modernising a 944?

h4x0r7000 · Jan 1, 2009

One of my mates showed me a golf that was on his forum. the guy changed loads of parts with audi or ferrari stuff. For an example, he changed his from calipers and discs for ferrari brembo ones.

I was just wondering if anyone has upgraded their 944 with modern porsche parts? could be anything from interior to exterior? or performance? if you have any pics then that would be great.

I know there are kits to change the handles and mirrors to the 968.

cheers

Big Dave · Jan 1, 2009

Naaa.
Just buy a 968 in the first place...+ save yourself some ££££££..[

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After all they ARE a better all round car....[

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If your after fitting Ferrari Brembo callipers to a S2 or Turbo, little tip,,,, DONT,,,, as you already have the same ones as the 355 Fezza has as standard....So its already modernised....[

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Neil Haughey · Jan 1, 2009

Probably the best mods are unfortunately hidden and difficult/expensive. As an example the best way to improve the braking performance would be to replace the ABS pump and computer with something much more modern and at the same time incorporate EBD and corner brake control. Likewise probably the best improvement on the engine is to bin the 20 year old technology and fit a bang up to date Engine management system, again very expensive. A nice aftermarket TC system with a soft threshold would also make the car faster and safer/easier to drive fast on the track. None of these things look good from 20 feet though.

Some guys have started fitting the KAAZ LSD popular amongst drifters, this looks like a very tasty mod.

PJS917 · Jan 1, 2009

Dave Dave Dave, will you never learn, a 968 is just a jumped up 944 S2 anyway[

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] As for modernising a classic why would you want to do that?

Black_JPN · Jan 2, 2009

I've always been strangely fascinated by what would have happened if Porsche hadn't sold the 944 out by making it look like a 928. Don't get me wrong, the 968 is a lovely car but alot of the chunky, cola bottle lines of the 944 and 80's macho shoulder pad look seemed to be lost when the 968 came along. I reckon had the 944 style developed properly evolving with it's own unique style instead of borrowing someone elses that we'd be looking at something vaguely resembling a Crossfire or 350Z only better, hopefully more practical and Porsche-ified.

However, we can console ourselves with the fact the the Panamera is likely to be produced in 2 door coupe form. Sadly everyone's calling it the new 928 which I suppose it will be given the car's engine size etc but let's hope more of the 944's chunky good looks rather than the 968's softer lines filter through and that they see fit to turbo charge it! The pics below would certainly seem to hint at an aggressive less 911-ish stance (well the first pic does ETA: let's hope they use the lights from the 3rd pic which is an old Panamera mock up shot).

Story here http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/high_performance/german_performance/2012_porsche_928_car_news

homesea · Jan 2, 2009

To be honest why would you want to! I love my 944 as it has bad turbo lag and doesn't want to stay in a straight line on roads like we have at the moment. You could go backwards and buy a 968 but you soon get bored with the lack of power.[

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cococola · Jan 2, 2009

I think the 944 is a fab motor and considering the vast difference in price compared with the 968 I dont think its worth the change.[8|]

homesea · Jan 2, 2009

I guess the closest to the 944 in modern cars at the moment is the RX8. The 350Z has no back seats and a big V8 so I think it's not as particle as the 944, probably more like a 928. I don't know anything about the crossfire but it looks dam nasty. While I don't like the styling of the RX8 it's got a non conformist engine a bit like the 944 and rear seats. Also the original RX7 was in looks a copy of the 944, so maybe RX8 isn't to far away from a modern 944.

As to modernizing a 944 I guess we all do it a bit: Tires, oil, pads, shocks, etc.

Fen · Jan 2, 2009

Not that it makes any significant difference to the theory, but the 350Z is a V6, not a V8.

homesea · Jan 2, 2009

Well I like it even less now[

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Big Dave · Jan 2, 2009

ORIGINAL: PJS917

Dave Dave Dave, will you never learn, a 968 is just a jumped up 944 S2 anyway[][][][] As for modernising a classic why would you want to do that?

Thats what some say.
But, "we" know different.....[

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pauly · Jan 2, 2009

Yeah, it's a closet S3 [

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pauljmcnulty · Jan 2, 2009

Back to the OP's question....[8|]

I'd not think there are many modern mods for a 944 that are worth the cash. My teardrops were £450 to the previous owner, I'd rather he'd spent the money waxoyloing the cills! [

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There are all sorts of aftermarket interior and exterior "styling" products that seem to me to do exactly the opposite. Why you'd want a fake-wood, brushed aluminium-effect plastic or stick-on carbon interior kit I don't know. Clear lenses are great on the right colour car, but be careful. Doesn't the white cab pictured today look good with the splashes of colour on the front? Metallic colours suit clear so much better IMHO.

Mechanically, the turbo will benefit from all the aftermarket parts developed for it specifically - chips, wastegates etc., but I'm not sure that fitting later Porsche parts would be worth the hassle and expense. If you want to upgrade brakes, suspension etc. then there are plenty of options outside of trying to fit 997 parts!

Frenchy · Jan 2, 2009

I have 968 CS Recaros in mine supberbly comfortable and very light,i also have genuine Cup 1 alloys which in my mind are about the nicest wheel you can fit on a 944.
I should not have sold my forged MO30 alloys though, anyone got any for sale ?
Standard orange indicators on my black car though, as previously said only certain colour cars can carry them off.
Someone else also posted 968 being superior, how ? performance wise my car would blow the doors off one, much better looking externally and exactly the same internally.
I still cannot get away with the front end looks on a 968 though a CS in maritime blue would be quite nice.
Happy new year everyone.

DavidL · Jan 2, 2009

It's an odd thing but I would be inclined to agree that there aren't many modernisations (I think I've invented a word!) that make an acceptable visual effect.
Yes plenty of mechanical stuff that benefits from the advance of technology - DPW, suspension etc.
I quite like the look of a protruding front splitter, cup mirrors and I prefer bridge spoilers . You can update the stereo, add cruise, OBC etc if you really wanted too but it begs the question why? My folks have a brand new Golf where everything is automatic, lights, wipers etc. It drives me mad. If I want the lights on I'll use the little switch. Talk about dumbing down. I suppose that is because we actually appreciate driving rather then just the ability to transport ourselves.

I'm not keen on body kits etc although I have to admit a sneaky admiration for some of the lowered, painted bits of kit on the Lindsay racing site but they must have absorbed a good few dollars.
I even prefer D90s to anything, and the CS alloys best.
Frenchy I picked up a set for £200 from ebay 6 months or so back. Often they are just listed as D90s so keep your eyes peeled and I'm sure you'll find some.

I suppose you pays your money and takes your choice - problem is that modifying is such an individual thing that you will rarely see any of your money back and usually devalue your vehicle infact.

So leave it as it is, unless you want to go faster.

or buy a turbo if you've got an S2 - go on, you know you want to.

Frenchy · Jan 2, 2009

Cheers Dave, keep looking for them on flea bay, no rush just comfort in knowing i have a set of original wheels to go on if ever the fancy took me.
Might pop down to Halfrauds tomorrow and see if they have any Lexus rears on offer for the 944,might get a couple of sets of the go faster stickers for the doors the Sparco,BBS,Brembo type ones that all the Saxo lads have,you can still get the underbody neons if anyone is looking for a set.[

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swright · Jan 3, 2009

^^ LOL!!!

poprock · Jan 3, 2009

I guess my Turbo is lightly modernised. Very lightly"”and only with cosmetic and interior bits and bobs.

The windows are tinted, graduating from a very light tint on the front windows through medium on the rear quarters to very dark on the rear hatch. The rear light clusters, front indicators and side repeaters are all tinted too. That lot looks lovely on a black car, without changing anything permanently or altering the shape of the car.

I've fitted a subwoofer in a custom box built to fit one of the rear storage cubbys, under the boot carpet. There's a small amplifier fitted inside the spare wheel. The front speakers have been updated with modern composite ones. I replaced the stereo with a modern Becker unit, same brand that Porsche use in their modern cars as standard, and wired an iPod into the armrest (where the cassette holders used to be).

Nothing major, but a few modern touches for the sake of looks and sounds.

My car does have mechanical mods too, but nothing particularly "˜modern'. A non-standard exhaust, an adjustable wastegate and one of Lindsey Racing's boost enhancers. Other than those three things, I think I'd be into silly money to make any tangible improvements.

h4x0r7000 · Jan 3, 2009

ORIGINAL: Frenchy

Cheers Dave, keep looking for them on flea bay, no rush just comfort in knowing i have a set of original wheels to go on if ever the fancy took me.
Might pop down to Halfrauds tomorrow and see if they have any Lexus rears on offer for the 944,might get a couple of sets of the go faster stickers for the doors the Sparco,BBS,Brembo type ones that all the Saxo lads have,you can still get the underbody neons if anyone is looking for a set.[]

LoL i actually work for halfords and the only thing im putting on from there is locking wheel nuts. LoL maybe a pioneer flip out unit but no more [

] wouldnt put ANY of the ripspeed items in the porsche or on.

ORIGINAL: poprock
I've fitted a subwoofer in a custom box built to fit one of the rear storage cubbys, under the boot carpet. There's a small amplifier fitted inside the spare wheel. The front speakers have been updated with modern composite ones. I replaced the stereo with a modern Becker unit, same brand that Porsche use in their modern cars as standard, and wired an iPod into the armrest (where the cassette holders used to be).

yeah thats kind of the sort of thing i was looking for. updating the old with the new.

still keeping the looks of the 944 but having everything new. i will soon be buying new engine upgrades. but at the moment, just wanting to see the smaller things.

i knew that there are quite a few aftermarket parts for the 944, i was just wondering if any OEM porsche parts could of been better or a nice standard modification. when i first joined the club. i remember a user posted a picture of his stereo. Same as poprock, put in a becker unit to keep the look of the porsche.

cheers for the posts so far all.