Comments on: Jackass Projects: Porsche 944 S2, Part One

By: Josh

Josh — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:17:12 +0000

Sorry Chuck, didn’t mean to discount your experience. I think we have all wrestled with some of the issues you are dealing with. That said, wouldn’t want someone to shy away because of fear. These really are a great car. Like Marcel, I’m looking for a 968. Just love the design of these things. A lot of bang for the buck if you ask me.

Chuck, I’m glad you have decided to make things right. Too many people get overwhelmed and end up parting them out. Not enough respect for the front engined siblings.

Great stuff, keep it coming.

Cheers, Josh

By: Marcel

Marcel — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:26:03 +0000

Chuck,

Sorry you had a bad experience… I too owned an 89′ 944 2.7l, I loved my car and I did too have mechanical issues, but like Josh, I researched and was able to find parts that I needed and did the work myself. I particularly liked buying parts from Ian @ Ians Euro Parts, in fact he bought the car from my wife while I was in Iraq. At one point I bought a complete set of cooling hoses from Ian for about $85.00, and honestly I don’t know anywhere where you can buy hoses for a domestic car for that little $$$. But on the design of the 944, I agree that they have stuffed quite and engine in that little bay, but it is a marvel of engineering what with the balancing shafts and all, and that being at the time the largest 4 cylinder engines in the world… A pity that Mitsubishi owned the rights for the balance shaft design… My next Porsche will be a 968!!! I currently drive an Audi A6 Avant Quattro V6, talk about having to take a lot of things apart to get to he water pump…

By: Abe

Abe — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:23:30 +0000

I’m not affiliated with the above website but have ridden in a 944 that used one of their LS series V8 swap kits. Absolutely amazing. All the German handling with American parts availability and reliability. Truly worth it.

By: Jim K.

Jim K. — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:04:51 +0000

My momentary lapse of sanity was a ‘68 Mustang. One look at that vehicle should’ve told me to keep walking by. One complete wiring harness, a new engine block, redone brakes (everything), and a fair bit of body work later and she was complete. Just in time to need to be sold. Would I do it again, probably. What can I say, I’m a sucker too.

By: Toolmonger » Blog Archive » The Week in Tools: Toolmonger Top 5

Toolmonger » Blog Archive » The Week in Tools: Toolmonger Top 5 — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:23:31 +0000

[...] Jackass Projects: Porsche 944 S2, Part One Longtime Toolmongers will remember me mentioning my Porsche project a couple of times on the blog, mostly surrounded by four-letter words and complaints about German engineers’ total disrespect of the auto mechanic and outrageously insane parts prices. But I have some good news to report: it’s running, and I’ve been daily driving it for about six months. Here’s part one of the whole (jackass) story. [...]

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:49:49 +0000

Chuck,
Looks like you can get the water pump (Bosch) from RockAuto for $280.79. Not cheap but not unmanageable. The other option is an AC Delco (?) for $428.79. Ouch.

By: Shopmonger

Shopmonger — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:53:13 +0000

Chuck I feel for you brother…..I have all the same issues with My Subaru SVX, can’t find parts all that easy, and no cheap ones……There were only 25,000 made…… Keep up the work though, having a rare car is worth it….

ShopMonger

By: Chuck Cage

Chuck Cage — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:43:24 +0000

@Josh: That’s awesome. In hindsight, I wish I’d bought one that was better taken care of. I could have easily found one in the range of what I’ve got in the car now, and I’d have a lot more to work with than what I’ve got.

As you’ll see in a future installment, the water pump for the S2 is really nasty price-wise. Other stuff wasn’t that cheap, either, but nothing was as bad as the pump.

re: German engineering, I totally respect the engineering. As far as functionality, Porsche’s design is excellent. For the mechanic, not so much. Some items are needlessly difficult to deal with, leading to some sage advice from a friend (whom I’ve obviously ignored): Lease German cars for short periods. Don’t buy ‘em.

By: dar

dar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 03:02:24 +0000

-back in ”88 had a audi/vw parts dept job& was astounded at the number of switches,relays etc they stocked- bags&bags of them, whereas,honda,toyota&mazda carried at most three
-customers would come in for LOF &’Oh,please replace the window winder motor Again’
-fastfwd 21 yrs& canadiandrver.com did a writeup on used audis…
with owner comments…
-the Prince of Darkness is still alive… in Deutschland

By: paanta

paanta — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:33:31 +0000

My first car was a 924. After that it was a string of 10 VW’s and Audis. Then back into the BMW world for the last couple years. Right now, I’m about $3K in parts into a $3K ‘91 535i, so yeah…I feel your pain.

Just try doing a timing belt on a 1998+ Passat. Somehow the Germans managed to make maintenance even worse than it was in those water cooled Posches.

By: Josh

Josh — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:27:11 +0000

Good stuff. But, I have to disagree. I’ve had an 86 944 turbo for ~15 years. My late father bought it as a toy and it is the only major thing I have from him. I do all the work myself. After this and a couple BMWs I have really grown to appreciate the german engineering. Parts really aren’t very expensive if you know where to shop and there is a wealth of help out there on Rennlist and Clark’s Garage. Belts, seals, and waterpump are a breeze ever few years. I guess my appreciation may have something to do with the fact that I’m a mechanical engineer. Once you figure everything it out, it really does make sense. Great handling, great performance for the day (even without easy mods), and super quality. I’m still amazed at how great things have held up over 23 years. Close the door and it sounds like a vault closing. And this thing has not been babied…just taken care of.

You know what they say…”the most expensive porsche you will ever buy is the cheap one”.

Cheers, Josh

By: bobk

bobk — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:56:17 +0000

If this kind of thing ranks as insanity, it must be genetic. I (and 4 of my 6 brothers) all got it from our dad - and I am noticing similar things occurring in my nephews as they come of age.

My own most famous (there are still mentions at family gatherings) personal mania was a Lotus Europa Twin Cam. In small town Kansas. In the early eighties. Sigh……

Looking forward to the next installment,
Bobk

By: cmhunt

cmhunt — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:20:11 +0000

I’m looking forward to reading this series! It sounds like much fun was had!

By: A1cntrler

A1cntrler — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:45:06 +0000

About 2 years ago I did something similar. I bought a 1990 Anniversary Edition Thunderbird SC. The car was in Cleveland, OH and I live in Chesapeake, VA. I borrowed a trailer from a friend to make the trip. The trailer was of the variety that one would haul a large tractor on. Kind of high off the ground. Long story short, I arrived in Cleveland about 4 or 5 PM (rush hour) after leaving home and crossing the mountains. It was also storming. Did I mention I bought the car minus the engine? I got there and all I had to help me was a come-along. I think it took about an hour to get it loaded and tied down. I sympathize with you and your come-along situation. Oh yeah–then the guy tells me the hood is at his house, not at the storage he kept the car… So back across town in rush hour to get the hood.

By: Toolhearty

Toolhearty — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:52:25 +0000

…we also had the joy of loading it by ourselves sans winch.

I would have paid to watch this (would have even brought my own beer and munchies).