Hi, I am new to this forum as I am about to start restoring and modding my girls '87 944 that we just bought. I am pulling my engine this weekend just to clean it up and see what needs to be done to it internally;new pistons, rods, rings, ect. After I upgrade all that stuff I wanted to switch to the turbo. The way I have looked over the specs of the engine is that they are exactly the same except for the piston compression ratio. Everything else matches exactly. Is there anything that I am missing that I would have to fabricate? Also this is the first porsche that I have upgraded also. What are people doing/ what are good mods on these; can bore out the engine upgrade pistons?? Not really sure just trying to look for suggestions and what have been working for people and what people have gotten out of these mods. I have an '87 944, body in perfect shape and low miles. Looking to make it top of the line. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated guys.

 

You would do better to just put the 2.5 MPI back together and call it good. The turbo has a different head to handle hotter exhaust, different intake to provide room for the turbo, a stouter transmission and a bigger clutch to handle more horse power, a different suspension due to more weight, and bigger brakes due to all the above. If you have a low mile 87 with a great body, enjoy driving it, but its a long haul to make it a turbo.

 

If your really looking for an upgrade you may be able to find a 16V 2.5 L and a ECM or a 3.0 L and ECM in good used condition for about the same price of rebuilding the 87 2.5L. These engines came out in the S, S2, and the 968, they also had bigger brakes, clutches,etc,but they wont put out as much HP as a big turbo can, but you will see a big difference in how fast the car is.

 

Well I already know that I will have to replace the intake and the head thats np, I was going to bore it out possibly and then put ROSS pistons in it. I am going to have to replace all of the exhaust and the suspension anyways. The tranny could be upgraded but I was thinking of just putting in a used. Do they just bolt up like my 2k celica? Some guy told me that he heard that he could put one of the new Vette engines in it. Not that I would do anyways because it would be blasphemy but would that actually fit??? I am new to working on porsches also. Are there any tips on working on them like twerks that arent with your average car. I have already heard that they are an electrical nightmare but anything else? One other thing, those other engines you mentioned, were they older porsche engines, like later models? Thanks guys you are really helping me out here I appreciate it. I am planning on yankin the engine this weekend, I will post pics.