V8 Upgrade to a 944

[drfatz]

Anyone done a RenegadeHybrid LS1 upgrade to a 944? I am seriously considering it as a fun project, but am extremely leery of the transaxle being able to stand up to 350 lbs of torque. Currently I have a 1985.5 944 NA and was thinking of doing the upgrade and dropping in a turbo transmission with an LSD. Any comments/suggestions would be appreciated.

-G

[Eldorado]

many times.
do a search... there's gold in them hills.

[bryanthompson]

http://www.560sec.com/bulletinboard -- these guys are all about v8 swaps.

When I do mine, I am going to use the NA tranny I already have, since I have a spare also, but I don't plan on abusing it. A Turbo tranny with a taller NA 5th gear is what most seem to think is the best combo.

[mscromer]

I'm sure you have read this on renegade hybrid's web site, but here it is in case you haven't. "The 944 torque tube and trans-axle remain stock and in their original locations. These components can handle the power output of mild performance motors when used in street driven applications. However, the 944 Turbo trans-axles are stronger and have more favorable gear ratios for the V-8 application. Automatics are not an option with this kit…sorry." They made the kit and they did the testing, I guess you have to believe what they claim. Even if someone on this BBS has done this conversion I think it would be safe to say
renegade hybrid's knows more about their own kits than anyone here does.

[speedracing944]

I am currently doing a vette lt1 V-8 conversion and i frequent the hybrids board as well. There are some guys on there who can answer any and all questions about the swap. One guy who has a LS1 conversion raced in the Cannon Ball Run last month and did quite well. Hope this helps....

Speedy

[Hoss Ghoul]

If you haven't already, check out www.ls1tech.com They have a forum specifically dedicated to hybrids. It may not answer this question, but will be very handy if you go the LS1 route...hands down the best LS1(if not all cars/engines) message board on the net.

[shikzachaser]

I was seriously looking into that conversion. I spent a lot of time talking to the guys out there and they definately seem to know what they are doing. I had intended on having them pick up my 84 when they delivered a car to Ohio and then get it back in 6-9 months. I ultimately decided to go with a supercharger on a stroker bottom and build the suspension up to go along with it. I am just about finished. The blower is still to be dialed in on a dyno. I will realisticly only have around 200RWHP and about the same torque, but as light as it is I anticipate a huge difference. I also shaved some lbs w/ the Fiberwerks front and rear and Wilwood brakes. Renegade was looking at around $18-20K for a turn key using my platform w/ the suspension done already. I did not like losing power brakes at all and I also have heard of potential cooling problems when running A/C. All in all they seems like a firs rate operation and the cars look cool w/ that LS1 under the hood for sure.
Even w/ 200HP I am sure my winter project will be a 951 tranny and LSD. I already did the 951 sway bars and a lot of other heavy duty stuff.

Good luke:

Steve

84 944 "Schrittkind mit dem roten haar"
91 C4
98 M3
00 Durango
06 Aprilia

[armandodiaz]

I was in the Homestead 12hr race there was a 951 with a C5 engine. It started last because it was late getting up to grid. By the end of lap one it was in 3rd. It lasted 45min after blowing it's 2nd transmission of the weekend.