Modified 1987 Porsche 944 Turbo - One Take

Although rear and mid-engined Porsche's are all the rage these days, quietly in the background, really good Porsche 944's have been climbing in price. This delightfully fresh 1987 Porsche 944 Turbo has been lovingly modified by its owner with a Hybrid KKK Turbo setup, coilover suspension, and bigger swaybars, and it's an absolute joy to drive.
Check out this 944 on Wheelwell!
goo.gl/hDyLpn

[@arda_]

People complain about too many Porsche One Takes. But I gotta say, the 944 is really an unusual Porsche and they are a lot cheaper compared to other Porsches. Thank you for the video Matt!!

[@joejoe188]

Clean 951 Turbos are on the $20,000 and up range. The 924S's have sold recently at Amelia and Monterey week for $20k. Magnus Walker has been snatching up 924 Turbos lately. Wake up and grab one of these before you are priced out of the market!

[@aDIYCarGuy]

similar situation for me!

[@fabjonjon]

cheaper compared to other Porsches but compared to 1987 RX7 Turbo, 1987 Supra Turbo, 1987 300zx Turbo (this one was a stinker), and 1987...honda had no comparisons, maybe prelude but its na, even the 1987 bmw m3 as cool and great as it is in corners was loads slower than the 944 t. The balence is great, the engine is adequete for it size and extra weight, many people dont realize the 951 is the better part of 2 tons, and drives great as a daily and a track car. The miata may be the best club car ever but this is close behind, and would beat it if parts were cheaper.

[@fabjonjon]

@@joejoe188 A clean 944 Turbo (951) with 100k miles can be had for 10k. I got mine for about half that but that is another story. If you are paying that I would hope the miledge is super super low. A driver example kept very clean and maintained well will obviously have some miles, up to 12k a year. I am looking at 3 right now for 9k, 10k and 10.5k. All three are very nice, under 100k miles and bone stock. A mint example has a hard time climbing into the mid to upper 20s...

[@jl9641]

@@joejoe188 Came here to say this. But also to tell you to SHHHHHH! sir, don't tell the others. We can sneak away with a 924 and not feel bad about ragging on it, and *then* in 30 years someone wants to give me 500,000 for it that's fine

[@phillipberk5767]

Guys stop complaining he's done 11 Porsche in 4 months. That's nothing. And who complains about porches. Also I'm pretty sure this is the first 944 he's ever done, and these cars are awesome!

[@TheSmokingTire]

thanks for adding that up so I don't have to

[@phillipberk5767]

+TheSmokingTire oh sweet I got Matt Farrah to reply! If ur ever in Florida, you should drive my modified H1! Or u know even tho you've done it, I have a 17 Viper😂, don't listen to all The haters, love the videos!

[@tylerbecker3348]

Sam was an excellent guest. Proper car nerd and a great conversationalist. Fun car, knowledgeable owner, and Matt seemed to be having a blast as well. Excellent One-Take!

[@JayTac1]

Wish I still had a 944. The car feels like a tank but handles like a dream. Nothing else like it.

[@HoweDoYouDo1999]

It might be a tank. But, at least it is a nice handling kind of tank. 😂😂

[@timcasagrande944]

Greatest first car ever! Loved mine (now it my brothers)

[@georgevelasco8480]

i did a canyon run with this guy! He was super cool and nice. Love running into car guys like him that are super down to earth!

[@AceGamingProductions]

I've owned a 1987 Porsche 944 N/A for about 2 years now. I bought it for $600 so you can only imagine the amount of money and work on my part that had to go in before it even fired up. Everything is new. Nothing is cheap. I'm about $9500 in and it still needs a paint job and some suspension bushings replaced. I love the car. I own a 2013 Mustang V6 with some suspension mods for handling and my '87 944 (with some weight reduction, such as gutted rear interior and replaced both front seats with carbon fiber OMP bucket seats) handles so much better and I haven't even touched the original 30 year old suspension on the car. It's incredible. The car weighs 2600 pounds from factory and I imagine that without the factory seats and rear interior it's more around 2450 and has room to go lower. I'm happy with it, especially knowing that I built it.

[@aDIYCarGuy]

951's are underrated IMO. That exhaust sounds great.

[@Malthus]

why are you calling it a 951 instead of 944?

[@of_lion22]

.....that's what turbo 944's are designated as. Same thing as how 1st gen turbo 911 was the 930.

[@joejoe188]

Hard-Edge Painting Each Porsche was born with a design number !

[@jamesoconnell5974]

The 944 for so long has never gotten much love from the Porsche community. So it's glad to see there actually starting to be appreciated.

[@Bigsky1991]

Reason is, it was more "VAG" (Volkswagen Audi Gruppe) than Porsche....

[@LK1801]

Great stuff. Porsche just doesn't build bad cars.

[@VAX1970]

944's don't last unless they are well maintained. Costly ownership. 924 was an awful car!

[@VAX1970]

Ford RS It was a VW engine

[@nikailbicavo6279]

That's an opinion. Nothing more.

[@ricksays7133]

Porsches do have their flaws. 968s came with overpressed pinion bearings that whines around after 60k miles. Then there's the intermediate shaft bearing issue in 2002-2008 Boxsters and 911s.

[@robbelliii]

classiccarz unless you own a bullet proof 968

[@TheUsmc0802]

Oh man, you are hitting all of my favorites. First the 16v Rocco now this! AWESOME!

[@alasdairkerr258]

Clean, stock looking and tastefully modified - that's a winner in my book.

[@993mike]

I've raced a 968 in Northern California for 12 years, and that chassis is so balanced and forgiving with the transaxle in the rear. The car has been very stout, requiring just basic race car maintenance. It's so enjoyable to talk with younger guys who don't know about these cars at Sears Point when they see the lap times it can run.

[@ChuckBeefOG]

It's like a fast Miata. *Awkward silence/bottled rage from owner

[@robbelliii]

Chuck Beef you noticed too? Lol...I’m a 968 owner I tell people it’s like having a well engineered triumph, although 968 cabs look more like the Jensin Healey. Another one I like to tell people is it is a classic version of an s2000.

[@JerryDLTN]

At least Matt didn't say..."It's like a hairdresser's car except with a roof and a turbo"

[@Victor-wy7yc]

@@JerryDLTN Why he hates hairdressers? Oh wait... Hes bald...

[@aftastosk6016]

He should had taken this as a compliment if he was a real car lover and not someone that wanted to show the Porsche badge of his car.

[@HeyhitmeBAM]

@@aftastosk6016 No

[@zpeed7]

What a great car. Love 944s.

[@robbelliii]

zpeed7 almost as good as a 968. ;-)

[@davidsf101]

I had a 1986 944 Turbo and sold it a long time ago. Many regrets. So now, I have finally found a 1989 944 Turbo and will get delivery on it. I can't wait !!!!!!!!!!! I hear that the 1989 944 Turbo is on another level, but all 944's are nice. Luv these cars!!!!!

[@TWRX_Chuck]

The car sounds really good, love the exhaust note!

[@fatman1288]

hell yeah one take just before i go to work!

[@butt5810]

one of my favorite recent one takes! thank you tmt

[@daveengel6855]

No matter what anybody says, those cars handle great...loving it, and your video.

[@arainla]

Awesome car! I remember the ad in Road & Track showing all the extra parts the Turbo had over the regular 944.

[@peterkaraferis]

Really enjoyed the conversation in this review! The owner seems a cool guy! Matt's funny AF at the end! keep it up!

[@gemini211269]

This kicked me right in the nostalgia! My 2nd favorite Porsche from the 80s and early 90s, right behind the 928 S4. Beautiful example of an awesome car and KUDOS to Samuel for driving it as his daily!

[@TheJMedia]

I love the body lines of a really clean Porsche 944!

[@C_Blurr]

Nice car, knowledgeable and easy to listen to owner, linear conversation...these are the reviews I enjoy most.

[@LifeWideOpen780]

still one of the best looking cars

[@OlaJustin]

Loved the car man! Super clean and what a daily! Cool guy too!

[@patrickeast6926]

As an owner of a 944 Base I really enjoyed the vid. I bought my 87 six years ago and it is just plain fun, especially at higher speeds. New beefier tires, short throw shifter and a front strut tower brace work wonders. Nothing but smiles!

[@speedlabs4]

thanks Matt. Love this car, this is one of my 2 parallel cars of my life.

[@klasseact6663]

Great car and great owner!

[@SaltyTheClown]

awesome 944 and awesome owner! thanks for the video Matt.

[@Gypsycatchers]

It is about time you did a 944 :) Awesome stuff, Thank you.

[@FrenchValleyAirport]

Makes me miss my '84 944, getting a momo steering wheel for these makes a huge difference

[@acchaladka]

David G How so?

[@txturbo930]

Love the 944 Turbo's I'm going to pick up one while I still can. They fit me like a glove!

[@okussidenote3261]

Dear Matt. Thank you for being diplomatic and complementary to this car owner. I am not a fan of the 944's but it was nice to see a video where you appreciate the car for what it is.

[@alexmckernan3528]

Damn .... 7 months pregnant and did the cross country drive major props !!!! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@patrickspires1989]

Every single one take could be a Porsche and I'd be satisfied. Can't wait to see that GT3RS!

[@BrettsGarage]

My first car was a 1990 944 S2. That thing handled like a dream. So glad that I had the chance to own one, and I base every car I drive from it. If only they were a bit more reliable then I'd still have it as my DD.

[@evenmathiassen3145]

great car! i have a 924 turbo myself and it is always a blast to drive ! such a underrated car

[@MultiColiflower]

Even mathiassen i agree 100%

[@MustangManV8]

Fun Episode. You guys meshed well.

[@ethanmaes522]

Shoutout from Madison, WI! They obviously never drove it in the winter. Looks super clean!

[@munich_zpeed]

Finally a 944! Love it. One of my dream cars. Dont know why, but its so 80s and still affordable ;)

[@gettcouped]

That car sounds so good!

[@andrewkerman5347]

Always found it incredibly intriguing how they placed the turbo on the intake manifold side of the motor. It was also very ahead of its time with a transaxles in a front engine rear drive car, which corvette went on to copy and capitalize on. Very interesting car!!

[@nickclark6001]

That rear transaxle layout was used in the Volvo 300 series from 1976 .....

[@theburias]

Love the Porsches thank you

[@unothedestroyerG56]

Thank you so much Matt for reviewing this!! I've been trying to ask other KZbinrs to do one for so long! Although I might say and I'm sorry but I have to but it weighs 2989 not 31;) and if you have more than one person I will kill the cars performance especially on a hot day. Could you try and find another one someday? And again thank you so much great review!!!

[@danielchampion2982]

One of my favorite looking Porsches, they get a ton of hate unless it's the turbo model though :/. Keep the Porsches coming Matt!

[@YasumotoUS]

The 944 was the fairly attainable, hard working man's Porsche (not forgetting about the 914!) of the 80's. So glad to see this particular example cared for, upgraded and, most importantly, used daily. That is awesome.

[@mdcohen]

Yes, it's another Porsche but before you complain consider it's one of the few brands that has actually made a lot of different sports cars over a long period of time. Let's get a 968, 924, 356, 914 with a stroker, more air cooled 911s...there's so many more to do. thanks, Matt!

[@isaaca2050]

Im excited for the 2017 GT3 RS in the background!

[@ethownzbh]

2:25 I'm guessing you meant front engined cars.

[@VAX1970]

944 is definitely RWD .. he made a mistake.

[@BadDFWDrivers]

He said front drive. Like drivetrain in the front. He didn't say front wheel drive.

[@NoBrakes23]

Yeah, in context of talking about Porsche engine placement, it would seem he meant front engine.

[@ethownzbh]

I've only ever heard front wheel drive cars refereed to like that, but ok.

[@lvcsslacker]

mistakes happen when you're talking off the top of your head. Look at the presidential races.

[@thatsInzeyne]

This is very weird as 3 days ago i just bought a 944 S4! A bit ratty and im only 20 so it'll take a while to get back to original but would love a 944 Turbo at some point!

[@chrissorreda4982]

ThatAlexKid That's so cool! Good luck with that dude!

[@MrBirgerB]

ThatAlexKid S4?

[@brianz7850]

He meant S2. Only S4 was the 928 S4.

[@MrBirgerB]

Wondered if it perhaps was a convoluted way of referring to the 968 😀

[@paulmcadam6825]

ThatAlexKid plus you can always do a swap with a V8. similar weight and at least twice the hp

[@ifrit35]

He mentioned jack Olsen at 7:30. These guys know what's up. By the way, you probably don't see these cars coming from Germany because they are expensive over here. Cheapest one I can find right now is 20 000 euros.

[@TakeFlightGarage]

I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU GUYS TO BRING ON A 944

[@bretdouglas9407]

I had one of these for 4 years. I loved it. Then I had a 911sc for 8 years. Loved that one. Now I have a 3rd gen Miata which I like the most

[@Dan-sq5cv]

Now I really miss Wolfgang, my 944 red 87. He wasn't a turbo, but what a driver, handling was super. My God!1 parts are expensive for them though.

[@artmchugh9283]

Dan 101 aftermarket ! Grasshopper 😄 bought a. complete turbo engine 4 mine 1300 bucks 😄

[@speedlabs4]

I saw once a 968 Turbo vs a 996GT2 in a track day. I can tell you the 968 was pushing the GT2 all over the track (Salinas in PR). Both drivers were awesome drivers and they raced in cup cars in the US and in Europe so the skill level on the cars was not a factor. 968 turbos are the BOMB. That car is presently in FL terrorizing other lesser cars in track days.

[@JBsC6]

Nice ride of the 944 turbo

[@robertjdm]

Sounds awesome!

[@TheKhol]

Always liked the 944, love that your a fan of the All Blacks.

[@jamesross2373]

Ever since buying my 944 S2 a few years ago I've been waiting for Matt to drive a 944. Would love to see him try an S2, but they're a lot harder to find. 3.0L NA with 210hp and 2900lbs. They like the twisties a bit more than the turbos. The 968 was a further development of the S2.

[@blkcoupequattro]

Had a 1985 944 N/A header, chip, delta flow exhaust, phantom grip LSD, ceramic solid hub clutch disc it always had the driveshaft sound even after replacement of the driveshaft tube, clutch disc, and inspecting the gear box. Aside from the all to common oil leaks from oil pan gasket, it was pretty solid, certainly gets the job done. I remember reading they were notorious for crankshaft oiling problems, pre 88-89, good idea to have a look at baffling early cars, adding a crank oil scraper, oil cooler, crank oil feed modifications so more oil gets to the crank and rods especially...

[@doctorlobsteroctopus]

Car sounds wonderful. I miss my 84 NA, it was my first car at 16.

[@TheEuroCarShow]

I've had the N/A version for a while and it really was fun! I had to sell it a couple years ago and now I kinda miss it

[@Andy.Shapiro]

Great video Matt. You guys seemed like best friends haha

[@corsa180]

My 1987 944S was my daily driver until last year when I sold it. Owned it for 24 years and put over 200k miles on it before I sold it. I drove it year-round in Nebraska -- had a set of Blizzaks for winter and it did great. The 944S is the sweet spot between the base 944 and the Turbo.

[@erikgonzalez2278]

It makes nice noises! I like it

[@bradfoust50]

I bought my dream car 86 944 turbo 15years ago for $4000. Totalled it 6months later driving like a maniac. Now that car sells for over $20k and I can't afford it. The 944turbo in my opinion is the greatest drivers car ever made. It has a big truck for golf clubs, and right after golf you can drive it to the race track. I have to get another one.

[@theTank77]

I miss my old 924. such a fun car

[@Retrobeemer]

944 are such cool looking cars. Lowered on period Azev rims they're awesome looking. I've only ever driven the n/a cars but would love to try a turbo. 80's gave us some of the most fun cars ever.

[@baptismos8969]

I sold my stock '86 951 a few months ago after 6+ years of ownership, great car - miss it.

[@CivilianM]

Matt, thanks for reviewing another one of the cars I own. gives me some inspiration to build mine up. still salty about the cayman gts though. ha!

[@spadgm]

Nice car, chill owner!

[@AronBell1]

GT3 RS coming up! 😄😄🙌🏻

[@DUNEATV]

I always loved the 944's...

[@CMoney9696]

For some reason these things have always looked so dope, its like a tuner/rally/gt car.

[@KawaiMoscha]

Awesome One Take ;)

[@Ecosse57]

sweet car. i'm not a porsche nut but always liked these and the 968.

[@Rusty-Gold]

I love my 944 S, they are great cars!

[@cgoldens]

Great sound

[@jeremyb408]

Loved this one-take. My 87 N/A was a joy until the oil pump let go at 120mph (only part reused during the top end rebuild). It had many electrical issues after sitting in the Texas sun for a decade but never failed to start / never left me stranded. I'd call it absolutely reliable. As far as importing to the states, good luck finding decent turbo models at a reasonable price from here in Germany !

[@sayan1713]

This channel should be called "The Porsche Tire". Jesus! So many Porsches! Give Porsche a break!

[@hahaLOLhaha72]

I like Porsche and l agree with you!

[@colbyperry3325]

sayan1713 if you have a problem with a lot of different porsches on a car driving show idk what to tell you

[@HOllyBOni]

Exactly! I want my money back.

[@TheKorba4]

At least its not a Cayman or 911 ;)

[@hafferzitu]

stop crying, jesus...

[@gugulethusithole2492]

That's a neat 944

[@edgarr7348]

sounds so good

[@fabjonjon]

out of all my cars I own this is my favorite. 1987 944 Turbo, K27, port and polish, three angle valve job, motronic ecu upgraded with wideband, bov, bilsteins, and pilot sports. I know I am forgetting something. My car sounds like a rocketship when you get on it, almost like a leak but no leak, its the wastegate controlling the boost I think. Not sure. Only issue I am having is rough cold starts, I welded a new bung for coolant sensor to radiator because the hard piping got in the way and reworked it all. I believe the computer is not registering properly until its at operating temp so maybe its the tuning that was done custom out of Atlanta, Ga. The guy is a wiz with the Motronic systems though and been doing it forever. Cant see that being the problem. Also we got 300 plus horsepower to the wheels with the K27. Dont know why this guy was only able to get 30 to 40 more. We also figured the 225hp numbers they claimed were a base because we didnt dyno before turbo upgrade and I started with a very very clean 100k mile 951 with all records, one owner, and the t belts, balence shaft pulleys were done 7 times in the 22 years he owned it. lol really. Anyway our numbers were like 310hp and 290ft lbs tq. Maybe my top end being ported and polished, the valve job, and cometic head gasket, and tuning made a big difference. I would have gone K29, as I have done another 944t like that but the lag is absolutely unnessesary and ridiculous. Even with the K27 I feel like I stomp the gas and it just sits for 2 full secounds spooling then boom goes the dynomite and she is gone, and you try not to drop rpms and booat because of that lag. The k29 is worse. You could make a call between flooring it and it engauging its 26lbs it was pushing for me. grrr 3.0 liter from the 968 with a ball bearing k29, and a fully built motor that is sleeved. this is what another guy did that was at the same shop. His is still running too, he has put loads into it.

[@twstrchasr]

Man I loved my '88 944 Turbo S that i bought new back in '88 !!!

[@kevinsonthebus]

Love that the captions say [music] when it cuts to the sound

[@Che1seabluesdrogba11]

That is a very clean example

[@blackmount1]

Hey Hey, cool little shout out to Madison Wisconsin and Kelly Moss. i'll be there this weekend for an open house drooling over their new 991 GT3 Cup, and hoping the 599XX is there. Also have had the pleasure of using their beautiful Dyno room.

[@MrAndrew4341]

blackmount1 hey I live in Madison. got any more info on that open house?

[@hoofixrman]

cool vid, great car...thx matt!

[@williamchestnut9668]

Sweet car!

[@403patriot3]

TWO WORDS- 'fuck yes'

[@evan1170]

great handshake

[@czook812]

This was a great one take, car was interesting, guest was good, this car isn't realy like the usual porches and was a change of pace.

[@badsanta518]

my dad had an 86. It was a beast

[@CIBERXGAMING]

Even the 944 n/a's are super fun and spunky. I imagine turbos are very fun though.

[@ZenGamer97]

no complaints about the porsche 1 takes

[@ilovespeed1022]

Good looking car.

[@ericfremstad6922]

For a 30 year old car, that sure looks like a lot of fun.

[@Stevieboy130664]

I have a 924S originally fitted with the four spoke steering wheel - known as "the lozenge". Although I quite liked the look of it the section of the rim was uncomfortable - almost cam lobe shaped and the stitching which was a little frayed seemed to be on the peak of the "lifter". I changed it for a Momo Prototipo with black spokes - much more comfortable and very classy especially when I fitted it with a leather horn knob with the Porsche logo debossed.

[@spencerdhiggins]

Matt I can relate to your short-story of the Porsche 944 that was lent to you. I owned my '91 3000gt VR-4 for a whole six days before it was undeniably totaled. They were a great six days though!