Joe Cervantes' car isn't just any modified Porsche 944 Turbo. Not only is it fully restored, it's also likely the fastest street 944 Turbo in the country. Using a 16-valve, fully built 3.0-liter four-cylinder engine from a Porsche 968, the beast puts out nearly 120 whp per cylinder at 1.45 bar boost (21 psi). At 2,900 lb, boasting a measured 194-mph top speed (with a re-calibrated 220-mph speedo), and cloaked by the most stunning black paint that Bidrawn and I'd ever seen, this 18-year-old wolf in sheep's clothing is still every bit a supercar by today's standards, and it's prettier than the day it rolled off the showroom floor.
The car resides in Las Vegas, and I wouldn't stack any chips against it in an impromptu race. It's the perfect sleeper with its innocent, harmless-sounding idle. But once the boost kicks in, this flame-spittin' terror pulls like a freight train. At 120 mph in the middle of the high desert approaching Nevada, Joe's car felt like it was just roaring to life, hungering for more throttle. I reluctantly had to draw the line somewhere.
As expected, Joe's car has it all-engine, suspension, full exhaust, brakes, driveline, aesthetics and sound system upgrades to make it the perfectly well-rounded street rocket. What I didn't expect was the 200-grand investment that it took to get there, mainly due to the multiple motors Joe went through until he finally decided to send his car to Powerhaus Racing, the firm that put this car together. Now here's the incredible part: In May 2004, the car is being raffled off, and all the proceeds will go to a couple of charities, but I'll let Joe tell that remarkable story:
"I first decided on a 951, because it was relatively cheap to get into. I contacted David Raines, owner of Powerhaus in Scottsdale, Ariz., and first had him upgrade my car with just a mass air-flow kit, chip and exhaust. The power gain was so substantial, I wondered how much more power could be had. This turned into a total obsession, and seven years later my goals were met. It's the fastest street-legal 951 in the U.S. and drives as good as stock, maintaining 25 mpg, ice-cold air conditioning and suspension ride nice enough for the street but capable of handling all the power.
"I think I can safely say that the car is done, which brings me to the most interesting ending to the story. During the course of the building process, we lost a member of our family, my 2-month-old baby brother. He was born with a treatable heart condition but still passed away, and his death left my family so devastated that I decided to donate the car to two non-profit organizations in memory of him. The car is going to be raffled off Memorial Day weekend, and all the proceeds will benefit these charities. The lucky winner will get my car 'as is' along with a 1-year warranty from Powerhaus Racing."
For more info on the raffle and charities, please log on to the website, www.powerhaus.com/raffle.
1986 Porsche 944 Turbo
EngineType968 3.0-liter inline four, iron block, 16-valve aluminum head, turbocharged and intercooledPower output:479 hp @ 7000 rpm (measured at the wheels)470 lb-ft of torque @ 3800 rpm (measured at the wheels)
Internal ModificationsPowerhaus lightened crankshaft, Powerhaus shortened billet rods, Powerhaus custom forged and thermocoated dished pistons, fire ring head gasket, 8.8:1 compression ratio, Powerhaus modified oil pan
External ModificationsPowerhaus custom intake manifold, throttle body, 52# injectors, adjustable fuel pressure regulator, Powerhaus KKK #8 turbo with custom Stage 3 compressor, B&B 3-in. full exhaust with ceramic-coated headers, air-oil separator, 46mm billet wastegate, MSD Ignition
Engine Management ModificationsPowerhaus custom tuning
DrivetrainDrivetrain ModificationsTurbo S limited-slip differential and transmission, Powerhaus lightweight billet clutch kit
SuspensionFront: strut tower brace, Koni adjustable shocks, 250-lb springs frontRear: Koni Adjustable shocks, torsion
BrakesFactory four-piston calipers with Pagid Orange race pads
ExteriorWheelsKinesis Supercup, 8x18 front and 8x10 rear
TiresFront: Bridgestone S-02 Pole Position, 225/40-18Rear: Bridgestone S-02 Pole Position, 265/35-18
BodyA.I.R. fiberglass bumper, A.I.R. front splitter, smoked lenses, Euro-spec fog/driving lights, paint cared for by Granite Auto Grooming in Las Vegas
Interior Greddy 2-bar boost gauge on A-pillar, Blitz adjustable boost controller, custom dash-mounted Nakamichi head unit and five-disc changer, Dyne Audio speakers, JL Audio 10-in WS6 subwoofer, concealed Phoeniz Gold ZX 450 amplifier, custom install by Dave Reyna of Audio Excellence