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Porsche 944 coupe exterior view
1982–1991Type 944Unverified

Porsche 944

944

A front-engine, water-cooled coupe with a rear transaxle and balanced handling. The 944 is a maintenance-driven car: timing and balance-shaft belts, cooling system condition and service records matter far more than mileage. Values have stayed accessible, which means project cars are common and deferred maintenance is the norm.

Resources
16
Engines documented
Water-cooled four-cylinder engines in 2.5, 2.7 and 3.0 litre forms, including turbocharged and 16-valve variants.
Body styles
2-door coupe

Photo: Alexander-93 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Overview

Production 1982–1991

A front-engine, water-cooled coupe with a rear transaxle and balanced handling. The 944 is a maintenance-driven car: timing and balance-shaft belts, cooling system condition and service records matter far more than mileage. Values have stayed accessible, which means project cars are common and deferred maintenance is the norm.

Model years, engines and body details changed through the run, including the addition of turbocharged and multi-valve variants. Verify parts against the specific year and engine code.

Year-by-year notes

  • 1986

    The 944 Turbo, type 951, joined the range with a 220 PS intercooled 2.5-litre engine.

  • 1989

    The 3.0-litre 16-valve 944 S2 was introduced, rated at 211 PS and 280 Nm.

Engine & drivetrain configurations

EngineDisplacementInductionOutputTransmissionsSource
3.0 L four-cylinderM44/413.0-litre 16-valve; the largest-displacement production four-cylinder of its time.3.0 LNaturally aspirated, 16-valve211 PS (208 hp)280 Nm (207 lb-ft) @ 4,100 rpm—
2.5 L turbocharged four-cylinder951Intercooled KKK turbocharger; the 1988 Turbo S was rated 250 PS and 350 Nm.2.5 LTurbocharged220 PS (217 hp in the US)—
2.5 L four-cylinder, 16-valveDOHC 16-valve version of the 2.5-litre engine, 6,800 rpm redline.2.5 LNaturally aspirated, 16-valve190 PS (about 188 hp)—
2.5 L four-cylinderM44/402,479 cc single-overhead-cam eight-valve with twin balance shafts.2.5 LNaturally aspirated, 8-valve163 PS; US 1982–85: 143 hp; US 1985–87: 147 hp—

Restoration

Restoration guides

3 items

Body, paint, teardown and reassembly material specific to this generation.

ArticleGeneral

This page provides a collection of community-authored repair guides for the Porsche 944. It covers various maintenance and restoration tasks for the vehicle.

Porsche 944 1982–1991Source: iFixitifixit.comDetailsOpens the original source in a new tab
VideoGeneral

This playlist features a multi-part video series documenting the restoration process of a Porsche 944. It provides visual guidance on various stages of the restoration project.

Porsche 944 1982–1991Source: YouTubeyoutube.comDetailsOpens the original source in a new tab
ArticleGeneral

The order to inspect a 944 in, from paperwork to the transaxle, before you commit to a project.

Porsche 944 1982–1991Details

Repair

Common repairs & known problems

2 items

Documented failure points and repair procedures. Unverified claims are labelled.

ArticleEngine

The 944 is a maintenance-driven car. Belt history is the single most important thing to verify before purchase.

Porsche 944 1982–1991Details
ArticleCooling

Age-related cooling failures on a water-cooled transaxle car, and the order to work in.

Porsche 944 1982–1991Details

Parts

Parts & supplier directory

Suppliers are listed for editorial reasons only. Affiliate links, if any, are marked separately and never change what is included.

RockAuto

Maintenance parts · Brakes

rockauto.com

Pelican Parts

Porsche parts · Technical articles

pelicanparts.com

Porsche 944 Parts – 944Store

944Store specializes in OEM, refurbished, and performance components specifically for the Porsche 944. The site includes a catalog structured by system and generation with verified fitment data.

LINDSEY RACING - Your Porsche Performance Parts Center

Lindsey Racing offers a wide range of performance and replacement parts for water-cooled, front-engine Porsche models. Their inventory includes specific mechanical components for the 944 series.

944 (06.1981-07.1991) - Model

This supplier offers a broad selection of spare parts for the Porsche 944, ranging from engine components to body parts. It also provides access to diagrams for identifying OEM part numbers.

Classic Porsche Parts & Accessories | Heritage Parts Centre US

Heritage Parts Centre supplies both OEM and aftermarket parts for various classic Porsche models, including the 944. They provide support for restoration and maintenance projects through their online catalog.

Pelican Parts — Porsche 944 maintenance catalog

Supplier reference for 944 service parts, belts, cooling components and technical write-ups.

Modifications

Engine & transmission modifications

Documented swaps, rebuilds and drivetrain upgrades for this generation.

No modification resources yet

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Chassis

Brake & suspension upgrades

No brake or suspension resources yet

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Wiring

Electrical & wiring resources

No electrical documentation yet

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Watch

Restoration & build videos

Reference

Technical reference

Community

Forums & community knowledge

2 items

Owner communities and message boards where this generation is actively discussed.

ForumGeneral

This technical Q&A section contains archived questions and answers from Porsche experts regarding the 1983-1985 Porsche 944. It covers common maintenance issues, part identification, and troubleshooting for the base model.

Applies to Coupe

Porsche 944 1982–1991Source: Porsche Club of Americapca.orgDetailsOpens the original source in a new tab
ForumGeneral

Owner forum with an active 944 section, including maintenance and troubleshooting threads.

Porsche 944 1982–1991Source: Pelican Parts Forumsforums.pelicanparts.comDetailsOpens the original source in a new tab

Keep exploring

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