The 944 V8 Chevy conversion and some thoughts

[Ven]

Well after talking to the guys at www.renegadehybrids.com I saw that you could cram a small block chevy V8 into the 944 compartment with no "serious" work. Now I wished I had never saw this sine I just got my x-mas bonus and was DEAD set on buying a Rimmer supercharger for my 85-1/2-2. I know I would get a lot of flack since I would just be to tempted to have a "Porsche" powered by Chevy sticker on the back. Any ideas? the idea of 300hp 944 n/a for under 3K just sounds to tempting and I have yet to see actual numbers from the supercharger.

On another note after actually seeing a V8 in a 944 I cant help but think "just how hard could it be to stick a 928 v8 in there" I think that topic has been discussed and dismissed long ago.

Anyway, I would really like to hear what you guys/gals think of this insanity.

[1.2gees]

I just don't think it could be done as easy as renegade would have you believe...

However there's a lot of 911s with this (or similar) conversions, I'd never think there'd be enough space in the back of a 911, but hey, there apperantly is!

Anyway, I think it would throw off your balance, and kill the fun of a free revving Porsche engine...

However renegade has been saying otherwise, I'd personally get the supercharger in a heartbeat, but ONLY if your engine is strong now, with good compression. The 944 NA bottom end (which just HAPPENS to be the same as a turbo's) can handle lots more power than stock...

Or this could be a transitional phase, like we've all been through (the NA syndrome), and you could realize the best way to cure your hunger for more power is sell your car, and buy a 944 turbo...

However the NA 944s have their advantages, they're lighter, and therefore a little more agile...

Whatever route you choose, let us know!
Ahmet

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It's all the driver...

[monteness]

You better get ALL the prices before you put a $$ figure on that V8 conversion. It will cost you more than $3k. The starter kit for the 944 starts at about $2480 or close to that. Then you have the little items with regards to a/c or heat, motor mounts(which they produce), x-over for torque tube, and then you have to get the engine; which needs to be an LT-1, to keep the car somewhat balanced. Good low milage LT-1s are in the $1500 - 2200 range. Good luck,,,,,,,, but I have to agree with Ahmet, buy a 951 with that extra money.

Bret

[Weldin]

I feel your pain! I too am considering the SuperCharger Kit, and would be very gun shy on the Checy V-8 conversion...for the same reasons...your 928 v-8 is more along my line of thinking also. i.e. keeping it a Porsche!
I think there is alot of common sense when you think about what has always been the consensus on this forum when it comes to more power for the N/A 944...sell it & buy the turbo. I think I might just do that instead...Although a Supercharged 944 has got to be awesome. Please post if you have personal experience w/ this! And price-wise its about the same...I would think power would be comparable also. Any thoughts?

[Ven]

I have taken the motor into consideration. My brother commonly does a similar conversion on Mazda Miatas" <-not sure on the spelling" at his shop and being an avid Chevy fan he was the one who turned me on to the V8 conversion. The reason behind my drive to increase my NA's HP is stealth. Childish huh? I have just had one to many "buddies" come up behind me at night and ride my tail long enough to determine weather or not it was a turbo before before giving both me and my car a ego shot straight in the teeth.

Ever just want to make a monster?

[nigel]

Will the gearbox handle the power of a small block? I recently read a story about a guy who put a Rover V8 ( Buick 215ci, all alloy) in a 924, and it mashed the gearbox. Of course he was racing from traffic lights at the time!!

[nigel]

Originally posted by nigel:
Will the gearbox handle the power of a small block? I recently read a story about a guy who put a Rover V8 ( Buick 215ci, all alloy) in a 924, and it mashed the gearbox. Of course he was racing from traffic lights at the time!!

I'm from England by the way!!

[EHP]

I have called Renegade and spoke to one of there reps. If you have them do the conversion it will cost around $12,000.00 which includes a 300+hp LT-1. I have just spent close to $10,000.00 on my 91 944S2 CAB. I had the head ported and polished, elgin cams, adjustable cam gear, flow matched injectors, adjustable fuel regulator, Huntley Racing MAF kit, Nology ignition, custom exhaust with high flow cat and a performance clutch. The car is fast it does 0-60 in 5.6 seconds and the 1/4 in 14.0. I had it dyno'd and it putting close to 230hp @ the wheels. That is 60 more HP than stock at the wheels for $10,000.00. If I would of had the V8 conversion done for $12,000.00 I would have close to 300hp @ the wheels with a non modified chevy V8. I know you can get gobs of Hp from a 951 motor but at the cost of reliabilty. When ever you increase boost you increase wear and tear on the motor. The chevy motor is capable of 400Hp without much strain at all. Something to think about. As far as the handling change due to the extra weight it can be over come with suspension tuning.

[diverdan]

Ya could. Ever think about just buying a cheap old 928 and tossing out some electric motors and stuff? Might be cheaper. Its already got the bigger brakes, and a pretty tough transaxle. If you still want a bow tie, the engine bay is a lot bigger. There are a lot of neglected 928s that can be had for a song.

Dan

[Eduardo Castrejón Elbjorn]

( I want to convert my 944 T. to v8 )
Lamentable for me:
I receive an e-mail from renegade that says:

Sorry:
But we do not do the 924´s pre 1987 and we do not do the auto kit for the 944´s.

[Obin Robinson]

http://www.collectorcartraderonline.com/addetail.html?439799

1979 PORSCHE 924, CHEVY 327-300HP powers this red 924 with 944 body kit and other upgrades. Konis, Holley PRO-jection, 5-lug 944 wheels, crome headers, Dino wheel, and much more. A blast at 2640 lbs.

Contact Number: (916) 652-3942

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good luck!

obin

[pst]

I built a '77 924 with a Buick V6 and then swaped in a Chevy 327 V8. I did not use anyone's kit because of the expense. I designed and fabricated all of the parts myself. I used 220# front springs from Performance Products. I had a custom radiator made up at a local radiator shop. I didn't keep the car long because this was right at the time of a divorce so I sold the car. It was wild! The only thing necessary that gives it away is the hood mods necessary if you don't use a tuned port engine or a 2nd generation LT1. Check the pictures in the link from one of the replies. That car looks to have the same hood scoop that I used. ('69 Camero LT1)
I swaped the transaxles for one from an 80 924 turbo and had no problems--I didn't do any hole shots either. I don't think any of the Porsche transaxles could handle that.