The start of a new beginning - advice needed

[h4x0r7000]

Hi all,

so today I tested my new ramps on my 944 and ready to begin on trying to bring my beloved 944 turbo back to life. I have many plans and ideas for it but would like your advice on where to begin. advice is welcome on any areas you would consider sorting first. I aim to start stripping the car down and sending off parts to get powder coated or if you guys think it would be easier and cheaper just to buy new, please let me know.

I do plan on removing the engine completely and breaking it down to be rebuilt. I've also seen in another topic about building new shocks using inserts? Definitely would like the link to the guide if anyone has it bookmarked?

I want to completely remove the interior and replace with black as mine is cream.

I want to get all rust sorted so any recommendations in the north west? Would anyone consider soda blasting a shell and how much would it cost?

cheers in advance.

 

[Monkeythree]

What are your plans for the car? Road? Race? Show? Investment?

Give us a steer on your goals and objectives and there will be plenty of advice on how to get there.

 

[bmnelsc]

Congratulations on your project. A small point but your Turbo's front struts should be re-buildable (the top of the strut tube unscrews to remove the innards) - the (Koni) inserts used by those of us with "sealed" struts don't apply. If you are planning on using Bilsteins your existing strut bodies may be fine without modifications - I'm sure someone who has gone this route can provide more info.

Good luck!

 

[h4x0r7000]

Well I don't want to offend anyone but I do have plans on an LS1 conversion. I've done some research and sites suggest a 944 turbo is a good base to start from with the suspension and transaxle. I don't have a budget as I will keep going until it has finished.

A bit of history about the car, it has been in the family since 88 not long after I was born. I got the car back on the road when I was 21 and drove it everyday that year. Unfortunately the insurance nearly tripled in price the year after and couldn't afford it so got another car. I'm ashamed as the car has been neglected since then.

I want it to shine like it was new but with a few with a few modern upgrades.

 

[924Srr27l]

Welcome to Project City!

you mentioned "I do plan on removing the engine completely and breaking it down to be rebuilt"
But you've have also added the LS1 bit ? Surely you'll sell on the original engine to fund the V8 ?

Dependant on how far you go, want to go, or find yourself going....you may need to sit down and set aside 15K, 20K, or more...
It's very easily done..

My total 3.5 year build costs list topped 37K and that's not even with a Turbo or a V8 engine!

www.924srr27l.co.uk

R

 

[h4x0r7000]

Yeah one idea is to rebuild the original engine and try and keep it a classic. Another part of me wants an LS1 engine. I'm still in two minds on the engine part but everything I think I know what a want. That does sound a lot of money but the car means a lot more to me.

My dad parted a 911 turbo because he thought it was impractical when I was born and got the 944 turbo instead. Even though he regretted selling the 911, we always had fun in the car, going to Oulton Park, putting it sideways lol. Technically the 944 was my first car to drive at the age of 5, on my dad's lap going round a car park.

My family used it as a daily car until I was too big to get in the back. In the garage it went and just like me, he wouldn't part with it. When I turned 18 I spent time restoring the car and got it on the road for my 21st. Unfortunately the sad part of this story is my dad passed away nearly 2 years ago and I'm determined to begin the work on bringing it back in his memory as it still has his personal plate he bought when he first set up his business.

If it takes me 10 years to get the car sorted then I have a long way to go but I will never part with the car.

 

[924Srr27l]

The car obviously has a lot of happy memories for you and your family, and as you say if you'll never part with it they it's the perfect car to
do whatever you want to it.

I think the LS1 conversions are becoming more popular and more experience is adding up as more take he V8 plunge, however the Dollar is not as good
as it used to be back in 2013 when I Imported a 2.7 Engine from the US and the exchange rate then was good @ 1.5$ per £

Due to your ambitions and the car's age and lack of use, you'll know of many things that need to be sorted but also many more that you'll
not see until you start taking components off to replace, restore & Paint etc... this is where many times you'll be faced with more costs than anticipated.

OE parts are of course not cheap, neither is quality engine building, bodywork and many other jobs which I didn't or would not recommend skimping
on, I could of easily drawn a line and only spent 15K but it wouldn't be half the car it is and this would of annoyed me having a car with only 50% of it
in top notch condition & Spec and the other half not as good..

You have plenty of time, and with respect your Dad will be proud of you taking your time to get his car back on the road for you to enjoy.


R

 

[h4x0r7000]

Thank you for the kind message.

Luckily I know a mechanic that's obsessed with motorsport and has a holden with 7 spare LS1s and a source in America to get the parts.

He's already offered to give me a broken one to use as a mock up until I'm ready for a new one.

For now I would like to start with simple tasks and maybe cheap to build up to something big. For example since I want to replace the interior, I'm considering removing that first to sell on. Building up to something big, if people recommend it, soda blasting the shell. But it's getting to the point where it is a shell.

This is where I would need recommendations in my area (north west) to get things like that done without being over charged.

 

[924Srr27l]

Stripping is relatively quick, compared to rebuilding which if you go to a bare shell is a massive amount of work...

I'm based in the north west, left a bit just inside the welsh border (Wrexham) where are you?
I know a lot of places around here, Fabricators, Powdercoater's, engineers, Engine builders, bodyshops etc...

R

 

[h4x0r7000]

I'm based in St helens/Warrington area. I actually use to live in Buckley/Broughton.

The reason I fancy going to the shell is because then I know all the weakened areas are and what needs attention. Like I know the rear quarters have gone and the bottom wings have a few bubbles appearing.

I'm willing to travel if the work is quality and the price is reasonable.

 

[924Srr27l]

I'm based in St helens/Warrington area. I actually use to live in Buckley/Broughton.
The reason I fancy going to the shell is because then I know all the weakened areas are and what needs attention. Like I know the rear quarters have gone and the bottom wings have a few bubbles appearing.
I'm willing to travel if the work is quality and the price is reasonable.

Ok, not a zillion miles away

Usually quality jobs & Service are not cheap, I realised it was more cost effective to sub out a lot of work that cost a fair amount
as I could work overtime and afford to pay this, as opposed to doing it myself and not earning (Time off work) and also I felt it a lot
better that several specialists have all the best equipment which is far better than any DIY 'er...

Don't get me wrong I did a lot of work myself (13K value from the 37K)
If I did another poject I would consider a V8 just for the noise, but I'd probably also do a full from the shell rebuild with double wishbone
suspension, and even lighter than my 2.7 etc.. I also fancy a Sequential Gearbox.

R

 

[Eldavo]

Pretty sure that an LS1 conversion is more straightforward on a LHD - I'd consider the steering shaft implications before setting my heart on that.

 

[h4x0r7000]

Cheers Eldavo for the advice. I will definitely need to check that.