Porsche 944/951 LS engine swaps

[rfuerst911sc]

Not sure why but a 944 or 951 chassis with a GM LS engine swap sounds interesting . Any of you guys done this ? Or driven one ? Obviously not for purists but what a hot rod . I had a 944S and it was well balanced . I could see where 350 hp could wake it up 😆

[pavulon]

[Arizona_928]

I did my 928. Major differences is that 928's have a giant engine bay to work with.
I would do a 951 as they have a stronger transaxle, and would try to find a 86 tub as they're more friendly when it comes to adding the goodies. Next best would be an early 944. Parts prices are cheap/common comparing to late cars. Example early and late ball joints...

The cool thing about the ls engines are that the 4.8/5.3 /6.0 v8 family truck engines all mount up. Once you cam, springs, and power adder. You're in the expensive ls territory regarding hp and a fraction of the cost. With the 944's weight is prolly of concern and the later aluminum block truck engines would fit the bill too.

Last thought. Stay away from renegade hybrids in Vegas. They're the most pompous pricks I've ever dealt with, and they're expensive.

[Arizona_928]

Btw the parts you need.
-Torque tube to corvette 2 piece bell housing adapter (Piece of pipe with a metal plate welded around it).
-motor mounts
-clutch disk that has the correct spine count. Should be off the shelf part.
-pilot bearing. The 928's use hummer h2 pilot bearing.
-fuel system is easily fabbed with a fuel filter that has the regulator and return built in.
-chinese wiring harness if you don't want to rewire the stock. Psi harnesses is what I use.

[GothingNC]

My friends shop has performed a few swaps with the 944 and 928.

Best bang for the buck, more HP, no timing belt worries.

[GH85Carrera]

The LS swap must be the most done engine swap on the planet. For many years things had an air cooled VW engine stuck in them. Now the LS swap is done to just about anything.

[slow&rusty]

Well I understand the desire for more hp in a non turbo 944 (as the chassis is so capable), on a turbocharged 944 350hp is reliably attainable (I'm not a purist either). I have a '87 951 that is right at 275hp at 14-psi and its party on 4 wheels when it comes on. I could push it harder to well north of 300hp but for what I use it for (street car), its plenty fast.

[jcommin]

N/A'ing my Turbo; LS1 conversion project

Techno Duck did his serveral years ago - it is the best write up I have ever read. I never met Jon but we communicated several times and helped me thru 944 issues.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by slow&rusty

Well I understand the desire for more hp in a non turbo 944 (as the chassis is so capable), on a turbocharged 944 350hp is reliably attainable (I'm not a purist either). I have a '87 951 that is right at 275hp at 14-psi and its party on 4 wheels when it comes on. I could push it harder to well north of 300hp but for what I use it for (street car), its plenty fast.

Right, but an LS has a lot more torque, especially no the low end than a 951. And you don't have to worry about whatever the other Porsche engine issues are (timing belt and an interference motor?). If you have an LSx with 350hp and a 951 with 350hp, then the LSx is probably going to be faster due to the fatter, less peaky torque curve unless the V-8 ends up being a few hundred pounds heavier.

[Arizona_928]

Yeah my 951 was gutless on the low end.
The 3.0 s2 engines are very responsive, but you can't beat the hp for the price of a cheb.

[rfuerst911sc]

My 944S had it's demise due to a snapped timing belt , a belt that was installed by a pro AND retensioned and it didn't last 12,000 miles ! I am done with that . The LS makes great power/torque in stock form and easily tweeked to make big power .

All that and as reliable as a stove . Hard to beat in my opinion . I believe the aluminum LS is about 50 lbs. lighter than the Porsche four banger . I am at a point in my life where I am not interested in doing the conversion myself but will keep my eyes open for any completed conversions for sale . I appreciate all the feedback you guys have given .

[masraum]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

My 944S had it's demise due to a snapped timing belt , a belt that was installed by a pro AND retensioned and it didn't last 12,000 miles ! I am done with that . The LS makes great power/torque in stock form and easily tweeked to make big power .

All that and as reliable as a stove . Hard to beat in my opinion . I believe the aluminum LS is about 50 lbs. lighter than the Porsche four banger . I am at a point in my life where I am not interested in doing the conversion myself but will keep my eyes open for any completed conversions for sale . I appreciate all the feedback you guys have given .

Exactly, lighter weight AND more powerful AND in many ways, much less expensive.

The only downside might be breaking things that aren't up to the task of handling the extra power.

[slow&rusty]

I never understood why 944 timing belts break during ownership. Its a clear maintenance item, no difference than brakes wearing out or a clutch, its not rocket science to change either as these are basic single cam 8 valve engines. It reflects poorly on an owner (or their mechanic) if a timing belt breaks and damages the motor.

I don't have lag issues with my car, a modern turbo, MAF conversion and a well designed exhaust to help the car breathe have addressed these things without adding any additional stress to the engine.

[Arthropraxis]

I converted an 87 944 turbo with a LS1 out of a 2004 GTO. The 951 had a blown #2 piston through the oil pan. I daily drove it for 9 years with nothing more than oil changes and scheduled maintenance. My wife could drive the car, very manageable or you could steer it with the rear wheels. My car made 327HP to the rear wheels. Several people I knew that had previously had 944/951 in the past that drove it said this is what should have been built from the factory.
The biggest decision you will make is the brake system because you will have to get rid of the vacuum booster.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Never liked those builds personally. They’re cool and the numbers are there but IMHO there’s more to the experience of driving than just numbers. Maybe that’s snobbish (probably is) and I respect the build effort for those that do it and definitely wouldn’t turn down an opportunity to drive one but not for me. If I wanted to do an insane build I’d get an old MR2 or Miata or something and shove something ridiculous in there. Just me. I’ve had several 944s and like them for what they are.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

Never liked those builds personally. They’re cool and the numbers are there but IMHO there’s more to the experience of driving than just numbers. Maybe that’s snobbish (probably is) and I respect the build effort for those that do it and definitely wouldn’t turn down an opportunity to drive one but not for me. If I wanted to do an insane build I’d get an old MR2 or Miata or something and shove something ridiculous in there. Just me. I’ve had several 944s and like them for what they are.

For a 911, I wouldn't want a V-8 swap 911, but I'd certainly like to drive one just to see what it's like.

For a 944, I can see it. You're not swapping a 400# motor for an 800# motor. You aren't swapping an air cooled for a water cooled. You aren't removing a rear engine and sticking one in the front. The 944 is not far off from a miata as far as power/weight and accel/speed. They were an entry level vehicle. But I've also never driven one, maybe if I did, I'd change my mind.

[Mr. Merk]

My neighbor finished his 3.6 swapped SC and is now finishing up an LS1 944. Should be interesting. He's very detail oriented.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Mr. Merk

My neighbor finished his 3.6 swapped SC and is now finishing up an LS1 944. Should be interesting. He's very detail oriented.

Yeah, to me, those sound pretty fantastic. I can support an air-cooled 911 motor swap with an air-cooled 911.

That garage sounds like a ton of fun.