I am not sure if there is something in the air or if it is just a coincidence, but this is another thread on a Porsche 944. I was in the junkyard in Charlotte two weeks ago collecting parts for my 2002 Audi A4 project when I stumbled across a black 1987 Porsche 944 S that had front end damage. The interior was in great condition and the engine still ran.
After some research and negotiating, I paid for a wrecked salvage Porsche. My plan is to fix the car with the current engine and use it as my daily driver. As soon as I got the car home, I started to take the front end apart and make a list of what I needed. By the end of the day, I realized that the parts I will need are going to cost about $3k. That was not going to work for my budget (which is around $1k). A little more research and I found a 1988 Porsche 944 that didn't have an engine or a transmission. It had all the parts that I need and more.
$650 later, I have another car in my driveway. I will post my progress on this thread as I go. My plan is to remove all the good parts that I can use or sell from the parts car and have it scrapped. Then I will repair the black one for my personal use. Not sure if I want to make this a track car in the end, but it is not bad for less than $3k all-in.
Arriving at the house:
As found in the junkyard:
Now for the parts car:
I almost freaked,
I sold my black 1987 944S in the charlotte region nearly 14 years ago. For a few seconds I thought it could be the same car.
Mine was a salvage title due to an engine fire (we bought it that way.) I spent 3 days scrapping the tinting off the back hatch by hand... It was oooold.
Not the same car but man the memories.
(mine had a dent in the hood from the powersteering resevoir not being screwed on tight, some damage to the driver side from pulling into a spot badly as a teen... tan interior too. )
In reply to Mad_Ratel :
Do you still have pictures of your 87? I can imagine it was even better 14 years ago.
This car was taken car of. The interior is in great condition and underneath the car shows that it was kept in a garage. This is my first Porsche, which I hear a lot of love-hate about it. Either way, it should be fun to get it on the road again. I could not sit back and watch it rot in a junkyard.
Of course, now I have three project cars at the house. My wife has definitely reached her limit. I am blessed that she has been so supportive.
More pictures of the front end damage:
What bolt pattern does the 944 use?
Awesome, another 944 thread! I'll be following along to see what I can learn here, and if you're going to part some of that stuff out, there are definitely some parts I'd buy off of you. Pretty cool that you found an S; the extra power of the twin cam would go a long way. I didn't realize that the S didn't have the Turbo front end; must have only been the S2. Even your parts car doesn't look too shabby, all things considered.
In reply to gearheadE30 :
Let me know what you need. I am already starting to collect the parts that I can salvage. My goal is to get the parts car out of the driveway within 2 weeks.
In reply to tedroach :
I saw that parts car on Craigslist, glad you are putting it to good use. I'm going to have to live vicariously through you, since I still don't have the time or space to do the 944/LS inspired by the one gearheadE30 ended up picking up. If you ever want completely useless local help, feel free to reach out.
In reply to tedroach :
Right on; I'll get a list put together here in the next day or two. Thanks!
In reply to LimitedTimeOnly :
I will never turn down help, useless or not.
In reply to tedroach :
I'm another set of hands, at least.
I can't PM you (I think since this account is new), but you can start by emailing my car shopping burner email account: car2014email at gmail. I can give you good contact info from there, if you want.
Awesome! Can't wait to see how it turns out :)
This is getting me inspired to go work on my 1987 944S... the body on mine is fine but the engine hasn't run in 6 years haha
Of course some Berkeleyface had to come along and cut the Porsche crest out of the header panel. It would have probably taken less time to just undo the four bolts and pull the panel up to access the nuts.
Is that one of those Kamei ground effects kits from the '80s on the parts car? The 944 I had came with an official Porsche bra on it that I promptly removed and sold on ebay.
dannyzabolotny said:
Awesome! Can't wait to see how it turns out :)
This is getting me inspired to go work on my 1987 944S... the body on mine is fine but the engine hasn't run in 6 years haha
You should definitely get that 944s back out. It is a shame to let these cars sit. They might not be powerful, but they are beautiful (in my opinion).
GCrites80s said:
Of course some Berkeleyface had to come along and cut the Porsche crest out of the header panel. It would have probably taken less time to just undo the four bolts and pull the panel up to access the nuts.
Is that one of those Kamei ground effects kits from the '80s on the parts car? The 944 I had came with an official Porsche bra on it that I promptly removed and sold on ebay.
I was pretty upset that someone cut the crest out of the header panel. I have the one from the parts car, but it does not look great. I hate when people decide to hack up a car instead of taking 2 minutes to undo two bolts.
The body kit was installed on the parts car when I got it. I am not sure what model it is, but it will need some love, body work, and paint to put it on my car. I will try it out and see how it looks. If I don't like it, I can always remove and sell it.
pres589
PowerDork
11/7/17 7:25 a.m.
Came for the 944, stayed for the phonedials. Cool project!
I had a passenger seat autocross run in an '87 944 S this past Sunday. It was a fun car. Good luck with your "new" car.
Okay, I've got a pretty solid list of parts I could use off of your parts car. Rather than cluttering up one of our threads with it, I'll send you a PM sometime later today with the list and we can figure out what's realistic from there.
spin_out said:
I had a passenger seat autocross run in an '87 944 S this past Sunday. It was a fun car. Good luck with your "new" car.
Thanks! I am sure it will be a lot of fun. I was just pointed to the SCCA website by another member here. I wish I knew it was that easy to get into autocross....I would have done this years ago!
Ted; me and the boys are running autocross in concord with the amc this weekend. Come on down to watch and experience.
Dusterbd13 said:
Ted; me and the boys are running autocross in concord with the amc this weekend. Come on down to watch and experience.
That would be awesome. Do you have any idea what time you are running? I have to be out of there by 11am.
