Hey guys.... I'm sure you've prolly seen me around campus. I have a 1985.5 Porsche 944 n/a

Bought it last year around just before August. My hopes are to get this car rollin but with more power. The stock 2.5L I-4 is just not cuttin it... Plans?

Dropping in a 5.7L LS1 v8 in its place. Upgrading the tranny from a 951. I should have the engine swapped by this July. The transmission will have to hold out until late September unfortunately. Then, hopefully by March, I'll have the widebody Kit already installed...





I know I'm going to get hit with alot of ridicule from you other "porsche purists." but whatever. I'll be seeing yall at the finish line... Just givin yall a small intro. Outa curiosity, anyone else out there who've done/completed the v8 conversion? (either in a 944, miata, rx-7, 240sx?)

1/14/2006 10:18:36 PM

1/14/2006 10:20:10 PM

if it'll make it go faster...

1/14/2006 10:52:45 PM

I'm a Ford man, but I'll admit it's hard to beat a 350 for power, cheapness, and simplicity.

1/14/2006 11:20:21 PM

why are you putting on a wide body?

1/14/2006 11:23:49 PM

more traction jackson

1/15/2006 12:17:12 AM

you're gay, not about the engine swap... just in general

[Edited on January 15, 2006 at 12:54 AM. Reason : .]

1/15/2006 12:53:56 AM

$10 says you won't have it done.

And I say this for free, pick up a 951 instead, and chip it. It'll be almost as fast, with better suspension, superior brakes, superior air flow management, and all factory. I'm very much not a purist, especially when it comes to a 944 N/A, so don't think it's got anything to do w/that.
Ahmet

1/15/2006 1:15:33 AM

Quote :

"I know I'm going to get hit with alot of ridicule from you other "porsche purists." but whatever."

not a porsche purist, but I still think you're pretty ridiculous

1/15/2006 1:16:22 AM

sounds pretty badass....the ls1 is one hell of an engine

good luck on it and keep me posted

1/15/2006 1:22:38 AM

Awesome, out of the 9 people who resonded, only 4 gave me a smartass remark? I'm almost disappointed in this forum... Thanks guys.. really...

LS-1 is more reliable than the 951. The tranny will be the same, however the suspension has been upgraded (Koni GT Struts and Shocks, stiffer sway bars, etc.). Ahmet, I can appreciate what you are saying. I too have thought over the 951. However, you have much more troubles dealing with a turbo, as you've got to make room for an intercooler, add lines and make room for a tubo, keep it tuned properly, blah blah blah. Not only that, but the 951 engine + turbo (including all accessories such as intercooler and such) actually weighs around 100lbs MORE than the LS1 and all the fixings. LS-1 parts are more accessible these days than the old Porsche's. Not only that, lets say I'd need to take the engine to a shop cause I can't fix it myself. Repairs are cheaper, parts are cheaper, and there are more people around here that know their stuff about LS1's than people who know about 1986 porsche technology. Besides, this porsche is in America now.

If you want to know about superior brakes, get the big Red 993 brake package. End of story there.

Ahmet, your on with you $10. Do you wish to cash it out to me now or credit it to me for lunch later?

I've decided to fiberglass it for 2 reasons.
1)Obvious enough, weight savings = better performance
2)(main reason) There's flaws in the body, so if I were going to spend money fixing these, I'd see a better return investing it in a fiberglass body kit. Nothing gay like those ricers nowadays. I personally like the widebody that the 944 and the 944T's come with. I'd like to have something a bit more unique, more up to date, without losing the widebody touch. The widebody adds that aggressive update look to fit in with the new day and age.
3) I can fit bigger/wider tires/rims, get better grip on the road. Figured I'd go with something like this:



Overall Project Estimate Cost: $20k.
Project Estimated Time To Completion: 3 years
Current Time: 6 months

Sure I could "buy" a new car and use that $20k for a d/p or something. But its all about building a car EXACTLY how I want it to look and perform, and all within my budget.

Skywalkr, thanks for the support, I will keep this post up to date.

Last thing, I don't plan on stroking the LS1 to any rediculous numbers. From my gathering, the torque tube and pilot bearings from a 951 transaxle can't handle more than 400lbs-ft anyways, so a stock LS1 with custom exhaust/intake would be sufficient enough. yes I have heard of 944's running higher numbers than 400hp/400tq. Some of their owners have either spent $$$ thousands getting a one of a kind transaxle to work or continuously rebuild it every couple thousand miles. My objective is just getting the swap to work.

1/15/2006 1:53:40 AM

there was a guy selling a 944 with a 350 on autotrader a while back for like $6500. might want to try and track that car down.

1/15/2006 7:47:12 AM

dude, buy an Rx-7 and drop the LS1 into it. http://www.hinsonsupercars.com sells a kit to make it all fit, either in a 2nd or 3rd gen. This will save you lots of trouble. You could get an FD rolling chassis for $5k hopefully... and the FD chassis is far superior to a 944

1/15/2006 9:25:12 AM

While I've seen a 944 with this conversion before, and it probably resulted in a car that's fast in a straight line, wouldn't the extra weight of the LS1 ruin the handling of the 944? The handling is the main reason people drive these things imo.

Should be getting mine ('89 n/a 2.7) back from the paint shop soon - look forward to driving it and not looking ghetto in the process.

Then attending to the coolant leak, the weak altrenator, and then in 9k miles replacing the belts and the distributor shaft seal... yeah, it's a project car.

1/15/2006 9:40:40 AM

Actually, there is a LS1 kit already out (Renegade Hybrid). Rolling chassis for $5k? I got my Porsche with a perfectly running engine, new pump, belts, tires, upgraded suspension for $5k. I can sell the engine and transfer some of the other parts and save myself a bit of money there. The LS1 actually isn't that much heavier than the stock 2.5L I-4 already in it. The LS1 is an alluminum block. The 4 banger is an iron block. The myth of "you're going to ruin the 50-50 weight distribution" is false. The curb weight of both the RX-7 and the 944 are within 90 pounds of each other IMO, the Rx-7 being a lighter car. But it doesn't offer than same weight dist. ratio as the 944. Plus its a Porsche... yes my ego runs high there >_> However, I haven't rulled out doing the v8 swap in an old RX. That just may be my next car proj.

The 944 can already out corner many other cars. I just need to give it some more umph so that it can pull out of those corners faster when I go tracking, and just have that peice of mind that if I'm driving a sports car, it should have performance like a sports car. Don't get me wrong here, I'm not dragging this car out in Fayetteville or anything. This is for daily driver Street applications and road and track course applications only.

Nicholaspea, I hope your car looks excellent. G/L helping restore your car back together.

6months ago, I prolly woulda bought a pre-converted 944. However, I'd like to learn more about the whole project idea by doing it myself.

[Edited on January 15, 2006 at 10:15 AM. Reason : .]

1/15/2006 10:13:21 AM

deja vu?

1/15/2006 10:54:41 AM

Widebody for bigger tires?

You can already fit 8's inthe front and 11's in the back with the stock bodywork. How much more rim/tire are you planing run past that?

Also the 944 motor is an all aluminium unit, block and heads

[Edited on January 15, 2006 at 11:26 AM. Reason : .]

1/15/2006 11:19:17 AM

^ that is true, however, mine aren't. First owner of my car was a rich guy. He took extensive car of the car. However, in 1990, he gave it to his daughter. Thats when the service records stop. The guy I bought it off from did a bit of work to it. However, shortcuts were taken when the engine was redone (the timing belt broke and water pump went out). So parts of my block are alluminum and others are iron. Sux to be me yes.

I had no idea about the tire widths that can already be done. When I say widebody, I'm not increasing it that much, if any. I"m looking to put 11-12" on the rear, and hopefully 9-10" in the front. If anything, the kit I'm looking at is either the same in dimensions as the stock 944 body or will extend about an inch, at most 2. I don't want to stray too far from the original widebody dimensions though.

1/15/2006 12:05:48 PM

Seen a LT-1 in a 928.......was pretty sick

1/15/2006 12:19:38 PM

you should of made this thread when you actually have the motor in the car, rather than saying "hey niggers im putting a v8 in my porsche".

1/15/2006 12:21:02 PM

"So parts of my block are alluminum and others are iron."

This raises questions about your credibility. Please elaborate... I should note that I've been around Porsches for some time, and spoken to dozens of people that said they were doing this swap.

Let's leave that alone for now, the 951 doesn't just come with bigger brakes and stiffer springs, it comes with a better package. There's more to a car than it's engine, transmission, it's brake calipers and rotors +springs and shocks. The 951 comes with different spindles and control arms forexample... It came with enough different parts to be distinguished internally from the 944 (into the 951 obviously).
Ahmet

1/15/2006 12:49:18 PM

Quote :

""So parts of my block are alluminum and others are iron.""

wtf?



im getting deja vu here too, lets see who else announced big projects here and never followed through?

1/15/2006 1:20:34 PM

Oh shit. I'd better get to following through.

1/15/2006 1:21:56 PM

One more vote for this never coming to fruition.

1/15/2006 1:44:02 PM

i don't get people that think every car would be better w/ an sbc

sure it may go faster straight but the weight balance of the car will be all jacked.

1/15/2006 1:44:34 PM

I doubt you all have done your research correctly, if any at all. The swap will not interfere with the weight balance. My weight ratio is already off, so if anything, I'll be also correcting that issue. It'll get done, I assure you guys. But I've got nothing to prove other than the pink slips...

1/15/2006 2:04:52 PM

Quote :

"than the pink slips"

because that's what 944s are good for, pink slips?

1/15/2006 2:21:22 PM

^^^not always. take older Z cars for example.

and

Quote :

"$10 says you won't have it done."

1/15/2006 2:24:06 PM

I love this board, you people are so funny By the time i get done with the project, i'll have collected enough ten dollar bills to have it all paid for. Thanks for the sponsorship guys!

1/15/2006 2:26:29 PM

well we just want to see the finished product. dont be "updating" this project. we just wanna see it done, then you can tell us how you did it.

when you get it done, then lotta people on here will be "damn, thats cool. blah blah blah".

1/15/2006 2:48:12 PM

you come in here with some kind of chip on your shoulder... obviously you have some preconceived notions and expect certain things from the people here.

what the fuck do you expect, sunshine and flowers?

1/15/2006 2:51:52 PM

^^^you won't be collecting shit. i've got another $10 on that.

1/15/2006 2:59:51 PM

The 944 is one of the best handing, well balanced vehicles in sports car history. I cant think of a worse candidate for a 350 swap....

Now a 928 would be a perfect shell.

1/15/2006 3:35:25 PM

Quote :

"The 944 is one of the best handing, well balanced vehicles in sports car history."

holy hoodrat sally smoking crack in the alley, batman!

1/15/2006 3:55:31 PM

Quote :

"^^^you won't be collecting shit. i've got another $10 on that."

Maybe we'll piss the guy off enough that he does it at all costs just out of spite.

1/15/2006 4:06:06 PM

sorta like noen's bastard subaru-bmw racecar? oh wait...

1/15/2006 4:09:32 PM

this guy is a tool. if he wants to fuck up a great platform then so be it. but what a dumb shit.

1/15/2006 7:03:22 PM

i mean if i were going to do this i would do it to a basket case 928 not a 944 which is a well sorted car.
not saying the 928 isn't but that v8 isn't one of the most reliable things ever

and i agree the z cars swaps work ok and same with the pre-ford jags (not that they're much better now)

1/15/2006 7:14:55 PM

^ the ls1 is a pretty reliable engine...probably a lot more so than what is in it now in its current condition

1/15/2006 8:10:53 PM

I'm gonna laugh when he finishes this before smoothcrim

1/15/2006 8:12:42 PM

that lil 4 banger is pretty stout... i agree with just getting a 951 building some boost on it and call it close enough

1/15/2006 8:13:19 PM

951 engines add too much weight, and aren't as reliable as the LS1.

Thanks Lumex for the support. Only three things are really changing here guys. The engine block, and the power. The tranny is going to be swapped, but the weight isn't any different, just upgrading to stronger taller gears. The engine block doesn't throw the 50-50 weight ratio off either. So overall, I'm getting more power and overall greater reliability? No more broken timing belts for one thing...

I would have gotten a 928 platform as it is also an excellent candidate, but both the style and availibility of funds to get one were against me. I don't see how I'm fucking up a great platform?

I'm a paced person. Plans are laid out with minor setbacks already in place. (yay for overachievement). I'm not discrediting the 4 banger (i've kept up with v6, and even older v8 camaro's and t/a's before). It's geared top end and performs well for its class. But I'm not a guy who likes "keeping up." I like being ahead of the crowd.

zxappeal- i'm doing it because I want to. Can't really piss off someone whoes already determined eh?

1/15/2006 8:54:02 PM

I think a Porscheve will be born.

If by Porscheve you mean stock Porsche and by born you mean driving until it breaks down, gets wrecked, or gets sold.

1/15/2006 9:37:47 PM

Quote :

"Only three things are really changing here guys."

actually, nothing is going to change. except maybe your realization that it's not going to happen.

Quote :

"i've kept up with v6, and even older v8 camaro's and t/a's before"

ooh, now there's something to brag about. 3rd gen. f-bodys (the only ones you'd have any chance at) are real powerhouses.

1/15/2006 11:26:01 PM

w/e, not my problem you guys are so pessimistic. Ten keys to success here guys:

1)Optimism
2)Faith
3)Planning
4)Determination
5)Goals
6)Vision
7)Attitude
8)Perseverance
9)Knowledge
10)Enthusiam

I've got all 10, and well, actually number 11 is Cash. And I'm working on that right now. It'll get done, and all who doubt me, well you guys just suck. If anyone has any useful info, such as a shop that does excellent work on custom exhausts for example, please let me know. I'd appreciate any and all USEFUL suggestions that can be applied to my project idea.

^ what do you want me to say? "damn I can keep up with a HONDA!" yeah, I'm really getting somewhere there now. I've got a freakin 4 cyl. cryin out loud. and its old 1986 technology too... I woulda expected more from a late 1990's model v8

[Edited on January 16, 2006 at 12:52 AM. Reason : .]

1/16/2006 12:49:52 AM

late 90's v8? as in lt1 or ls1? yeah, right... they must not have known they were racing.

that list is also quite possibly the queerest thing i've ever seen.

get to work... i'll be giving this thread a weekly bttt until july.

1/16/2006 12:57:51 AM

How can you swap an aluminum porsche 4cyl for a 350 and not gain weight?

1/16/2006 1:04:18 AM

make the thread, after its done

...douche bag

1/16/2006 1:45:59 AM

Quote :

"1)Optimism 2)Faith 3)Planning 4)Determination 5)Goals 6)Vision 7)Attitude 8)Perseverance 9)Knowledge 10)Enthusiam"

Do you have a poster of a kitten hanging in a tree that reads "Hang in There!"?

1/16/2006 8:07:08 AM

I think what he means is:

Quote :

"the only way I can hope to finish this project is if I somehow involve my pride and complete it to spite some random people I pick a fight with on an internet forum!"

1/16/2006 10:50:13 AM