924 to 944

Different engines. Also, the 944 has wider fenders and rear panels which gives it a meaner look. The 944 also puts out more horsepower.

Depending on which 924, it can be a lot easier to work on yourself. The 4 cylinder 924 engine also doesn't have interference design which the 944 does. This means that if the timing belt on the 924 breaks it doesn't cause the valves and the pistons to collide and possibly ruin the engine. Replacing and setting the timing belt on the 944 is more of a challenge.

'85.5 model year and later also had an updated interior (dash, door pannels, center console, etc) that makes it feel like a more modern car.

Like Funkie wrote, the engine difference is the most important (don't forget that the 924S has the 944 engine).

'87 and later 944s also have the more recent wheel offsets, which give you many more wheel choices (I see a lot of boxster wheels on 944s). There are also peppier models -- the 944S with the 16 valve engine, the

944S2 with the 3 liter engine and the turbo model.

Good luck!

Funkie wrote:

It depends on the year, the 944's chassis was very similar to the

924's, but nearly everything else was either changed or upgraded and continual changes were made throughout the 944's lifetime.

In the original 1982 model, the 2.0 litre Audi-sourced 4-clylinder that had powered the 924 was replaced with a Porsche designed 2.5 litre unit, the standard 4 speed gearbox was replaced with a newer 5 speed box, braking components were upgraded, the suspension was re-tooled, the interior was changed and the bodywork was different.

1985 model year 944's recieved a higher output alternator, the interior and a/c system were improved, the radio antenna was moved into the windsheild, the lubrication system was re-worked, aluminum control and semi-trailing arms became standard, a larger fuel tank was added, the starter was improved, optional heated, powered seats became available and revisions in the transaxle mount were made to reduce noise and vibration. 1985 also saw the introduction of the first 944 Turbo (951).

In 1987 the standard model was evolved into the 944S, which received an updated version of the 2.5 litre engine with 4 valves per cylinder, dual airbags and optional ABS brakes.

In 1988 the Turbo S became available as well (although the standard Turbo stayed in production) with more horsepower and torque, adjustable Koni shocks with uprated springs, larger rear torsion bar, harder bushings, larger front and rear sway bars, larger wheels with better tires, hardened gears, an external oil cooler, a limited slip differential and an upgraded braking system essentially borrowed from the 928.

For 1989 the Turbo "S" package was dropped and all 951s came standard with the S pack, it was also the last year for 951 sales in the United States. That same year the 944S became standard with a new 2.7 litre engine, but it only lasted for the one model year.

For 1990 the 944S was replaced by the 944 S2 with a new 3.0 litre engine and the bodywork and braking system from the 951. The 944 was replaced entirely by the 968 for the 1992 model year.

Of the group, the 1988 Turbo S, 1989 Turbo and 1990-1992 S2 are the most desireable. They featured all the evolutionary changes, the best build quality and performance and were the best looking. Prior to the S2, all 944s had what I've always thought were awkward looking bumpers, they weren't as swevlt as the 924 had been, but the Turbo and S2 variants had much sleeker, more modern bodywork.