Author Topic: I (we) did it again ... this time it's a 1983 Porsche 944  (Read 2110 times)

Cees Klumper

  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, De Luz and Los Angeles
  • Posts: 5524
    • http://SL113.org
I (we) did it again ... this time it's a 1983 Porsche 944
« on: January 22, 2023, 14:26:24 »
My son and I bought this very well preserved 944 NA together yesterday, as a daily-driver replacement for the '73 Datsun 240Z he sold last Summer to a dealer in The Netherlands. It looks to have its original paint and 89K miles, from the second owner who had it since 1987 (it's a 1983). We'll see what it needs but it was a lot of fun on the test drive ...

 
Cees Klumper
1969 Mercedes 280 SL automatic
1968 Ford Mustang 302 V8
1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Coupe 1600
1962 FIAT 1500S OSCA convertible
1972 Lancia Fulvia Coupe 1.3
1983 Porsche 944 2.5
1990 Ford Bronco II

MikeSimon

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, OH, North Royalton
  • Posts: 2396
Re: I (we) did it again ... this time it's a 1983 Porsche 944
« Reply #1 on: January 22, 2023, 14:52:21 »
With prices for 911s rising in the past, prices for 928s, 944s and even 924s are following. Seems like a lot of people go there to own a Porsche.
1970/71 280SL Automatic
Sandy Beige
Parchment Leather
Power Steering
Automatic
Hardtop
Heated Tinted Rear Window
German specs
3rd owner

sully

  • Full Member
  • Regular
  • **
  • United Kingdom, Badakhshan, Orpington
  • Posts: 91
  • My Pagoda
Re: I (we) did it again ... this time it's a 1983 Porsche 944
« Reply #2 on: January 22, 2023, 17:18:10 »
I also bought very original 1990 944 turbo in red last year.

Sully

teahead

  • Associate Member
  • Gold
  • *****
  • USA, WA, Des Moines
  • Posts: 781
  • aka "Rob"
Re: I (we) did it again ... this time it's a 1983 Porsche 944
« Reply #3 on: January 23, 2023, 21:05:28 »
Congrats!  Rare color.

Just curious, I only sat in one 944 in my life.

I wear a size 10 shoe.  Did you notice your foot interfering with some wiring cabling up above?   It may be just the example I sat in (was not in the greatest condition).

Would love to own a 944 someday so wondering if it'll work for me.
1970 280SL auto, AC - aka "Edelweiss"

Cees Klumper

  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, De Luz and Los Angeles
  • Posts: 5524
    • http://SL113.org
Re: I (we) did it again ... this time it's a 1983 Porsche 944
« Reply #4 on: January 24, 2023, 03:18:28 »
Hi Rob - I have size 10.5 but haven't driven the car myself yet, so can't say for sure. I would be surprised if that would be a problem, but will report back when I've had a go.
The color sold me on this car - it suits it to a T, my wife calls it Primrose Yellow - don't know the official Porsche name for it yet.
Cees Klumper
1969 Mercedes 280 SL automatic
1968 Ford Mustang 302 V8
1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Coupe 1600
1962 FIAT 1500S OSCA convertible
1972 Lancia Fulvia Coupe 1.3
1983 Porsche 944 2.5
1990 Ford Bronco II

zak

  • Full Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • USA, NJ, Bernardsville
  • Posts: 452
Re: I (we) did it again ... this time it's a 1983 Porsche 944
« Reply #5 on: February 13, 2023, 21:38:12 »
Nice work Cees. Yes great color. I never drove one either.
What's in it, a 4 cyl 2.0 liter and where's the engine ?

ha

jz
1967 250 SL
1983 280 SL
2015 ML 250 Bluetec
2007 ML CDI
2004 E 320 Wagon
1999 E300 Turbodiesel

Cees Klumper

  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, De Luz and Los Angeles
  • Posts: 5524
    • http://SL113.org
Re: I (we) did it again ... this time it's a 1983 Porsche 944
« Reply #6 on: February 14, 2023, 02:11:25 »
It's a 4 cylinder 2.5 liter with a reported 150 hp, although my son who has driven it says it feels a lot quicker than his 1986 Nissan 300ZX with a 3 liter V6. The engine is out front, the transmission and rear axle ('transaxle') is all the way in the rear, connected through a torque tube.

We've been working on it - currently replacing the clutch which is quite a job (workshop manual has it at 16 hours but I think that's understated), new tires and shocks/struts and a few small things here and there. There's a good service history with the car and it looks to have been garaged all of its life and has always been registered in Southern California. I haven't been able to find a spec of corrosion anywhere.

We decided to replace the spark plug wires with a new BERU set and, upon checking the old wires, that are supposed to have 3K ohm resistance, the no. 4 cylinder one read nothing at all - no continuity, no resistance (not even to the highest ohm range my tester goes, in the millions) so we think that wire/plug is shot and explains a rough idle, half the spark is happening in the wire.

We'll do some real-world acceleration testing once the new clutch is in. It's a fun car to work on, especially one this clean. So far not a single bolt that has given us trouble, not even the ones on the exhaust or the driveshafts despite many of them untouched since 1983. The car's mileage at under 90K is original.
Cees Klumper
1969 Mercedes 280 SL automatic
1968 Ford Mustang 302 V8
1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Coupe 1600
1962 FIAT 1500S OSCA convertible
1972 Lancia Fulvia Coupe 1.3
1983 Porsche 944 2.5
1990 Ford Bronco II

rwmastel

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, OH, Canal Winchester
  • Posts: 4405
  • Pagoda SL Group: 20+ years and going strong!
Re: I (we) did it again ... this time it's a 1983 Porsche 944
« Reply #7 on: February 14, 2023, 04:24:55 »
I had a 1985 300zx with 5-speed manual, t-tops, two-seater.  Fun car, but the 944 could weigh less (didn't check) and is probably balanced better with the transaxle.  It will be a blast to drive when your work is completed.  Great choice!
Rodd

Did you search the forum before asking?
2017 C43 AMG
2006 Wrangler Rubicon
1966 230SL

MikeSimon

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, OH, North Royalton
  • Posts: 2396
Re: I (we) did it again ... this time it's a 1983 Porsche 944
« Reply #8 on: February 14, 2023, 13:01:20 »
The turbo version, internally dubbed 951, was Porsche's fastest production car at the time. Porsche did not officially confirm this, as they did not want to "hurt" the 911 image.
1970/71 280SL Automatic
Sandy Beige
Parchment Leather
Power Steering
Automatic
Hardtop
Heated Tinted Rear Window
German specs
3rd owner

Cees Klumper

  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, De Luz and Los Angeles
  • Posts: 5524
    • http://SL113.org
Re: I (we) did it again ... this time it's a 1983 Porsche 944
« Reply #9 on: July 17, 2023, 06:10:53 »
Quick update on the Porsche is that it's currently in an Orange County shop to get new timing and balance shaft belts fitted as well as two new electric fans and new engine mounts. I ran out of time to help my son Victor with these jobs before leaving for France for the Summer. Actually feels like a major luxury, paying someone else to get work done on a car! It's been a great daily driver for Victor. Although he's already thinking about swapping it for a Honda S2000 ...

Cees Klumper
1969 Mercedes 280 SL automatic
1968 Ford Mustang 302 V8
1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Coupe 1600
1962 FIAT 1500S OSCA convertible
1972 Lancia Fulvia Coupe 1.3
1983 Porsche 944 2.5
1990 Ford Bronco II

rwmastel

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, OH, Canal Winchester
  • Posts: 4405
  • Pagoda SL Group: 20+ years and going strong!
Re: I (we) did it again ... this time it's a 1983 Porsche 944
« Reply #10 on: July 17, 2023, 16:16:10 »
If he does make the change, advertise the 944 here first!  That is one cool ride.
Rodd

Did you search the forum before asking?
2017 C43 AMG
2006 Wrangler Rubicon
1966 230SL