Is the 944 4 cylinder interesting enough?
Discussion
Happily !
It was one of the last three cars built by Porsche, used by them with Hans Stuck at the wheel to open the '88 championship and then used as a Blaupunkt video car to promote single marque owner/driver racing ... a presage to the 964 and 993 Carrera Cup etc.
At 400Km it was sourced by the Monforte racing team in Italy where apparently a party of over 100 enthusiasts were assembled to greet its arrival. Campaigned by the team in various race series (there was no 944 Turbo Cup series in Italy) it was then superseded by a 964 3.8RSR with which Monforte won a number of international endurance races for Porsche ... and the 944 became Giuseppe's daily driver.
From there around six years ago, the car found its way via Thomas Schmidt and Car-Iconics to myself ... I've owned it now for almost three years.
I've done around a dozen trackdays in it ... sorted out a variety of silly issues such as failing indicators, windscreen wipers, ignition gremlins, worn drive shafts and of course being unable to find new front disc to fit ... but it is a lovely thing. It's currently running a set of D90 wheels with Toyo R888R tyres ... not great in the wet ... The mags have Pirelli P Zero Rosso's fitted but I don't use these for track days.
So in effect I am the third owner.
So far as I can tell the engine is original ... on the build sheet it is shown as an M44.51 though the number allocated to it is M44.52, and the number of the block where the M44.52 number should be is M44*RC ... Rennsport Cup ?
As you say in many ways the earlier engines were stronger (forged pistons etc) so I always wondered if this was a purpose built engine ?
It was one of the last three cars built by Porsche, used by them with Hans Stuck at the wheel to open the '88 championship and then used as a Blaupunkt video car to promote single marque owner/driver racing ... a presage to the 964 and 993 Carrera Cup etc.
At 400Km it was sourced by the Monforte racing team in Italy where apparently a party of over 100 enthusiasts were assembled to greet its arrival. Campaigned by the team in various race series (there was no 944 Turbo Cup series in Italy) it was then superseded by a 964 3.8RSR with which Monforte won a number of international endurance races for Porsche ... and the 944 became Giuseppe's daily driver.
From there around six years ago, the car found its way via Thomas Schmidt and Car-Iconics to myself ... I've owned it now for almost three years.
I've done around a dozen trackdays in it ... sorted out a variety of silly issues such as failing indicators, windscreen wipers, ignition gremlins, worn drive shafts and of course being unable to find new front disc to fit ... but it is a lovely thing. It's currently running a set of D90 wheels with Toyo R888R tyres ... not great in the wet ... The mags have Pirelli P Zero Rosso's fitted but I don't use these for track days.
So in effect I am the third owner.
So far as I can tell the engine is original ... on the build sheet it is shown as an M44.51 though the number allocated to it is M44.52, and the number of the block where the M44.52 number should be is M44*RC ... Rennsport Cup ?
As you say in many ways the earlier engines were stronger (forged pistons etc) so I always wondered if this was a purpose built engine ?
Edited by ChrisW. on Saturday 29th June 09:33
Chris, surely there are some historic events in which you could enter such a rare and significant car?
While track days give it good exercise, it would be truly appreciated by aficionados and Porsche historians at an historic event.
It's too important a car to risk some numpty ramming you at a track day!
While track days give it good exercise, it would be truly appreciated by aficionados and Porsche historians at an historic event.
It's too important a car to risk some numpty ramming you at a track day!
This DLG version of the Plex SDM-200 (replacing the SDM-102) will be going in the space in front of the gear lever:
https://www.plex-tuning.com/products/plex-usdm-200...
https://www.plex-tuning.com/products/plex-usdm-200...
Penguinracer said:
James 6546, I hope we've given you some further appreciation of the virtues of the 944 turbo.
Great a drive as the Boxster is, a well prepared 944 turbo is something very special.
Yes, thank you. Great a drive as the Boxster is, a well prepared 944 turbo is something very special.
I keep looking at stuff, but I’ve not found anything that appeals as much as a 944, just wish I’d bought a turbo about 10 years ago when I was first looking
Penguinracer said:
Talk to Jon Mitchell of JMG:
https://jmgporsche.co.uk/
The 944 turbo is sweetest at 400 bhp / 400 lb /ft state of tune - in that state of tune the performance is similar to a stock 996 turbo, maybe a bit quicker.
This is good advice. I suspect not cheap, but good. https://jmgporsche.co.uk/
The 944 turbo is sweetest at 400 bhp / 400 lb /ft state of tune - in that state of tune the performance is similar to a stock 996 turbo, maybe a bit quicker.
I did enjoy driving the 944 with 968 engine that RPM built about 15 yrs ago (which the next owner then sadly promptly wrote off). With the punchier NA engine it was a lot more engaging (than an na S2)
Edited by BillyB on Sunday 30th June 17:58
Penguinracer said:
Pilkington also remanufactured an improved version of the '80's aftermarket Saratoga Glass sunroof panel.
These have the normal 944 sunroof functions of either seated, tilted or lift out.
These were available on ebay & through various forum group buy channels.
Available at These have the normal 944 sunroof functions of either seated, tilted or lift out.
These were available on ebay & through various forum group buy channels.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/196360203634
I was going to get one whenI had my 944Turbo but at the time there was reports of ill fittings ones. I assume they got the production issues solved. Great to see that come together - I seem to recall it was a PH member who kickstarted all that to happen.
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