newer dash

[IpPyNeSs]

i was wondering if a newer like a 1986 944 dash would fit in a 1984 na 944?

[83-944]

fit, yes
work, no

You would need to convert all the early electrical senders to have the newer dash read correctly.

plus the early 44's have a mechanical speedo. The later ones use an electrical speedo sensed from the tranny requiring a tranny swap to a later model.