light and well balanced. We went to Scotland with a bunch of Turbos an S2 and a 924S( ie a Lux on a diet). The 924 was found far from wanting.

See http://www.2ta.co.uk/petrolhead/scotland05.htm

I had a Lux and Belinda loved it. She throughly enjoyed driving it and still gives me grief for selling it. If I had the money, and the space, I'd have another one tomorrow. I'd put bigger brakes on it though.

But.......in the modern world of Hot Hatches (even luke warm hatches) the Lux is a bit down on power, but then you knew that.

I did the throttle cam - A good mod. It does make the car feel quicker........ even though it isn't.

I did the cone filter - A good mod. It does make the car sound quicker........ even though it isn't.

So how do you get more power out of a Lux? You can't. Sell it and get a Turbo. You could fiddle around and get a few bhp here and a few bhp there, perhaps; but it is going to cost a fair amount to realise very little. For the same money (perhaps) you could sell the Lux and get an S2 or Turbo and have more power, better suspension, bigger brakes with ABS, better interior spec (Leather A/C) and most likely cost you less to insure than a modified Lux.

Obviously Peter is the exception which proves the rule but, I have little doubt, were he to do the same again he would have started with an S2.

 

[Peter Empson]

ORIGINAL: John Sims

were he to do the same again he would have started with an S2.

I think that's definately an easier and cheaper way to get to where I am now []

If I were starting again I suspect I'd base it on a non sunroof 924 shell, but that isn't going to happen anytime soon (unless the rust gets even hungrier than it is now).

Chris, I'd get those belts and a full service done, make sure the alignment/tyres are spot on (it will transform the car) and then see how much is left in the piggy bank. Look upon every part that needs to be replaced as an opportunity to fit something better in its place, that way you don't feel so bad paying for it each time!

I've said it many times before but the biggest bang for the buck is a set of serious brake pads and fitting some used turbo anti roll bars. This will make much more of a difference than the approx. 10bhp you'll struggle to find with the mods discussed here and it costs less too!

 

[Ian B Walker]

I have a question here. What would be the result of removing the center exhaust box? I own another marque garage and by removing the cats / box from those you get an increase of about 5% in BHP. Would that be the case here or will it cause running issues?

 

[sawood12]

The thing is are you really going to notice 5% increase in power? I don't think you will. I think the best thing to do is what has already been suggested, make sure that what you've got is working to the best of it's ability, this could include refreshing your suspension and ARB bushes to tighten up the handling, then if you really want to spend more there are other mods in the same vane of the throttle response cam that will enhance the feel of your car but not necessarily it's true performance, one is a short shift kit - the one from 9xx aparently gives you a real mechanical rifle-bolt action feel. It's definately on my list.

I am a real sceptic about the benefits of performance air filters and am especially sceptical about this CDA box thingy. I think your hard earned cash could be better spent elsewhere on the car.

If you are hell bent on increasing power then you can get Nitrous kits for little money. That would give you alot of bang for your buck, however it will only highlight the next weakest link in the chain in terms of brakes and suspension and before you know it you're down the path of wanting to spend big bucks on your car.

 

[Guest]

What type/make of brake pads (and discs) do most people upgrade to for fast road use on the 944 , I wouldn't do any track days or anything extreme like that. Also, would steel brake hoses help with the spongy feel in the brake pedal ?

I haven't rung around yet, but doe anyone know a ball park figure to budget for a belt change on a 944 ?

 

[Peter Empson]

The best pads I've bought are the Porterfields, however the Performance Friction ones seem to be a good alternative. I couldn't be bothered with drilled discs cracking so always used the standard ones (after market from Bert or genuine Porsche). Braided hoses make a small difference but I think I'd only go for them if I needed to replace them. I'd make sure the calipers are in perfect condition (refurbing them transformed mine) and filling with good fluid are the most important things to do. In my opinion the brakes on the Lux can be stunning if you do the above, in fact they gave me the best feel of any brakes I've ever had, and I felt I could out break a standard Elise lap after lap too.

It's a while since I had the belts done, but on their website my garage (rpmporsche.com) list just £220 inc vat. However rollers are pretty expensive and you may need to do the water pump at the same time, so it can can quickly add up.

 

[Diver944]

ORIGINAL: chrisjt74

What type/make of brake pads (and discs) do most people upgrade to for fast road use on the 944 , I wouldn't do any track days or anything extreme like that.

For any type of road use the standard pads and disks will be 100% perfect if they are in good condition. Porsche have good brakes.

Steel brake hoses will probably reduce any spongy feel, but a new set of standard rubber ones will do the same if yours are still original and 18+ years old. Fresh fluid will also stiffen up the pedal if it hasn't been changed in the past year. I would get the car into a good standard order before lashing out on anything else.

 

[John Sims]

The problem I had with my Lux was, once I decided I wanted more power (ie a Turbo) any money spent on the Lux was done with some reluctance.

Chris really needs to decide what his ultimate objective is and then work toward that. If it is more power then, unfortunately, the Lux isn't going to deliver. If he is happy with light delicate handling then it is worth spending money on the Lux.

My big issue with the Lux was the Porsche badge was like a red rag to a bull with every Chav in the area. Most of them are sufficiently knowledgeable to know they could "have" a Lux and so say "I beat a Porsche". I get far less attention with Beaky because they know they can't "do" a Turbo.

Having a Saxo 2" from your rear bumper on a dual carriageway isn't fun. Unfortunately a Lux isn't going to start to pull away until the licence losing side of seriously quick. Obviously you can pull over and let the idiot go on his way, but there are days when you just can't.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

My big issue with the Lux was the Porsche badge was like a red rag to a bull with every Chav in the area. Most of them are sufficiently knowledgeable to know they could "have" a Lux and so say "I beat a Porsche".

Surely that's more down to where you live than the poor car? []

 

[John Sims]

Well I might have to agree we have more intelligent Chavs around here.

 

[Robbiemeister]

ORIGINAL: pauljmcnulty

My big issue with the Lux was the Porsche badge was like a red rag to a bull with every Chav in the area. Most of them are sufficiently knowledgeable to know they could "have" a Lux and so say "I beat a Porsche".

Surely that's more down to where you live than the poor car? []

It's all relative, yesterday in the turbo it was a BMW 530d that wanted to put me in my place. Today in the Pug 106 diesel it was everyone except the BMW.

The trick is to time it right getting to the rounabouts and the junctions. They get there so quick they have to wait and you just sail through into the gap while they are looking for first gear.[]

 

[Jonny944CS]

Hi Chris,
After hearing the noise a Carbon Dynamic Airbox made in my friends Corrado VR6, I persuaded him to let me try it out on my Lux while his car was off the road.

My observations were as follows;
The position of the input to the airflow meter severely limits the location of what is quite a bulky unit. To avoid various items such as the pop up light assembly, you end up with the inlet either; facing towards the engine bay bulkhead, or pressed up against the header tank. Neither option is particularly conducive to providing a good cold air feed to the engine.
From the driver's seat throttle response, idle quality and low speed torque all seemed slightly worse off when compared to the standard airbox.
I was unable to notice any improvement in the top end power.
It did sound more purposeful, sadly not a patch on the VR6 though. [&:]

 

[John Sims]

A picture from the Sims archives.

 

[Peter Empson]

I do like that breather solution, much neater than using a seperate filter and cable ties to hold it in place as I did []

 

[John Sims]

I was going to "big it up" about not expecting anything other than a nicely engineered solution from a Sims.....I then noticed that I hadn't shortened the bracket that mounted to the original filter box bracket. I could have reduced the neck on the filter a little as well. It is all extra weight.

It is significantly better than the heap of tat that was supplied to me from where ever I bought it in the States though. Hence the bracket having been modified (and now too long) in the Sims solution.