Page 95 - Wayne Carini's Guide to Affordable Classics

Porsche 944
Changes now came quickly. The 944S was introduced for the gearbox with an external oil cooler. The 944 Turbo S was sold
1987 model year. This naturally aspirated update did not replace the base 944, but was sold alongside the original and the turbo. Like the turbo, only a manual transmission was offered. The 944S delivered 190 horsepower and 170 lb ft of torque from the same 2.5-liter engine, but now with dual overhead cams, four valves per cylinder, and compression increased to 10.9:1. The new model was substantially quicker, with a 0-60 time of 6.5 seconds, and also received revised suspension tuning. The first generation of the 944S was sold only in 1987-88, because the improvements to the base 944’s performance were catching up quickly.
alongside the 944 Turbo.
The 1989 model year was the last year for the basic 944 and the 944 Turbo. The base 944 now returned 165 horsepower and 166 lb ft from the 2.7-liter engine. At the same time, Porsche launched the 944S2 with a 3.0-liter version of the DOHC 16-valve engine. The extra displacement was achieved by lengthening the stroke from 78.9 mm to 88 mm, which was new for the 944 line. The 3.0-liter engine produced 208 horsepower and 207 lb ft of torque, resulting in 6.0-second 0-60 times and a top speed of 149 mph. After 1989, the 944S2 was the only naturally aspirated 944 sold in America through the end of the product line in 1991. Other notable facts about the 944S2 are that dual airbags were an optional feature, as
For 1988, Porsche sold the 944 Turbo S. This was a special model
that really turned up the gas on the 2.5-liter engine, yielding 250
horsepower and 258 lb ft of torque. The Turbo S also included
the larger brakes from the 928S4 and a heavy-duty five-speed was a limited slip differential.
ABOVE: The 944 Turbo took the 944 to a new level with 220 horsepower and 243 lb ft of torque. RIGHT: Under the skin, the 944 Turbo carried a stronger transaxle, engine and transmission oil coolers, and 911 brakes.
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