944 Technical Data (8-valve)
Factory technical data for the 8-valve 944: engine, design, capacities, electrical system, dimensions, weights, and performance — with metric/imperial unit switching on temperatures, torque, pressure, speed, and weight.
Factory technical data for the 8-valve 944. Adjusting values and wear limits appear in the relevant repair procedures, not here.
Note: Values shown in brackets — for example (9.5 : 1) — are the USA-market figures where they differ from the rest-of-world specification. They are not unit conversions. Use the metric/imperial toggle to switch the units themselves (temperatures, torque, pressure, speed, and weight). Bore, stroke, and body dimensions are quoted in millimetres by convention.
Engine
The base 944 engine is the M 44/01 (manual) / M 44/03 (automatic), with the M 44/02 and M 44/04 as the USA-market equivalents.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of cylinders | 4 |
| Bore | 100 mm |
| Stroke | 78.9 mm |
| Displacement (actual) | 2479 cm³ |
| Displacement (fiscal) | 2449 cm³ |
| Compression ratio | 10.6 : 1 (9.5 : 1 USA) |
| Max. engine power (to 80/1269/EC) | 120 kW / 163 HP (110 kW / 150 HP USA) |
| Net power (SAE J 1349) | 116 kW / 156 HP (105 kW / 143 HP USA) |
| at engine speed | 5800 rpm (5500 rpm USA) |
| Max. torque (to 80/1269/EC) | 205 N·m151 ft·lb (192 N·m142 ft·lb USA) at 3000 rpm |
| Net torque (SAE J 1349) | 199 N·m147 ft·lb (186 N·m137 ft·lb USA) |
| Fuel grade | 96 RON (91 RON unleaded, USA) |
| Engine speed limit | 6500 rpm |
| Engine weight (dry) | 166 kg366 lb |
Engine design
- Type: water-cooled, axial, 4-cylinder, 4-stroke, in-line internal-combustion engine with a toothed-belt-driven overhead camshaft and two balance shafts.
- Crankcase: two-piece light alloy.
- Crankshaft: forged steel, running in five bearings. Connecting rods forged steel (cast since February 1984), with plain conrod bearings and press-fit brass piston-pin bushings.
- Pistons: cast light alloy with floating piston pins secured by circlips; two compression rings and one oil-scraper ring.
- Cylinders and head: light alloy. Shrink-fit valve-seat inserts (intake FCr 330, exhaust CoMo 75), press-fit special-brass valve guides, armored exhaust-valve seats, two coil valve springs per valve.
- Valve train: one intake and one exhaust valve per cylinder, overhead and in-line, operated by the overhead camshaft through hydraulic cam followers (automatic valve-clearance adjustment). The camshaft is shell-hard cast and runs directly in the camshaft case without bearing shells, driven by a toothed belt with a tensioning roller.
- Valve timing (at 1 mm lift, zero valve clearance): intake opens 1° after TDC and closes 49° after BDC; exhaust opens 43° before BDC and closes 3° before TDC.
- Cooling: closed system with an electric fan and thermo-switch; antifreeze rated to −25 °C−13 °F.
- Lubrication: pressure circulation with a sickle-type pump, oil filter, and an oil/water heat exchanger; oil pressure approx. 4 bar58 psi at 5,000 rpm at operating temperature, with both an indicator lamp and a pressure gauge. Maximum oil temperature 140 °C284 °F.
Capacities
| Fluid | Volume |
|---|---|
| Engine oil | approx. 6.0 L6.3 qt |
| Engine coolant | approx. 7.8 L8.2 qt |
| Transmission with differential | approx. 2.0 L2.1 qt (hypoid gear lube SAE 80, API GL 4) |
| Fuel tank | approx. 66 L69.7 qt (9 L9.5 qt reserve); 80 L84.5 qt (8 L8.5 qt reserve) on late models |
| Brake fluid | approx. 0.2 L0.2 qt |
| Washer fluid (windshield and headlights) | approx. 6.0 L6.3 qt |
Engine oil is a brand-name HD oil to API SE or SF (see the owner's manual; exact volume by dipstick). For the gear and final-drive ratios and the full oil specification, see the manual-transmission data.
Electrical system
- Battery: 12 V, 50 Ah (63 Ah optional / M-equipment).
- Alternator: 90 A / 1260 W; 115 A / 1610 W from 1985.5 models.
- Ignition: via the DME, with a firing order of 1-3-4-2 and spark-plug connectors without a booster gap. Ignition timing is controlled by the DME. For plug type, gap and torque, see spark plugs.
- Interference suppression: to ECE R 10 and 72/245/EC or VDE 0879.
Dimensions
| Dimension | Value |
|---|---|
| Length | 4200 mm (4290 mm with US bumpers) |
| Width | 1735 mm |
| Height | 1275 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2400 mm |
| Front track | 1477 mm (7J), 1452 mm (6J), 1440 mm (5½J) |
| Rear track | 1451 mm (7J), 1426 mm (6J), 1414 mm (5½J) |
| Ground clearance | 125 mm (120 mm from 1985.5 models) |
Weights
To DIN 70020. USA-market figures in brackets where they differ.
| Weight | Value |
|---|---|
| Curb weight | 1180 kg2601 lb (1260 kg2778 lb USA); 1210 kg2668 lb from 1985.5 models |
| Max. total weight | 1500 kg3307 lb (1550 kg3417 lb USA); 1530 kg3373 lb from 1985.5 models |
| Max. front axle load | 720 kg1587 lb |
| Max. rear axle load | 880 kg1940 lb; 900 kg1984 lb from 1985.5 models |
| Payload | 320 kg705 lb (290 kg639 lb USA) |
| Max. roof load | 35 kg77 lb (75 kg165 lb with the roof transport system) |
| Max. trailer load (unbraked / braked) | 500 kg1102 lb / 1200 kg2646 lb |
| Max. drawbar load | 50 kg110 lb |
Trailer figures apply on gradients up to 16 %.
Performance
| Measure | Manual | Automatic |
|---|---|---|
| Top speed | 220 km/h137 mph (210 km/h130 mph USA) | — |
| 0–100 km/h62 mph | 8.4 s (9.3 s USA) | 9.6 s |
| Standing kilometre | 28.8 s | 30.5 s |
Performance figures are to DIN curb weight plus half payload. The factory also quotes the USA benchmarks of 0–60 mph in 8.3 s and a 1/4 mile in 16.2 s (manual).
Model 88 engine changes
The Type 944 Model 88 uses the M 44/09 (manual) / M 44/10 (automatic) engine. Bore and stroke are unchanged (100 mm × 78.9 mm, 2479 cm³), but:
- Compression ratio: 10.2 : 1
- Max. engine power (to 80/1269/EC): 118 kW / 160 HP at 5900 rpm
- Max. torque (to 80/1269/EC): 210 N·m155 ft·lb at 4500 rpm
- Speed governed by fuel shut-off at 6640 rpm
- Engine weight (dry): 169 kg373 lb