I've seen a 968 rear end grafted to a 944 and I understand that this was an expensive task. However, I'm wondering if a 944 Turbo (944S2) front end can be easily grafted onto a 968. A recent posting of a 968 with front end damage has me thinking. Any ideas?
[quote name='968gene' post='62462' date='Oct 30 2008, 06:41 PM']I've seen a 968 rear end grafted to a 944 and I understand that this was an expensive task. However, I'm wondering if a 944 Turbo (944S2) front end can be easily grafted onto a 968. A recent posting of a 968 with front end damage has me thinking. Any ideas?[/quote]
I'm not feeling it Gene. Maybe I'm just sleepy, been a long day.
Sure -- it can be done. But we're talking about more than just changing one panel -- we're talking about major frame job. If you think putting a 968 rear on a 944 is expensive, this would be much more....
Aside from the (interesting?) technical challenge involved, I'm finding myself missing any satisfactory answer to the question of "WHY?"
I find the Turbo (S2) front end look more attractive, the cost associated with replacement parts seems to be much less, there's more room under the hood, and a 968 with a crunched front end is available (or it will be crushed!). Just a few reasons I'm thinking about this. While this is not for everyone, I have seen a few posting (here and there) where others have discussed the attractiveness of the Turbo front end and the 968 rear end.
Joseph, where do the two cars differ under the skins? Thanks.
The only part of the 968 front that I don't like are the pop-up headlights. This "fix" certainly doesn't fix that - at least, not for me. But, I'm not doing it, so have at it and have fun!
i think they did a great job - the problem i had with the S2 was the rear end, which they have fixed
better aerodynamics too
I like the front end of the S2 and Turbo S cars. I think they look muscular and athletic, while our 968s look elegant. Elegant is good, just different.
I think the 968 has a very well balanced design...flowing front and flowing rear. The 944 series 2 has a well balanced design as well...square front with a square rear. By by combining the 944 & 968 you destroy the balance.
Anyway that's my 2 cents worth,
Johann
i don't think either one is "perfect", and i have issues with each, but i agree about the description above - one is more aggressive and the other more elegant
especially in the cab, i think the marriage works very well - maybe not so much in the hatchback
I'd believe I'd go there. Personally, I think both the cab and the coupe look great. I agree with alot of you who also like the front ends of the S2 and Turbo cars. I think Porsche did a great job with them. I still have mixed feelings about the pop up headlights of our beloved 944's and 968's. I wish someone could come up with a Xenon (or whatever) alternative to the pop up frog eyes.
Yeah, sure, the pop ups are a 944/928/968 signature look, but I struggle with how they vibrate and bounce all around on anything but the smoothest of road surfaces. Granted they DO illuminate the road pretty well, I just don't like the constantly bouncing light pattern we're stuck with. Kinda' frustrating. Consequently, I usually rush home before I "must" use the head lights. For what it's worth, SHE thinks they're sexy. I guess that counts for something right!
hmmm - she thinks the 2 protrusions out front are sexy - lol - if i were a shrink, i might think that could lead to interesting things
personally i like the 968 front and rear, its like a 928, 944 and 993 all rolled into one great car
I was considering converting the 968 front to 951 style at one time...or buying a 951 and doing the 968 rear conversion. But after the last year, I have come to love the way the hood lines fall between raised fenders. All I really want to get is a pair of taillights that have true yellow turn signals like the Japan version just to break up the all red look. Pulls in a little more of the 944 tailight appearance. Anyone have a set, let me know...Top dollar paid!
[quote name='968gene' post='62471' date='Oct 31 2008, 06:44 AM']I find the Turbo (S2) front end look more attractive, the cost associated with replacement parts seems to be much less, there's more room under the hood, and a 968 with a crunched front end is available (or it will be crushed!). Just a few reasons I'm thinking about this. While this is not for everyone, I have seen a few posting (here and there) where others have discussed the attractiveness of the Turbo front end and the 968 rear end.
Joseph, where do the two cars differ under the skins? Thanks.[/quote]
I found this thread to be very interesting because I used to own a 944 S2 Cab and now have a 968 Cab. If you prefer the looks of the S2 front end and the 968 rear end, the cheapest way to do it would be to buy a 944 S2 and fit one of the two rear bumper mods from
http://www.fiberwerks.com/_borders/100613.jpg.
This way you clean up the cluttered look of the S2 rear bumper but keep the sharper angles that belong with the front of the S2.
How Porsche turned the 944 S2 into a 968: 1) They added a body kit w/headlights 2) They added variocam 3) They added one gear 4) And there’s outside air temp where the clock used to be and a clock where the extra cubby space used to be. Ok, I’m exaggerating to poke fun at Porsche’s claim that the car was 83% new. Porsche called it the 944 S3 and changed the name to 968 for marketing reasons. Consider how many of our part #s begin with “944” and how many begin with “968.” The 968 chassis is supposed to be stiffer and the transaxle is supposed to be stronger (if you ignore that pesky ring and pinion glitch). But when you are in the seat, the driving experience “feels” the same.
What you’ll lose if you swap your 968 for a 944 S2: 1) some horsepower – but you will also lose some weight 2) 6th gear – but I doubt you will notice and it will be easier to find reverse. There are also kits sold to get rid of the pop up headlights.
Personally I think both cars are beautiful in their own way. I slightly prefer the look of the 968. Having seen two 968s up close with the 993 headlights, that is definitely on my list of mods. The reason I love the 968 is because it is a 944 S3 – the final evolution of a great car.
Jim
the 968 cab chassis is quite a bit reinforced over the S2 cab - i have an article from a magazine which specifies how and where and why they did the work - very cool - i'll be paraphrasing it soon and posting it
[quote name='flash' post='65387' date='Jan 9 2009, 05:45 PM']the 968 cab chassis is quite a bit reinforced over the S2 cab - i have an article from a magazine which specifies how and where and why they did the work - very cool - i'll be paraphrasing it soon and posting it[/quote]
Flash
There's a Porsche mechanic in Ft Lauderdale, builds track cars, who would agree with you 100%. He told me the ultimate track platform would be a 968 cab, because of the stiffenend chassis, and would love to build one with a full cage and hard top.
that is EXACTLY my plan - no hard top though