New Porsche 944 owner and i hve a few questions....

Guest · Nov 28, 2006

Hi folks,

Looks like a great forum with a very knowledgable bunch.

Anyway, i have a standard 944 born in '83. Its a nice black one and has more history than i can beleive a car of this age should have.

I'm wondering where i can get a set of cup 1 alloys at a decent price? Well actually i'll take pretty much any wheels just looking for something to update its looks a little.

What are the standard tyre pressures?

What are service intervals, i'll be doing my own maintainance from here on probably using parts from GSF any other places you can reccomend?

Under the passenger side of the dash i appear to be missin what i guess is a flat panel? Anyone got one in black?

The dash has a few cracks in it but i have a spare, anyone had theres coated in alcantera (sp?), any good sources for the material? My mum used to be a bit handy on a sewing machine and working with materials and is going to fix the drivers seat and maybe the dash.

Anything else i should know?

Cheers folks, cards behind the virtual bar and all that. [

]

rob.kellock · Nov 28, 2006

Hi Will, Welcome to the forum and your new 944. Others more knowlegable than I will no doubt be able to assist you with your queries, failing which I'll dig out my handbook and help on tyre pressures and service intervals. Main thing I'm sure you'll be told is check when the belts were last replaced. If over 40000 miles or 4 years ago irrespective of mileage then they will need replacing.

Andy97 · Nov 28, 2006

If you want any parts for 944's, including Cup style alloy wheels, try PH Sportscars in Shardlow - near Junction 24 of the M1/ Donington Park/ East Midlands Airport. 01332 799298. They have helped me out a lot over the years with both my 2.7, and now my Turbo.

Guest · Nov 28, 2006

Great info so far, cheers folks.

Fen · Nov 28, 2006

Someone on 968UK was asking if a set of 17" Cup1 split rims would fit his 968. They won't because they were the offset for an early 944...

He said they looked cheap, but he didn't say where he's seen them for sale. The photo could have been from eBay I guess.

I can't help thinking I know your name from somewhere, Will. If you're new to Porsche it isn't that, but do I know you from somewhere else on the .net (or even real life)?

Guest · Nov 28, 2006

ORIGINAL: Fen

Someone on 968UK was asking if a set of 17" Cup1 split rims would fit his 968. They won't because they were the offset for an early 944...

He said they looked cheap, but he didn't say where he's seen them for sale. The photo could have been from eBay I guess.

I can't help thinking I know your name from somewhere, Will. If you're new to Porsche it isn't that, but do I know you from somewhere else on the .net (or even real life)?

Yeah i'm new to Porsche ownership. Do you have anything to do with Visordown.com? I'm regular on there with the motorbike racing i do.
Or maybe you know my relatives who live in Torquay?

I'd be interested in the wheels..... I guess the 968uk is another forum?

Fen · Nov 28, 2006

Definitely not Visordown and I don't think I know anyone in Torquay with the name. It could be someone of the same name I met through work or something I guess.

Anyway 968UK is another forum. The thread is here if you want to register there to see it - you can then ask the OP where he saw them I guess. http://www.porsche968uk.co.uk/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=4140

edh · Nov 28, 2006

Good to see anothe Hodgson on the board

- whereabouts in the UK are you?

Cup 1's are good, but IMO you can't beat Fuchs on an early 944.

Dash replacement is a long job, but fairly straightforward. I did one on a 924S (same dash as early 944) & it took the best part of a day. What's missing under the dash? - is the glovebox there? - can you post a pic?

PH sportscars are good for s/h bits, as are Porsch-apart. Tracking down non-cracked dashes might be tricky.

Berlyn Services are good for new parts - great website & next day delivery - your local OPC (Official Porsche Centre) is also well worth checking out - some parts can be surprisingly cheap (and some can be ££££ !)

oh - and don't forget the belts/seals/rollers if they haven't been done recently.

Diver944 · Nov 28, 2006

Hi Will welcome aboard and what a great choice of car [

] (its funny but Wills name is familiar to me too [&:], I think we have a Hodgson on one of the other Porsche forums somewhere)

As for the wheels you will have to get replica Cups that have an offset of ET23 to fit on your pre ABS hubs. If you buy genuine Cups, they will have an offset of something like ET55 and you will need some epensive 30mm spacers or they will foul your brake callipers. The preferred pressures for 17" wheels are between 32-36psi front and rear. If you have standard 15" wheels my handbook says 29 front and 36psi rear.

It should have a full service every 12 months or 12k miles whichever comes first. Brake fluid, coolant and fuel filter is bi-yearly and finally gearbox oil is every 4 years. Gear oil is very often missed so you may want to do this asap as whiney gearboxes can be common with 944s. If you do need belts doing then it may be as well to change the water pump at the same time, its only a £150 part but you have to take the belts off all over again if it starts to fail. When pumps fail, they 'can' take the belts with them at the same time [

]

GSF are fine for parts and have competitive prices but my local depot at Daventry sometimes struggle to get the exact right part first time (no problems exchanging tho). Also try:

www.berlyn-services.co.uk
www.eurocarparts.com
www.promaxmotorsport.co.uk
www.design911.co.uk
www.type911.co.uk
www.porsch-apart.co.uk
www.porscheshop.co.uk

For dealer only parts, most of the 944 Register members use the Exeter Official Porsche Centre (OPC), They are particularly helpful with our older cars, know the're way round the parts diagrams and often give good discounts and free postage (especially if you mention the forum)

Let us know how the dash repairs go, lots of people suffer from a cracked dash [

]

Diver944 · Nov 28, 2006

ORIGINAL: edh

Good to see anothe Hodgson on the board

Ding - a lightbulb comes on in my head [8|]

Guest · Nov 28, 2006

I'm in Leeds. I'll change my profile to show.

Guess the Hodgson name is a bit common [

] We are a fine breed.

Brilliant info so far..... cheers folks

Not sure about changing the dash yet maybe a summer job. The spare dash i have only has a tiny crack in it so not too bad. The part missing is under the glove box, it appears to be a panel to hide the electrics.

Priorities at the mo are full service inc. belts and water pump. Cheers for the hint on the pump. I think its done nearly 50k since last set of belts, head gasket and pumps all done at porsche. Reason i say think is there is so much paperwork i just haven't had the time yet to really go through it.

Then i want some nice cup 1 wheels.

The brakes need a bit of an overhaul, probably fit new brake lines and check the pistons are all working as they should. The brakes aren't too sharp just now.

The only other thing is the gear linkage needs sharpening up too as the lever is a little sloppy.

I think from my research all standard stuff on a car of this age. The body work is in really fantastic comdition for the age and i'm happy do mechanical stuff myself.

I'll have a look through those sites and see what i can find. I could get a bit carried away as apart from the wheels i quite fancy getting it to 'as new' condition.

random hero · Nov 28, 2006

Hi will and welcome to the forum,from memory i dont think there is a panel under the glove box unless you car is lhd as these had a tray fitted,if you can post a picture up im sure someone will be able to tell you. I also recommed exeter porsche for parts as they are very helpfull and know what there talking about.I spent about 20mins on the phone to chris just to find a 45p clip that i needed,not many other dealers would do that would they !!

zcacogp · Nov 28, 2006

ORIGINAL: will.hodgson
I quite fancy getting it to 'as new' condition.

Quick, buy some shares in his local OPC!

Oli.

DivineE · Nov 29, 2006

The brakes need a bit of an overhaul, probably fit new brake lines and check the pistons are all working as they should. The brakes aren't too sharp just now.

This is a very worth while job. When I bought my first 944 (an 84 lux) the brakes felt very wooden and this made the whole car feel very heavy and old to drive. I refurbished the calipers, bought some drilled/grooved disks (EBC) and some greenstuff pads and the car was transformed! Brakes felt sharper than anything I'd driven previously (even v.modern cars) and that made the whole car feel more responsive to drive. Do it ASAP in my oppinion.

Regards,

Ben

p.s. May have some early offset Cup 2 wheels for sale in a few months so email when your looking and if they're going I will sell you them at a v.good price.

Guest · Nov 29, 2006

ORIGINAL: DivineE

The brakes need a bit of an overhaul, probably fit new brake lines and check the pistons are all working as they should. The brakes aren't too sharp just now.

Click to expand...

This is a very worth while job. When I bought my first 944 (an 84 lux) the brakes felt very wooden and this made the whole car feel very heavy and old to drive. I refurbished the calipers, bought some drilled/grooved disks (EBC) and some greenstuff pads and the car was transformed! Brakes felt sharper than anything I'd driven previously (even v.modern cars) and that made the whole car feel more responsive to drive. Do it ASAP in my oppinion.

Regards,

Ben

p.s. May have some early offset Cup 2 wheels for sale in a few months so email when your looking and if they're going I will sell you them at a v.good price.

Thats kinda what i was expecting to hear about the brakes, they are a little wooden although the disks look great and it has had recent ebc greenstuff pads, i think some new brake lines and fluid and justa clean and adjustment will do the trick. I'll have a look this coming sunday/monday.

Those wheels sound perfect and a few months time would suit my budget perfect. I can stretch a little should you want to sell them sooner. Let me know as soon as you decide when. My email addy is hodgson dot william at btinternet dot com

I am expecting to spend a few quid making it perfect but the more i drive it the more i want to keep it forever. WOW Yep its my first Porsche and i'm looking forward to lifetime of Porsche ownership

944turboS · Nov 30, 2006

When you do the brake lines replace them with Goodridge Braided ones. They are available from Eurocarparts for about £40 for the set of 4.

Alpine · Nov 30, 2006

ORIGINAL: will.hodgson

I'm in Leeds. ...........

I'm in Leeds too Will - whereabouts are you?

If you are after 2nd hand parts contact Prestige Salvage on 0113 243 1392 - they are Porsche breakers and are just outside the city centre.

For servicing, try www.strasse.co.uk

Guest · Nov 30, 2006

ORIGINAL: 944turboS

When you do the brake lines replace them with Goodridge Braided ones. They are available from Eurocarparts for about £40 for the set of 4.

Now thats a coincidence, i bought some today off ebay £38 i think they were. Its a job for this weekend.

Guest · Nov 30, 2006

ORIGINAL: Alpine

ORIGINAL: will.hodgson

I'm in Leeds. ...........

Click to expand...

I'm in Leeds too Will - whereabouts are you?

If you are after 2nd hand parts contact Prestige Salvage on 0113 243 1392 - they are Porsche breakers and are just outside the city centre.

For servicing, try www.strasse.co.uk

I'm in Garforth, soon to be moving nearer Pontefract though probably in the next month.

Cheers for the tips on the parts etc....

Do you do a meeting somewhere round here, something like an owners meet.