86 to 83 engine swap

[BMWnPorsche]

Hello,

I am new to this forum but in love with Pelican. Anyways I have a 944 that threw a bearing and I wanted to replace the long block. I was wondering if the 83 944 engine that I am looking at purchasing would be an easy, drop-in, no adjustments needed, type of swap or would I have complications? If there are any adjustments that need to be made, what are they and what's the difficulty?

Thanks in advance!

-Scott

[Gawernator]

I know my '86 had an '84 donor engine in it, works fine... apparently some of the seals are different by the tiniest measurements

[jwade944]

There's probably some things I am forgetting, but... Bottom end should be no issue. I think the intake manifold, cam and fuel rail are different. If you swap those over from your '86, I think it will be close to a straight swap and you can keep the '86 DME. The '83 used a three piece oil pressure relief valve. Porsche updated it but it will not interchange with the '86 and it is $$$ to replace. May want to check to see that it was updated. Check mounts for power steering, AC, alternator, etc. I don't recall if they were different, but I know some '83 cars did not have power steering.

[krystar]

if you're just swapping the big metal pieces block+head+camtower i think u'd be fine. keep your 86 afm and dme, fuel rail, flywheel.

[BMWnPorsche]

So what I have gathered from all of you is just to swap the short block?

Thanks for the quick replies!

[jwade944]

A short block should be fine. If any valves were bent, then you will need to have that repaired before reusing your cylinder head. In the end, I suspect that building from a short block will be more expensive than throwing in a long block with the parts exchange that we listed above. If you plan to keep the car for a long time, then building the engine correctly from a short block may be a good investment. If you plan to sell the car in a couple of years, then putting in a used engine is probably the cheaper route.

[Cocacolakidd]

Doesn't matter if you are swapping the short block or the long block/entire motor. Just use the '86 AFM, DME, Fuel Rail, and better '86 flywheel for the sensors. You could use the earlier AFM along with it's DME, but that chip in the DME is not replaceable and soldiered in place on the 83's, so use the '86 stuff. Also check the oil pressure relief valve for the later version. You'll be fine and Mom will never know.