Classic Car Weekly (UK)

5 WAYS TO MAKE IT BETTER

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1 MODIFY THE ENGINE Swapping the throttle cable cam for a part that gives more linear throttle response is a cheap mod on eight-valve cars; it’s around £20 and takes minutes to fit. Consider a new ECU chip for a mid-range torque boost on S2s, while £120 or so secures an induction kit for freer breathing and a rortier note. An uprated stainless steel exhaust is a sensible upgrade, too. 2 BOOST THE BRAKES

This isn’t strictly necessary unless you’re planning a few track days, but upgraded cross-drilled discs and pads can be had for less than £200 a set. For maximum stopping power, you can convert to Porsche’s ‘Big Reds’ set-up with fourpiston calipers – the Porschesho­p sells a kit with new discs and pads for £1800, although you’ll need bigger wheels to accommodat­e them. 3 UPGRADE THE SUSPENSION We’d advise against over-egging things, here, because you could spoil the finely balanced handling, but around £500 gets you a set of uprated adjustable dampers. Speak to a specialist or a club before committing, though, and budget for a profession­al to set it up properly. Less than £200 for a front strut brace is another useful investment. 4 FIT A LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTI­AL Make the most of the power on offer by upgrading to a limited-slip differenti­al. There are various options out there, so it’s worth discussing with experts before taking the plunge, and you’ll need to set aside upwards of £1000 for the part and fitting. It’ll make all the difference if you plan on taking to the track. 5 KEEP IT STANDARD

Prefer to keep your 944 to factory spec? Then spend some money on ensuring that the service history is spot-on. Refresh the oil and filter every 6000 miles/annually and ensure that the cambelts aren’t due to be changed. And if you spot any hint of corrosion, tackle it straightaw­ay, because major repairs get pricey if rust is allowed to fester.

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